BSkyB is to meet major UK shareholders in an attempt to head off a rebellion over plans which would increase the stake of Rupert Murdoch's News Corp in the satellite broadcaster. The moves come as BSkyB attempts to raise £1bn (€1.46bn) from the bond markets.

Meetings are planned with Hermes, the fund manager owned by the UK's largest pension fund, and the UK's National Association of Pension Funds, which represents funds holding a sixth of the London market and has delayed publishing its advice on how shareholders should vote until after the talks.