US Cable Giant Liberty Global buys Virgin Media
 

Also a possible takeover by a company with very deep pockets

http://www.ft.com/home/uk

http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/...91409220130205

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

Indeed Liberty Global but whether anything happens is another matter TB but it would be interesting nevertheless.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Global

Virgin up for sale?
 

Looks German outfit Liberty Media fancy a crack at Virgin.

I reckon $40 a share would do it.

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/vir...ntent=textlink

I hope they fail though, don't fancy being run by the krauts.

VM don't deny it and confirm they are in talks.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Can't be any worse than the current regime.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Liberty are american, they have interests in Germany (other cable companies) these guys have very deep pockets so it could be a good thing

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Bit of a non-comment that, as yes, they could easily be worse than the current regime.

---------- Post added at 09:23 ---------- Previous post was at 09:21 ----------

MY mistake, I mis-read the article.

Yes they are yanks, that have bought into Germany, and Belgium.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Maybe a good thing John Malone (Liberty) is a big rival for Rupert Murdoch in Pay TV etc.

J

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Well it would certainly be interesting seeing a three way battle for customers between SKY,BT and the new owners of VM if it ever happens.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Certainly is, could be good fun :-)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Another report on this story

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013...ver?CMP=twt_fd

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Interesting times. See also http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2013...lobal-takeover

From a consumer point of view, increased competition is a two-edged thing.

If it led to more intensive bidding for rights etc., this could push up the cost of those rights. In this case the ultimate winners would be the Premier League and the fat cat US TV and film studios, and the losers us poor customers facing either higher subscriptions or even binary choices between which network carried the things we wanted to watch - Sky, Virgin, BT each not carrying everything.

Be careful what you wish for!

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Liberty tend not to go toe to toe with News corp so don`t get your hopes up.
Clearly their buying power is greater - Perhaps they want TiVo for the rest of Europe ( unless they have it :dozey:) Would expect back room job cuts if take over went ahead .:erm:

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Don't care, bye bye Virgin Media! Glad I left them!

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Great feedback - very helpful - Thankyou

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Well each to their own opinion.:)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

If that's how you feel about Virgin, then why bother posting in a story about them? I just hope if they do get taken over, the new owners don't start putting prices up more than the current owners do. I have a horrible feeling that it could well end up meaning SKY are the cheapest company for BB, TV and phone.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

That wouldn't make sense to me. Why buy a company and then devalue that company by making people leave?

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Another bull excreta post from Telford cable.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I had cable through UPC-cablecom (another Liberty subsidiary) in Switzerland last year and it put my current VM connection to shame. Reliable network, better service, and while I read some gripes about their customer service (as you'd expect with anyone) for me they were great to deal with. I'd expect them to be better than the current VM regime.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Virginmedia need a buyer, when they had the chance to stride a head they wasted it and now everyone has caught up and over taken. Their reputation is poor, very poor and they know it.

A buyer with deep pockets and a name change, perhaps a long the way lose the debt and they could have a bright future. It appears at the moment to be run by marketing men who just want to sell sell sell. Get those 18 month contracts sold, say whatever it takes then worry about anything else later.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I'd actually like VM to put their prices up, if it meant investing in the parts of the network that need it.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

You can't really compare cable in one company with cable in another.

The history of the two will be significantly different i.e. different finanicals, different historical technology choices, different regulatory rules etc

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

Reading into that it seems Liberty global has $26 billion in debts lol, oh well...

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Not sure about their reputation being poor as thet are growing at a faster pace than ever before and win a number of awards?

Also don't think they will change the name, however I would expect a lot more investment in the network and products. There is loads of scope for growth in both their Business and Consumer areas, as they have approx 40% of customers taking services in areas they serve.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I know, but you can compare strategies. My perception of VM is of a company that's been competing in a race to the bottom in terms of price and quality. That wasn't the impression I got with cablecom.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I expecting Liberty will put a limit download cap and increasing price if they take over virgin media! but hold on there, doubled speed plan could be no longer in force!

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

strangely enough, they probably felt the same way....;)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

If l am not wrong, last year l said that VM needed a new owner to give customers better options. When l was in America a few years ago, the Cable Tv was very good and my god the amount of channels you could watch was unreal, ie like Gold, there is a channel there that shows old shows from the past brilliant.

I believe that this is what customers want, and could be why we have had no new channels.

I have read the reports and l think its is good for the customers, and they will fight Sky for top spot - l think it is great news, get rid of all the crap info that we get fed from the company.

I suppose the good thing is that Sir Richard will get a nice cut of the money.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Yes it'll be complete 360 in some ways.

