Citing a Comcast statement, the Wall Street Journal reported that the cable company is no longer in discussions to buy pieces of 21st Century Fox. That could open the door to a Disney bid.
Comcast declined to provide its statement to the Associated Press. A person familiar with the situation, who was not permitted to discuss the matter publicly, confirmed the end of negotiations.
The Journal said Disney is currently talking with Fox and that a deal could be announced this week. Fox declined to comment.
Disney is planning to launch its own streaming services as a way of contending with changes in the entertainment industry and deep-pocketed tech companies that are building their own video divisions. Buying parts of Fox could give it more material to stream.
