ITV ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GSB
 

ITV PLC
01 November 2004

1 November 2004


ITV3 TO LAUNCH ON SATELLITE TODAY
ITV ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GSB

ITV plc has today announced that it has agreed to buy Sky Ventures' 49.5%
share
in multi-channel operation Granada Sky Broadcasting (GSB) for £10m. In
addition, Sky would receive 49.5% of any proceeds, net of liabilities, from
any
potential sale of Men and Motors.

Following the acquisition, GSB's channel Plus will become ITV3. ITV3 launches
tonight (1 November) at 9pm on digital terrestrial television (DTT), digital
cable and digital satellite and will be broadcast to around 13 million homes.

The newest addition to ITV's channel portfolio, ITV3 will showcase
contemporary
British drama from the extensive ITV programme library with titles including
Prime Suspect and Inspector Morse in addition to films and US acquired series.
The acquisition of GSB further strengthens ITV3 by giving it access to an
additional catalogue of popular titles including Cracker, Sherlock Holmes, The
Darling Buds of May, Wycliffe and PD James.

Commenting on the deal, Charles Allen, Chief Executive of ITV plc said: 'We
are
delighted that ITV3 will be available on all digital platforms from launch,
reaching the widest possible multi-channel audience. Incorporating recent
popular drama from ITV1 and the best of Plus into ITV3 will create the
strongest
possible proposition for viewers and advertisers. This deal delivers on our
strategic objective to build the ITV family of digital channels and will
enable
ITV3 to maximise its potential.'

ENDS

Press enquiries:
ITV plc Nicola Howson 020 7843 8091/2
Brigitte Trafford 020 7737 8719

Citigate Dewe Rogerson Alex Brown 020 7282 2837

Investor enquiries:
ITV plc Georgina Blackburn 020 7261 3911


Notes to Editors:

GSB currently operates Plus, an archive channel, and Men and Motors. It was
established in 1996 with Sky Ventures and Granada Media as shareholders. ITV
plc, parent company of Granada Media, will now take full control of the
company.
Men and Motors will continue broadcasting in its current form pending a
review of its long term future.




This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

Thus spaketh {{{{Welcome}}}}:
ITV PLC
01 November 2004

1 November 2004


ITV3 TO LAUNCH ON SATELLITE TODAY
ITV ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GSB

ITV plc has today announced that it has agreed to buy Sky Ventures'
49.5% share
in multi-channel operation Granada Sky Broadcasting (GSB) for £10m.
In addition, Sky would receive 49.5% of any proceeds, net of
liabilities, from any
potential sale of Men and Motors.

Following the acquisition, GSB's channel Plus will become ITV3. ITV3
launches tonight (1 November) at 9pm on digital terrestrial
television (DTT), digital cable and digital satellite and will be
broadcast to around 13 million homes.

The newest addition to ITV's channel portfolio, ITV3 will showcase
contemporary
British drama from the extensive ITV programme library with titles
including Prime Suspect and Inspector Morse in addition to films and
US acquired series. The acquisition of GSB further strengthens ITV3
by giving it access to an additional catalogue of popular titles
including Cracker, Sherlock Holmes, The Darling Buds of May, Wycliffe
and PD James.

Commenting on the deal, Charles Allen, Chief Executive of ITV plc
said: 'We are
delighted that ITV3 will be available on all digital platforms from
launch, reaching the widest possible multi-channel audience.
Incorporating recent popular drama from ITV1 and the best of Plus
into ITV3 will create the strongest
possible proposition for viewers and advertisers. This deal delivers
on our strategic objective to build the ITV family of digital
channels and will enable
ITV3 to maximise its potential.'

ENDS

Press enquiries:
ITV plc Nicola Howson 020 7843 8091/2
Brigitte Trafford 020 7737 8719

Citigate Dewe Rogerson Alex Brown 020 7282 2837

Investor enquiries:
ITV plc Georgina Blackburn 020 7261 3911


Notes to Editors:

GSB currently operates Plus, an archive channel, and Men and Motors.
It was established in 1996 with Sky Ventures and Granada Media as
shareholders. ITV plc, parent company of Granada Media, will now
take full control of the company.
Men and Motors will continue broadcasting in its current form pending
a review of its long term future.




