Univision Reportedly in Talks for Potential Sale

NEW YORK: The owners of Univision Communications have reportedly started discussions with several media companies, among them CBS Corporation and Time Warner, about a potential sale.

The Wall Street Journal was the first to report that preliminary talks have been held recently, citing people familiar with the matter. WSJ reports that Univsion's owners are seeking $20 billion for the Spanish-language broadcasting giant. A consortium of investors, including Haim Saban, purchased Univision in early 2007 for $13.7 billion, including debt.

The owners had reportedly previously eyed Grupo Televisa, which has a minority stake in Univision, as a potential buyer. However, there are currently regulatory rules capping foreign ownership in broadcasters at 25 percent; anything exceeding this must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. In 2010, Televisa invested $1.2 billion in Univision for a 5-percent share and a content licensing deal.