Do you think FW should retire from being a promoter?

[palooka]

There are a lot of other companies with 'worthless' balance sheets that are profitable and worthwhile; I very much doubt that the directors of the company do not know what they are doing/doing voluntary work/running the channel for the thrill of it.

This.

Thank you Ratchet; there is someone else here with at least the sense they were born with

[Ratchet Exits Nu]

There are a lot of other companies with 'worthless' balance sheets that are profitable and worthwhile; I very much doubt that the directors of the company do not know what they are doing/doing voluntary work/running the channel for the thrill of it.

This.

Thank you Ratchet; there is someone else here with at least the sense they were born with

[squared circle]

Palooka. Take the point but I was specifically talking about BN. I understand there are plenty of industries where a seemingly weak balance sheet doesn't mean a company cannot turn a profit.

My point is why are BT suddenly going to come along and value BN at this huge price some are talking about.

There is NO barrier to entry, BN have nothing unique that cannot be replicated other than bunny's stable of fighters that is ever dwindling. There is no great brand, nothing else.

As others have said BT could bid themselves for foreign fights and go for their own UK promoter TV deal - e.g hatton, meaty Mick etc.

Bunny needs to keep promoting as the TV channel, while worth the subscription and now delivering decent output, is not this big retirement pot some think it is

[Finn]

Palooka. Take the point but I was specifically talking about BN. I understand there are plenty of industries where a seemingly weak balance sheet doesn't mean a company cannot turn a profit.

My point is why are BT suddenly going to come along and value BN at this huge price some are talking about.

There is NO barrier to entry, BN have nothing unique that cannot be replicated other than bunny's stable of fighters that is ever dwindling. There is no great brand, nothing else.

As others have said BT could bid themselves for foreign fights and go for their own UK promoter TV deal - e.g hatton, meaty Mick etc.

Bunny needs to keep promoting as the TV channel, while worth the subscription and now delivering decent output, is not this big retirement pot some think it is

it all depends on the subscription figures - if BN does have the number of subscribers that FW stated it had then its worth buying, if it fails it maybe worth BT starting from scratch. This issue for them will be is what stables can they use that will generate the viewing figures they require? FW's is on BN and Hearn is on Sky and they have all but 3 of the countries big named fighters.

[earsjohn]

There are a lot of other companies with 'worthless' balance sheets that are profitable and worthwhile; I very much doubt that the directors of the company do not know what they are doing/doing voluntary work/running the channel for the thrill of it.

This.

Thank you Ratchet; there is someone else here with at least the sense they were born with

At least as much sense, yet no more.

[squared circle]

Palooka. Take the point but I was specifically talking about BN. I understand there are plenty of industries where a seemingly weak balance sheet doesn't mean a company cannot turn a profit.

My point is why are BT suddenly going to come along and value BN at this huge price some are talking about.

There is NO barrier to entry, BN have nothing unique that cannot be replicated other than bunny's stable of fighters that is ever dwindling. There is no great brand, nothing else.

As others have said BT could bid themselves for foreign fights and go for their own UK promoter TV deal - e.g hatton, meaty Mick etc.

Bunny needs to keep promoting as the TV channel, while worth the subscription and now delivering decent output, is not this big retirement pot some think it is

it all depends on the subscription figures - if BN does have the number of subscribers that FW stated it had then its worth buying, if it fails it maybe worth BT starting from scratch. This issue for them will be is what stables can they use that will generate the viewing figures they require? FW's is on BN and Hearn is on Sky and they have all but 3 of the countries big named fighters.

but subscription base is largely meaningless isn't it? We're only committed month to month - if BT come up with a more attractive alternative then I'd switch tomorrow.

I'd imagine maloney would jump from loaded tv without much persuasion. Get murray, quigg etc from hatton, and say Hennessey if channel five continue current stance. Throw in the big foreign fights - a tie up with golden boy so get khan, ogogo etc too and suddenly it seems quite appealing.

One thing for sure is BT are throwing a lot of cash at this, so if they decide boxing is a way forward they will do it guns blazing.

Or am i missing something?

[earsjohn]

Do people really believe that BT will look to buy BN and run it as a separate, stand alone boxing channel? That seems preposterous. If they have any interest in Boxing, they will broadcast it on their sports channels - the ones that are being heavily publicised at the moment with Premier League football and Premiership Rugby Union. I find it incredible to believe that they will have one channel for Scott Quigg, Tyson Fury and Anthony Agogo and separate channels for "other", particularly when "other" includes £738m worth of football rights.