NTL sold NTL:Eire to UPC to help finance the merger with TW and ultimately the formation of Virgin Media.

And now looks like the two companies may be reunited again under the UPC umbrella..

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Confirmed on Sky News now

Virgin Media Eyes Sale To US-Based Cable Firm

Virgin Media has confirmed it is in talks about a possible sale of the company to the US cable group Liberty Global.

Almost 5 millions households in the UK subscribe to Virgin's broadband, television and landline services.

Virgin also has some 3 million mobile phone customers in Britain.

Sir Richard Branson owns a 3% stake in Virgin Media and the company is listed in New York, with a secondary listing in London.

The company's share price soared this morning on news of the late-stage talks, with the price up 14% in early trading.

US-based Liberty Global operates in 13 territories and has sought to expand its base in European countries.

Virgin Media is the second pay-TV group in Britain behind BSkyB, the parent company of Sky News, and has been valued at around $20bn (£13bn).

The talks were confirmed by Virgin Media in a brief statement.

It currently has around $9bn (£5.7bn) of debt.

Liberty has recently increased its stake in Belgian operator Telenet to 58 percent and owns other consumer brandsacross Europe including UPC, Unitymedia, Kabel BW and VTR.

It also owns a content and channels group called Chellomedia.

http://news.sky.com/story/1047765/vi...sed-cable-firm

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

We have had and will have new channels

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Remember any sale is likely to push the debt up even higher from its current estimated £5.7bn worth of debt

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Ben, I know new channels came on today, what l am saying is that VM could hold back on new channels until the sale - which l expect will go ahead- to Liberty.

Its a challenge that customers will get a choice of channels, which we don't get now. As l said in my comment, American cable channels are vast and therefore the competition will be there to keep customers happy - and at the end of the day, that's what brings money in.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Neil Berkett will be giving a view tomorrow morning when he announces their results. Reckon he will be hoping it goes through as counts his 180,000 shares. Deserves it though as he is the guy who took the share price from 8 dollars to 40.

Interesting point is that Liberty were the major shareholder in Telewest

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I understand your spin but really NEW channels - ok a few. Plus one is not to my mind a new channel . Its welcome by me . but is a time shift , a new epg number, but an "old" channel":rolleyes:

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

More channels does not necessarily equal better choice or even quality. One also has to accept that many channels have exclusive transmission rights that limit them to one platform or another. Often companies like VM have to pay the provider for the "privilege" of carrying the channel, and that would mean in turn that the fees the subscribing customer pays to VM risk increase.

It's probably too early to tell if a buyout is a good or bad thing for VM and more particularly the consumer. What it does indicate is VM are probably doing something right as a potential owner can see potential profit. The question is what a buyer has to do in terms of investment, to maintain that profit, or alternatively would they risk running the company into the ground and selling off assets?

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Remember its only talks. Doesn't mean anything at all will come of them.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Financial Times seem to think the talks are quite a way down the road " The deal has not been finalised and could still fall apart. As per the report, the companies could announce the deal in the coming days"

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

And News Corp has $16.46 billion in debts - standard business practice....

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Virgin Media go into administration if a deal broke down with Liberty Global. I hope they go into administration, cos serve them right!

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Really l think you need to take a course in business studies dear chap.:erm:

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

telford go away.

---------- Post added at 13:45 ---------- Previous post was at 13:42 ----------

theres a lot the new can do as we know but i hope they dont cut security which has increased lately. infact they could use VMs in Europe if anything.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

That is absolute rubbish, and you know it :mad:

A company only goes into administration if it's insolvent, and that would only occur if debts cannot be financed. If you look at even only the most basic of figures you know that Virgin Media in it's current form is viable.

And of course why anyone would want a company to go into administration, with the consequent problems faced by both customers and employees is beyond me. :(

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Looks like they have plenty of HD channels on the Switzerland TV service some of the HD channels are in this country as well on Sky and or VM

http://www.upc-cablecom.ch/en/b2c/tv...ackage=comfort

The " Comfort " pack is the top pack similar to the XL pack VM have

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Someone seriously needs to ban telford, every post is just trolling.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Well the shares in VM are going up.

http://www.nasdaq.com/symbol/vmed

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Would be worrying if they did not :D

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

....yes, that is interesting, isn't it? Things always go round in circles.

