Carlton Looking To Pull Out Of Merger.

In today's London Metro paper, there was a article in the business section about Carlton looking to pull out of the merger. Apparently they are not happy about Mr Green (or Mr Allen - I can't remember which is which) being booted of the board, and his departure means there are no Carlton people on the board of the new ITV. In effect this means it's a hostile take-over by Granada, and now Carlton are seeing if there is anyway of pulling out.

I know it's only a slight glimmer, but this whole merger debacle might fall apart, and I can have my region back (I miss LWT!)

This maybe a canny bit of PR to force up the price to ensure that Carlton shareholders get a better deal from Granada, which is effectively taking-over Carlton (it's not really a merger).

Mind you, Green built his empire up from nothing and has always been 'hands on' with his Carlton empire - he's been stitched up by Granada big style and effectively he's been left with nothing in terms of influence and power in the new ITV plc.

I can't imagine he'll take this lying down, allowing control of 'his baby' to pass completely out of his hands with no say in the new ITV plc.

IIRC from things I've read in the past, it was the Granada man who was sensible and a bit naive, and the Carlton guy who was greedy and conned Granada into ITV Digital?

Charles Allen - "sensible and a bit naive".

I can't see Carlton pulling out now doing their share price a whole lot of good - so I suspect nothing of the sort will happen

Not the best of words I know, but he was the better/less greedy of the two? Or am I completely wrong?

I see that Greg Dyke has emerged as favourite for the chairmans job at ITV plc. Dyke is said to be "itching" to get back into commercial television according to some "industry watchers" apparently.

Wonder if the Hutton inquiry will make him want to leave the BBC ?

Yeah, I heard that he could be poached. If the Hutton inquiry focuses on and criticises his role in the affair...well you never know.

I also heard that Robin Cook was in the running!! I think that's a bit of a joke by the bookies though (at least I hope it is!)

Yeah, I heard that he could be poached. If the Hutton inquiry focuses on and criticises his role in the affair...well you never know.[/quote]

I'm absolutely certain that Greg Dyke WILL NOT be leaving the BBC at this stage.

He's in the middle of too much stuff at the Beeb - he's made massive and positive changes here since he started. He'll want to see them through...

If he did, then well, I'd eat my proverbial hat.

James