Cable Forum

Cable Forum (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/index.php)
-   Virgin Media News Discussion (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/forumdisplay.php?f=10)
-   -   VM General News Thread (https://www.cableforum.uk/board/showthread.php?t=33703061)

Horizon 03-06-2016 19:23

VM General News Thread
 
This thread is a direct follow on from this one:

http://www.cableforum.co.uk/board/10...um-pay-tv.html

I thought it might be useful to have all the news about what John Malone is getting up to in one place.

Firstly, a profile of him is here:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_C._Malone

But if you can't be bothered to read all that, in essence he is a telecoms engineer and a master of business who built up what was the largest US cable company in the 80s and 90s before selling it making him billions.

He's now rebuilding his former US cable empire while also owning a controlling stake in the company that owns Virgin Media. He also owns more land in America then any other individual.

I will update this thread with any news about him or his companies when I can.

Here's a useful diagram of his interests, but take note that it is slightly out of date as Charter has now merged with fellow cablecos Bright House and Time Warner Cable since the publication of this diagram which will give Malone around a 20% share of the merged entity and make him the largest shareholder:

https://www.cableforum.co.uk/images/...2016/06/41.jpg

1andrew1 03-06-2016 23:35

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Great infographic, thanks for sharing.

Media Boy UK 06-06-2016 18:51

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Liberty Global and Vodafone deal back on?

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/...i/2849028.html

denphone 06-06-2016 18:57

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
We shall see...

Pierre 07-06-2016 12:39

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Not likely any time soon.

This story just keeps on popping up every few months, because it's a good story and they have pages they need to fill.

Horizon 07-06-2016 15:19

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Liberty and Malone are testing the waters by merging their Dutch operations. If that works out for both of them then perhaps they'll start talking a full blown merger in another year or so. Malone has repeatedly stated he wants to do a big deal before his retirement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1 (Post 35840930)
Great infographic, thanks for sharing.

You're welcome.

I will be posting various things when I've got the time. There's been lots of Discovery news snippets this week. Plus, there's lots of interviews that Malone has done over the years that some may find interesting.

As I said in my original thread, once he's recreated his US cable empire, which he's now done. Then at some point he'll go for a US mobile company. Then, merge Starz and Lionsgate together (he already now owns a share of Lionsgate) and possibly buy someone like Scripps, or AMC Networks. THen merge all of that with Liberty Global and Vodafone if he can.

I would not be surprised if he then sold the lot to someone like Apple or Google.

What he has always done is maintain control of "his" companies through different classes of shares even while only holding minority shareholdings. (Of course we were talking about this last week) So, I am curious to see if he continues this (he has always stated he wants to "influence" "his" companies) and if he does, where the money comes from. He is personally very rich and has just put 5 billion into the Charter merger.

Media Boy UK 09-06-2016 21:01

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Vodafone NZ and Sky TV make $2.4bn deal.

Vodafone's New Zealand unit is merging with the country's biggest pay television provider Sky Network in a $2.4bn (£1.7bn) deal.

UK-based Vodafone, the world's second-biggest mobile carrier, will own 51% of the combined company.

Analysts say the deal might result in Vodafone leaving the New Zealand market.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36486455

Sky Network has nothing to do with Sky plc (Sky UK) since 2013 when News Corp announced it will be selling its 44 percent stake in Sky Television (New Zealand).

Will Vodafone UK and Europe next to be sold?

1andrew1 10-06-2016 11:42

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
UPC looks set to acquire fellow cable company Multimedia Polska.

Broadband TV News calculates that adding Multimedia Polska's 827,00 subscribers to UPC's 1.4m would give the company 50% of the cable market.

Looks a sensible move and mirrors the cable consolidation we've seen in the UK.
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/...h-acquisition/

Horizon 30-06-2016 18:36

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Malone's empire building continues as Lionsgate is to purchase Starz:

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/06/30/lions...and-stock.html

http://variety.com/2016/film/news/li...se-1201806588/

http://www.wsj.com/articles/lions-ga...eal-1467288777

muppetman11 30-06-2016 21:26

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Rupert Murdochs News Corporation have bought The Wireless Group owner of Talk Sport , didn't Malones Liberty Global have a stake in this ?

denphone 30-06-2016 21:36

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
The behemoth's get even bigger.

Horizon 30-06-2016 22:19

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
From one of those articles on the Lionsgate deal, here's a interesting little titbit:

"Mr. Malone told The Wall Street Journal last year that Lions Gate, with its attractive Canadian tax domicile, could buy Starz and “potentially other free radicals in the industry” and become a content consolidator."

...
So, yet again, its all about tax with Malone. Curious that the richer you get, the less tax you pay, or in Malone's case, none at all....

...
This article thinks Malone will now merge Discovery in with Lionsgate:

https://www.thestreet.com/story/1362...ry-merger.html

...
Can't provide a link to this Reuters article, so here is most of it which I thought was quite interesting:

BREAKINGVIEWS – Lions Gate – Starz mashup is classic Malone
30-06-2016 22:43

(The authors are Reuters Breakingviews columnists. The opinions expressed are their own.)(Refiles to add link to graphic.)

