Global media group News Corp. has increased its stake in Rotana Group by acquiring newly-issued shares in the company. The acquisition was announced after a Rotana board meeting, chaired by Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal, chairman of Rotana Holding. News Corp will pay $35 million for the shares, which will take its stake in Rotana to 18.97%. News Corp had previously owned 14.53%.

Arab News reports that Rotana Holding has won the Licensee of the Year-EMEA and Best Catalog Performance-EMNA at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Licensee Conference-Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA).

Arabian Business reports that Rotana Holding’s chairman, Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, has approved a decision to restructure the group’s management into four separate business units: TV broadcasting, audio, studios and Rotana Media Services (RMS). The digital media business and emerging business for each sector will be handled separately within by each unit.

Bloomberg reports that Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal has unveiled plans to sell a stake in his media company Rotana Holding to the public within two years, as he expands his entertainment, music and news business in the Middle East. "An IPO will be happening in the coming two years," Alwaleed said in an interview with the news service, adding that "we need to brand the company very well before going into an IPO."