Betfair Official Blog

ITV may be on but is there anyone at home?

Our city insider gives us his unique take on the week's business news...

Ben, the new lad from oop north, is back on the floor. Wally, as I call him, is in his thirties. He states aloud that ITV's shares have slumped by 35% in a year and the share price has all but halved.

As I ignore his fascinating analysis and instead mock him for having the gall to be born north of the Watford Gap, he informs me I wouldn't last ten minutes where he hails from. I say good - ten minutes is too long. I'd be bored inside a minute.

Still, it is bad news on ITV. The broadcaster that brings the world Coronation Street, that slice of family life in 'the regions'. Without the Street, would the rest of us know Manchester existed? Discuss.

I prefer a bit of "alright guv" personally. Granted, EastEnders is not all that genuine, what with it being the only garden square in London not filled with property developers. And there is not one - not one - City worker in the entire area. Come on!

Between us, I'm a little concerned over money, even for the little people on telly. News that staff at John Lewis are getting their highest annual bonus for a decade is chilling. JL's chairman, Charlie Mayfield, says consumer confidence is at its lowest for 13 years.

Banks are doing well though. Recession is our busy time.

Kerching