[Media Boy]

Virgin Media is on the verge of selling international distribution arm Minotaur and is understood to be in exclusive talks with Target Entertainment for a price estimated to be between £6m and £7m.

This is not the first time rumours about a deal between Minotaur and Target have circulated.

The pair were thought to have held discussions about a possible merger in the past.

News of the potential acquisition comes just weeks after the Digital Rights Group acquired Portman Film and Television, ID Distribution and the distribution arm of Zeal and further represents a move towards consolidation within the distribution sector.

Minotaur was set up in 1995 by Jane Lighting, now chief executive of Five.

She sold the company to Flextech Television, now Virgin Media Television, in 1999.

Minotaur, whose catalogue includes programmes such as Taggart and Rebus, had a turnover of £5.7m in 2005, according to Broadcast's 2006 distribution survey.

Target was set up by Alison Rayson in 1998.

It had a turnover of £7.9m and a pre-tax profit of £1.02m in 2005.

Virgin refused to comment.
Info from Broadcast.