Murdoch to become biggest satellite broadcaster in US

Rupert Murdoch’s News Corporation has agreed to acquire control of Hughes Electronics Corp and its DirecTV service, America’s largest satellite television provider, in a $6.6bn (€6bn) cash and stock deal.

The proposed deal reached yesterday would give News Corp access to DirecTV’s 11 million-plus subscribers and conclude media tycoon Murdoch’s three-year effort to gain a US outlet for his global satellite television network.