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

1andrew1 · 23-03-2015, 01:12

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)

muppetman11 · 23-03-2015, 11:13

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.

1andrew1 · 23-03-2015, 13:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by muppetman11

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.

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.

Kushan · 23-03-2015, 17:32

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.

heero_yuy · 23-03-2015, 19:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kushan

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.

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

denphone · 23-03-2015, 19:27

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

muppetman11 · 23-03-2015, 20:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

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

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

1andrew1 · 23-03-2015, 20:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by heero_yuy

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

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).

heero_yuy · 24-03-2015, 09:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1andrew1

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).

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.

denphone · 24-03-2015, 09:43

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.

alanbjames · 24-03-2015, 10:20

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

OLD BOY · 27-03-2015, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

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.

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.

denphone · 27-03-2015, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by OLD BOY

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.

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.

OLD BOY · 27-03-2015, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by denphone

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.

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.