Chapter 63 ITV Digital for sale

That year my daughter went to London to study, and I happened to have a friend who opened a restaurant there, so I finally decided to take my whole family to London so that I could help out in my friend's shop and take care of my daughter at the same time.

A month after I arrived in London, one day my old friend told me something. A Duke was recruiting a chef who was good at cooking Chinese food. The salary was very good, and he asked me if I was willing to give it a try.

I still remember the day I went for the interview. My friend drove me to the Camden area of ​​London, which is a well-known wealthy area in the UK. House prices are very high, and the people I live in are either rich or expensive.

In the living room on the first floor of the villa, I met the Duke. To my surprise, he was a very handsome young man.

What was even more unexpected to me at the time was that after meeting me, the young Duke actually spoke very standard and fluent Mandarin.

I think my surprised look at that time was probably very funny.

In response, the young Duke, His Royal Highness Barron Cavendish, smiled at me very kindly and said that he liked Chinese culture very much, so he learned Chinese.

After hearing that I was better at cooking Shandong cuisine and Cantonese cuisine, he was very happy and said to me at that time:

"I think I should be a Chinese in my previous life, because I still have a Chinese stomach, so I don't want you to cook the so-called 'Chinese food' modified according to British tastes, but your Chinese food" Authentic Chinese food.”

After I cooked two dishes according to his request and he tasted them, he decided to hire me as his Chinese chef.

I never imagined that when I arrived in England in my forties, I would become a chef for a Duke. This was probably the most amazing experience I had ever had in my life.

——Excerpted from "I Cooked for the Duke in England"

…

"My dear, I don't know why you like to drink this strange... porridge. The black stuff in it is always hard for me to accept."

Listening to Bonnie's words, Barron took a mouthful of preserved egg and lean meat porridge. It is really not easy to eat this in England.

He said softly to the girl:

"There are some delicacies that not everyone can accept, right? But you can try this beef soup dumpling, it tastes really good."

Seeing Bonnie following the method he taught her, first taking a bite and then sucking out the fragrant soup, she couldn't help but praise her repeatedly, and a smile appeared on Barron's face.

He casually picked up the newspaper on the table and started reading it - since buying the "Independent", this newspaper has become the first thing he reads every morning.

First, he turned to the serialization of the novel. The first part of "Downton Abbey" was already halfway through serialization. He said to Bonnie:

"Baby, I'm afraid we need to speed up the process and write the second part of the novel as soon as possible."

"I've already started working on it, but I think it would be more inspiring if it was inside the manor."

"That's not a problem, honey. When I finish these two days, we can go back to Chatsworth together."

Stir the sugar in the soy milk evenly, and after taking a sip, Bonnie looked at Barron and said:

"One thing, dear, my cousin said before that she was very interested in the manor in the novel after watching "Downton Abbey". She hopes to visit it with us next time."

"Mrs. Boot? That's no problem, honey. Besides, I have a friend who also said she wants to go. We can come together."

Barron still focused on the newspaper and said calmly:

"You may not have met her yet, but Mrs. Butt knows her. She is Ella, the eldest daughter of the Kent family."

"Oh...just friends?"

Sure enough, women are always keen in this regard...

"Of course, at least I regard her as a friend. As for what she thinks, taking her with you is a better choice in this regard, isn't it? Baby."

Hearing Barron say this, Bonnie had a smile on her face.

But at this time, Barron’s attention was focused on a report from The Independent:

"ITV Digital's television licenses went on sale on Wednesday after the broadcaster shut down pay-TV programming for its one million subscribers and began liquidation.

The governing Independent Television Commission is calling for tenders for the sale of the license, which has been split into three, with the BBC, the public broadcaster, being one of the strong contenders.

ITV Digital administrators have stopped broadcasting BSkyB sports, film and music channel MTV at 0600GMT.

Only free-to-air channels including the BBC are still broadcasting. An apology message to viewers was displayed on the television screen.

The world's first terrestrial digital television operator gave up on its efforts to survive on Tuesday after being unable to raise funds to repay debt and find a buyer. Its 1,500 employees will also lose their jobs. "

Seeing this, Barron put down the newspaper, looked at Bonnie, and asked:

"Honey, have you heard about ITV's terrestrial digital TV station?"

"Of course, their promotion of terrestrial digital TV seems to be struggling. In comparison, Sky TV's satellite digital TV business is very smooth."

In the process of transforming TV stations to digitalization, there are three methods: satellite, cable and terrestrial. The UK is the first country in the world to begin to try terrestrial digital TV. It has also made special plans for this. Basically, in 2010 Complete this plan, but now it seems that this attempt, mainly ITV Digital, has encountered great difficulties at this stage.

Thinking of this, Barron picked up his mobile phone and dialed the number of Amber Sheehan, general manager of DS Capital's industrial investment department:

"Mr. Sheehan, please help me collect information on the current British television business, including satellite, cable and terrestrial television."

"Okay, BOSS..."

Amber hesitated for a moment and asked:

"Did you also see the report on ITV Digital? The television business... requires a lot of capital."

"I understand this. Everything needs to be investigated before making a decision, Mr. Sheehan."

…

"You want to buy an ITV channel? Honey."

"It's an opportunity, isn't it?"

"But ITV Digital has invested so much money, but it has failed, and the government has not provided any funds for them. If it is a private purchase, I am afraid it is even less likely to get government support, even if the BBC is preparing to take over terrestrial digital television Many people are not optimistic about business..."

Bonnie's meaning is very clear, that is, satellite TV is still dominated by Britain. In this regard, her BSkyB TV station is the absolute overlord. Although the British government proposed a plan to build a terrestrial satellite TV system in 1998, this A few years have passed, and from the current situation of ITV Digital, we can know that it is not an easy thing to accomplish, and the risks are high.

"There are risks, but they also mean opportunities, right?"

"Even so, you have enough funds, but what about the qualifications and experience? I'm afraid that even if ITV Digital's business is to be sold, the government will only consider mature TV stations like the BBC that are already experienced in this, rather than A newcomer with no experience.”

"This is a problem, but this kind of thing cannot be resolved in a day or two. Let's just take it step by step."

The data during the new book period is related to subsequent recommendations, so follow-up reading is very important. I beg you not to keep it all the time. If you feel that it is okay, read it every day to help increase follow-up reading. Thank you very much.