Media Desk

The owner of the Daily Express and Daily Star newspapers Richard Desmond in an interview on the BBC Friday, hinted that he would be interested in buying The Sun newspaper, despite it not being for sale.

The chairman of the Northern and Shell group said that a consolidation on the newspaper business was likely to happen and when asked by BBC journalist Nick Cosgrove which newspaper he would like to acquire Desmond hinted strongly at The Sun being a target.  

The Sun has been valued at £1billion by media analysts, Desmond when asked if he has the money to do a deal if The Sun was to be sold said:

"Of course, we're a highly profitable business".

On the running of The Sun Desmond sent a message that his team would be able to run the newspaper in line with the new realities in the media world and said:

"We would run it in a different manner, which would be more efficient in today’s marketplace".

News International issued a statement to the BBC confirming The Sun was not for sale.

The Times this month launched its pay walls, with content on its website available to users for a daily, weekly or monthly fee, despite an earlier attempt by regional newspaper group Johnston Press dropping its pay walls with Roy Greenslade describing the move as "there was negligible take-up from readers. They were not prepared to pay £5 for a three-month subscription (the equivalent of 40p per week)."

photo credit: BBC News