Sirius XM Radio, the satellite radio giant that is on the brink of bankruptcy, is in preliminary talks with Liberty Media, the conglomerate controlled by John C. Malone, according to people briefed on the negotiations.

A deal between Sirius XM and Liberty, which owns a controlling interest in El Segundo-based DirecTV, could create a battle for control of the satellite radio company. EchoStar, the television satellite company, has been acquiring Sirius XM’s debt and has been angling to take over the company as part of a negotiation to keep Sirius from falling into bankruptcy.

DirecTV is the nation’s largest satellite television provider by subscribers, ahead of the Dish Network from EchoStar.

The negotiations come as Sirius XM faces $175 million in debt payments that will come due on Tuesday. The company is unlikely to be able to meet those obligations.

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