What was the past may well become the future.;)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Have you got any Victor?.:)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

You do realise, don't you, that vm have an annual revenue of $4 billion? That's why Liberty Media is sniffing around VM now. They are making money and although their debt is huge, Liberty have deep pockets and bring $4 billion of cash (should they wish to use it) to the table. Any bank will lend erm the rest.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I bet the staff who have got share options are getting very happy now? Maybe

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I bet there were a lot of people on the phone the second nasdaq opened, they will have made an instant killing - looks like they are up $6 already and its only been open an hour or so!

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I don't care if this causes an infraction or not, but <mod deleted: If something isn't helpful, and will inflame matters, don't post it>

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Cannot see it happening?

http://www.nasdaq.com/article/libert...8#.UREpyh3BdrM

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Not personally. What is in the portfolio, I normally have no idea. Stocks & shares are not my expertise.Last time I asked - It was all why , whats wrong, . Younger brother was really upset I questioned what he was doing. Just NOT done in the family, outside formal meeting. When all is open to questions. Saying that I have not really ever looked at any of the other businesses. To far away if honest .Making money, employing family & other staff. So fine by me . That`s the way it has been within the family for over a hundred years. Vetoed a couple of ideas over the years. (If two object its dumped.:) No question, no argument.)

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

Who gives a toss a out news corp? Or are they going to bid for virginmedia? Wha a random comment lol

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

Hardly random - just balanced

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

There is nothing at all wrong with his comment Bogof because as he says many companies carry considerable debts and as long as those debts can be serviced then there is no problem at all.

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

Still seemed pretty random to me.

---------- Post added at 16:13 ---------- Previous post was at 16:12 ----------

What? Where is the balance?

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

no. he's saying businesses have huge debt but put up against revenue and assets it doesn't look bad as in doom gloom shut the silly business down.

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

A company already $26 billion in debt buying up a company £6 billion debt is just stupid. The guy behind it all Americas biggest land owner has zero personaliabity to these debts.

Why don't Sky just create a $billions debt mountain and buy everything everywhere , or TiVo or any other such company? Oh I'm remember why they reinvest into there network and tv content only for debt riddled badly managed company's to drag them through various ofcom investigations.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Barclay Knapp was an American who bought into the UK. Jus' sayin' ... ;)

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

Previous posts had indicated, in a detrimental way, that VM and Liberty had (large) debts - his post just pointed out that BSkyB were also indebted (i.e. balance)

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

Bloody hell your a charmer, welcome to the cable forum

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

BskyB has zero set liability and makes £1billion profit per year hence news corp and various other company's would love to own it.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

This is interesting, talks about handin VM access to a wider choice of content through existing deals Liberty hold. Could they provide access to stuff that sky have bought rights too. I wouldn't have though so personally?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...hn-Malone.html

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

could Euro channels not be fed? US network ties?

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

I used to work for a large organisation that used to be involved in mergers and takeovers and one day half the meeting rooms were sectioned off to facilate a deal VERY similar to this. They call it due dilligence. I happened to bump into (literally, holding coffee and cakes) the top person doing the deal and the conversation went a bit like this:

Me: Why is company A buying company B?
Top City Consultant: It's a good deal.

Me: Why is it a good deal? Company A has huge debts and company B has huge debts, I'm obviously missing something here.
Top City Bod: Obviously.

Me: But why is this deal happening, everyone is in debt?
Top City Man: That's good!

Me: No, its not!
Top City Highly Paid Bod: Yes, it is!

Me: How can one company in debt buying another company in debt, be a good thing?
Top City Man: It is very good. Having cash on yer books is a waste of time and tax inefficient. Having cash sitting there on your books doing nothing does no companies any good.

Me: Except, they're not in debt....
Top City Bod: Go get me some more coffee and cakes and then sod off, I'm busy.
Me: Ok

Perhaps I am just thick, but I agree with you bogof. The inner workings of the City are beyond me, even though I worked there all my life!

Debt is debt.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Liberty Global generally own cable platforms around the world , they have certain channels like CBS Drama , CBS Action , CBS Reality plus part holdings in a few others but mainly purchase their content from other broadcasters.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

If they own Chello then MGM is listed as being owned by them....MGM HD?

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

If the take over does happen UPC in Ireland has some HD channels which VM don't have could they follow?

Sky News HD
Sky Sports News HD
History HD
MGM HD
Crime and Investigation Network HD (CI)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Its a joint partnership with MGM in Spain I believe , MGM in the UK is a joint partnership with BSKYB however UPC in Ireland do have a carriage deal for MGM HD.

