Fox, Discovery In Early Merger Talks: Report

21st Century Fox Inc. has held initial talks for a possible purchase of cable operator Discovery Communications Inc. , the Australian Financial Review reported Monday, citing unnamed sources close to the situation. The sources' description of the discussions included "nascent" and "very, very early days," according to the report. Fox, which owns its eponymous television network and film studio, and Discovery -- with holdings including the Discovery Channel, TLC and Animal Planet -- would create a $100 billion entertainment giant if merged, the report said. 21st Century Fox was part of MarketWatch parent News Corp. until being spun off in 2013.