Can someone confirm this... - Page 3

Watching You · 11-07-2008, 14:56

wallis00

Quote:

I've allways been under the impression that Virgin Media was owned by Sir Richard Branson or he has Shares in the company. I've never been certain and can't back up what im saying to say if its true or false.

However I was at work Yesterday and one of the Security Guards said he used to work for Virgin Media as an Engineer and said to me that its owned by NTL:Telewest still but uses the Virgin brand so Sir Richard Branson gets paid a loyalty fee.

Some basic Economics 101, when a company like Virgin or NTL needs to raise capital there are several ways they can go about this, one borrow from banks, issues bonds or float/ go public issuing shares. Or sell off part of the company as NTL did to Virgin, especially if the brand image is poor.

All have their risks, as every year stockholders demand their returns (profits) and unless you delivery you can be voted out by shareholders. As with the case in Northern Rock borrowing from banks is equally risky. Because the brand of Virgin is strong there may be a 51% (49%) ownership by NTL or Virgin (I am guessing here). Either way its doesn’t matter too much as long as the brand (Virgin) remains strong. After all would you rather fly NTL Airlines or Virgin Atlantic??

(P.S) Virgin Airlines is part owned by Singapore Airlines who have 49% stake in the company.

11-07-2008, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvtimes

Don't Virgin group own the shares? Hence that's a company too! He just happens to be the founder and chairman of Virgin group.

Here's a link for you to read http://money.cnn.com/galleries/2008/...ortune/18.html

Branson's Virgin group is the largest shareholder. That article is old now and riversource and the largest shareholders.

We were told his own personal share in Virgin is 10% during induction training, where we are treated a Company history overview which also tells us how many companies worldwide come under the Virgin banner all of which we can get a discount with.

chuzzlemonkey · 11-07-2008, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Watching You

wallis00
Or sell off part of the company as NTL did to Virgin, especially if the brand image is poor.

NTL didn't sell anything...NTL:Telewest bought the image rights from Dickie B and gave him a stake in the company in return.

A lot of people seem to think that 'Virgin took over'

Not the case!

11-07-2008, 20:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggis23

NTL didn't sell anything...NTL:Telewest bought the image rights from Dickie B and gave him a stake in the company in return.

A lot of people seem to think that 'Virgin took over'

Not the case!

Leased the image rights

chuzzlemonkey · 11-07-2008, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by whydoIneedatech

Leased the image rights

lol FIIINE leased!

5 years initially i believe?

11-07-2008, 20:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggis23

lol FIIINE leased!

5 years initially i believe?

Something daft like that.

Its just like a Snickers bar which used to a Marathon bar and some people prefer Marathon bars

chuzzlemonkey · 11-07-2008, 20:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by whydoIneedatech

Something daft like that.

Its just like a Snickers bar which used to a Marathon bar and some people prefer Marathon bars

Aha yea but who's gona prefer NTL to VM?

Telewest maybe...

11-07-2008, 20:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggis23

Aha yea but who's gona prefer NTL to VM?

Telewest maybe...

You know who I prefer just by looking to the left under my avatar

chuzzlemonkey · 11-07-2008, 21:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by whydoIneedatech

You know who I prefer just by looking to the left under my avatar

lol I'm with you! Although to be honest i enjoyed it just as much when it was Telewest.

11-07-2008, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggis23

lol I'm with you! Although to be honest i enjoyed it just as much when it was Telewest.

I remember it being Cable northwest up here, best stop as we are of topic

13-07-2008, 07:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by willas00

I've allways been under the impression that Virgin Media was owned by Sir Richard Branson or he has Shares in the company. I've never been certain and can't back up what im saying to say if its true or false.

However I was at work Yesterday and one of the Security Guards said he used to work for Virgin Media as an Engineer and said to me that its owned by NTL:Telewest still but uses the Virgin brand so Sir Richard Branson gets paid a loyalty fee.

Which of course would be correct either way but could someone confirm whats true and not in regards to who owns the company.

Thanks

The security Guard is correct.
Ntl had an image problem so decided to pay out of their customer subcriptions a loyalty fee for the Virgin name, but at the end of the day it is still NTL imo.

13-07-2008, 10:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by arcamalpha2004

The security Guard is correct.
Ntl had an image problem so decided to pay out of their customer subcriptions a loyalty fee for the Virgin name, but at the end of the day it is still NTL imo.

Its still NTL and Telewest

BenMcr · 13-07-2008, 10:15

And as I've said before, the residential managment board have more ex-telewest people on it than ex-ntl (as Neil Berkett is the only ex-ntl person there) and most of the technology is ex-tw (the billing system, the code behind the EPG etc)

tvtimes · 17-07-2008, 09:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by whydoIneedatech

We were told his own personal share in Virgin is 10% during induction training, where we are treated a Company history overview which also tells us how many companies worldwide come under the Virgin banner all of which we can get a discount with.

How long ago was your training? Shares drop and rise, people buy and sell every day. RB may have been the biggest shareholder then but he isn't now? For all i know though he could be again today! The stock market is a wonderful thing. Last heard news was Riversource has bought lot's more shares and had more than RB.

---------- Post added at 10:01 ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 ----------

Quote:

Originally Posted by Haggis23

lol FIIINE leased!

5 years initially i believe?

Yep, to see if they can turn it round. RB has a 30 year get out clause to the contract incase NTL can't shake off their negative image.

17-07-2008, 14:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by tvtimes

How long ago was your training? Shares drop and rise, people buy and sell every day. RB may have been the biggest shareholder then but he isn't now? For all i know though he could be again today! The stock market is a wonderful thing. Last heard news was Riversource has bought lot's more shares and had more than RB.

---------- Post added at 10:01 ---------- Previous post was at 09:59 ----------

Yep, to see if they can turn it round. RB has a 30 year get out clause to the contract incase NTL can't shake off their negative image.

He has a 10% Personal share not company share so the will be companies with bigger slices than him.