ITV move clears way for TV3 sale (from rte.ie)

thejuggler

ITV move clears way for TV3 sale

August 23, 2006 07:35
British commercial broadcaster ITV has decided not to take up its option to buy TV3, which means the Irish station will now be sold to European private equity group Doughty Hanson.

The deal, which values TV3 at €265m, was announced in May, but ITV had 90 days in which to decide whether to match the offer.

ITV already owned 45% of TV3. The other shareholders were media group CanWest (45%) and private investors including James Morris, Ossie Kilkenny and U2 manager Paul McGuinness.


The sale process was triggered by CanWest's decision earlier this year to sell its shareholding.

flogen

I thought the 90 day period had passed last week, so what date was the deadline, not that it matters anymore?

bk

So would anyone like to comment on what this means for ITV possibly appearing on the Sky EPG and ITV 2,3,4 appearing on NTL?

flogen

bk wrote:

So would anyone like to comment on what this means for ITV possibly appearing on the Sky EPG and ITV 2,3,4 appearing on NTL?

Well from what I understand that has more to do with TV3 trying to protect its brand from UTV/ITV than ITV not wanting to split its Irish audience...

who knows though.

thejuggler

Does it mean that TV3 could lose all of its ITV programming? What would it have left - Judge Judy and Ireland AM?

Mossy Monk

thejuggler wrote:

Does it mean that TV3 could lose all of its ITV programming?

no reason why another broadcaster wouldnt bag the rights when the contract is up

bk

What I'm asking is that since ITV is no longer involved with TV3, TV3 may now lose all the ITV shows and therefore has no ground to keep ITV/UTV out of Ireland any more.

DMC

A lot of assumptions there. The sale of TV3 does not mean that ITV programmes will disappear off TV3, although it may free up ITV to talk to the market. A deal might have been done with DH to ensure the channel retains these programmes.

It was convenient at the time when Granada bought into TV3, that Corrie and Emmerdale went to the channel, that's because the contract was up with RTÉ. Part of TV3's strength* is that it has these soaps, and are still popular over here. It is their mainstay, and TV3 will try to hang onto them. I can't see RTÉ getting them back.

Say if Channel 6 got Corrie, and the status quo remained; it was still cable exclusive. The target audience will be looking for ITV1/UTV satellite frequencies fairly lively!


* if you call reliance on soaps a strength.

watty

not as simple as that probabily.

They had no grounds ANYWAY, as over 75% got UTV before Sky Digital even started.

It just penalises those not on MMDS, Cable and big east coast/Border masts

Our man in Havana

In this mornings Indo it says that the way is now open for RTE to snatch back Coronation Street and other ITV programs. The ITV/TV3 agreement ends in 2007. The article goes on to say that RTE will have to ditch Eastenders if they take back the street.

bk

Well with TV3 sold, ITV would be completely open to sell the rights to the highest bidder (I don't believe TV3 paid more for Corrie then RTE, they used their relationship with ITV to get it).

If RTE want it they probably can definitely out bid TV3.

ITV could also sell non exclusive rights to their shows to ensure they have no problems with ITV broadcasting in Ireland.

TV3 did seem to manage to get the ITV channels removed from NTL and Sky EPG. I'm hoping that will change now.

flogen

I was sure I read somewhere that DH had (or were trying to) extend the ITV programming deal past 2007... may have just been hearsay though.

FREEBBC

Will TV3 be FTA on Dsat like the ITV's?

L1011

erm.... highly unlikely. Firstly, it no longer has any connection to ITV. Secondly, its on satellite by piggy backing RTE's deal, and that deal is very much locked to full encryption.

Mossy Monk

deal ends in 2008 so who knows. my bet would be for encryption to continue. hope i am wrong

watty

TV3 is in same or worse position than RTE regarding UK transmissions.

RTE could relaunch a Tara style channel but where would TV3 get content? Who wants to watch repeats of Breakfast TV?

Elmo

So ITV and Canwest have sold up and jump ship with a load of loot.

I am surprised that TV3 don't have a press release about the sale of TV3.

Will Rick Hetherington be staying on as CEO?

Not that the sale will affect their programming policies.

icdg

To answer the last question, Rick Herthington is apparently going at the end of the year, to continue his career with CanWest.

Elmo

To answer the last question, Rick Herthington is apparently going at the end of the year, to continue his career with CanWest.

Oh I shed a tear, he brought so much to this countries culture.

over the past 8 years he has "tap the qualities of community pride, independence, creative talent, humor and determination that are a vital part of Irish society, and, in so doing, brought a full representation of life in Ireland and of its interaction with the rest of the world."

He will is sadly missed.