BSkyB confirmed widespread speculation by announcing a big return of cash to shareholders while reporting a 23% gain in operating profit.

The mogul’s days as kingpin of the British media are numbered.

Rupert Murdoch’s News Crop has dropped its bid for British Sky Broadcasting ahead of a House of Commons vote on whether to forbid the takeover.

News Corp’s Rupert Murdoch faces an onslaught from British lawmakers, as the government backs calls for him to drop his bid for pay TV giant BSkyB.

Shares in BSkyB fell further as the multi-billion-dollar bid from News Corp to win control of the British satellite broadcaster hung in the balance.