It was also because of these obstacles that Britain later vigorously developed satellite TV.
As early as 1980, the British BBC Broadcasting Corporation recognized the importance of satellite TV and wanted to become the first and largest satellite TV operator in the UK, so it applied to use two satellite channels to broadcast its TV programs.
In 1982, the British government agreed to the BBC's application and allowed the BBC to start satellite broadcasting in 1986, but did not provide any financial support to the BBC. Due to the lack of government funding and the BBC's unwillingness to bear the risk alone, the BBC withdrew from the competition.
At the same time, media companies led by Pearson Publishing, the publisher of the Financial Times in the UK, established British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB), which planned to launch a radio and television satellite in 1989 and monopolize the satellite TV market in the UK.
But what they didn't expect was that in 1988 Murdoch announced that his Sky TV would start satellite TV services in the UK based on the Astra satellite based in Luxembourg! In
1989, Sky TV launched 4 satellite TV channels in the UK. Due to its excellent technical strength, successful marketing strategy and management skills, as well as strong financial backing - in 1990, it even risked a deficit of 8 million pounds a year to vigorously develop satellite TV business!
So in 1990, Murdoch's Sky Television merged with British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) to form BskyB.
Since then, SkyB has become the only satellite TV operator in the UK, owned by media tycoon Murdoch's News Corporation.
On October 1, 1998, BskyB launched its pay digital TV service. Today, they are the largest satellite TV station in Britain and Ireland, and have almost monopolized the market.
The reason why Britain is eager to develop terrestrial digital television is that the British government does not want its television market to be monopolized by British commercial television, Sky TV (BskyB) owned by Murdoch.
Because once BskyB monopolizes the British digital TV market, it will cause great harm to the development of public culture in the UK and to the UK's multicultural culture.
BskyB began experimenting with digital TV services as early as the early 1990s. In 1998, it officially launched digital TV services and quickly attracted many British viewers.
At the same time, ITV Digital, the digital TV conversion business led by ITV in the UK, suffered a setback and ended in failure in 2002, this year.
Obviously, if BskyB, a commercial television group, monopolizes the digital television market in the UK, it will be a disaster for the UK, a country that advocates multiculturalism and public broadcasting culture. Under this circumstance, it is imperative for other radio and television organizations in the UK to carry out digital television conversion.
The British government now places its hopes on the BBC as a public television station. They intend to let the BBC take over ITV Digital's business and continue the development plan of terrestrial digital television stations.
However, although the BBC has started contact with ITV Digital, it is still in the bargaining process. Just like when it first started its satellite TV business, the BBC does not want to take too much risk without government funding. If it takes over the ITV Digital business, it is estimated that the funds they will need to invest in it in the next few years will be at least 800 million to 1 billion pounds, which is extremely difficult for them to make up their mind.
Given the current situation of British television stations and the uncertain prospects, I am afraid that anyone would be worried about an initiative that would cost such a huge amount of money.
Especially now that Sky TV, with the strong support of News Corporation, has occupied the vast majority of the British television industry.
But for Barron, if he wants to enter the television industry, then ITV Digital's terrestrial digital television project is his best choice. After all, in the UK, the development potential of cable television is not great, and the amount of capital required is not less.
As for satellite TV, BSkyB is so strong - if it wants to make a difference in this field, it can get involved when the BBC and ITV form a free satellite TV alliance in the future, but that will have to wait until 2005...
Therefore, at present, ITV Digital's terrestrial digital television project can be said to be Barron's best opportunity to "get on board".
Although he did not have the necessary conditions at the moment, either in terms of funds or experience in running a TV station, Barron was not in a hurry. The negotiations between the BBC, the government and ITV Digital would not be completed in a short period of time, so there was plenty of time for him to make plans.
…
"Barron, you're finally here, this is my girlfriend Sasha..."
"Sorry, William, I was delayed by something just now. Hello, Ms. Sasha, it's nice to meet a beauty like you."
On Daisy's side, the short position building for London copper is still proceeding in an orderly manner. The price of London copper has been hovering below 1,500 pounds, which also gives them time to build positions.
In addition, he also paid attention to the situation in the US stock market. Until late July, there was not much movement in NetEase's stock, and it was still fluctuating within the range of US$1 to US$1.2. Seeing this, Barron asked Daisy to increase her holdings of NetEase stock by another 1 million pounds. At this time, they already held approximately 4.3 million shares of NetEase, with an average share price of around US$1.05.
On the contrary, Amazon stock, which was the first to complete the 5x leverage among other investments, saw a certain increase in late July, with an increase of more than 15%...
As for international crude oil and international gold prices, although they have increased, the increase was not large, which still leaves them with room to build positions.
After dealing with the matters at DS Investment, Barron gave his assistant Wang Wanting a temporary vacation. He brought his valet and driver Ramos to a high-end club in London, where Prince William had an appointment with him.
Since Barron showed his goodwill to Prince William, the two have been in contact more often. Especially after Prince William visited DS Capital last time, he asked Barron to go out with him - but Barron had too many things to deal with before, and finally had time today.
After the meeting, Barron also met his current girlfriend Sasha through William's introduction. She has a good appearance and figure, otherwise she would not be called the campus belle of the University of St Andrews.
Speaking of which, according to the tradition of British aristocracy, Prince William is not very honest when it comes to women. Moreover, he has the blessing of his status as a prince. In addition, he is young at this time, has abundant hair, and is also handsome. It can be said that he is very popular with girls.
Prince Harry, who is 18 years old this year, was also at today's party. He is at the age where he loves to play, and he was quite active.
In addition, there are two other good friends of theirs - both of whom are from noble families, as well as several other beauties.
In fact, as a prince of England, especially since his mother is Princess Diana, William has been the focus of the whole of England since he was born. Therefore, it is impossible for him to go to those more lively nightclubs to party like ordinary people. What they chose today is a high-end club that specializes in providing services for celebrities and wealthy people.
In his previous life, Barron always had a lot of fun every time he went to a nightclub. Therefore, William, Harry and others were very happy because of his novel ways of playing.
"Your game called Werewolf is very interesting. It's a bit similar to the previous 'killing' game, but the rules are more complete and interesting."
Among these games, the most popular one is the Werewolf game from his previous life that Barron taught them. After playing a few rounds and becoming familiar with the rules, they were completely immersed in it. Prince William couldn't help but praise Barron.
As expected, games like Werewolf will always be popular in any era.