ITV to buy Endemol - and nick Big Brother? - Big Brother

Brekkie · 08-02-2007, 17:49

From C21 Media: http://www.c21media.net/news/detail....&article=34339

Basically, Endemol up for sale, ITV considering a bid - and if they got it ultimately they would get first refusal on all Endemol formats, meaning ITV could get their grubby little mits on Big Brother.

Now, C4 are contracted up until 2010 and it be difficult to break that contract, but after that BB would be fair game for ITV.

On the other hand though ITV have been producing popular programming for other channels for a number of years, including Countdown, University Challenge and The Royle Family, so perhaps BB wouldn't be affected after all.

But the last thing as a major BB fan I want is ITV getting their hands on it - mainly because it's obvious that ITV only commissions programmes for profits, not on merit.

It almost certainly be slashed back down to 30 minutes to fill the 10pm slot - or even worse aired in two parts at 10pm and 11pm every night, while worst of all we'd probably get Mark Durden Smith hosting BBLB!

bbeyenow · 08-02-2007, 18:28

This is very bad news

Annsyre · 08-02-2007, 18:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brekkie Boy

From C21 Media: http://www.c21media.net/news/detail....&article=34339

Basically, Endemol up for sale, ITV considering a bid - and if they got it ultimately they would get first refusal on all Endemol formats, meaning ITV could get their grubby little mits on Big Brother.

Now, C4 are contracted up until 2010 and it be difficult to break that contract, but after that BB would be fair game for ITV.

On the other hand though ITV have been producing popular programming for other channels for a number of years, including Countdown, University Challenge and The Royle Family, so perhaps BB wouldn't be affected after all.

But the last thing as a major BB fan I want is ITV getting their hands on it - mainly because it's obvious that ITV only commissions programmes for profits, not on merit.

It almost certainly be slashed back down to 30 minutes to fill the 10pm slot - or even worse aired in two parts at 10pm and 11pm every night, while worst of all we'd probably get Mark Durden Smith hosting BBLB!

ITV is in huge financial difficulties at present and its advertising revenue is at an all time low so I can't see how they will be able to afford anything much. Endemol is hardly likely to sell up as it is a very successful company.

dj sunset · 08-02-2007, 18:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brekkie Boy

But the last thing as a major BB fan I want is ITV getting their hands on it - mainly because it's obvious that ITV only commissions programmes for profits, not on merit.

It almost certainly be slashed back down to 30 minutes to fill the 10pm slot - or even worse aired in two parts at 10pm and 11pm every night, while worst of all we'd probably get Mark Durden Smith hosting BBLB!

erm, Channel 4 and ITV are both advertising-based stations. Channel 4 are profit driven surely?

Also MDS is a top bloke. Won't have a bad word said about him!

Brekkie · 08-02-2007, 18:37

Endemol is being sold - that's not up for debate, and it's not the first time in recent years the company has been sold.

I don't think ITV could afford it myself, but that doesn't stop companies as they just end up borrowing to buy what they can't afford. Also ITV have been selling off alot of non-core assets, such as stakes in various football clubs, so they are improving their cash flow situation.

caprice · 08-02-2007, 18:39

I thought Murdoch was after Telefonica's chunk... Reported last month:

http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/i...article=627447

Brekkie · 08-02-2007, 18:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by dj sunset

erm, Channel 4 and ITV are both advertising-based stations. Channel 4 are profit driven surely?

The difference is C4 is a not-for-profit organisation, meaning all profits go back into programming. Big Brother basically funds a considerable chunk of C4's programming.

With ITV most of the profits end up in the pockets of the shareholders!

vidalia · 08-02-2007, 20:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brekkie Boy

With ITV most of the profits end up in the pockets of the shareholders!

Do you have a reliable source for that statement?

SWW (SWW) · 08-02-2007, 23:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Annsyre

ITV is in huge financial difficulties at present and its advertising revenue is at an all time low so I can't see how they will be able to afford anything much. Endemol is hardly likely to sell up as it is a very successful company.

That was what I thought!

Of course I could be wrong.

Regards

RenThraysk · 08-02-2007, 23:53

Was that before Murdoch bought stake in ITV, to prevent Virgin/NTL from acquiring it?

caprice · 08-02-2007, 23:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenThraysk

Was that before Murdoch bought stake in ITV, to prevent Virgin/NTL from acquiring it?

That was last November or sometime wasn't it? The rumour above was January this year.

RenThraysk · 09-02-2007, 00:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by caprice

That was last November or sometime wasn't it? The rumour above was January this year.

I was referring to when people thought it had financial difficulties.

caprice · 09-02-2007, 00:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenThraysk

I was referring to when people thought it had financial difficulties.

Oh sorry! That's what happens when I try to read three threads at once!

*sits up and pays attention *

MoKhaan · 09-02-2007, 00:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brekkie Boy

But the last thing as a major BB fan I want is ITV getting their hands on it - mainly because it's obvious that ITV only commissions programmes for profits, not on merit.

they should suit each other perfectly then

MoKhaan · 09-02-2007, 00:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by bevheth

Do you have a reliable source for that statement?

you don't need one, shareholders pockets come first.

spiralx · 09-02-2007, 00:22

Well as long as Sky don't buy Endemol and move BB to Sky like they did with Lost... that really would be the worst outcome.

Brekkie · 09-02-2007, 00:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by MoKhaan

you don't need one, shareholders pockets come first.

Exactly.

Agree about Sky too.

It is the broadcasting of it more than the production of it I have a problem with in relation to ITV - actually most of ITV's best programming is made for other channels.