This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange



*Plus is now closed*

After the recent acquisition of GSB by ITV, PLUS will cease broadcasting at
5pm on Monday 1 November.

You will be pleased to know that some of your favourite PLUS programmes will
be found in the future on ITV3.

We would like to thank all our viewers for their loyalty and support over the
past 8 years.

Goodbye from everybody at PLUS.


http://www.plustv.co.uk



--
For A Great Discussion: http://www.bextech.org.uk
Current Items For Sale: http://www.bextech.me.uk/forsale
For South East Brum: http://www.south-east-birmingham.tk
For Free £10 credit when you get refered to TalkTalk contact me via above
site. And now with FREE off-peak calls to UK, USA, CAN & AUS!

*Plus is now closed*

After the recent acquisition of GSB by ITV, PLUS will cease broadcasting
at
5pm on Monday 1 November.

Now what did I say on 15th October Eh !

There is a rumour that Granada Plus will be ending when ITV 3 Starts as
they
will be showing the same type of stuff !!!! + more crap commissioned for
ITV3

Dave

Goodbye PLUS and thanks.
I for one will miss PLUS, have all the people from PLUS moved to ITV3?
Hope everyone still has a job.
Del.



"{{{{Welcome}}}}" wrote in message
...
Thus spaketh {{{{Welcome}}}}:
ITV PLC
01 November 2004

1 November 2004


ITV3 TO LAUNCH ON SATELLITE TODAY
ITV ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GSB

ITV plc has today announced that it has agreed to buy Sky Ventures'
49.5% share
in multi-channel operation Granada Sky Broadcasting (GSB) for £10m.
In addition, Sky would receive 49.5% of any proceeds, net of
liabilities, from any
potential sale of Men and Motors.

Following the acquisition, GSB's channel Plus will become ITV3. ITV3
launches tonight (1 November) at 9pm on digital terrestrial
television (DTT), digital cable and digital satellite and will be
broadcast to around 13 million homes.

The newest addition to ITV's channel portfolio, ITV3 will showcase
contemporary
British drama from the extensive ITV programme library with titles
including Prime Suspect and Inspector Morse in addition to films and
US acquired series. The acquisition of GSB further strengthens ITV3
by giving it access to an additional catalogue of popular titles
including Cracker, Sherlock Holmes, The Darling Buds of May, Wycliffe
and PD James.

Commenting on the deal, Charles Allen, Chief Executive of ITV plc
said: 'We are
delighted that ITV3 will be available on all digital platforms from
launch, reaching the widest possible multi-channel audience.
Incorporating recent popular drama from ITV1 and the best of Plus
into ITV3 will create the strongest
possible proposition for viewers and advertisers. This deal delivers
on our strategic objective to build the ITV family of digital
channels and will enable
ITV3 to maximise its potential.'

ENDS

Press enquiries:
ITV plc Nicola Howson 020 7843 8091/2
Brigitte Trafford 020 7737 8719

Citigate Dewe Rogerson Alex Brown 020 7282 2837

Investor enquiries:
ITV plc Georgina Blackburn 020 7261 3911


Notes to Editors:

GSB currently operates Plus, an archive channel, and Men and Motors.
It was established in 1996 with Sky Ventures and Granada Media as
shareholders. ITV plc, parent company of Granada Media, will now
take full control of the company.
Men and Motors will continue broadcasting in its current form pending
a review of its long term future.




This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange



*Plus is now closed*

After the recent acquisition of GSB by ITV, PLUS will cease broadcasting
at
5pm on Monday 1 November.

You will be pleased to know that some of your favourite PLUS programmes
will
be found in the future on ITV3.

We would like to thank all our viewers for their loyalty and support over
the
past 8 years.

Goodbye from everybody at PLUS.


http://www.plustv.co.uk



--
For A Great Discussion: http://www.bextech.org.uk
Current Items For Sale: http://www.bextech.me.uk/forsale
For South East Brum: http://www.south-east-birmingham.tk
For Free £10 credit when you get refered to TalkTalk contact me via above
site. And now with FREE off-peak calls to UK, USA, CAN & AUS!

