Cellcast Share Discussion Threads

[digger27] 04/3/2008 14:48

the analyst - good find and read.

Lets hope we get some action soon and I don't mean a piddly .013p rise.

[spurberry] 04/3/2008 14:46

analyst my work has that link blocked, if its not long could you post or summarise here please

[the analyst] 03/3/2008 20:22

Hope you're right, RV - would be good to see some more progress. Certainly, if they could get the new programs and website up and running in the next couple of weeks it will help. It might help with any sumo spin-off deals being negotiated.

Last time I heard anything (rumours), they had come very close to spinning off sumo into a separate company (on two occasions) in deals that would have seen Cellcast retain a big stake in sumo, get cash in the bank and wipe out all debt.

That would have left Cellcast with the core UK business earning around £1m pa and major shareholdings in the independent Cellcast Asia and sumo.tv spin-offs.

I don't know how things have gone since I was hearing those trade rumours, but I wonder what the company would be valued at if that sort of deal were to happen? I'd like to think they would quickly be valued at £10m+, given time for the company to produce a trading statement after the deal and for investors to take notice

I'm certainly expecting some news on the funding issues within the next six weeks and I hope it's in conjunction with a sumo deal that sees the company back on track, profitable and with cash in the bank.

Can but hope...

[recto verso] 03/3/2008 20:07

Analyst,

My money is on the reveal of a total new look website with many new functions within the next week or so.

RV

[the analyst] 03/3/2008 19:10

The main sumo.tv website doesn't seem to be 'in development' anymore. That bit has been replaced by:

"Become a Category Editor!
Are you a sports fanatic, a movie buff or just love videos? Become a SUMO.tv Category Editor and pick your selection of videos for one of our excellent categories. What's more, you can even earn money for doing it!

For more info and to register your interest in this new program, please email us at [e-mail].
Recently Viewed MySUMO Channels...

... in the past 60 minutes
Create your own MySUMO channel!
Sign up to SUMO.tv and create your very own online TV channel! Think you know the best videos? Join in the fun and show the world now!
What is SUMO.tv?
SUMO.tv is the UK's leading Video Sharing community. In addition, we also aggregate the best content from around the web, serving you the very best in video.

We take the best of this content and showcase it on our very own TV channel, SKY channel 144. What's more, our web users can create their very own online TV channels (named 'MySUMO' channels). These user generated playlists can then be selected by our producers to be shown on air. Interact with online video like you never have before!

To find out more, please visit About SUMO.tv."

[recto verso] 01/3/2008 22:01

Mtouche...

[recto verso] 29/2/2008 20:14

Cheers Analyst.

Looks like the website is due a big update too....



Not live yet , but must be soon !

[the analyst] 29/2/2008 18:19

I guess this PR for the channels new programs could explain the recent sumo.tv rankings hike:

[the analyst] 29/2/2008 18:18

A blog about it

[the analyst] 29/2/2008 18:13

Will be interesting to see how these new programs go down with viewers. They look pretty terrible to me, but that doesn't mean bad ratings, when you consider big brother and all the other reality shows that get huge audiences.

Good to see new developments and innovation, though...

[the analyst] 29/2/2008 18:09

"Title
In Bed With Sim-Wise

Description
Cant wait to get into bed with Sim-Wise? Just for you, here is a little of what you'll need to prepare for. In Bed With Sim-Wise, invading your telly box from Friday 7th of March, 11pm SUMO.tv Sky channel 144! "

[the analyst] 29/2/2008 17:41

Q&A: Brown explains shake-up at Sumo
Friday, February 29 2008, 16:55 GMT
By Dave West, Media Correspondent

Sumo.tv launched in 2006 claiming to be the world's first channel dedicated to user generated content. Since then its roughly formatted stream of viewers' videos has been slowly gaining fans. Then in October the bosses brought in Loaded founder James Brown. He was to use his lads' media expertise to popularise the outfit and, four months on, it is about to introduce a dozen new programmes. For Sumo they are pretty conventional - with weekly slots and regular presenters. But, Brown tells Digital Spy, he has no intention of harming the anarchic, DIY spirit.

What is your role at Sumo?
"Andrew Wilson (chief executive of channel parent Cellcast) had started the channel as something different. But he'd never really given it a huge amount of attention. I suppose I've given it a sense of direction. We've been looking at new ways to use user-generated content."

How has it gone so far?
"It is a relatively new, flexible and small set up so we aren't restricted by the size of the business and expectations. Having made programmes for terrestrial channels, I know things can take a long time. Here we can have an idea and it's becoming a programme five weeks later."

What have you done?
"I brought in Alex Godfrey who was editor of Bizarre and understands how to make commercial success out of less mainstream content. We have developed lots of new shows around themed content. So far it has been short attention span TV. If you are coming in and having a spliff after the pub, it's great to stick on. You are getting short hits. Now we are giving appointments to view. Before, we have not really used presenters much. Now we are bringing in three or four presenters. I am also making them repeat the shows, which they've not done before.

