NEW YORK –- General Electric Co. and Microsoft Corp. reportedly discussed jointly offering a competing bid for Dow Jones & Co. in recent weeks, but the idea was abandoned, a new source reported today.

According to sources, GE and Microsoft discussed matching New Corp.’s $60 per share offer for Dow Jones.

GE reportedly would then have combined Dow Jones with its NBC Universal unit, as a way to stave off competition from News Corp., which is planning to launch a business television channel to compete with GE’s CNBC.

Since News Corp. put its $60 a share offer on the table, other companies have expressed an interest in countering Rupert Murdoch’s offer. Among them is Philadelphia Media Holding LLC which publishes the Philadelphia Inquirer. In addition, the Dow Jones employees union reportedly asked for assistance from billionaires Ron Burkle and Warren Buffett against Murdoch.

However, none of those efforts have yet come up with another serious bidder.

Story Continues Below

Editor's note:
Bernanke Reveals `Fiscal Crisis` Ahead
12 Ways to Recession Proof Your Portfolio
Buffett, Soros, Templeton, Rogers: Learn Their Money-Making Secrets