By Jennifer Saba and Richard Beales

NEW YORK, June 30 (Reuters Breakingviews) – Movie studio Lions Gate's $4.4 billion deal to acquire pay-TV company Starz has media mogul John Malone's fingerprints all over it. A complex structure? Check. New governance-skewing non-voting stock? Yup. More influence for the man known as the Cable Cowboy? You bet. Starz shareholders shouldn't be surprised at the modest premium on offer.

Speculation about a merger began in February 2015 when Malone, best known for Liberty Global and similarly named enterprises, swapped 4.5 percent of Starz stock for 3.4 percent of Lions Gate shares. In the process he gained a seat on the "Hunger Games" studio's board.

Against the backdrop of cable consolidation, the tie-up makes industrial sense. And if Lions Gate could find synergies worth a reasonable-seeming 2.5 percent of combined revenue, or $100 million a year, once taxed and capitalized their value would easily cover the $400 million or so of premium on offer – and more.

However, that's partly because the price isn't generous. Malone controls Starz with 48 percent of the votes thanks to Class B stock that has 10 times the voting power of regular shares. That makes it hard for other shareholders to argue. They'll get cash and Lions Gate stock worth just over $32 a share, a 14 percent premium to where Starz A shares closed on Wednesday.

Lions Gate plans to create a new class of non-voting shares. That's what the regular owners of Starz will get along with their cash. Holders of super-voting Starz shares, like Malone, will receive fewer readies, but half their Lions Gate shares will carry voting rights. (See graphic: http://tmsnrt.rs/298H1BZ) This helps explain why Malone and other central figures look set to land on their feet. Lions Gate Chairman Mark Rachesky owns just over 20 percent of the company. He'll be diluted by the acquisition, but his voting interest will decline only slightly because non-voting shares will go disproportionately to others.

Combine Rachesky's interest in Lions Gate with Malone's and those of Liberty Global and Discovery Communications , and there'll be a near-controlling block wielding more than a third of the votes with barely more than a quarter of all shares, by Breakingviews' reckoning. It's classic Malone to wrap a smart deal in a complicated structure that's good for him.

Media Boy UK 04-07-2016 18:44

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11 (Post 35847260)
Rupert Murdochs News Corporation have bought The Wireless Group owner of Talk Sport , didn't Malones Liberty Global have a stake in this ?

Yes before 2005 - when UTV took over.

Horizon 05-07-2016 01:48

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Report: Liberty in talks to buy UTV Ireland:

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/...y-utv-ireland/

Horizon 07-07-2016 00:48

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
....related to Liberty's purchase of UTV Ireland, I think Malone will now go ahead for a full takeover of ITV for one very good reason.....

The pound crashed and is still going down and its now a lot cheaper for Malone to purchase the rest of ITV.

Watch this space, I would expect this to happen "soon" ish...

1andrew1 07-07-2016 00:57

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35848520)
....related to Liberty's purchase of UTV Ireland, I think Malone will now go ahead for a full takeover of ITV for one very good reason.....

The pound crashed and is still going down and its now a lot cheaper for Malone to purchase the rest of ITV.

Watch this space, I would expect this to happen "soon" ish...

Why not buy ITV plc now? That way he gets UTV Ireland too rather than wasting time negotiating a very small deal for it separately?

Horizon 07-07-2016 01:25

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
.... no idea. Testing the waters, maybe??

If he is going to buy ITV, then it will happen in before the year is out. THe exchange rate is in his favour, but I'd expect a counter bid from BT to block him.

Oh!! and I forgot, another big reason why he might buy ITV now, their share price is down 25%...

1andrew1 07-07-2016 10:42

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35848531)
.... no idea. Testing the waters, maybe??

If he is going to buy ITV, then it will happen in before the year is out. THe exchange rate is in his favour, but I'd expect a counter bid from BT to block him.

Oh!! and I forgot, another big reason why he might buy ITV now, their share price is down 25%...

Trouble is that Liberty Global's shares are down by a similar percentage as well. I suspect that like many investors, Malone won't want to invest much more in the UK at the moment due to the present uncertainty. He may feel that if he doubles his stake in ITV this will recompense for the losses he has made on the stake but I can't see a full-blown takeover this year.

Media Boy UK 11-07-2016 19:41

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Virgin Media: Virgin Media to Acquire UTV Ireland.

Virgin Media, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Liberty Global, today announced that it has entered into an agreement with ITV plc to acquire UTV Ireland, the nation’s newest free-to-air commercial broadcaster, for a purchase price of €10 million. The agreement also includes a comprehensive 10 year output deal for Ireland for ITV produced programming. The purchase price is expected to be funded through existing liquidity.

http://about.virginmedia.com/press-r...re-utv-ireland

Kushan 12-07-2016 14:24

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
And nothing of value was lost/gained.

