BSkyB buys Sky Italia for three billion euros

British group also takes Sky Deutschland to create Euro giant

(ANSA) - Rome, July 25 - Britain's BSkyB said Friday that it has struck a deal to buy 100% of Sky Italia and 57% of Sky Deutschland to create new European pay-TV giant with around 20 million customers. BSkyB has agreed to pay Rupert Murdoch's 21st Century Fox £2.45 billion - around three million euros - for Sky Italia and £2.9 billion for the controlling stake in the German group. Murdoch's 21st Century Fox owns 39% of BSkyB, so the Australian-American tycoon will keep a big interest in Sky Italia and Sky Deutschland.

Murdoch reportedly organised the sales to free up cash for 21st Century Fox's bid to buy Time Warner, the company that owns Game of Thrones maker HBO and news business channel CNN.