REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File PhotoNEW YORK, Aug 3 (Reuters) - KKR & Co Inc (KKR.N) is in advanced talks to acquire book publisher Simon & Schuster from Paramount Global (PARA.O) for $1.65 billion, according to people familiar with the matter.
KKR was competing against bidders including News Corp (NWSA.O)-owned HarperCollins Publishers for Simon & Schuster and investor Richard Hurowitz, the sources said.
The Wall Street Journal reported the advanced talks between KKR and Paramount earlier on Thursday.
Last year, the U.S. Justice Department sued to stop the tie-up of Penguin and Simon & Schuster, which led to a collapse of the deal.
Simon & Schuster publishes authors including Stephen King, Jennifer Weiner, and former U.S. presidential candidate Hillary Clinton.
Persons:
Brendan McDermid, Simon & Schuster, Richard Hurowitz, Simon, Schuster, Hurowitz, Stephen King, Jennifer Weiner, Hillary Clinton, King, Anirban Sen, Milana, Sandra Maler
Organizations:
KKR, New York Stock Exchange, REUTERS, Co Inc, Paramount Global, News Corp, HarperCollins Publishers, Simon &, Reuters, Paramount, Penguin Random, HarperCollins, Street Journal, Penguin, U.S . Justice Department, Bertelsmann, Simon, Schuster, Thomson
Locations:
New York, U.S