Media Giants Eye Takeover Targets

[Richard King]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040108/media_nm/industry_media_dc_1
While Viacom management has continuously said buying a cable or satellite distributor would be too cash-intensive, Eagan and others have suggested that the company could make a play for the second-largest U.S. satellite TV firm, EchoStar Communications. EchoStar has hinted it may be open for a deal after losing competitor DirecTV to Rupert Murdoch's News Corp.

Somehow I just can't see Redstone and Charlie getting along. I sure wouldn't want this.

[Earl Zuberbelt]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040108/media_nm/industry_media_dc_1


Somehow I just can't see Redstone and Charlie getting along. I sure wouldn't want this.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------

As in the past, Chas will always end up doing something completly different than what everyone predicts!

But one thought I have would be some sort of partnership with NBC/Vivendi. They also need a distribution arm, especially for the Universal Library.

That was part of the attraction to Chas and Vivendi when Vivendi and CEO Jean-Marie Messier bought a 10% stake in Echo at the time. Jean-Marie even had a seat on the board.

Of course Jean-Marie fouled things up big-time, ended up on the outside and Charlie laughed all the way to his piggybank when he bought Vivendi' stake back for peanuts.

But the premise remains a good one. Both NBC and Vivendi are a very attractive package, NBC is obviously in the aquisition mode and with GE's deep pockets, you never know.

Key always, is Chas. Can't believe any type of meaningful deal will ever happen unless he were to step aside.

I firmly believe with his 8-9 Billion in worth based on the value of his stock, plus his 50 1/2% share and CONTROL OF EVERYTHING, for Chas it's not about making more money, but some how winning the big pot at the end of the game.

The gentle nudge up in share value since the huge drop after Q3 results, indicates that at least some on the street, feel the company is in play in one way or the other.

This opinion a few extra bucks will get you a PPV movie on DISH. Either way, Chas, as always, will make it interesting for us mere mortals to watch!

-Earl
Yankee born Southern bred

[Richard King]

Well said, Earl... time for you to register isn't it? :D