News International and BSkyB

Various sources suggest it was a 50:50 merger, actually, and BSB had a larger base of advertisers - Sky, conversely, were struggling to find advertisers and its suggested that the merger "saved" them.

Can't speak to the veracity of these comments, though.

Yes, I understood it was 50/50, News Corp's holding was 50% which went down to its current level when the company was floated.

The main reason for the merger was the big losses both were making, both were haemorrhaging cash and the competition wasn't helping

Yep - and the presence of two incompatible platforms meant that a lot of potential consumers were holding off installing either system until it became clear which was better.

BSB had a lot more UK original content, and a technically higher quality platform, but was late (because of the technically higher quality platform), whilst Sky had far less original UK content, but got receivers to market first (albeit without the encryption that was later added externally, which BSB had from day one) and they were cheaper (and with poorer picture, and particularly sound, quality which was just 'good enough') Sky also had the benefit of appearing to have more channels (16 vs 5?) - as there were German and Dutch channels alongside Sky's.

So Wade and the two Murdochs will now appear becore the CM&S committee next Tuesday afternoon. Might be worth clearing diary (which apparanntly the Murdoch's have done to appear, after declining the invitation earlier today) to view the spectacle.

And I guess then politicians bugger off for the summer recess and hope it's all forgotten by September.

It's kinda all out of the politician's hands now though really. The 2 inquiries will start as soon as they are ready, probably over the summer and the police investigation continues.

Not sure, DVB. I initially thought the same and couldn't wait to see them appear. But the more I think of it, the more I think it will be a damp squib. One imagines that the stock standard answer that will come out of all of them is " sorry, I can't answer that question, as this point is the subject of an ongoing police investigation."

Indeed, that's the very suggestion now being made by most commentators, one of them liking the imminent appearance (allegedly) as the three wise monkies: hear no evil, see no evil, speak no evil.

Let's hope I am wrong and there are some real fireworks to watch. But, all of this is taxpayer funded.


BREAKING NEWS: Rebekkah Brooks has resigned.

About time, I wonder what changed to make them accept her resignation this time

Tom Mockridge of Sky News Italia has been appointed as the successor of Brooks.

[slightly pedantic mode] Sky Italia , not Sky News Italia (i.e. Sky TG24). [/slightly pedantic mode]

Probably realised that News International is salvagable without her there. Ironically it is normally The Sun and NOTW that gun for people to quit or be sacked until they eventually are. I like how the media have taken this opportunity with both hands and giving Murdoch a taste of his own medicine. Its about time too.

Just for info, artwork for the News International apology in today's national press:

http://www.networkfirst.tv/We're_Sorry_FINAL_Press_Layout_15.1.11.jpg