Time Warner Cable deal puts spotlight on publicity-shy tycoon

New York

WHEN billionaire media executive John Malone bought one million acres of Maine forestland in 2011, assuming the mantle of America's top landowner from his friend and fellow mogul Ted Turner, he made no triumphant announcement. Instead, he shielded his identity through a shell company.

Now, as he tries to pull off the biggest land grab of his career, he is once again shying away from the limelight.

When Charter Communications announced the acquisitions of Time Warner Cable and Bright House Networks on Tuesday, its news release did not mention Mr Malone's name. He was not on the investor call. He declined to comment for this article.

Yet there is little doubt that Mr Malone is behind the scenes, orchestrating an uph…