LONDON (Brand Republic) - Rupert Murdoch has contacted the board of General Motors in an attempt to rescue his bid to merge the car giant’s US satellite broadcaster DirecTV with BSkyB parent Sky Global Networks.
Murdoch has requested a meeting with the GM board, going over the head of Michael Smith, the chairman of Hughes -- the GM division that owns the satellite TV business -- and younger brother of Jack Smith, chairman of GM.
Murdoch’s plan to enter the US direct-to-home market was dashed when Smith opposed the merger and launched a counter-bid in the form of a management buyout.
Smith is said to have approached a number of potential backers including some, such as Microsoft, which are believed to be involved in News Corporation’s proposal.
GM has given Smith until the end of this month to come up with a viable alternative offer to that of News Corp’s.