Intel at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas earlier this year.
Verizon Communications might have some competition for control of Intel's delayed Web TV service.
European cable operator Liberty Global is in private talks to acquire Intel Media, unidentified sources described as having knowledge of the situation told Bloomberg. The discussions would create a rival for Verizon, which last month was reported to be in late-stage negotiations to assume control of the planned Internet-based subscription TV service.
Earlier this year, Intel announced its plans to launch hardware and software that allows for live TV, on-demand TV, and content streaming. The offering, dubbed OnCue, was supposed to be available this year, but in September, Intel pushed the product launch back to 2014.
The company hired hundreds of people, including former Microsoft and BBC exec Erik Huggers to lead the TV business, and it has been testing the service in employees' homes. But the company still faces some hurdles.
One of those is reaching content deals. Intel has yet to announce any TV programming partners, and Time Warner Cable and other cable TV providers have been pressuring channel owners to shun pacts with Intel and other Internet-based TV providers.
Both suitors already have extensive subscription TV experience. Verizon offers a TV service through its FiOS unit, while London-based Liberty Global recently spent $24 billion to acquire Virgin Media, the No. 2 cable TV provider in the UK with nearly 5 million customers