Liberty's holiday gift could end up DirecTV

December 07, 2006 Liberty Media would benefit from controlling satellite TV giant DirecTV Group because it will add distribution clout to its content businesses, president and CEO Greg Maffei said here Wednesday amid suggestions that a deal with News Corp. could come before year's end. In an appearance here at the annual UBS Global Media and Communications Conference, Maffei also said talks with News Corp. about swapping assets for Liberty's stake in News Corp. continue, but News Corp.'s stake in DirecTV is only one asset under discussion. News Corp. president and chief operating officer Peter Chernin previously said a deal could come before 2006 is over, but dodged a question this week about timing (HR 12/5).

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