Election Year or Fear!

[Geoff Parkstone]

I see your point however, imo, the extension of a right wing press giant to create more domination of the UK media landscape is a bad thing and a danger to our democracy. One only has to look at the Telegraph’s role in the recent BBC affair to doubt AF’s querying of the significance of the printed/online media and if it’s of so little consequence why would Rothermere wish to spend so much on acquiring the Telegraph?

I really can't believe you wrote that final sentence. Why would any business merge with another? Let's start with economies of scale and the saving of costs. Let's look at market share, especially in a declining circulation environment. Let's look at returns on capital - is 500m a lot if the Telegraph generates 50m profit (I don't know how profitable it is, or what return the Mail group is seeking).

There are countless sound economic reasons for a bid, and I'm sure Mail has had analysts all over the Telegraph to determine appropriate level of bid.

But in simple terms, it's what businesses do - merge for efficiency. It's why entrepreneurs start up - to get taken over and cash in. The fact that both share political similarities should make the culture fit, more so than eg Mail and Grauniad would. So to that extent journalistic leaning may be relevant - but I'd suggest enhancing economies of scale and financial returns could be the answer to your "why".

But feel free to trust in your own conspiracy theory

[ramAnag]

I really can't believe you wrote that final sentence. Why would any business merge with another? Let's start with economies of scale and the saving of costs. Let's look at market share, especially in a declining circulation environment. Let's look at returns on capital - is 500m a lot if the Telegraph generates 50m profit (I don't know how profitable it is, or what return the Mail group is seeking).

There are countless sound economic reasons for a bid, and I'm sure Mail has had analysts all over the Telegraph to determine appropriate level of bid.

But in simple terms, it's what businesses do - merge for efficiency. It's why entrepreneurs start up - to get taken over and cash in. The fact that both share political similarities should make the culture fit, more so than eg Mail and Grauniad would. So to that extent journalistic leaning may be relevant - but I'd suggest enhancing economies of scale and financial returns could be the answer to your "why".

But feel free to trust in your own conspiracy theory

We’ll have to agree to differ. As I’ve previously said, I see your point. Beyond that, you see it as an entirely business decision. I suspect otherwise. Doesn’t make it a ‘conspiracy theory’. That the Right is attempting to take over the printed and broadcast media, both here and in the USA, is hardly a secret.