(Adds details, shares)
LONDON, April 29 (Reuters) - Britain's BT Group said
on Thursday it was in talks to sell a stake in its sports
business BT Sport, confirming a Telegraph report saying
companies such as Amazon.com Inc, Walt Disney Co and sport
streaming company DAZN had shown interest.
"Further to media reports, BT can confirm that early
discussions are being held with a number of select strategic
partners, to explore ways to generate investment, strengthen our
sports business, and help take it to the next stage in its
growth," BT said.
"The discussions are confidential and may or may not lead to
an outcome."
A British broadcaster was also involved in the discussions
and potentially leading the bidding, the Telegraph reported,
citing City sources.
BT, Britain's biggest broadband and mobile operator, moved
into sports broadcasting in 2012 when it won the rights to show
a package of live Premier League soccer matches.
It later added Champions League soccer and other sports such
as rugby union to the service to take on Sky, the dominant
player in British sports broadcasting.
BT, however, is now focused on an ambitious plan to roll out
fibre broadband to 20 million homes and businesses this decade,
which will require billions of pounds of investment.
Shares in BT were trading up 1.8% in early deals at 163
pence.
(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by James Davey)
BT (BT.A)
