Carlyle makes an offer to Virgin
July 2, 2007 11:04 AM Subscribe
One of the coolest companies in the world, may be bought by one of the uncoolest companies in the world.
This post was deleted for the following reason: Well, this is going really badly; Mr Zero gets his wish. -- cortex
Jeez... if this is going to start off like that, can someone remove the post.
posted by Mr_Zero at 11:11 AM on July 2, 2007
posted by Mr_Zero at 11:11 AM on July 2, 2007
Ummm... Virgin Media is only one part of the Virgin empire. That's all these guys want to buy. Most of Branson's companies are already privately owned... by him.
And Virgin isn't cool. It's owned by a bearded opportunistic git, whose business ventures are as likely to fail as they are to succeed (cola, trains, wedding dresses...)
posted by humblepigeon at 11:12 AM on July 2, 2007
And Virgin isn't cool. It's owned by a bearded opportunistic git, whose business ventures are as likely to fail as they are to succeed (cola, trains, wedding dresses...)
posted by humblepigeon at 11:12 AM on July 2, 2007
Who gives a shit?
Well, if you have any interest in seeing major media outlets not controlled by people who have a major political axe to grind, you might give a shit.
posted by doctor_negative at 11:18 AM on July 2, 2007
Well, if you have any interest in seeing major media outlets not controlled by people who have a major political axe to grind, you might give a shit.
posted by doctor_negative at 11:18 AM on July 2, 2007
What makes Virgin a cool company? Can you wear assless pants to your job interview?
posted by KokuRyu at 11:18 AM on July 2, 2007
posted by KokuRyu at 11:18 AM on July 2, 2007
Meh. If Carlyle doesn't buy VM, then Murdoch will clobber it anyway. So as far as axe-grinding goes, it's a toss-up.
Besides, can you name a company that doesn't have an axe to grind? There are a lot of fingers in a lot of pies in the media business.
posted by nasreddin at 11:24 AM on July 2, 2007
Besides, can you name a company that doesn't have an axe to grind? There are a lot of fingers in a lot of pies in the media business.
posted by nasreddin at 11:24 AM on July 2, 2007
All employers are going to shaft you.
It doesnt matter how casual an atmosphere they cultivate or how personally likeable and charismatic their CEO might be. In the end, you are a cost, you are somewhere between a piece of furniture with sentimental value and an actual human being.
posted by jason's_planet at 11:28 AM on July 2, 2007 [1 favorite]
It doesnt matter how casual an atmosphere they cultivate or how personally likeable and charismatic their CEO might be. In the end, you are a cost, you are somewhere between a piece of furniture with sentimental value and an actual human being.
posted by jason's_planet at 11:28 AM on July 2, 2007 [1 favorite]
Given the current state of play with Virgin Media, this can't be seen as a good thing.
- Virgin media are currently involved in a major spat with Sky (Of the Rupert Murdoch fame). There was hope that Virgin media could help break the current situation where Sky pretty much buy all the worthwhile media available and then sell it on at a premium price. This buyout is a further nail in the coffin of that hope.
- Virgin media are still living with telewest's mismanaging of the digital network and they're losing money hand over fist. I'd have rather seen them turn that situation around imaginatively than have them sell up to a large soulless corporation that could possibly turn this into a fire-sale.
The most annoying thing about this is that Virgin have a pretty good television product, and this could be lost.
posted by seanyboy at 11:32 AM on July 2, 2007
- Virgin media are currently involved in a major spat with Sky (Of the Rupert Murdoch fame). There was hope that Virgin media could help break the current situation where Sky pretty much buy all the worthwhile media available and then sell it on at a premium price. This buyout is a further nail in the coffin of that hope.
- Virgin media are still living with telewest's mismanaging of the digital network and they're losing money hand over fist. I'd have rather seen them turn that situation around imaginatively than have them sell up to a large soulless corporation that could possibly turn this into a fire-sale.
The most annoying thing about this is that Virgin have a pretty good television product, and this could be lost.
posted by seanyboy at 11:32 AM on July 2, 2007
and nasreddin: You've already stated that you don't give a shit . Anything else you have to say is pretty meaningless. Leave the conversation to those who give a damn one way or the other.
The issue isn't that Virgin are a super-cool company, the issue is that they had potential for providing real competition in a market which is as close to monopolistic as makes no difference.
posted by seanyboy at 11:36 AM on July 2, 2007
The issue isn't that Virgin are a super-cool company, the issue is that they had potential for providing real competition in a market which is as close to monopolistic as makes no difference.
posted by seanyboy at 11:36 AM on July 2, 2007
NTL Telewest cool? That's a new one.
posted by cillit bang at 11:42 AM on July 2, 2007
posted by cillit bang at 11:42 AM on July 2, 2007
Virgin Media is only 10% owned by Virgin. The other 90% is already thoroughly uncool.
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:49 AM on July 2, 2007
posted by East Manitoba Regional Junior Kabaddi Champion '94 at 11:49 AM on July 2, 2007
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posted by nasreddin at 11:10 AM on July 2, 2007