However, Endemol is probably the biggest commercial producer outside of ITV and is a crucial supplier to a number of channels, not just C4, so any merger really would be incredibly anti-competitive.

For me if Big Brother moved to ITV it would be the end of BB as we know it as ITV would purely be interested in it as an entertainment format, and as much as some may criticise C4 now, the show be far worse once it lost absolutely all pre-text of being a psychological experiment!

Dragons_Heartbeat · 09-02-2007, 00:32

I reckon that is exactly what Sky would do after 2010 Sky One might end up showing Big Brother instead of Channel 4 if they bought Endemol.

spiralx · 09-02-2007, 00:41

It does seem they've decided that picking up popular shows on terrestrial in order to drive subscriptions is a good strategy, and the added bonus of guaranteed advertising revenue for a near three month block certainly wouldn't hurt.

caprice · 09-02-2007, 07:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by RenThraysk

Was that before Murdoch bought stake in ITV, to prevent Virgin/NTL from acquiring it?

Did you seee this?

"Virgin Media ... the TV advertising will run across all major stations, with the notable exception of Sky channels, after the broadcaster refused airtime to Virgin Media..."

http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/i...article=631721

"You can't play with my ball..." and all that!

Achtung · 09-02-2007, 07:37

They can have Big Brother, it's run it's course anyway.

09-02-2007, 08:32

BB7 was dire. So God alone knows what state the show will be in after BB11. Probably not worth having by then.

vidalia · 09-02-2007, 08:35

But if ITV is in such dire financial circumstances how are the shareholders getting anything?

09-02-2007, 08:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by caprice

I thought Murdoch was after Telefonica's chunk... Reported last month:

http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/i...article=627447

News Corp denies Endemol bid talk ...Reuters January 23, 17:36

"Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. said it had no interest in buying "Big Brother" creator Endemol (Amsterdam: EML.AS - news) , denying a report that briefly sent shares in the reality TV producer 12 percent higher on Tuesday."

http://uk.biz.yahoo.com/23012007/325...-bid-talk.html

Gambit_is_ace · 09-02-2007, 09:37

and here they were suggesting the program needed to be cancelled

08-02-2007, 17:49	#1
Brekkie Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: North Wales Services: LFLF (bunker) Posts: 4,536 Blog Entries: 10	ITV to buy Endemol - and nick Big Brother? From C21 Media: http://www.c21media.net/news/detail....&article=34339 Basically, Endemol up for sale, ITV considering a bid - and if they got it ultimately they would get first refusal on all Endemol formats, meaning ITV could get their grubby little mits on Big Brother. Now, C4 are contracted up until 2010 and it be difficult to break that contract, but after that BB would be fair game for ITV. On the other hand though ITV have been producing popular programming for other channels for a number of years, including Countdown, University Challenge and The Royle Family, so perhaps BB wouldn't be affected after all. But the last thing as a major BB fan I want is ITV getting their hands on it - mainly because it's obvious that ITV only commissions programmes for profits, not on merit. It almost certainly be slashed back down to 30 minutes to fill the 10pm slot - or even worse aired in two parts at 10pm and 11pm every night, while worst of all we'd probably get Mark Durden Smith hosting BBLB! Last edited by Brekkie : 08-02-2007 at 17:51.

08-02-2007, 18:28	#2
bbeyenow Banned User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 552	This is very bad news

08-02-2007, 18:37	#5
Brekkie Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: North Wales Services: LFLF (bunker) Posts: 4,536 Blog Entries: 10	Endemol is being sold - that's not up for debate, and it's not the first time in recent years the company has been sold. I don't think ITV could afford it myself, but that doesn't stop companies as they just end up borrowing to buy what they can't afford. Also ITV have been selling off alot of non-core assets, such as stakes in various football clubs, so they are improving their cash flow situation.

08-02-2007, 18:39	#6
caprice Inactive Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Here, There and Everywhere :) Posts: 16,043	I thought Murdoch was after Telefonica's chunk... Reported last month: http://www.brandrepublic.com/login/i...article=627447

08-02-2007, 23:53	#10
RenThraysk Forum Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 9,883	Was that before Murdoch bought stake in ITV, to prevent Virgin/NTL from acquiring it?

09-02-2007, 00:22	#16
spiralx Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North London Posts: 5,789	Well as long as Sky don't buy Endemol and move BB to Sky like they did with Lost... that really would be the worst outcome.

09-02-2007, 00:32	#18
Dragons_Heartbeat Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Cymru Services: PSP, PS2, PS3, MSN & Yahoo Posts: 1,819 Blog Entries: 2	I reckon that is exactly what Sky would do after 2010 Sky One might end up showing Big Brother instead of Channel 4 if they bought Endemol.

09-02-2007, 00:41	#19
spiralx Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: North London Posts: 5,789	It does seem they've decided that picking up popular shows on terrestrial in order to drive subscriptions is a good strategy, and the added bonus of guaranteed advertising revenue for a near three month block certainly wouldn't hurt.

09-02-2007, 07:37	#21
Achtung Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 7,877	They can have Big Brother, it's run it's course anyway.

09-02-2007, 08:32	#22
Stentionhouse Posts: n/a	BB7 was dire. So God alone knows what state the show will be in after BB11. Probably not worth having by then.

09-02-2007, 08:35	#23
vidalia Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: London Posts: 16,969	But if ITV is in such dire financial circumstances how are the shareholders getting anything?

09-02-2007, 09:37	#25
Gambit_is_ace Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 7,009	and here they were suggesting the program needed to be cancelled