The `New York Times'' Mexican Billionaire Connection Revisited: Part 11

New York Times Owner Slim’s Ora TV-Larry King Connection

As The New Yorker magazine noted in its 2009 article, “under the original terms of the Telmex privatization, the company was prohibited from offering television service” in Mexico. Yet a few years after Carlos Slim became the second-largest holder of stock in the New York Times Company, his America Movil telecommunications firm began funding the Ora.TV digital television network that began airing a Larry King tv show. As a Mar. 12, 2012 press release on the Ora TV website noted:

“Global media industry leaders today announced the creation of Ora.TV, a new digital television venture funded by América Móvil, the leading Latin American wireless service provider that is controlled by Carlos Slim Helú. The announcement marks the return to television of broadcast news legend Larry King, who joins Mr. Slim Helú as a co-founder of the network. Ora.TV will be led by Jon Housman, who until recently was the President of Digital Journalism for News Corporation.

“Ora.TV will create high-quality video programming for digital distribution…The company will produce shows that resemble traditional TV..In addition, Ora is in discussions with other on-air personalities to join King…Carlos Slim Helú is considered one of the world's foremost business leaders with interests in finance, media, telecommunications and other fields. He owns stakes in many companies, including The New York Times, Saks, and is the main investor in Telefonos de Mexico, América Móvil and Grupo Financiero Inbursa. `Ora.TV represents a great opportunity,’ Carlos Slim Helú said….Larry King is joining the network….

"`I am thrilled to be working with Carlos…’ King commented. `The backing of Carlos…is a recipe for success’…”

(end of part 11)