An interesting article that gives a summary of the situation, but not that much actual reporting. Just speculations from one media analyst in the City.
Free-to-air isn't really in BTs strategic interest, as they are primarily in TV to increase broadband subscriptions. A glorified barker channel like Pick may be justified, but getting into free-to-air in a major way would be a distraction. That said, I wouldn't put it past BT to drastically change their strategy, particularly if they feel they can get Channel 5 for a good price.
As for ITV, as the article says, an acquisition of Channel 5 would increase their market share from 45 to 54 percent. This would lead to competition concerns, a lengthy process and tighter restrictions. They would probably prefer to grow organically instead.
Yes, DVB Cornwall's hard to decipher system of codes is no better than a youth using text speak or Tumble Tower's system of codes, it's shows the arrogance of the man when it riles so many on here.
Also can't disagree with most of your analysis in that post.
Broadcast putting two US companies in the frame - Turner and interestingly Discovery, who I think could be a good fit and build on C5's factual portfolio.
Discovery Communications has been beefing up its free-to-air offering across Europe following its acquisition of Scandinavian group SBS Nordic and Middle Eastern food network Fatafeat. While it has not to date prioritised free to-air opportunities in the UK – where it has a good relationship with pay-TV platforms Sky and Virgin Media – C5’s its factually-focused schedule could prove interesting.
International broadcaster Turner has also been sniffing out free-to-air opportunities and the Time Warner-backed company would likely have the cash to match Desmond’s sale price. “I’d be very surprised if in the next 24 months [Chilevision] will be the only free-to-air channel we own,” said Gerhard Zeiler, Turner’s head of international operations at the end of 2012 after it acquired the Latin American channel.
This was discussed on the Media Show yesterday with former Channel 5 CEO David Elstein. Quite interesting insights about the fluctuating value of the channel and about how RTL "ran it into the ground". RTL had once valued Channel 5 at £1 billion but later sold it in desperation for £100 million. He also rules out ITV, Sky and BT as potential new owners.
I still think a merged C5 and ITV would add huge value to commercial television in this country.
Pure fantasy here I've had a think and in Rob's World, have decided it could end up like this:
ITV becomes
ITV One
again whereas...
Channel 5 becomes I
TV Two
. Some programming moves between channels as previously discussed, ITV2 takes on large parts of C5's programming but also airs the major ITV2 shows like
TOWIE
or
Celebrity Juice
etc.
ITV3 becomes
ITV Gold
. The ITV and C5 archives are shown here.
ITV4 becomes (wait for it)
ITV Men & Motors
. All the Rugby programming goes here, as does the blokey stuff from 5*:
Ice Road Truckers
or
Extreme Fishing
etc.
5USA becomes
ITV USA
. Current and classic American imports from both networks go here.
5* and 5Later merge to become
ITV Extra
. This is stuff which doesn't fit anywhere else, but is mostly repeats of stuff on other channels, such as the
Corrie
and Emmerdale
repeats
from ITV2 and the
Neighbours
and
Home & Away
repeats from 5*.
CITV
would continue as is, with Milkshake becoming
CITV Milkshake
.
So you end up with:
ITV One
ITV Two
ITV Gold
ITV Men & Motors
ITV USA
ITV Extra
CITV
CITV Milkshake