Media Boy UK 26-07-2016 20:17

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Virgin Media has hired a former content chief at BT TV as it pushes further into original and exclusive programming.

http://www.digitaltveurope.net/57393...content-chief/

Horizon 26-07-2016 22:47

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
.... lets see what the new bloke can do!

OLD BOY 28-07-2016 10:08

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35851355)
.... lets see what the new bloke can do!

It's certainly more evidence that Virgin means business on content. I hope the new guy doesn't wind Sky up too much though, coming from BT!

1andrew1 28-07-2016 10:41

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY (Post 35851520)
It's certainly more evidence that Virgin means business on content. I hope the new guy doesn't wind Sky up too much though, coming from BT!

They're probably all mates together, it's a small world.

denphone 28-07-2016 11:14

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Indeed they probably all have dinner together.

Media Boy UK 01-08-2016 21:24

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Web News: F1 up for sale?

Sky, Discovery/Liberty Global are participating in auction to buy Formula One.

Rumours on the web says the winner may be confirmed in the coming weeks.

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/07/29...l-formula-one/

Kushan 01-08-2016 22:23

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Wait, the sport itself is for sale, not just the viewing rights?

Paul 01-08-2016 23:35

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
$8 billion !! For that boring junk.

What an incredible waste, just think how many decent TV programmes you could make for that amount.

Mr Banana 02-08-2016 08:54

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul M (Post 35852112)
$8 billion !! For that boring junk.

What an incredible waste, just think how many decent TV programmes you could make for that amount.

Seems cheap to me if it's the whole thing, according to Forbes it made 4.4 billion dollars profit in 2015.

Horizon 03-08-2016 17:23

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
The European Commission have today cleared the merger of Liberty's and Vodafone's Dutch operations.

1andrew1 03-08-2016 19:57

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr Banana (Post 35852136)
Seems cheap to me if it's the whole thing, according to Forbes it made 4.4 billion dollars profit in 2015.

That's a bit of a misleading headline because it's over a number of years, not hust one year. In 2013, they were £308m. ($550m) Even if they doubled, that would still only be £600m. The company would be worth a multiple of profits, say 10 x profits. If profits were $1bn, the company could be worth $10bn subject to lots of other factors and caveats!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/n...fits-flag.html

Kushan 03-08-2016 23:40

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Even at £308m, £8billion is a pretty good deal. You'd pay £150k for a house that's going to bring in what, £6-8k a year?

Ignitionnet 03-08-2016 23:56

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan (Post 35852393)
Even at £308m, £8billion is a pretty good deal. You'd pay £150k for a house that's going to bring in what, £6-8k a year?

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/p/...ningsratio.asp

Quote:

Things to Remember

Generally a high P/E ratio means that investors are anticipating higher growth in the future.

The average market P/E ratio is 20-25 times earnings.

The P/E ratio can use estimated earnings to get the forward looking P/E ratio.

Companies that are losing money do not have a P/E ratio.

Kushan 04-08-2016 10:55

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
So if my rough calculations are correct, F1 has a P/E of about 26.5?

Seems like a good deal then.

Ignitionnet 04-08-2016 13:23

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
It's a higher ratio than your house example and above average according to the link.

Kushan 04-08-2016 13:58

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Yeah that's exactly what I am saying, at 2013 figures 8Bn is a great deal. If 2015 figures are higher, it's a steal.

Ignitionnet 04-08-2016 14:27

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan (Post 35852453)
Yeah that's exactly what I am saying, at 2013 figures 8Bn is a great deal. If 2015 figures are higher, it's a steal.

Lower ratios are preferable as far as how good a deal a purchase price is. Your housing example gave a 'P/E ratio' of 25:1 to less than 19:1, while the numbers for F1 are a ratio >25:1.

Media Boy UK 02-09-2016 00:10

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35852099)
Web News: F1 up for sale?

Sky, Discovery/Liberty Global are participating in auction to buy Formula One.

Rumours on the web says the winner may be confirmed in the coming weeks.

http://www.denverpost.com/2016/07/29...l-formula-one/

I have just found this update from last week.

http://www.newstalk.com/TV3-owners-c...1-takeover-bid

http://news.sky.com/story/liberty-me...acing-10551347

Gavin-D 04-09-2016 16:22

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Chase Carey will be named as F1's chairman this week ahead of a £6.1bn sale of the sport to Liberty Media Corp, Sky News learns.
http://news.sky.com/story/carey-to-t...-line-10565003

Media Boy UK 13-09-2016 16:53

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Barron’s: Vodafone boost from Liberty Global tie-up

Vodafone Group could benefit from a merger with Liberty Global, according to a report in Barron’s, which added the British telecommunications company’s shares could also be poised for a 33% rise.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/busines...up-420755.html

Pierre 13-09-2016 19:21

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35859017)
Barron’s: Vodafone boost from Liberty Global tie-up

Vodafone Group could benefit from a merger with Liberty Global, according to a report in Barron’s, which added the British telecommunications company’s shares could also be poised for a 33% rise.

http://www.irishexaminer.com/busines...up-420755.html

It comes out every month.

There's no indication it will happen.

