US Cable Giant Liberty Global buys Virgin Media

[Horizon]

...that's why he's leaving, eyeing up that new yacht he saw the other day.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by MarkC1984

So basically, they spend a few billion on purchasing Virgin and hen can't be bothered to do anything to improve on the product? Great. Way to waste a few billion dollars.

Load with debt, move tax liability. take the profit. Seems like a plan to me. Unless you really thought they were worried that the poor British public were getting a raw deal & it was time that they stepped in to put it all right

I had hoped a few things might have changed - but it was/is hope over experience. I stand by my thoughts that jobs will go ( somewhere in the known universe )

Do QVC still belong to them ? perhaps if so we can look forward to the extra channels that offers

[denphone]

Oh dear Itshim you do seem to have taken quite a negative stance on all this and thats before the deal is completed so one wonders will you ever be happy with your lot dear chap.

How could Virgin realistically improve the product? A few channels with a better PQ and Sky Atlantic? It's pretty damn good at the moment.

[denphone]

And there are further HD channels on their way in the next week or two according to MB.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by denphone

Oh dear Itshim you do seem to have taken quite a negative stance on all this and thats before the deal is completed so one wonders will you ever be happy with your lot dear chap.

My comment was about why buy it. What DO you hope it will offer to the UK customer base . Me as long as it carries on as it is I will be happy - Watch a couple of hours of TV per day at the most. Like the choice in general.

I have no problem with it being taken over and take neither a negative nor a positive stance over it. Businesses only takeover another because it will - they hope- make them money. Den please do not confuse reality with negativity.

Happy with my lot
I guess not - Only two houses, four cars, ( Sold one of each recently) work as & when I choose. Holidays in UK & EU ( that way the dog comes too) Go to USA two to three times a year. Do not have to use N.H.S or council run anything -thank the lord , feel sorry for those that do. Pay far to much in direct tax ( 50% - 45% from April ) Whats to be happy about

[Horizon]

Originally Posted by Itshim

Do QVC still belong to them ? perhaps if so we can look forward to the extra channels that offers

I'm reading up on what he owns and will post later. In some cases, its as complcated as it can be.

He had/or still has interests in viacom, discovery, chellomedia (owner of cbs channels on vm) direct tv, a&t&t, comcast, it goes on and on.

I'll post a profile on John Malone later if I can get my head around it all.

[Itshim]

Originally Posted by Horizon

I'm reading up on what he owns and will post later. In some cases, its as complcated as it can be.

He had/or still has interests in viacom, discovery, chellomedia (owner of cbs channels on vm) direct tv, a&t&t, comcast, it goes on and on.

I'll post a profile on John Malone later if I can get my head around it all.

One thing that may well come out of this , is channels - lots as you say with in "his web " Would put Virgin in a good position to host them I would have thought.

Don't if this has been mentioned but will this have any effect on Virgin Mobile ?

So nothing changes at Virginmedia apart from their debt liability goes from £5.7billion to more or less £10billion?

An they're now part of a group with combined debt of £30billion +. Nah I've obviously got that wrong.

[denphone]

Originally Posted by martyh

Don't if this has been mentioned but will this have any effect on Virgin Mobile ?

Not as far as l know Marty but perhaps someone with a greater knowledge might know more.

---------- Post added at 16:52 ---------- Previous post was at 16:51 ----------

Originally Posted by Bogof

So nothing changes at Virginmedia apart from their debt liability goes from £5.7billion to more or less £10billion?

An they're now part of a group with combined debt of £30billion +. Nah I've obviously got that wrong.

All big companies have quite considerable debts and this is no different in many respects.

[Sirius]

Originally Posted by denphone

All big companies have quite considerable debts and this is no different in many respects.

And some have more unsavoury baggage that others, ie there owners

[mertle]

Originally Posted by denphone

Not as far as l know Marty but perhaps someone with a greater knowledge might know more.

---------- Post added at 16:52 ---------- Previous post was at 16:51 ----------



All big companies have quite considerable debts and this is no different in many respects.

Probably why world is mess due to these type takeovers with nothing more than fresh air debt. Banks must love these takeovers. Crikey whats stop cableforum getting 40bn loan buying liberty if found bank stupid enough. Whats to stop small business making a lost killing competitor down the road with collateral debt buyout.

Sounds to me another case like man utd. Globalisation will be death of capitalism if keeps using debt to hoover up companies..

I think malone seen VM as great way using it portfolio solid brand name to clear significant debt liability off liberty books. Was liberty in trouble so moving 3bn debt across makes liberty balance sheet better. I am no doubt few bones will be chucked ocassions to keep customers happy. He has too else it losses turnover.

Some will say we should not be wery comets fiasco says we should question every takeover more than we do.

Originally Posted by Sirius

And some have more unsavoury baggage that others, ie there owners

I agree, thankgod BskyB is owned by BskyB, I hope John Malone turns out to be pure and whiter than white for you lot. As he is soon to own Virginmedia. I'm glad Murdoch never bought sky.

[andrew.shearman]

if the buyout goes ahead will all the prices go up for TV phone and broadband and what about al the l tv channels will that keep the all

what is there website