Dan,

The issue is nothing more than MS trying to walk a line that cannot be walked. I don't think MS is a house divided on Fox BTW. I think all interested parties are on the same page. The only issue is in who communicates and how they communicate. I recall the Steve Ballmer video from a year ago and the most recent one with Eric Rudder. On one hand - it is nice that those folks decided to make those videos. But - and this is a big but - when you listen (and I mean really listen) - you find that not much is really said. When it comes to commitment - you really can't pin them down on specifics. Nonetheless, it has the desired effect of impact. What most people will focus on is that the that people at the highest stratosphere at MS said something that was not bad about Fox. Note that I did not say they said something positive - because that is not what really happens. In other words, it is so bad that as long as you don't say something bad - it scores well on the perception meter.

After all this time - I suspect most - with the exception of the truly delusional or those that just can't accept reality - take what MS says regarding Fox with a huge grain of salt.

Bottom line - Fox as a product is not in a market worth investing in. Fox as a customer base - is something that MS wants to retain.

All I can say is that I am glad I am not the one who has to put the positive spin on Fox. I am non-plussed that anybody can do it with a straight face anymore. But that is what you get when you promise the moon and stars - but can't deliver it.

< JVP >


>I do find your vision far more rational the the MS line.
>
>Dan