Kushan 13-09-2016 19:45

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
I feel like Virgin and Vodafone are the company equivelant to Ross and Rachel.

Media Boy UK 14-09-2016 23:12

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Liberty Global Invest in Kickboxing’s Glory Sports.

Yao Capital, the investment arm of Chinese basketball star Yao Ming, and cable TV giant Liberty Global have led a round of investment into Glory Sports International, organizer of kickboxing events.

http://variety.com/2016/biz/asia/yao...ng-1201859791/

BenMcr 15-09-2016 00:33

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2016/...n-horizon-box/

Quote:

Liberty Global is evaluating a new generation of its multimedia home gateway Horizon which will be Ultra HD/4K capable.

The box will be based on the new Virgin V6 box, with Tivo software, to be introduced by its UK subsidiary Virgin Media, Mark Giesbers, vice president video products at Liberty Global, told Broadband TV News at IBC 2016.

1andrew1 18-09-2016 21:38

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
BT & Virgin Media join forces to battle Openreach split.
"The pair will this week launch their first-ever joint advertising campaign to defend Britain's record on internet infrastructure in the face of sustained attacks from Sky, TalkTalk and Vodafone."
"The cable operator fears its advantage and the return on its investment in expansion could be halted if Openreach is separated.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/...enreach-split/

denphone 19-09-2016 06:21

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Strange bedfellows one would think Andrew? but when you are taking on the might and influence of Sky then needs must.

Ignitionnet 19-09-2016 10:48

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
This has to be a harbinger of the apocalypse.

1andrew1 19-09-2016 12:04

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35859722)
Strange bedfellows one would think Andrew? but when you are taking on the might and influence of Sky then needs must.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ignitionnet (Post 35859731)
This has to be a harbinger of the apocalypse.

Ha ha! If it makes financial sense for VM to share a few adverts with its competitors then I'm sure it will. Frenemies to use current jargon!

Horizon 19-09-2016 15:59

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
My take on this, is, that VM fear Sky, Talktalk et all getting hold of and control of BT's/Openreach's infrastructure - and on the cheap.

Although Sky has been doing trials of FTTP, Murdoch has never shown any inclination in investing billions in infrastructure, which is why he piggybacked his satellite tv business off someone's else's satellites.

If a competitor to VM could get hold off infrastructure without investing billions this could put VM's whole business under threat. Because what future investor would bother pumping in money if it were possible to be gifted cables, ducts and poles from BT?

Media Boy UK 20-09-2016 00:29

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Liberty Global to introduce Docsis 3.1 in 2017

Cable operator Liberty Global will launch its first services over Docsis 3.1 in 2017, the company announced at IBC in Amsterdam. It's not yet known which country will get the faster services first.

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/lib...-2017--1162860

Pierre 20-09-2016 00:39

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
The enemy of my enemies is my friend.

Ignitionnet 20-09-2016 16:00

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35859800)
Liberty Global to introduce Docsis 3.1 in 2017

Cable operator Liberty Global will launch its first services over Docsis 3.1 in 2017, the company announced at IBC in Amsterdam. It's not yet known which country will get the faster services first.

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/lib...-2017--1162860

The ones that need it to compete. So not us.

Media Boy UK 16-11-2016 14:07

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Virgin Media receives regulatory approval to acquire UTV Ireland

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/m...land-1.2870076

Horizon 16-11-2016 23:53

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
.... and the Liongate-Starz merger should complete soon which will give Malone the largest and controlling stake in it. I'll post here when confirmed.

http://www.denverite.com/colorado-bi...onsgate-21746/

---------- Post added at 22:53 ---------- Previous post was at 21:07 ----------

Following on from that, something which has been muted in the press over the last several months is a potential Malone buyout of CBS and Viacom, owner of Paramount Pictures. This article hints that the Starz-Lionsgate deal may be a used as a vechicle by Malone as a way to buy CBS/Viacom:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/artic...ck-undervalued

THe F1 deal should also complete soon, which will give Malone total control over F1 via his controlling stakes in Liberty Global and Discovery.

Pierre 18-11-2016 11:57

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Two differing points of view here:

http://seekingalpha.com/news/3225242...ty-global-deal

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-tm...-idUSKBN13C1OJ

Horizon 18-11-2016 22:09

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
.... I think in that Reuters article, Fries gave a very strong hint that he intends to buy a UK broadcaster. Perhaps ITV, which Liberty already own a bit of, or perhaps he might go for Ch4, if and when the government puts it up for sale.

On the main issue covered in the articles about a Liberty/Vodafone tie-up, I think it's less likely now. I think Malone was keen on the idea as long as he got his way and the merged entity was leveraged to the hilt and paid -1000% tax. But the first article hints that Vodafone are still keen on a deal, so perhaps it may be them that stalk Malone, not the other way around.

