NTL bought out

Originally Posted by Robert Atkins

They have been outed here!

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

Does everyone know NTL was brought by Centrica earlier in the year, I found out when my sister told me about her discount on her NTL bill (she works for british gas also owned by Centrica). This is how all the recent investments were funded.

Seeing as a quick search on both the Financial Times and BBC news sites turned up NOTHING linking the two companies, I would tend to believe there is another explanation for the discount. Possibly that NTL have some sort of arrangement where Centrica subsidises discounts for it's employees?

Before you say the deal is secret, bear in mind that any such takeover would require the consent of at least the shareholders, and possibly the Monopolies and mergers commission. I doubt it would be possible for any two companies that size to merge in secret. The amount of people involved in such a deal would make it difficult.

Also, wouldn't the NTL staff have been notified (I believe it's a legal requirement)?

Originally Posted by scastle

Also, wouldn't the NTL staff have been notified (I believe it's a legal requirement)?

I certainly have not been told anything. But that means nothing

Over use of christmas in Leics springs to mind.

There again we might all be wrong. but does that mean pigs will fly

[scrotnig]

My guess is someone is confusing ntl with Cable & Wireless, because Centrica recently struck a major deal with cable & Wireless:

http://networks.silicon.com/telecoms...9123627,00.htm

[Nikko]

STOP PRESS - Scottish Power acquire Telewest in secret Xmas deal

Sources today reveal that as well as the above take-over, industry insiders are geared to welcome the new cozy arrangement with Powergen & BT.

Consumers nationwide are urged to check compatability for all plugs prior to connecting them to a random socket.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by altis

Bit like 'outed' - ask dellwear

lol

[Bifta]

Originally Posted by poolking

Gas via co-ax interesting concept.

Centrica own one.tel afaik, their interests are well beyond just gas.

[Gareth]

Originally Posted by Robert Atkins

They have been outed here!

very funny...

I especially like the bit "2 weeks we've been waiting for are f'in TV Phone and Internet." and that as a result of this delay they have to go into university to access the internet. What sort of university allows students who don't even know the difference between are and our..?

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by Gareth

very funny...

I especially like the bit "2 weeks we've been waiting for are f'in TV Phone and Internet." and that as a result of this delay they have to go into university to access the internet. What sort of university allows students who don't even know the difference between are and our..?

Lots

It would have to have been announced on the relevant stock exchange and it hasnt. BTW its BOUGHT not brought!! grrrrrrrrrrrrr

[poolking]

I've noticed Chrysalis hasn't replied to this thread since.

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by dellwear

Lots

Sadly...

[etccarmageddon]

Originally Posted by Bifta

Centrica own one.tel afaik, their interests are well beyond just gas.

Also they owned Alcoholics Anonymous up until October 2004.

http://www.centrica.co.uk/index.asp?...107&newsid=443

[Chrysalis]

Originally Posted by poolking

I've noticed Chrysalis hasn't replied to this thread since.

Been out all day visiting family, as its still christmas period.

Here is what I have been told, my sister has been getting a discount since summer and everyone in her office was told centrica brought NTL, however she might have got this wrong since some valid points have been raised, maybe centrica brought a slice of NTL and not the whole company.

But think about this.

Her discount is a STAFF discount.
NTL recieved investment this year on its network, supposedbly from refinancing itself, but you dont go from near bankruptcy to super rich in such a short time period this money has came from someone else.
The attitude of the people in the know suggests they know something but they cant say.
I cannot drink due to an alergy and I am not drunk

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by Chrysalis

Her discount is a STAFF discount.

When I worked for my local hospital, I got a staff discount at the local leisure centres. Didn't mean that the NHS trust was running the leisure centres. Even now, I can apparently get a staff discount at David Lloyd leisure centres. Doesn't mean the Uni I work at own David Lloyd..

NTL recieved investment this year on its network, supposedbly from refinancing itself, but you dont go from near bankruptcy to super rich in such a short time period this money has came from someone else.

Actually, NTL was refinanced in around 2001 to 2002. IIRC, the money came from Venture Capitalists and large city banks, and NTL spent several years rationalising costs and trying to sell more services to existing customers rather than going after new customers (to maximise their return per customer). Maybe we are seeing the payoff from those savings, together with the staff redundancies?

The attitude of the people in the know suggests they know something but they cant say.

The thing is, a sale of this size would be impossible to hide. As has been stated, at the very least, NTL's shareholders would have had to have voted on it, therefore it would have been mentioned in at least the Financial times, if not the rest of the press.

I am not saying it's not possible, but I doubt it would have happened as quietly as you are saying it has.