The precise role ofArabmedia in this era of transitionis at the heart of the bitter rivalrybetween Al Jazeeraand Al Arabiya, the other main pan-Arab news channel.
Mr Murdoch's attempt to set up a pan-European pay TV channel linked to the launch of a new European Soccer Super League, fell apart two years ago after he failed to agree terms with Mr Berlusconi.
CNN, still the only broadcaster to make money in the pan-European market, has launched a European regional channel, and is starting to broadcast in European languages.