Germany's antitrust commission KEK has approved News Corp's acquisition of the remaining 34% of Munich-based broadcaster TM3 which it does not already own. The Bavarian authorities still have to clear the deal.

News Corp is reportedly planning to sell at least part of TM3 to the Kirch Group which is considering several uses for the channel including linking it to its internet group Kirch New Media. Bavarian Media Commission president Wolf-Dieter Ring has already stated that he would approve of "such a new and innovative concept."

According to German paper Sueddeutsche Zeitung, Kirch is also considering using the station's slot for its ailing news channel N24.