Carlton & Granada to MERGE!!!

Bearing in mind, that a lot of people on this forum seem to love the BBC and hate ITV, Shouldn't you be celebrating?

It's a difficult one really. I don't hate ITV - just the way it's organised. And I suppose if a corporate merger between the two big players sorts out the general organisation of the network, then great stuff. But I fear that such a merger would become more important than the channel's programming, and that could be bad.

IF they merged, couldnt they call themselves itv?
after all, itv isnt a single company, so maybe they could be called that.
or maybe thats not allowed (franchise holders to name themselves after the network name... i dunno)

(Edited by [gEEzA] at 9:39 pm on Nov. 26, 2001)

ITV Network Limited is the federation of regional broadcasters. A company would not be able to call itself ITV, because it isn't. Besides, they wouldn't want to - Carlton Communications and Granada are vast groups.


On screen, it would be a different matter. As far as I know, any region could call itself ITV1 if it wanted (I may be wrong - it may be forbidden), but not in terms of business.


(Edited by DAS at 9:41 pm on Nov. 26, 2001)

The 'Ofcom' whhite paper does allow them to merge, but in reality their share of television advertising as things are at the moment is too high and the DTI wouldn't allow the merger.

In a few years when their share of advertising decreases as more people get multi-channel that barrier will be lifted

Good point, that is true. However the one thing that troubles me is that this will allow Carlton or Granada to buy UTV or SMG, which would be a disaster for the regionalism cause. I'm hoping these companies manage to hold out long-term...

Government green-lights single ITV

The government today gave the go-ahead for the creation of a single ITV, lifting the current 15 per cent audience share rule and ban on the single ownership of London's two ITV licences, in a move which it said would 'make possible the creation of a single ITV,' writes Dominic Timms

Publishing a consultation document on media ownership rules, the government swept aside concerns that a single ITV would lead to a 'dominant market position for ITV,' drive up advertising cost and threaten regional output, arguing that a recent spate of consolidation 'had benefited the industry.

'Concerns over the plurality of ownership within commercial TV are now less valid, given the range of alternative media and pay-TV options that are widely available. Therefore, in addition to revoking the rule prohibiting joint ownership of the London licences, we propose to remove the 15 per cent (audience share) rule. These two changes will make possible the creation of a single ITV company,' the government said.

Shares in Carlton and Granada, ITV's two major shareholders, leapt on the news. Shares in Granada, which is expected to report pre-tax losses of around £174 million when it unveils year-end figures on Thursday, rose by nearly 6 per cent to 148.5p. Carlton shares leapt by just over 5 per cent to 242.75p.

However, in a surprise move, the government said it was unlikely to lift current restrictions barring foreign companies from owning terrestrial UK broadcasters, arguing that reciprocal arrangements did not exist in other countries.

'A number of our key trading partners, such as the US and Australia, impose restrictions on British ownership of their media. Without reciprocal arrangements with other nations that would allow our own companies to expand into their markets, we do not feel we could justify lifting our ban at the present time.'

In the consultation paper, the government also said it would retain the nominated news provider system for ITV, but insert a clause 'to allow the government, on the advice of Ofcom, to revoke it.' However the government said it would look at legislation limiting companies to taking no more than a 20 per cent stake in ITN, the current nominated provider, hinting that this threshold could be raised to as much as 40 per cent.


(from Broadcast News)

It's all swings and roundabouts. In 1989 ITV tried to become a united network and it didn't work.

I'm in doubt that Granada & Carlton will merge but I can't see the single ITV working. ITV is a regional service and always will be.

Its 'prime time' schedule is dire with soaps & sport taking up the bulk of the viewing time. Granada is also the stronger of the two which will cause conflict. Name a decent Carlton produced show.... no I can't think of one either!

I would hate to think what would happen to little old Channel Television if Granada or Carlton took them over.

This is Carlton in the Channel Islands

Dave - Jersey

I said they announced they were ARRANGING a merger, which includes application to the relevant authorities. It is no secret that Carlton and Granada want to merge, and I think you'll find their statements yesterday said so.

Anyone know if this affects the national breakfast licence, so it could fully merge with the rest of the ITV network?

'You're waking up to ITV1 Today'

(Edited by TWO ident at 5:09 pm on Nov. 27, 2001)

They are not arranging a merger. Jesus. How many times do I have to say this?

If they were, they would have said.

I know full well they probably will ... but probably is different to definately.

Arranging implies that the merger is definate.