RichardCoulter 21-11-2016 00:57

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35859800)
Liberty Global to introduce Docsis 3.1 in 2017

Cable operator Liberty Global will launch its first services over Docsis 3.1 in 2017, the company announced at IBC in Amsterdam. It's not yet known which country will get the faster services first.

http://www.telecompaper.com/news/lib...-2017--1162860

Looks like they've been juggling some TV channels about in preparation for this recently:

Quote:

Originally Posted by jj20x (Post 35870680)
Over the last month or so Frequency changes took place in the Ashford, Croydon, Gateshead, Hayes and TTA Knowsley DMC (Hayes_RHE) networks, to clear an extended frequency block for DOCSIS 3.1.


1andrew1 21-11-2016 12:53

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35870355)
.... I think in that Reuters article, Fries gave a very strong hint that he intends to buy a UK broadcaster. Perhaps ITV, which Liberty already own a bit of, or perhaps he might go for Ch4, if and when the government puts it up for sale.

On the main issue covered in the articles about a Liberty/Vodafone tie-up, I think it's less likely now. I think Malone was keen on the idea as long as he got his way and the merged entity was leveraged to the hilt and paid -1000% tax. But the first article hints that Vodafone are still keen on a deal, so perhaps it may be them that stalk Malone, not the other way around.

Always the possibility that Malone could undertake a break-up bid for ITV with the assets split between LGI, Discovery and Starz-Lionsgate.

Kushan 21-11-2016 13:54

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by RichardCoulter (Post 35870827)
Looks like they've been juggling some TV channels about in preparation for this recently:

Interesting, I guess we'll soon start hearing about a new Modem/Hub for this?

1andrew1 21-11-2016 14:02

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan (Post 35870870)
Interesting, I guess we'll soon start hearing about a new Modem/Hub for this?

Which TV boxes would be compatible with this standard?

BenMcr 21-11-2016 15:06

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
It's not an issue.

The older TiVo's built in connection doesn't go fast enough to need D3.1, and as already been discussed elsewhere the V6 doesn't have it's own modem, but connects to the Virgin Media Hub.

Kushan 21-11-2016 16:10

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35870891)
It's not an issue.

The older TiVo's built in connection doesn't go fast enough to need D3.1, and as already been discussed elsewhere the V6 doesn't have it's own modem, but connects to the Virgin Media Hub.

Is there anything in place to prevent the new TiVo's from taking bandwidth from your connection? Or is that tough tittie?

One of the big selling points of the Tivo was that dedicated modem not interfering with your broadband.

BenMcr 21-11-2016 16:23

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
No comment on that at the moment.

denphone 21-11-2016 16:42

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
For a little while longer.;)

Horizon 22-11-2016 21:04

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Nice little interview Malone gave yesterday about how he sees the future of cable and mobile companies, which is basically what I've said here 18 months ago!

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/16/john-...nsolidate.html

Skie 22-11-2016 23:19

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan (Post 35870909)
One of the big selling points of the Tivo was that dedicated modem not interfering with your broadband.

It was a selling point but in practice the VOD experience on the Tivo has been pretty terrible.

Lately I've even been seeing a message claiming my internet isnt connected (complete with a picture of a dog pulling a cable from the tv) so there is obviously something a bit broke. VM must think so too if they are moving in a different direction with the V6

Kushan 22-11-2016 23:29

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Skie (Post 35871174)
It was a selling point but in practice the VOD experience on the Tivo has been pretty terrible.

Lately I've even been seeing a message claiming my internet isnt connected (complete with a picture of a dog pulling a cable from the tv) so there is obviously something a bit broke. VM must think so too if they are moving in a different direction with the V6

It's not just the VoD experience, I hate the TiVo. It's so bloody slow at everything it does. I mean it's still better than the old V+ boxes, but it's absolutely frustrating to use. When you click a wrong menu item and have to wait literally 10 seconds for it to catch up, just so you can go back.....

And for what? The "Graphically rich" UI isn't even that usable. The V6 better be nippy.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35871131)
Nice little interview Malone gave yesterday about how he sees the future of cable and mobile companies, which is basically what I've said here 18 months ago!

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/11/16/john-...nsolidate.html

So basically expect LibGlob to merge with a mobile network at some point.

Well it won't be the current Virgin MVNO as BT just bought them. Rumours of Vodafone merging have been going on for years, but Telefonica (O2) needs money fast so there's plenty of possibilities really.

He's not wrong, it makes a lot of sense to combine the efforts. I believe Virgin actually supplies a lot of backhaul for the various mobile networks, so it's a no brainer.

1andrew1 23-11-2016 00:22

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan (Post 35871176)
So basically expect LibGlob to merge with a mobile network at some point.

Well it won't be the current Virgin MVNO as BT just bought them. Rumours of Vodafone merging have been going on for years, but Telefonica (O2) needs money fast so there's plenty of possibilities really.

He's not wrong, it makes a lot of sense to combine the efforts. I believe Virgin actually supplies a lot of backhaul for the various mobile networks, so it's a no brainer.