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

My bad - should have said News Corp not BSkyB but even BSkyB has net debts (£1201m @ Dec 2012 up from £876m @ Jun 2012 - figures taken from their own First Half Results dated 2013) ~ incidently they made £647m profit not £1billion as you stated (same source)

---------- Post added at 17:56 ---------- Previous post was at 17:54 ----------

I think the rationale is ~ it's always better to do business with somebody else's money

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

According to this Sky has debt?

http://uk.advfn.com/p.php?pid=financ...mbol=LSE%3ABSY

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

So if Virgin media gets sold will the name change ?

:)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

l don't think so but there again l might be wrong again.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

trying to fond a virgin round here is like trying to find rocking horse poop . I would buy one :)


Seriously though as long as my bill does not go up or I lose anything I do not care who owns the company

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I would say yes, but we'll see.

Liberty has several cable/media brands. UPC being their biggest brand in Europe.

When Branson took a share of what was ntl:telewest, the cableco signed a licensing agreement to use the Virgin brand.

The Virgin brand is well known as being Richard Branson Inc and Virgin Media in itself is now well establised in its own right. But I don't think one billlionaire will want to use the brand of another, even a sucessful one, so we'll see.

Personally, I liked and still do like the name Telewest. Do I think it will come back? Unlikely.

But I do think there will be a new name eventually and I think I know what it will be....:)

Horizon

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I don't think so either, the Virgin brand is well known in the UK whereas Liberty/UPC is not known at all

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Better not take a look at your bill this month, then!:)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

A new colour scheme on the Tivo. Was just getting used to the colours :)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Good try but definitely not.:nono::)

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

pidgeon good point although drifting along further. whats the interfaces like for EU TiVos etc. that they handle?

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Telford just go back under your bridge

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

So saying VM has shed loads of debt is 'unfair and unbalanced' but saying Sky has better services etc is 'trolling'? You're a pack of hypocrites.

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

Why do your posts give me a feeling of deja vu, oh well back to watching my TV ?

Re: Virgin Media Fourth Quarter 2012 Results
 

I have the same feeling and theres only been 17 posts

---------- Post added at 18:44 ---------- Previous post was at 18:42 ----------

What do you mean - everyone knows VM has loads of debt?

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

So does that mean the name will change again?

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

No-one knows

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Think we should concentrate on the sale first as that hasn't even happened yet

The truth is no one knows what will happen to the name

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I think that the same is happening, as to what is happening to all the main High Street brands.

With VM is that another company ie Liberty Global has seen a company that needs a buy out, and bingo.
VM has not been run properly, and by the amount of people on this forum have said, that the TV service is poor. What l can see is that this new company, IF it buys VM will revamp it and probably make it a better company and get rid of the dea wood and false promises it gives out.

As l said in America, the amount of Cable Tv companies is endless.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Arthur l just wish l knew what you are talking about as Virgin is a well run company and could quite easily cope without any buy out.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Just Announced on Sky news possible sale of Virgin media to Liberty Global virgin media valued at £13 Billion plus it has £5.7 Billion of dept

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I would only be happy if it meant the stop in the crazy price increases and more investment in their cable network meaning better speeds and new houses.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Suppose it depends how much they pay each year to use it, and if they can get out of the deal early. However, if you look how Sky have run rings around them by putting all the 'good' shows on a channel outside the carriage agreement, I'd be surprised if we're not 'stuck' with the brand for a number of years to come.

Cheers

Grim

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

The TV service is not poor. We don't have as many channels as Sky and we all know the ones we want, and beef about the lack of them (as is our right as subscribers) but to say that the TV service is poor is ridiculous.

I only really want one new channel, Atlantic. And, yes, I'm really irritated that it looks as if we won't be getting More4HD, but that doesn't make it poor; two channels as a percentage of the ones we get is insignificant.

Having said that, if we end up being taken over by a company that has more resources and clout to compete with Sky, it will be a good thing. Whether these guys are that company, I'm not qualified to say.

And don't forget, TV channels is only one aspect of VM. I still think VMs set top box and broadband are far superior to Sky's offering.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

Do a search and the shareholders are wanting a lot in return if the company is sold for this price as it should be about 20-24 billion.

---------- Post added at 19:56 ---------- Previous post was at 19:55 ----------

Yes it will change to Virgin@Liberty?

Just like some on a weekend:D

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

I
I would say absolutely not.

The virgin brand is what holds it all together.

The use of the Virgin brand is one of the biggest assets the company has, and compared to the revenues they get it cheap.

If UPC can get a deal to extend the Virgin Brand to Europe and roll out TiVo etc. well who knows.


I think anything could happen, but I doubt very much that the virgin brand would go, I'd bet your mortgage on it.

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

CNBC are saying the deal is done video link

Cheers

Grim

Re: Virgin up for sale?
 

A done deal at below $50 per share.....