Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

• Charlie Bracken, Liberty Global's Chief Financial Officer and former Goldman Sachs banker predicts that Europe’s telecoms market will be dominated by three to four companies within two decades. (He cites Deutsche Telekom, Vodafone, Liberty Global and possibly France’s Altice.) This looks quite sensible to me and I can see Deutsche Telekom acquiring or merging with national incumbents like Orange in France and BT in the UK. Surprised that Sky is not in that list but Bracken has his thoughts about this company. I would have expected Altice to be acquired by Vodafone or even Liberty, it's quite small.
• Mr Bracken suggested that BT would be acquired, while Sky would focus on content. Sky would face tough competition for content from Amazon and Netflix and its dependence on satellite technology would cause it to get into trouble over the next five to ten years. Can anyone see Netflix or Amazon bidding for sports rights?
• Liberty is keen to distribute ITV’s best programmes across Europe, but sees the British broadcaster as too expensive to buy. This makes sense to me but what's to prevent ITV doing it on its own and launching an HBO Now type service?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/a20527f4-c...44feab7de.html (registration required)

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

Hopefully Liberty Global will never get total control of ITV , if another UK terrestrial broadcaster was to fall into American ownership we run the risk of losing our identity in my opinion.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

Liberty has said that ITV is too expensive, its value has soared under Adam Crozier's leadership and is more a buyer of companies than a seller.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

I seriously don't get ITV. Like they're successful for sure, but I can't think of a single ITV program that I am remotely interested in. I'm sure it's just me.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

No, I'm reaching trying to think of an ITV program we've watched, apart from maybe Harry Hill at sometime in the past.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

Broadchurch , DCI Banks , Downton Abbey , Mr Selfridge are four to start with.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

Agreed Den , we've watched many over the years.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

Thanks to their acquisitions of production companies, there's probably tons of programmes you've seen that ITV have made. eg The Graham Norton Show, (BBC), 24 Hours in A&E (Channel 4), Friday Night Dinner (Channel 4) and Pawn Stars (History Channel).

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

Well I can put my hand on my heart and say we've never watched or even been tempted to watch any of those programmes. I can't recall any programmes we've watched that were of ITV origin either. It's in good company with the (mostly) trash the BBC churn out at tax payers expense.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

Well each to their own as if people look there are still plenty of good programmes being made by the BBC and ITV in my book but then again what do l know.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

My favourite ITV program has to be A Touch of Frost.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

I agree, Den, plenty of good programmes.

I guess it depends what your tastes are, but I do think ITV dramas have improved in the last few years.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

Yes l do think ITV's dramas have improved considerably in the last few years and that's why it would be nice to have ITV Encore as my partner and l love these dramas.

Re: Liberty's CFO predicts the future media-telecoms landscape in Europe
 

From what I have read, this should be coming to VM in the autumn, when their original programming starts.

The first year of broadcasting (just repeats) is subject to an exclusivity deal with Sky.