Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 35144459)

But if you didn't have the cash to invest in the infrastructure (which enables you to get more customers, which in turn increases your cash-flow), the only way is debt.

It's how nearly everyone buys a house - they don't wait until they have saved all the money up.

Originally Posted by HD addicted (Post 35144464)

Off topic now? :)

Originally Posted by TheDon (Post 35144444)

The debt isn't anyones "fault". It's a purely business decision.

Originally Posted by TheDon (Post 35144444)

Debt isn't bad, in fact I'd argue it's vital to the well running of any company. You can often gain a far greater return on cash at hand than you're having to pay in debt interest, so why would you pay down debt if doing so will make you less money? (Not to mention that having debt allows you to avoid all sorts of taxes).

Originally Posted by Hugh (Post 35144459)

But if you didn't have the cash to invest in the infrastructure (which enables you to get more customers, which in turn increases your cash-flow), the only way is debt.

Originally Posted by Horizon

I spent a career working for people who used to say debt is "good". My response to that, utter rubbish. These same people will all be out of jobs next year when the Lehman Brothers tidal wave hits them.

When accountants say debt is good, I say is that how you run your household then, in debt?...It staggers growth and hinders investment opportunities as evidenced by the mess that has been the cable industry for the last 20 years and causes unnecessary pressures and distractions on managers. Not to mention the creditors can pull the plug at any time... Debt is not good and its only useless Americanised business practices that have infected the City over the last 30 years that say this.

Originally Posted by mattboothers (Post 35144509)

OFF-TOPIC:

How do I connect my Laptop which has Media Center to my Virgin Media box (V+ SA)?? This is so I can view Virgin Media on Media Center thanks.

Thanks.

Originally Posted by Mr-S (Post 35136712)

Apprentally Premier Sports signed a deal with ESPN to carry their 'Friday Night Fights' show for 2 years which used to air on ESPN UK either live or in delay due to there scheduling clashes (usually clashes with NBA).

Very disappointed with ESPN, they have shown no commitment to Boxing in the UK and looks unlikely now that an ESPN 2 will launch if they are giving away rights that they own for up 2 years. If an ESPN 2 was launching they would have saved rights for that to enhance content on the channel.

Would like to have Premier Sports on VM for the Boxing and Copa Sudamericana coverage they have which are ignored by Sky and ESPN.

Seems that people on content team at VM make decisions based on their personal opinions rather than what viewers want... could list of a bunch of channels that they dont carry that many people want but refuse to carry.

This is a pay channel and unless was gonna made free on XL I cant see what the issue would be carrying it... MUTV has only 60k subs and I would love to how many of them on VM... very few I bet! ;)

---------- Post added at 12:41 ---------- Previous post was at 12:36 ----------



Yep I agree, gutted about that. Shown no commitment to Boxing in UK yet would rather force feed us American college sports, MLB & NHL which nobody really cares about. Much bigger fanbase for Boxing in UK than those sports put together. Sky get great figures for Boxing and so did Setanta... I dont get why they keep ignoring the sport.

Reckon an ESPN 2 isnt coming now as if there was they would never hand over the rights for something they own to a competitor for 2 years!

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35144633)

Last post of 2010.

Well this is my last post on Cable Forum for this year. But do not cry I will be back on Sunday with the all new ''Coming Soon to Virgin TV (2011) Vol. I'' thread.

The big thanks goes out to my insiders who has given me all the news. Also thanks to everyone who has posted on any of my threads this year.

And also thanks to Cable Forum for putting up with me this year as well:).

Have an Safe and Happy new year.

See you all in 2011.

:beer:

Originally Posted by howardmicks (Post 35144471)

Recent developments have not been suprising to me at all,When it emerged that sky were buying vm`s channels i felt it would come back to haunt them.Vm were looking desperate to sell and sky knew it and vm are now and for the forseable future going to see the backlash of there actions,tivo looks very promising (tad overpriced) but its all well and good having a new platform but you have got to have the channels for people to watch.The main thing they should be concentrating on is HD Channels,They are still massively short of sky and they must now relise that delaying getting the channels cost them and now tv revenue on last quarter went up probably due to the flood of hd channels.Surely to justify the crazy price for tivo more hd channels are needed,To expect tivo to keep customers and attract new will be there downfall.More HD channels are needed,And one last thing If murdoch gets total control of sky it will only get worse.Vm need to keep there eye on the ball otherwise sky will be taking it back again

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35144997)

Sky appear now to be investing in quality, and the moves they have made to transfer budgets to the new 'Sky Living' channel and the American shows they have invested in for Sky Atlantic are proof of this. I'd certainly rather have quality over quantity any time.

This is why it is so important that we get Sky Atlantic. We are losing Bravo, Bravo 2 and Channel One. Whilst I only watched a small number of programmes from these channels, some of them were good (such as The Riches and Sarah Connor Chronicles) and I want access to every good programme that is shown. I don't care whether this is via live TV channels, video on demand (if it's reliable and doesn't miss off episodes or close the series down prematurely) or the internet (via TIVO) - I just want access to the programmes! Preferably in HD.

If Sky Atlantic is launched and we do not have access to these programmes, I will be seriously annoyed. I mean seriously annoyed. From day 1 please, Virgin Media.