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Murdoch Snubbed in Italy: Former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi has agreed to sell a partial stake in his television empire to a consortium led by Saudi Prince al-Waleed bin Talal rather than to media baron Rupert Murdoch. Italian newspapers said the al-Waleed consortium, which includes German media magnate Leo Kirch and South African businessman Johann Rupert, would buy from 20% to 30% of the Mediaset holding company, which controls three television stations that reach 45% of Italy’s viewers, and large advertising interests. Berlusconi’s company declined to comment on the unsourced reports, but it said it would make an announcement on the deal as soon as today. Murdoch apparently demanded a majority stake, but Berlusconi was unwilling to give up control.