I guess in Europe the main providers of pay-TV and broadband comes down to:
- a satellite TV company eg Sky, Canal Plus
- a cable company often part of LGI
- the incumbent fixed line operator sometimes part-owned by Deutsche Telekom

How do these map to the various networks owned by Vodafone, 3-Hutchison, Telefonica-O2 plus a host of smaller companies like Telia, Tele2 and America Movil? No one knows at this stage but everyone speculates. :)

Horizon 23-11-2016 00:25

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan (Post 35871176)
(snip)

So basically expect LibGlob to merge with a mobile network at some point.

Well it won't be the current Virgin MVNO as BT just bought them. Rumours of Vodafone merging have been going on for years, but Telefonica (O2) needs money fast so there's plenty of possibilities really.

He's not wrong, it makes a lot of sense to combine the efforts. I believe Virgin actually supplies a lot of backhaul for the various mobile networks, so it's a no brainer.

Don't forget "his" American companies too, which is mainly what he was referring to.

Kushan 23-11-2016 10:31

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Yup, no doubt it'll be a series of mergers rather than one big one. It's only a matter of time before more EU networks start merging with each other, too.

MrIca 24-11-2016 10:19

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan (Post 35871176)
It's not just the VoD experience, I hate the TiVo. It's so bloody slow at everything it does. I mean it's still better than the old V+ boxes, but it's absolutely frustrating to use. When you click a wrong menu item and have to wait literally 10 seconds for it to catch up, just so you can go back.....

And for what? The "Graphically rich" UI isn't even that usable. The V6 better be nippy.



So basically expect LibGlob to merge with a mobile network at some point.

Well it won't be the current Virgin MVNO as BT just bought them. Rumours of Vodafone merging have been going on for years, but Telefonica (O2) needs money fast so there's plenty of possibilities really.

He's not wrong, it makes a lot of sense to combine the efforts. I believe Virgin actually supplies a lot of backhaul for the various mobile networks, so it's a no brainer.

When did BT but Virgin Mobile? That's news to me.

I'm not sure Virgin supply backhaul for "various" mobile networks. I don't think EE or Three ever used them and EE certainly wouldn't now as they're part of BT Group.

They definitely provide backhaul for Vodafone though.

BenMcr 24-11-2016 10:50

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MrIca (Post 35871417)
When did BT but Virgin Mobile? That's news to me.

BT bought EE which Virgin Mobile currently use to run their network.

Pierre 24-11-2016 12:29

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MrIca (Post 35871417)
I'm not sure Virgin supply backhaul for "various" mobile networks. I don't think EE or Three ever used them and EE certainly wouldn't now as they're part of BT Group.

They provide for the fibre network for MBNL

and MBNL provides the backhaul

http://mbnl.co.uk/

Quote:

They definitely provide backhaul for Vodafone though.
Actually no they don't

They did, a long time ago, and they still provide circuits here and there around the country. But Vodafone have their own massive Fibre Network courtesy of C&W.

Kushan 24-11-2016 20:02

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MrIca (Post 35871417)
When did BT but Virgin Mobile? That's news to me.

I'm not sure Virgin supply backhaul for "various" mobile networks. I don't think EE or Three ever used them and EE certainly wouldn't now as they're part of BT Group.

They definitely provide backhaul for Vodafone though.

I feel like I've flipped your whole world upside down now :P

Media Boy UK 28-12-2016 15:23

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Patrick Drahi’s Altice Sells SFR BeLux to Telenet, Owned by John Malone’s Liberty Global.

Patrick Drahi’s Netherlands-based Altice Group, parent of Altice USA and SFR, France’s No. 2 telecoms operator, has agreed to sell its businesses in Belgium and Luxembourg to the Telenet Group, owned by John Malone’s Liberty Global.

http://variety.com/2016/film/global/...et-1201947543/

MrIca 28-12-2016 17:37

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 35871435)
They provide for the fibre network for MBNL

and MBNL provides the backhaul

http://mbnl.co.uk/



Actually no they don't

They did, a long time ago, and they still provide circuits here and there around the country. But Vodafone have their own massive Fibre Network courtesy of C&W.

Huh? Yes I know all about that! You do understand that much of the UK don't have the C&W network anywhere nearby though? I think a lot of you guys on this forum assume others have no clue and you are the only ones "in the know".

Voda have to rely on BT backhaul for a lot of areas still. I never said in my post that they ONLY use it, you just felt like correcting me. 50-60% of the well populated borough I live in doesn't have C&W fibre anywhere near it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenMcr (Post 35871421)
BT bought EE which Virgin Mobile currently use to run their network.

Obviously I know EE is owned by BT, considering who I work for. That's very different to BT owning Virgin Mobile.

weesteev 28-12-2016 21:08

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Actually MrIca, C&W network is pretty well coverd across the UK and takes many different guises due to network rebrands over the years. C&W also subduct and share a lot of core duct access with VM, BT and Verizon around the UK as well, so even though it may not be apparent a provider is in an area, they probably have a lot more fibre than you would think.

Virgin havent supplied Vodafone circuits in some time, that may changegoing forward but there doesnt appear to be a business agreement in place currently. The MBNL backhaul deal has been ongoing for some time and is constantly expanding across the UK, Virgin supply a lot of backhaul for major ISP's and other Mobile and fixed Telcos all over the UK... just as VM uses backhaul from other suppliers to get business services to areas where there is currently not network footprint.

