Speculation was rampant last night that Bermuda Broadcasting Company has a new majority shareholder.

But company officials refused to comment to The Royal Gazette on reports that Bermuda-based Australian media tycoon Bruce Gordon, already a shareholder, had now acquired a controlling interest in ZBM/ZFB.

BBC chief executive Rick Richardson was yesterday directing questions on the speculation, and whether major staffing changes were in the pipeline, to the office of long-time primary shareholder Fernance Perry.

Mr. Perry was off the Island yesterday and could not be contacted. However, his secretary said that she was not aware of any take-over at the loss-making broadcasting company.

Attempts to contact Mr. Gordon, who lives in Wreck Hill, Somerset, were also unsuccessful.

If reports of the take-over are correct, then under telecommunications rules governing foreign interest in Bermuda companies, billionaire media mogul Mr. Gordon might need Government permission to become a majority shareholder. However, his status as a long-term resident may be a factor.

Nobody from Government could be contacted yesterday about the reports.

ZBM bought ZFB in the early 1980s. But they have always kept their separate names, with ZBM on Channel 9, affiliated to CBS, and ZFB on Channel 7, linked to ABC.

It is understood that if any take-over has taken place, it would not involve sales of shares in Bermuda Broadcasting Company property.

Australian Bruce Gordon moved to Bermuda in 1980, first to Fairylands in Pembroke. He owns Win Television in Australia and has close links with Richard Murdoch.

Millionaire philanthropist Fernance Perry is the former owner of the what is now the MarketPlace grocery chain. Originally the Piggly Wiggly store in Hamilton, the business was acquired by Mr. Perry who oversaw its expansion.