Dow Jones Scenarios Multiply

Members of the Bancroft family would retain a stake in Dow Jones after selling a majority interest to GE and Pearson if one possible arrangement plays out, media outlets owned by the players are reporting. The Wall Street Journal outlines a venture incorporating Dow Jones, Pearson's Financial Times, and GE's CNBC; the FT reports that GE intends to move quickly.

News Corp.'s $5 billion bid for Dow Jones continues to be the elephant in the room; one executive tells the New York Times that Rupert Murdoch's $60-a-share offer sets "a very high threshold." And analysts warn that the cash-conscious new suitors, who are considering a stock-heavy offer, may not be willing (or able) to cover debts to Dow Jones shareholders. (More Pearson stories.)