MrIca 28-12-2016 21:40

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Yep I know all about the different guises of C&W (Thus, Scottish Telecom, Norweb Comms, etc). but in many areas there's only BT ducting in the ground.

Horizon 30-12-2016 20:31

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Media Boy (Post 35878124)
Patrick Drahi’s Altice Sells SFR BeLux to Telenet, Owned by John Malone’s Liberty Global.

Patrick Drahi’s Netherlands-based Altice Group, parent of Altice USA and SFR, France’s No. 2 telecoms operator, has agreed to sell its businesses in Belgium and Luxembourg to the Telenet Group, owned by John Malone’s Liberty Global.

http://variety.com/2016/film/global/...et-1201947543/

Thanks for posting that here, didn't see it.

There certainly seems to be a bit of moving the chess pieces around the board going on here.... to what end, not sure.

Dragi is clearly a major player now after buying America's 4th largest cableco (Cablevision) and 7th Largest (Suddenlink). Whether this may be the start of a closer union with Malone and his companies, remains to be seen.

1andrew1 30-12-2016 20:36

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Horizon (Post 35878448)
Thanks for posting that here, didn't see it.

There certainly seems to be a bit of moving the chess pieces around the board going on here.... to what end, not sure.

Dragi is clearly a major player now after buying America's 4th largest cableco (Cablevision) and 7th Largest (Suddenlink). Whether this may be the start of a closer union with Malone and his companies, remains to be seen.

I think Altice is quite endebted and the Benelux is not important to it strategically so it has sold the subsidiary.

---------- Post added at 19:36 ---------- Previous post was at 19:34 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrIca (Post 35878144)
Obviously I know EE is owned by BT, considering who I work for.

I'm not sure that we can be expected to know who you work for unless it's in your signature.

Pierre 30-12-2016 21:21

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MrIca (Post 35878144)
Huh? Yes I know all about that! You do understand that much of the UK don't have the C&W network anywhere nearby though? I think a lot of you guys on this forum assume others have no clue and you are the only ones "in the know".

As seen as I've worked for virgin media for over 20 years when it comes to their network I am "in the know"

And when you say things like

Quote:

I'm not sure Virgin supply backhaul for "various" mobile networks. I don't think EE or Three ever used them and EE certainly wouldn't now as they're part of BT Group.
When VM have provided EE backhaul for several years, and continue to do so, suggests .........

Anyway.

Quote:

Voda have to rely on BT backhaul for a lot of areas still. I never said in my post that they ONLY use it, you just felt like correcting me. 50-60% of the well populated borough I live in doesn't have C&W fibre anywhere near it.
Unless you have Vodafone network map or intimate knowledge of their network how do you know?

Quote:

Yep I know all about the different guises of C&W (Thus, Scottish Telecom, Norweb Comms, etc). but in many areas there's only BT ducting in the ground.
What about overhead?

MrIca 31-12-2016 11:51

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 35878471)
As seen as I've worked for virgin media for over 20 years when it comes to their network I am "in the know"

And when you say things like



When VM have provided EE backhaul for several years, and continue to do so, suggests .........

Anyway.



Unless you have Vodafone network map or intimate knowledge of their network how do you know?


What about overhead?

No need to be confrontational. It's not a willy waving contest, for some reason some users on this particular forum seem to think it is. I don't recall Virgin providing backhaul for EE but there you go. I don't dispute what you're saying.

Overhead as in National Grid?

How do I know what backhaul Voda use? Well I can open up (non-Voda marked) boxes in front of many Vodafone transmitters where I live and see they go directly onto BT fibre. You can physically see the fibre coming from where the transmitter is. There's no VM or C&W network at all nearby for them to go onto.

As I say there's still lots of areas where the VM and C&W network doesn't reach and doesn't get near enough to.

Pierre 31-12-2016 14:49

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by MrIca (Post 35878559)
No need to be confrontational. It's not a willy waving contest, for some reason some users on this particular forum seem to think it is. I don't recall Virgin providing backhaul for EE but there you go. I don't dispute what you're saying.

To be fair it was you that was being arsey.

Quote:

Overhead as in National Grid?
. Not just National Grid/ Energis. But Scottish Power/Thus and Norweb/yourcomms. All are C&W as you know and all have fibre on parts of their transmission network.

Quote:

How do I know what backhaul Voda use? Well I can open up (non-Voda marked) boxes in front of many Vodafone transmitters where I live and see they go directly onto BT fibre. You can physically see the fibre coming from where the transmitter is. There's no VM or C&W network at all nearby for them to go onto.
They may well use BT fibre tails to get to some masts, or indeed most masts, as VM use and other carriers use to get to places where they don't have fibre reach. That doesn't mean that BT backhaul it all around the U.K.

I'm fairly certain when VM lost the Vodafone contract I think Global Crossing, now Level 3, won it, or a lot if it, as I remember them digging to loads of Vodafone sites about 6-7 years ago.

