BSkyB eyes up Uncle Rupert's telly channels in Germany and Italy

"One problem is that PayTV doesn't seem to be very popular over here (Germany)."

Where's the problem? Perhaps the lack of success is why Murdoch wants equity investors to buy the manky assets off of him? The tame management at BSkyB are only too happy to oblige, Murdoch adds more money to his vast pile of cash, and powerless small investors in BSkyB wonder why their management are paying good money for old rubbish.

The only negative surprise in all of this was reading that Murdoch was still in the land of the living.

One problem is that PayTV doesn't seem to be very popular over here (Germany). Cable seems to do okay, because the basic channels are bundled in the Internet and telephone package. But I don't know anyone who has an extended cable package or anyone with satellite that uses PayTV, they all seem to use the FTA channels (about 50).

I do pay for Cable for Animax, and NASN -> ESPN America (Baseball & NFL), but since the former has crapped out, and the latter left for an exclusive contract to become BT-Sports. I'm left pondering to ditch my Cable contract, and just get Crunchyroll, and Lovefilm + a VPN to access the US Netflix + and the UK iPlayer. Again since the spot beam on Astra 2F/E has shrunk, and has basically robbed me of the only decent things to watch BBC1/2 & 4.

I never actually gave Internet streaming much great thought. But, in a world without USA Quality broadcasting. (ABC, CBS, NBC & Fox et-al), Its not like I'm missing much anyway. The German Channels like RTL, Sat.1 & Pro7 (amongst others), are for the terminally dim. I really could care less that some androgynous she'im just won some freak show contest. But, that's the kinds'a shit my Parents watch when I go over to visit 'em on Sunday.

State TV over here. Makes the BBC look like a fu--n' godsend. and it will be missed. But. Cable as it is a feckin waste of money! Then again so is TV Licensing.

Re: Pay TV is a pain

Why all the hate for PayTV? If a Channel is good I'm willing to pay to use it. If its not I won't Simples.

I have had the pleasure to peruse BSkyB's warez, a few Years back. I have to say that most of you lot were correct to say that even with Sky you'd still likely hang 'round 80% the time on the Beeb. That was certainly true for me back then as well.

At least you lot don't have to pay £50.00 EVERY fecking year to watch the likes of Channels 4 & 5 in HD. Unlike us Germans who have to get a CI+ and, a HD+ Card who do!

Re: "Media Plurality Concerns"

Thing is I don't think his (Murdoch's) Satellite Service is all that great here in German to start with. the fact that you can't use a Dish 90% of the time. Because its VERBOTEN! or you just have the rotten luck to be on the wrong side.. probably ain't helping much. The Cable providers do carry Sky though for the most part, though not everything.

What they don't do is carry the FTA HD stuff like WDR, HR3 etc that's on 19.2°E right now, but most wouldn't know about it because they have no way to access it. But, that didn't stop those greedy GEZ ****ers from making off with over 9 Billion Euros in License revenue last year. And, unlike you lot. EVERYBODY PAYS here now. It don't matter jack if you live in a hut with nothing in it. All you need is a regesterd address to get the Bill! >:(

Say what you will about Pay TV... But Pay TV at least gives you the option of telling them to go fourth and multiply. You can't do that with the GEZ!