QUICK HITS

Nook Spin Could Open Chapter for Liberty

NEW YORK — Book retailer Barnes & Noble has suggested
that it could spin off its popular Nook electronic reader to
help raise needed cash, a move that could open the door
for Liberty Media to make a deal, according to one analyst.

Barnes & Noble said Jan. 5 that it is looking into spinning
off the Nook, which it said could generate $1.5 billion
in comparable sales in fiscal 2012. Sales of the e-reader
were up 70% this holiday season.

In a statement, Barnes & Noble said it was exploring opportunities
for the Nook and was in discussions with strategic
partners that could expand its reach abroad.

Liberty is no stranger to the book retailer — it invested
$204 million in B&N in August — and Morningstar media
analyst Peter Wahlstrom believes it is the most logical
buyer for the unit.

“Liberty Media is the most likely buyer hands-down, based on its existing relationship
with Barnes & Noble and its public interest in the digital side of that
business,” Wahlstrom said, according to TheStreet.com.

Sinclair Closes Stations Deal

BALTIMORE — Retransmission consent pioneer Sinclair Broadcast Group closed on
its acquisition of Four Points Media on Jan. 3, adding seven broadcast stations in
Utah, Texas, Florida and Massachusetts to its stable.

Sinclair had agreed to purchase Four Points from Cerberus Capital Management
in September for $200 million. The stations involved in the deal are: KUTV (CBS)
and KMYU (MyNetwork TV) in Salt Lake City; KEYE (CBS) in Austin, Texas; WTVX
(The CW), WTCN-CA (MNT) and WWHB-CA (Azteca America) in West Palm Beach-
Fort Pierce, Fla.; and WLWC (The CW) in Providence, R.I.-New Bedford, Mass.

Sinclair, which owns or operates 73 stations in 46 markets, had been operating
the stations since Oct. 1, as part of a local marketing agreement, while it awaited
regulatory approval for the deal.