Delmar wrote:

Goodbye PLUS and thanks.
I for one will miss PLUS, have all the people from PLUS moved to ITV3?
Hope everyone still has a job.

It looks like this was just a bit of manipulation to get an EPG slot
quickly. No doubt Plus, or Son of Plus, will be back soon enough.

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/6u4p9
How to get UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
Fed up with logos / red buttons? : http://logofreetv.org/
BBC gone? : http://www.astra2d.co.uk/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)

Goodbye PLUS and thanks.
I for one will miss PLUS, have all the people from PLUS moved to ITV3?
Hope everyone still has a job.

As I said on 15th Oct -

Well I'm just reporting what has been said at work !! (I work at Granada TV
and this was reported in a redundancy meeting)

It looks like this was just a bit of manipulation to get an EPG slot
quickly. No doubt Plus, or Son of Plus, will be back soon enough.

I doubt it, I'm afraid, its gone for ever. Son of Plus is ITV3.
Men & Motors could be next ! MUTV is moving from being Transmitted via
Granada to being transmitted from Old Trafford, oh joy more job cuts :(

Dave

In article ,
Jomtien wrote:
No doubt Plus, or Son of Plus, will be back soon enough.

From what I can tell, ITV3 *is* son of Plus. Using the "strength of the ITV
brand", and other such ********.

Dave
--
Email: MSN Messenger:

David Marshall wrote:

No doubt Plus, or Son of Plus, will be back soon enough.

From what I can tell, ITV3 *is* son of Plus. Using the "strength of the ITV
brand", and other such ********.

I would have thought there was still room for a pay channel showing
material along the lines of Plus. Presumably ITV are still in the
queue for new EPG slots and so could bring back such a channel as soon
as they have an EPG number. Or have they just had enough of Sky?

--
Digibox problem? : A reboot solves 90% of these.
The Sky Digital FAQ: http://tinyurl.com/6u4p9
How to get UK TV overseas: http://tinyurl.com/6p73
Fed up with logos / red buttons? : http://logofreetv.org/
BBC gone? : http://www.astra2d.co.uk/
----
Only the truth as I see it.
No monies return'd. ;-)

"{{{{Welcome}}}}" wrote in message
...
ITV PLC
01 November 2004

1 November 2004


ITV3 TO LAUNCH ON SATELLITE TODAY
ITV ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION OF GSB

ITV plc has today announced that it has agreed to buy Sky Ventures'
49.5%
share
in multi-channel operation Granada Sky Broadcasting (GSB) for £10m.
In
addition, Sky would receive 49.5% of any proceeds, net of liabilities,
from
any
potential sale of Men and Motors.

Following the acquisition, GSB's channel Plus will become ITV3. ITV3
launches
tonight (1 November) at 9pm on digital terrestrial television (DTT),
digital
cable and digital satellite and will be broadcast to around 13 million
homes.

I'd rather have kept Plus istead of ITV3.
The stupid idiots at Plus acually sent me an email advertising their
programs AFTER they knew they were closing the channel.
Very cross.
Regards Mike.

"Jomtien" wrote in message
...
Delmar wrote:

Goodbye PLUS and thanks.
I for one will miss PLUS, have all the people from PLUS moved to
ITV3?
Hope everyone still has a job.

It looks like this was just a bit of manipulation to get an EPG slot
quickly. No doubt Plus, or Son of Plus, will be back soon enough.

I very much doubt it!
Regards Mike.

In message , Jomtien
writes

I would have thought there was still room for a pay channel showing
material along the lines of Plus.

Their Crime Plus strand did seem to be quite popular. I'll miss
Columbo.

ITV3 seems to be little more than another outlet for repeats of Who
Wants To Be A Millionaire. :)
--
Martin Jay

On Tue, 2 Nov 2004 11:05:45 -0000, "Mike GW8IJT"
wrote:

The stupid idiots at Plus acually sent me an email advertising their
programs AFTER they knew they were closing the channel.
Very cross.

I would imagine that Plus weren't too happy about it either. Why on
earth do you think they'd send out such an email on purpose if they
knew they were closing? I don't think you realise how quickly it
happened.