:-(
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
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
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...
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...
MN
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.
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.
:-(
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
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