Carlton-United: IT'S OFF! Posted Fri Jul 21 07:24:48 BST 2000 by Blake Connolly

This from the Sky News website:

Carlton Communications and United News & Media have dropped plans to merge after being ordered to sell Meridian.
The Competition Commission made its decision in a report last week.

But the two companies said that undermined the "strategic rationale behind the merger" and "reduced the benefits" to shareholders.

It was thought the deal would eventually lead to one company running the whole ITV network.


Subject: Re: Carlton-United: IT'S OFF! [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Bods on Fri Jul 21 09:05:47 BST 2000:

>This from the Sky News website:
>
>Carlton Communications and United News & Media have dropped plans to merge after being ordered to sell Meridian.
>The Competition Commission made its decision in a report last week.
>
>But the two companies said that undermined the "strategic rationale behind the merger" and "reduced the benefits" to shareholders.
>
>It was thought the deal would eventually lead to one company running the whole ITV network.

The Carlton/United Media looked in trouble as soon as they were told Meridian had to go. Either way lets be clear - the winner is now Granada. They can take on United no problems, or Carlton if they ditch one of the weekend franchises.

BBC NEWS ONLINE says that United have now put themselves up for sale. This leaves Granada to move in quite happily. I wouldn't be surprised to find both Carlton and United loose their indepence pretty soon, especially with RTL sniffing around.

Subject: Re: Carlton-United: IT'S OFF! [ Previous Message ]
Posted By george on Fri Jul 21 10:49:10 BST 2000:

Just to prove that I can be nice and helpful(!), here is a couple of BBC NEWS ONLINE links, one for the Carlton-United calling it off story,and another regarding the battle for ITV.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_835000/835982.stm

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/business/newsid_838000/838203.stm

Note that RTL is formidably stronger financially compared to the big three, and the rumour is that they want United to get full control over Channel 5, which could equate to another carve up of the ITV franchises.

Subject: Re: Carlton-United: IT'S OFF! [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Slightly_outrageous on Fri Jul 21 19:35:28 BST 2000:

I think i'm correct in saying Granada have been given permission to purchase either united or Carlton..the choice is there's...which do you think they should pick..?

& if they pick united they don't aquire meriden...

Subject: Re: Carlton-United: IT'S OFF! [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Bods on Mon Jul 24 09:02:13 BST 2000:


>& if they pick united they don't aquire meriden...

Granada can take over United with Meridian no problemo. For some reason the Independent On Sunday said they'd have to see off HTV if they did, but I haven't seen that mentioned anywhere else.

Subject: Re: Carlton-United: IT'S OFF! [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Slightly_outrageous on Mon Jul 24 20:01:53 BST 2000:

I read there was a ruling that said they woulden't get meriden...

Subject: Re: Carlton-United: IT'S OFF! [ Previous Message ]
Posted By Mich on Mon Jul 24 20:20:56 BST 2000:

>I read there was a ruling that said they woulden't get meriden...

Carlton and United would have to sell meridian. The mail on sunday said that united would have to sell HTV if granada took them over.

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