Businessweek

DIRECTV (NasdaqGS:DTV) is planning a potential bid for Hulu, LLC, according to a person familiar with the matter. Hulu's owners, including The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), News Corp. (NasdaqGS:NWSA); and Comcast Corporation (NasdaqGS:CMCS.A) are considering various strategic options for the site including a sale. Other firms that have bid or expressed interest in Hulu include cable operator Guggenheim Partners, LLC; Hulu, LLC; Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE:TWC); Yahoo! Inc. (NasdaqGS:YHOO); and former News Corp. President Peter Chernin's investment group. People familiar with the matter say pay TV operators like DirecTV could be interested in the site in part to expand their so-called "TV Everywhere" services, which make TV shows available over the Web to pay TV customers. Share price of DirecTV is up by 0.76%, share price of Walt Disney up by 0.17%, share price of News Corp up by 1.10%., share price of Comcast Corp. decreases by 0.54%, share price of Time Warner Cable up by 0.75% and share price of Yahoo decreases by 0.23%.

News Corp. announced the appointment of Antoinette Cook Bush as Executive Vice President and Global Head of Government Affairs for the new News Corporation, the proposed global publishing entity to be formed as part of the company's intended separation into two independent, publicly traded companies. In her new role, effective June 24, Ms. Bush will report to Robert Thomson, Chief Executive Officer of the new News Corporation, and be based in Washington, D.C. Ms. Bush joins the new News Corporation from Skadden, Arps, Meagher & Flom LLP, where, over her nearly 20-year tenure, she rose to become the Partner in charge of its Communications Group.

At least two pay TV operators, including Time Warner Cable Inc. (NYSE:TWC) are planning to invest in Hulu, LLC as Hulu considers a range of strategic options, according to people familiar with the matter. It isn't clear how much Time Warner Cable is willing to pay and whether it is considering purchasing a minority stake in the site or an all-out acquisition. Hulu's current owners including News Corp. (NasdaqGS:NWSA); Comcast Corporation (NasdaqGS:CMCS.A) and The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS) don't see the cable operator as the most likely buyer at the valuation it has signaled it would do the transaction, one of the people familiar with the matter said. The identity of the other pay TV operator isn't known. For regulatory reasons, Comcast can't vote its stake. News Corp and Disney have been at odds about the strategic direction for Hulu, and more recently the companies have been considering selling the site. Another option is for News Corp. or Disney to buy the other out. Former News Corp. President Peter Chernin's investment group has made an offer for Hulu, people familiar with the matter say. In addition, Guggenheim Partners, LLC and Yahoo! Inc. (NasdaqGS:YHOO) has shown interest in the site., people familiar with the situation said.

News Corp. reported consolidated earnings results for the third quarter and nine months ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported net income attributable to the company's stockholders of $2,854 million or $1.22 per share on revenues of $9,538 million compared to net income attributable to the company's stockholders of $937 million or $0.38 per share on revenues of $8,402 million a year ago. Income from continuing operations before income tax expense was $3,650 million compared to $1,284 million a year ago. Net income was $2,909 million compared to $1,003 million a year ago. Adjusted net income attributable to company's stockholders was $834 million or $0.36 per share compared to $921 million or $0.37 per share a year ago. Total segment operating income was $1,362 million compared to $1,312 million a year ago. The three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 include $42 million and $63 million, respectively, of costs related to the ongoing investigations in the U.K. The three months ended March 31, 2013 include $25 million of costs related to the proposed separation of the Company's entertainment and publishing businesses. Excluding these charges, adjusted total segment operating income is $1,429 million and $1,375 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Approximately 55% of the revenue increase reflects growth at the Cable Network Programming, Filmed Entertainment and Television segments, partially offset by lower revenues at the Publishing segment. The balance of the growth primarily relates to the inclusion of Sky Deutschland AG and Fox Sports Australia revenues. The quarter's pre-tax results included $2.43 billion of income in other, net, principally related to gains on the acquisition of an additional ownership stake in Sky Deutschland and the sale of the ownership stake in SKY Network Television in New Zealand, as well as a $11 million gain from the company's participation in British Sky Broadcasting's share repurchase program, which is reflected in equity earnings of affiliates. For the nine months, the company reported net income attributable to the company's stockholders of $7,468 million or $3.18 per share on revenues of $27,099 million compared to net income attributable to the company's stockholders of $2,732 million or $1.08 per share on revenues of $25,336 million a year ago. Income from continuing operations before income tax expense was $9,065 million compared to $3,847 million a year ago. Net income was $7,663 million compared to $2,916 million a year ago. Total segment operating income was $4,320 million compared to $4,194 million a year ago. The nine months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 include $165 million and $167 million, respectively, of costs related to the ongoing investigations in the U.K. The nine months ended March 31, 2013 include $53 million of costs related to the proposed separation of the Company's entertainment and publishing businesses. Excluding these charges, adjusted total segment operating income is $4,538 million and $4,361 million in the nine months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Net cash provided by operating activities was $2,763 million compared to $2,721 million a year ago. Property, plant and equipment, net of acquisitions was $627 million compared to $651 million a year ago.

News Corp. announced that they will report Q3, 2013 results at 4:00 PM, US Eastern Standard Time on May 08, 2013