If BT want to go down the boxing route, they will simply sign up Promoters or bid for fights on an individual basis (home and abroad) and deliver their own output via their own channels.

[squared circle]

My point exactly.

They don't need to buy BN. They just go ahead and do it themselves.

[Ratchet Exits Nu]

Do people really believe that BT will look to buy BN and run it as a separate, stand alone boxing channel? That seems preposterous. If they have any interest in Boxing, they will broadcast it on their sports channels - the ones that are being heavily publicised at the moment with Premier League football and Premiership Rugby Union. I find it incredible to believe that they will have one channel for Scott Quigg, Tyson Fury and Anthony Agogo and separate channels for "other", particularly when "other" includes £738m worth of football rights.

If BT want to go down the boxing route, they will simply sign up Promoters or bid for fights on an individual basis (home and abroad) and deliver their own output via their own channels.

Who said anything about it buying BN and keeping it as a separate thing?

I mean buying allegedly as their Boxing Arm, they could even give viewers allegedly for free, that will get maybe 100,000 more people into BT Vison Sport, good numbers - and befire you say why buy something for Millions and give it away....it's a sweetener to entice the consumer.

100,000 people is not to be sniffed at. And the channel is already up and running so no new 'start up' costs etc.


And don't forget the new BT Vison man is Franks mate.

[Finn]

Palooka. Take the point but I was specifically talking about BN. I understand there are plenty of industries where a seemingly weak balance sheet doesn't mean a company cannot turn a profit.

My point is why are BT suddenly going to come along and value BN at this huge price some are talking about.

There is NO barrier to entry, BN have nothing unique that cannot be replicated other than bunny's stable of fighters that is ever dwindling. There is no great brand, nothing else.

As others have said BT could bid themselves for foreign fights and go for their own UK promoter TV deal - e.g hatton, meaty Mick etc.

Bunny needs to keep promoting as the TV channel, while worth the subscription and now delivering decent output, is not this big retirement pot some think it is

it all depends on the subscription figures - if BN does have the number of subscribers that FW stated it had then its worth buying, if it fails it maybe worth BT starting from scratch. This issue for them will be is what stables can they use that will generate the viewing figures they require? FW's is on BN and Hearn is on Sky and they have all but 3 of the countries big named fighters.

but subscription base is largely meaningless isn't it? We're only committed month to month - if BT come up with a more attractive alternative then I'd switch tomorrow.

I'd imagine maloney would jump from loaded tv without much persuasion. Get murray, quigg etc from hatton, and say Hennessey if channel five continue current stance. Throw in the big foreign fights - a tie up with golden boy so get khan, ogogo etc too and suddenly it seems quite appealing.

One thing for sure is BT are throwing a lot of cash at this, so if they decide boxing is a way forward they will do it guns blazing.

Or am i missing something?

The subscription base cant be meaningless BN has put on major fights, advertising campaigns and used FW's name to get those subscribers. It would cost BT a fortune to do the same when i assume it would be cheaper just to buy the channel and have the current directors as shareholders. No disrespect to the other promoters and fighters but coldwell doesnt have marquee fighters, quigg is relatively small fry, murray is the biggest draw in hattons stable but he's not a marquee fighter, to pick up khan its going to cost money and i assume the purchase of goldenboys US fights, Hennesey is the only other promoter out there with decent names. You cant steal business off two established channels like that without pumping a large amount of money into it BN isnt going to cost that much to buy if BT are willing to offer some type of shareholder scheme or contract with warren for his stable.

[palooka]

At least as much sense, yet no more.[/quote]

I don't feel: from what I have experienced; that Mr W arren is finished in boxing or business. I do not imagine that the people alongside him in business are foolish or are just scraping through life. F rank has 30 odd years of experience/business dealings and social involvement with high level people within the 'boxing industry'. He won't go anywhere until he's had enough and I can't see him being forced; he didn't fornicate off when he was shot; he's not done, the allegedly channel is improving and is worth somehing.

[squared circle]

Fair play. Good discussion and I can't and don't disagree with everything said.

The hardcore subscription will have no brand loyalty. If BT put on bigger and better fights then we'll switch. Simple.

The "casual" boost that haye chisora generated, and warren claims has at least partially remained, could be replicated by BT if they get a high enough profile fight - mayweather in UK for example.

Guess we wait and see now. For all we know they could have bugger all interest in boxing and want to spend all their time on football, rugby, tennis etc