LGI mulls Kabel Deutschland bid

US-based Liberty Global Inc (LGI) is considering a takeover bid for Germany’s largest cable operator by subscribers Kabel Deutschland, reports Bloomberg, citing two people familiar with the matter. A potential deal could face significant antitrust hurdles, as LGI already owns the country’s second largest cableco, Unitymedia KabelBW, which was formed last year from the consolidation of Unitymedia and Kabel BW, purchased by the US firm in early 2010 and late 2011, respectively. The unnamed sources said that LGI has not yet made any decisions on a potential acquisition of the cableco. Meanwhile, in February Vodafone Group was also reported to be eyeing up Kabel Deutschland, in a deal that would give the UK-based firm access to 8.5 million paying households and potential customers for combined fixed line, mobile and TV services, while that month Kabel Deutschland itself was prevented from buying smaller rival Tele Columbus. The Federal Cartel Office said it had blocked the acquisition on the grounds that it would have a negative impact on competition.