Sky Buy ITV

[119]

read about this a few months ago about the negotiations to purchase it, but it seems they have reached a deal..

https://news.sky.com/story/sky-to-pay-1-6bn-for-it...


One thing this article doesnt mention is that ITV i think are under contract until 2030 something to provide FTA broadcasts, after which time the whole lot could end up under subscription.

I think this will be another nail in the coffin for the licence fee.

Edit:

Bit more info here.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cx2wwgeg041o

[Murph7355]

If they think this will protect them from "streamers", I think they are barking up the wrong tree.

As for the TV license....dead man walking. At least against its original purpose.

[sparta6]

Murph7355 said:

If they think this will protect them from "streamers", I think they are barking up the wrong tree.

As for the TV license....dead man walking. At least against its original purpose.

Agree.

A level playing field required is required across all platforms in terms of regulation. Same OFCOM rules across social media, streamers and broadcasters.

System is currently broken

[Getragdogleg]

And yet the Government are trying to secure the future of the license fee by making it tied to YouTube via legislation to put BBC content first and foremost on YT. Also mentioned in the missive from the Govt. were C4 and ITV.

[gshughes]

Surely one for the monopolies and mergers commission if that is still a thing, or OFCOM if it isn't.

[Spare tyre]

Does this mean more of less Ant and dec?

[hondajack85]

Once they get ITV behind a paywall we can startup ITB on free tv.

[CoolHands]

The govt are clearly going to tack a tv tax onto streaming services anyway.

Regarding sky buying itv it’s a shame as it means all their back catalogue will be tied up with sky and shut off, probably includes lots of sub brands like Granada or whoever eg whoever made The Bill etc. and Poirot etc Stuff like that (I haven’t actually checked).

[sparta6]

Irony of ironies.

Sky began as a single satellite channel. It struggled and Murdoch had to re-mortgage his own house to keep it afloat
ITV had a national license to print money, but had fat cats in charge.

Kudos to Murdoch, he out-smarted the fat cats.

[MikeM6]

All I want is more high quality TV with no adverts that doesn't cost the earth.... I doubt anything mentioned on this thread will get us closer to this.

[Randy Winkman]

I do wonder if something similar will happen to the BBC in the end? I know I dont speak for everyone but I still see that the name has huge value across the world. And it might be a way for a government to take in a fair few quid like when other "assets" were sold off decades ago. Though I appreciate that history has shown that wasn't all to the long term benefit of the UK.

[Legacywr]

I hardly watch ITV, it’s a bit council.

[S600BSB]

Legacywr said:

I hardly watch ITV, it s a bit council.

Very good.

[Randy Winkman]

I wish the Tour de France was still on ITV4.

[AlexS]

sparta6 said:

Irony of ironies.

Sky began as a single satellite channel. It struggled and Murdoch had to re-mortgage his own house to keep it afloat
ITV had a national license to print money, but had fat cats in charge.

Kudos to Murdoch, he out-smarted the fat cats.

Sky has been owned by Comcast since 2018, nothing to do with Murdoch now.

[sparta6]

AlexS said:

sparta6 said:

Irony of ironies.

Sky began as a single satellite channel. It struggled and Murdoch had to re-mortgage his own house to keep it afloat
ITV had a national license to print money, but had fat cats in charge.

Kudos to Murdoch, he out-smarted the fat cats.

Sky has been owned by Comcast since 2018, nothing to do with Murdoch now.

I know. Kudos to Murdoch for creating the asset that outsmarted ITV fat cats

[S600BSB]

Randy Winkman said:

I wish the Tour de France was still on ITV4.

The TNT/HBO Max coverage is decent.

[Randy Winkman]

S600BSB said:

Randy Winkman said:

I wish the Tour de France was still on ITV4.

The TNT/HBO Max coverage is decent.

It's OK. I've just always been used to Channel Four, then ITV4 which I have always found really excellent.

[stargazer30]

Randy Winkman said:

I wish the Tour de France was still on ITV4.

Daily highlights are on channel 5. You can stream it via the app or get it on sky catch-up. The later is better quality and no adds.

[Derek Smith]

They take-over doesn't include ITN, the new channel. That will stay independent until 2030 I think.