Kabel Deutschland said on Monday that it had received a preliminary takeover bid by John C. Malone’s Liberty Global, setting up a potential bidding war for the German cable operator.
In a brief statement, Kabel Deutschland acknowledged speculation that Mr. Malone was interested in a deal, a move that potentially interrupts the German company’s talks with Vodafone of Britain.
Any takeover is likely to value the company at more than $10 billion.
Behind the growing interest in Kabel Deutschland are efforts by companies to break into the fast-growing German cable and television market.
Both Vodafone and Liberty are considered natural bidders for Kabel Deutschland, because both already operate in Germany. The biggest company in that market, Deutsche Telekom, is likely to be barred from bidding under antitrust regulations.
The German company is being advised by Morgan Stanley and Perella Weinberg Partners.