MrIca 31-12-2016 19:32

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Sorry if I came across arsey.

I see what you mean about the backhaul, I was thinking more of who the physical fibre is owned by that is in use. So Voda could well be paying Level 3 who just use whomever's fibre is the cheapest to connect to the masts.

Since they bought C&W they've probably tried to get as many masts as they can onto that network. I've seen them digging up to a mile or so along pavements and roads to avoid using other people's physical fibre.

Kushan 01-01-2017 14:02

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Yeah when it comes to business fibre, there's a lot of overlap. In the last place I worked, we got fibre in via a little ISP called HSO because they were cheaper than anyone else, who basically paid Virgin for the fibre link, who basically paid BT for the fibre link. We had 3 gateway devices in our cab before we got to our own equipment.

I wouldn't be surprised if the mobile telco operations were a similar beast.

denphone 07-01-2017 21:01

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Virgin snubs Three to stick with BT on wireless contract.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/...less-contract/

Quote:

The*mobile operator Three has been dealt a fresh blow after it was pipped to a multibillion-pound contract to provide the network for Virgin Media’s wireless arm.
The cable giant has instead signed a new five-year deal with BT, the owner of its current mobile wholesale provider EE, industry sources revealed.

Inactive Digital 07-01-2017 21:17

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Interesting move. I guess if they do have an eye on O2 then there's potentially a lot less turmoil for everyone if they stick with BT for now. Building their own 'thick' network could also make them more competitive - I've been looking at some deals I've the past week or so and Virginia are nowhere to be seen.

Martin_D 09-01-2017 11:29

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Virgin Media and BT agree new mobile deal

Virgin Media and BT today announced a new five year Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement.

Press Release http://www.virginmedia.com/corporate...bile-deal.html

Pierre 09-01-2017 12:58

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Martin_D (Post 35879753)
Virgin Media and BT agree new mobile deal

Virgin Media and BT today announced a new five year Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) agreement.

Press Release http://www.virginmedia.com/corporate...bile-deal.html

Any Speculating city traders expecting/hoping for a Liberty/VM and Vodafone tie up in the UK, can now climb back into their hidey holes.

Kushan 09-01-2017 14:35

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 35879760)
Any Speculating city traders expecting/hoping for a Liberty/VM and Vodafone tie up in the UK, can now climb back into their hidey holes.

They're the Ross and Rachel of the telecoms world.

Horizon 09-01-2017 14:52

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 35879760)
Any Speculating city traders expecting/hoping for a Liberty/VM and Vodafone tie up in the UK, can now climb back into their hidey holes.

Climbing into hole....:)

But I agree, if a Vodafone deal were imminent, this wouldn't have happened.

---------- Post added at 13:52 ---------- Previous post was at 13:50 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan (Post 35879777)
They're the Ross and Rachel of the telecoms world.

I like the name Ross, good Cornish name.:D

Pierre 11-01-2017 11:57

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
http://adage.com/article/media/liber...mobile/307458/

1andrew1 11-01-2017 13:55

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by Pierre (Post 35880072)

Good article though I suspect Liberty's consortium would have to compete with Sprint Corp for T-Mobile USA.

denphone 12-01-2017 17:54

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Virgin Media leaves Horizon behind in television platform rebrand.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/m...rand-1.2934445

Pierre 12-01-2017 21:13

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone (Post 35880336)
Virgin Media leaves Horizon behind in television platform rebrand.

http://www.irishtimes.com/business/m...rand-1.2934445

Good Horizon is a crap name.

Horizon 12-01-2017 21:43

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
.... I rather like it!

Media Boy UK 13-01-2017 14:10

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Quote:

"Maybe the three major cable companies get together and buy T-Mobile," Malone said. "One could contemplate in a Trump administration Comcast and Charter* (*which is part-owned by Malone) could merge," he said, referring to the No. 1 and No. 2 cable TV providers.
http://www.capacitymedia.com/Article...-takeover.html

1andrew1 20-01-2017 23:07

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Fries declares Liberty Global’s mobile future
Mike Fries says there will be just two mobile networks in every European country – and expects Liberty Global to be running one of them.
In a CNBC interview from the World Economic Forum in Davos, Fries said this meant a fixed broadband fibre-based network alongside a mobile network, adding that the operator already had a mobile network in nine markets.
“Every company of scale should have a mobile solution with seamless connectivity,” he said.
http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2017/...mobile-future/

Horizon 21-01-2017 20:03

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Perhaps it's because I'm too used to reading the "output" of people like Malone and Fries and go giddy at the thought of "what a good idea larger scale means", but, how exactly does it benefit consumers when there is a choice of only two companies in anything, let alone mobile?

And lets be clear, two networks means really only means two companies because resellers are bound by what the network operator wants. Hence all the Oenreach problems, it ain't open at all, it's whatever BT says.

muppetman11 21-01-2017 20:49

Re: John Malone/Liberty/VM General News Thread
 
Only two mobile companies no thanks that will hike prices for the average consumer.


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 18:10.

Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.