The Carlyle Group is believed to be discussing the potential purchase of Virgin Media Inc. According to the New York Times, the talks are still in the preliminary stage and may end without a formal bid.

The bid offer could be in the vicinity of $20 billion if debt is included in the figures, making it one of the largest potential deals ever in Britain.

Virgin Media was formed through a merger earlier this year between Richard Branson's Virgin Mobile and British cable operator NTL Inc. The deal created the first UK firm to provide four-way communications options, cable television, Internet access, fixed line telephone and mobile phone services.