8 replies to this topic

[logifuse]

http://www.businesss...d20120530-USNCL

Telstra Corporation Ltd has emerged as a potential wild card bidder for embattled Nine Entertainment, according to a report by The Australian.

Telstra has reportedly been consulting with investment bank adviser Credit Suisse over the past month to assess whether a play for Nine would be in the telecommunication company's best interests, and no valuation or firm offer has yet emerged.

Last month, Telstra chief executive David Thodey said the company would consider acquisitions that fit into three growth areas – media, Asia and cloud computing, The Australian reported.

Nine has been valued at about $3 billion, but its owners face a looming deadline on $3.8 billion in debt that has driven their desire to find a new buyer.

Now for the FIGJAM moment: http://www.pcmediace...dpost__p__96300

That was nearly 6 years ago, before the NBN was a concept, before the cross media ownership laws had changed & before channel 9 was sold to private equity.

Justin

[GlenR]

Amazing insight!!!

Based on that performance, please PM me next week's Lotto numbers.

[logifuse]

Amazing insight!!!

Based on that performance, please PM me next week's Lotto numbers.

I can send you a winning set of numbers, but I just don't know which draw they'll come up in.

[logifuse]

The reasoning behind the potential deal is locking up content. It's still a protectionist mentality & says to me that despite effectively losing control of the delivery mechanism, they still want to exercise control over who you go with by holding content hostage.

You could imagine them going with a 2 speed channel 9 catch up TV system where you get the bare essentials unless you're a Bigpond customer.

It's an attempt to stifle 3rd party content providers who could deliver via any ISP. If you've got Foxtel & Channel 9 content all locked up, that's a fair chunk of what the market might be after, so paying for something else seems like a waste.

New technology, new management, same old Telstra.

Justin

[DDH]

http://www.businesss...d20120530-USNCL

Now for the FIGJAM moment:

I bow at your oh so wise boot laces

Telstra certainly see themselves getting into the content delivery business, I suppose the medium its delivered on is irrelevant!

Edited by DDH, 31 May 2012 - 12:18 AM.

[logifuse]

If they bought 9, here's what I'd do if I was them. I'd offer an HD simulcast of the main channel 9 channel exclusively via Foxtel & Bigpond (in some way - Tbox maybe). So (for example) things like the NRL which are filmed in HD (as is most of the channel 9 made stuff) & all their US shows would be aired on that channel in HD, while anyone who is not a customer gets good old 9SD FTA.

They could do that for next to nothing.

Seriously, it makes a lot of sense.

Justin

[Dinks]

An article to back up Justin's hypothesis. Business Insider

[skypilot]

I doubt that Telstra will improve the content though?

[logifuse]

Now News Ltd have launched a take over offer for Consolidated Media (the ex-part of PBL that owns 25% of Foxtel & 50% of Fox Sports).

News would own 50% of Foxtel & 100% of Fox Sports. The NRL will be screwed for their rights again.

Justin