You have created a show with Alex Sim-Wise. Who is she and what will it be?
"She is a glamour model, but a different type of glamour model, and she's funny. I noticed her magazine column where she had pictures of her messing around with mates and things. She's pretty filthy really, like the sort of thing you talk about with your mates, women or men. The show is rough. Only four or five people work on it and four are on screen. My brief to her was, 'Go and make a programme like Wayne's World - do what you want to do.' When I started my work I got a chance early on to be a writer on the NME. I always remember the tremendous buzz and energy. If you can help people like that you get a great return."

You tapped into a mass market with Loaded and the lads' genre. Is it impossible to find that again with the media more diverse and dispersed?
"I think so. But because the media is so diverse we can have a real point of difference. We don't have to be like the other channels. I get offered a lot of jobs but I came here because it's different. I never know what's going to be on next. It did feel different coming in here. You get people at work who are always on the internet finding the funny clips. We've got a load of them and put them in a room and said, 'Do it'. It feels like the early days of a band or something."

Sumo has been criticised by Ofcom for some unsuitable users' videos. What do you think of the regulator's role as broadcasting changes?
"You have got to self govern. When you've got the public providing content you are subject to all the people's standards. But everything here is done by young people, and I think things are generally better when there's a bit of reckless enthusiasm."

In Bed With Sim-Wise starts on March 7 at 11pm on Sumo.tv

[james t kirk] 28/2/2008 12:00

Some bloke called spurberry posted a note at 11.39am - other than that not a lot going on!

[spurberry] 28/2/2008 11:39

anything going to happen here?

Very quiet

[recto verso] 20/2/2008 21:00

Wasnt aware of James Brown working part time for this lot...



He saved GQ, has been brought in to turn around the Sport Media Group and of course, has been given the job of driving Sumo to dizzy heights.

Lets hope he can spin deals with all his contacts !

[digger27] 20/2/2008 20:38

There are 44mill shares in issue and 115k traded today.... good job I never unloaded my little lot otherwise it would have really tanked.

[moneymaker6] 20/2/2008 19:16

digger, you can not solely blame the mm, they are only reacting to the daily sells albeit only small amounts. The mgt must take some blame for not defending the share price Ask yourself why they haven't been more vocal. I still believe they will try and take this private for some token sum until markets improve. NC will agree and take a position on the Board. Just my opinion but its starting to stink.

[the analyst] 17/2/2008 13:04

Cheers Sage

My thoughts are pretty similar

I'd be looking to get at least 10p by the end of 2008, possibly 15-20p, having raised money from sumo, got rid of all debt, having cash in the bank and reliable EBITDA of around £1m pa (I think that is the sort of figure we should be looking at from the core business)

I'm not sure sumo would be valued at £10m anymore, though. Perhaps a year ago, yes, but I wonder if that could be too optimistic now? I was thinking more in the £5m range, but I just don't know

If they can't get a deal for sumo in the near future, they have other options.

One option is to swap one or both of their highly valuable EPG slots and take cash from the deal. I wonder what sort of valuation the EPG slots warrant now that they are able to sell them and Sky no longer take any new ones on? Quite a lot, I would imagine.

As you say, the main thing is to get cash in the bank, become debt free and become profitable in a sustainable, ongoing basis.

[thesageofsaint] 17/2/2008 12:48

.I think we all agree that a positive cash flow is key and probably has to be generated this current half year. It is such a shame that, but for the sake of a couple of million pounds cash, CLTV could be exploiting the numerous opportunities we all know exist or intuitively believe to be opening up. I agree, given where we are, CLTV must protect the core; make itself sustaining and then expand in a considered manner. The market will not stomach profligate 'hit and hope' investment and expansion plans.

For what it is worth, I believe the strategy should be to sell off @ 40% of SUMO.TV ( I also believe Brown will have a remuneration package based upon a percentage ownership of SUMO which he will be wishing to capitalise upon). Aware of the rather more circumspect valuations placed on such sites, I would expect SUMO, given current position, to realistically achieve a £10m valuation. Assuming a deal @60:40, this should provide the cash SUMO needs to become self-sustaining and, as a consequence, liberate the wider business from its need for cash. With such a deal in place, and with TO stable, one should expect at least £1m EBITDA this year (assuming such a deal is done soon). With SUMO value quantified (by dint of my assumed deal), a cash generative core, Asia' Canaan deal crystallising that particular element's worth and opportunities beyond (china, South America...) I can see at least a £15m company. Assuming moderate dilution up to 100m shares, then 15p is not an unrealistic expectation.

Well it makes sense to me.

Regards

The Sage