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"C4 & C5 have discussed a merger"

reports the Business newspaper, Bloomberg (February 2004)

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DV
dvboy
so said the ticker on Bloomberg at 17:00...
Quote:
Broadcasters Channel 4 and 5 have discussed a merger, the Business Reports


Does anyone know anymore?
Last edited by dvboy on 15 February 2004 5:24pm
MA
Matrix
dvboy posted:
so said the ticker on Bloomberg at 17:00...
Quote:
Broadcasters Channel 4 and 5 have discussed a merger, the Business Reports


Does anyone know anymore?


Is this serious?
DV
dvboy
Arrow http://quote.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000102&sid=ajREaoYTKVzU&refer=uk
Arrow http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=businessNews&storyID=458657&section=finance
:-(
A former member
Seems hughly unlikely, especially after all the campaigning against the privatisation of Channel 4 over the past 10 years or so. Channle 4 being partially owned by a foriegn company would also be unpopular.


Perhaps it's a mix up, they were talking abour merging their sales houses to compete with ITV
DA
DAS Founding member
It's hardly "hugely unlikely", nor is it an amazing surprise. This was discussed about a year ago as well. Now that ITV is one big thing, Channel 4 and Five have discussed merging to compete for advertising at a stronger level. It makes perfect sense to merge as a single entity as opposed to just sales houses.
CN
CN
Yeah, I knew it had been speculated before as regards their advertising sales but as for C4 and Five actually being one, as Larry said, C4 being owned by a foreign firm mightn't be too politically popular, although with the liklihood of ITV plc getting into US hands in the not too distant future, perhaps this move won't seem too out of place in what will be a very different market place in a few years.

Come to think about it, BBC post-2006 Charter Renewal, ITV plc if a US takeover happens, C4/5 merged and Sky's long-awaited sixth terrestrial channel, British Broadcasting could well be a very different place entirely in a few years time...
WH
Whataday Founding member
I'm not sure they'll be allowed to merge before analogue switch off, for competition reasons.
MN
MarkNewby
Channel 4.5 Wink
MN
MarkNewby
Whataday posted:
I'm not sure they'll be allowed to merge before analogue switch off, for competition reasons.


Actually, I think they would - after all... there has been rule changes on that sort of thing - which is why CarlNada was allowed. Also, the competition commission would perhaps rule in favour anyway -

BBC own two channels on terrestrial, with a further 4 directly-owned stations on digital.

ITV is plotting it's 3rd channel [second digital / ITV3]

Channel 4 directly own E4 and it's timeshift [which isn't exactly a channel in budgeting terms]

Five is a sole entity, which could always do with more budget as it is rapidly growing.

Therefore, in those terms, Channel 4.5 would end up with 3 channels directly owned, equalling ITV [most likely, by the time this merger goes through] and still one channel less than BBC. It also means that ITV, who have been able to spend money on cross channel advertising would then be joined by Channel Four's ability to advertise on Five and vice versa.
PE
Pete Founding member
I thought C4 was owned by the government.
:-(
A former member
Hymagumba posted:
I thought C4 was owned by the government.


It is.

That was my point earlier, it's not as easy as it would be for a private company, Mind you publicly owned assets get sold off to/merged with foreign companies quite often
:-(
A former member
I wonder what it'd be called. Anyone got an idea?

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