DirecTV’s Chase Carey in discussions to return to News Corp.

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DirecTV Chief Executive Chase Carey is in talks to return to News Corp. as Rupert Murdoch’s second in command, a person familiar with the matter confirmed.

Murdoch has been courting Carey, once a trusted member of his inner circle, since Chief Operating Officer Peter Chernin made clear his intentions to leave.

Discussions are serious but not yet finalized.

Carey, 55, has always been considered among leading candidates to succeed Chernin, but some questioned whether he would abandon the top job at DirecTV for the No. 2 slot at News Corp. Indeed, Carey’s contract with DirecTV extends into December 2010.

People close to the situation said Carey has gradually been wooed by Murdoch and is enticed by the prospect of returning to News Corp. with oversight of the sprawling and varied media enterprise with a film studio, television stations and a network cable operations and newspapers.

His appointment would also buy time until 36-year-old James Murdoch is ready to an elevated role at News Corp.

Carey had been co-chief operating officer at News Corp. as well as CEO of its satellite TV unit, Sky Global Networks Inc.; co-COO of Fox Entertainment Group and CEO of Fox Television.

-- Dawn Chmeilewski