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“The proposed merger would have been voted against by a huge number of external shareholders,” says Claire Enders of Enders Analysis. “I don’t think the issues put forward then are going to go away. With lawsuits against Fox and the Wall Street Journal I don’t think a merger will be at the top of the list.”
Claire Enders, from Enders Analysis, said Channel 4 had made an “excellent appointment”, adding that Mr Cooper’s extensive board experience made him well-suited to the requirements of the role.
The PSBs’ ability to fulfil their public service objectives is becoming compromised by declining TV audiences, mainly due to the rise of online platforms and the decline in funding levels.
Part of the solution lies in collaboration between the PSBs themselves, potentially through shared tech stacks across players.
Collaboration with third-party online platforms is also required. The Media Act is introducing prominence requirements for connected TVs, but extending this regulatory regime to video-sharing and AI platforms needs much more developed thought to clearly articulate its aims and begin to iron out its practical challenges.
"You know that there will always be a conservative guardian of Fox News. And frankly, if I were a shareholder, I would really think this was a very good move," said Claire Enders, CEO and founder of UK-based media research firm Enders Analysis.
“This momentum with creators is something Snap can build on to make advertisers excited about the platform again,” said Jamie MacEwan, senior research analyst at Enders Analysis. “Getting noticed above the noise is key as Snap relies on a relatively small number of advertisers, so even a handful deciding to divert that spend elsewhere is a problem, but that also means Snap has an opportunity to swing back into a strong position.”
Although original programming is now cutting through—a validation of expansion in output—licensed content remains the backbone of Prime Video’s offering, c.80% of all viewing since March 2024.
Viewership of UK originals fluctuates significantly with reliance on standout titles, whereas US content, including high-volume dramas, maintains a steady audience.
Football coverage has been a draw for viewers: the Premier League, now lost, brought in older, male audiences. After an underwhelming initial phase of the last Champions League, Prime Video’s top pick of fixtures proved beneficial in the knockout round.
François Godard, an analyst at the British consulting firm Enders Analysis, believes the takeover is advantageous for the German company because management can now focus on its operational business again: "The takeover provides Pro Sieben Sat 1 with a more solid financial basis and better prepares it for crises."
A larger group like MFE can offset regional economic weaknesses. This is already an advantage, because the advertising market in Italy and Spain is growing while Germany is in recession. Furthermore, Godard says, more resources are available for investments in technology.
Analyst Godard sees the greatest risk in management: "Will the Italians find the right balance between strategic orientation and local autonomy?" In Spain, he says, this has been achieved.
The takeover is part of the latter’s strategy to create a pan-European operator - using its Mediaset outfits in Italy and Spain – to rival US-based streamers such as Netflix. It is set to claim total revenues of €6.8bn (£5.89bn), according to Enders Analysis.
Broadband market revenue dipped back into negative territory in Q2, due to pricing pressure on both existing and new customers.
CityFibre’s capital raise puts it in pole position for altnet consolidation, while TalkTalk’s will enable it to compete much more effectively in the retail space.
Fierce competition is likely to continue unless and until retail altnets do the rational thing and consolidate into a wholesale model.