Microsoft, Cbs Both Deny Buyout Reports

Microsoft Corp. and CBS on Tuesday flatly denied a news report that the software company is considering making an offer to buy the network.

“There is no truth” to the report, said Pam Edstrom, a spokeswoman for the Redmond, Wash.-based software company.

The New York Post reported that Microsoft executives were examining CBS’ finances with an eye toward a possible bid. It also said Montreal-based Seagram has made preliminary expressions of interest.

Edstrom said Microsoft has no interest in buying CBS, which would jeopardize its deal with CBS rival NBC. Microsoft has invested $220 million in its MSNBC cable news partnership with General Electric’s NBC.

Westinghouse Electric Corp., which owns CBS, said in a statement: “There is no truth to the unattributed rumor reported in today’s New York Post story speculating on a possible sale of CBS; nor is any party examining our financial books as reported by the Post.”

The Post said it stands by its story.