MUMBAI: Fox boss James Murdoch, according to a report by the Financial Times, is being considered as a potential successor to Walt Disney chief executive Bob Iger if the two companies reach agreement on a possible takeover.

Disney began holding on-and-off discussions to take over some of Fox’s major assets last month. The sale would include Fox’s movie studio, cable channels and international units–Sky and Star India. It could be worth more than $60 billion and would reshape the global media landscape.

According to the FT, Rupert Murdoch and his younger son, James, could take senior roles at a combined company if a deal is struck. Igeris due to retire in 2019 and James Murdoch, currently chief executive of 21st Century Fox and chairman of the satellite broadcaster Sky, is a possible successor.

Comcast, the US’s largest cable operator and owner of NBC Universal, the TV network and movie studio company, is also reported to be assessing a bid, as is Verizon, the largest US telecoms group. Other reports that have come in state that even Japanese major Sony has also evinced interest. While CNBC reported that a deal could fructify next week, a Reuters report stated that no one is in  a hurry to strike a deal and that regulatory clearances will take their own due course.

Neither company was immediately available for comment. “No promises have been made,” one person briefed on the talks told The FT.

According to the FT, the Murdochs favour a deal with Disney as they believe it poses the lowest regulatory risk.

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