BskyB buys 17.9% of ITV

Yes but their biggest rival having quite a hefty stake in ITV isn't going to help matters. I still think RTL have a far better chance than NTL if they do go for a swoop. Would be a shame that ITV wouldn't be owned by ITV themselves anymore though. A great shame.

> Would be a shame that ITV wouldn't be owned by ITV themselves anymore though. A great shame.

Disagree. IMO it's the best thing that could happen, shaking ITV out of its complacency.

Have a read of this I'm doing adouble take. Sky talking nice about ITV!!

Murdoch: "decline in ITV overstated"
Chris Curtis
7:00pm
James Murdoch has said the "decline in ITV has been overstated" and called on the broadcaster to quickly resolve its hunt for a new chief executive. He said ITV was well positioned to create long term value and that Sky had moved quickly to take advantage of the market environment.

Explaining why Sky bought a 17.9% stake in ITV, Murdoch said: "ITV has been going through tough times but with careful stewardship it can return to form. We have respect for its creative heritage and future potential."

He added: "Right now the board has to get on with recruiting the right leadership."

Asked whether the move was a spoiler to block a bid for ITV from NTL or RTL, Murdoch said: "Clearly the market environment is part of what has created the opportunity and we've moved quickly to take advantage. We believe ITV is well positioned to create long term value."

Murdoch refused to name his preferred candidate for the next ITV chief executive and said he knew no more about who was in line for the job than what he had "read in the papers".

Murdoch said he had called Sir Peter Burt "out of courtesy" after buying the shares, but that there had been no conversation with ITV prior to the deal. Sky is not seeking representation on the ITV board.

Not great news I feel - surely any monopoly laws would prevent Sky buying a controlling stake in ITV - or you'd think so anyhow.

They turn a blind eye to the anti-competitive practices in how Sky runs the digital satellite platform, so Sky ITV here we come!

I knew some kind of takeover of ITV would happen soon, but never expected it to be this quick.

Have you read anything in this thread ? This isn't a takeover.

Interesting to see Murdoch stick up for ITV - very unusual move. I think the last sentence of the above is the vital thing here.

I somehow can't see NTL being connected with Sky in any way.

does this mean SKY also has a bit of ITV debt ?

also What Could SKY do with ITV if there control all of it?

Yeh, forever most probably. 50 years of being ITV and now being taking over by NTL, RTL or whoever else wants to put their name in the hat. And who says they'd make it any better?

? he has just spent £940m on a stake in the company. What do you expect him to say?

Used the wrong word, how I mean is companies being interested more and more in it.

I understand that, I'm just pointing out that it's interesting to see Murdoch sticking up for ITV (although badly worded I'll admit).