Comcast-NBC Universal: Complete Coverage

Get the latest news and analysis from B&C.

By B&C Staff -- Broadcasting & Cable, 12/6/2009 12:00:00 AM

Comcast Corp.'s deal with General Electric to acquire a controlling 51% stake in NBC Universal effectively transforms the multiple system operator into a film and TV content powerhouse--and represents a seismic shift in the TV landscape. From Wall Street and Washington to Hollywood and the local station business, B&C brings you full-spectrum news and analysis.

TOP STORIES

Comcast-NBCU Entertainment News Synergies Abound
Left Coast Bias: 10 Things to Watch About Comcast-NBCU
First came the deal, now comes the waiting. As the mega-merger between Comcast and NBCU goes through its process, here are 10 things I'm wondering about.

Editorial: Let's Make a Deal
To paraphrase one of the zillion comments that followed the announcement of the Comcast-NBCU deal: The sky isn't falling.

Madison Ave.'s Wish List for Comcast-NBCU
Speed up addressable advertising; fix the network

Copps Says Comcast-NBCU Deal Has 'Steep Climb'
FCC, Commissioner Michael Copps said the Comcast-NBCU deal proves wrong those who have argued the era of media consolidation was a thing of the past.

NBC Affiliates Cautiously Pleased With New Network Parent
Hope Comcast can goose wheezing Peacock primetime

House Judiciary To Hold Hearings
Joins House Energy & Commerce Committee in holding hearings on the acquisition

Comcast Deal For NBCU Is All About Cable
Comcast senior management told Wall Street analysts that their deal for NBCU is about taking a bigger share of the recession-proof growth story that is cable content.

NBC Affiliates Cautiously Pleased With New Network Parent
Hope Comcast can goose wheezing Peacock primetime

Roberts Says Hulu, TV Everywhere Are Complimentary
On conference call, Zucker declines to comment on Hulu sub or pay model

ACA: Comcast/NBCU Conditions Are 'Band-Aid On Ax Wound'
Polka calls for broad government intervention to prevent price hikes, limited choices

Waxman Calls For Hearings On Comcast/NBCU
House Energy & Commerce Committee chairman wants hearings "at the earliest practicable date."

Comcast-NBCU: Opposition Lines Up
Comcast outlines promises to make deal more palatable to regulators

Comcast, G.E. Announce Deal on NBCU
NBCU chief Jeff Zucker to lead new joint venture, reporting to Comcast COO Steve Burke

Comcast's Cable Channels Worth $7 Billion, Say Comcast and GE
Comcast stock up 2% in advance of impending deal

Report: GE and Vivendi Agree On Value Of NBCU Stake
Value Vivendi's 20% stake at $5.8 billion

Chester Asks That Consumer Privacy Be Addressed in Any Comcast/NBCU Review
Center For Digital Democracy exec. director urges FTC, FCC to safeguard Net

Genachowski Mum on NBCU/Comcast
Chairman says he won't comment on potential "hurdles or concerns"

Gray TV Chief Says Comcast Might Be Good for NBC
Gray TV President/COO Robert Prather says network went "cheap" on 'Leno'

ANALYSIS: Comcast/NBCU May Create More M&A Activity
Wall Street eyes new conglom as potential buyer and seller

A Comcast-Backed Telemundo Could Grow Hispanic TV Marketplace
Comcast's imminent deal to acquire a majority stake in NBC Universal may change the balance of power in the Hispanic TV world and possibly give a boost to the operator's efforts to sell its services to the Hispanic community.

ADVERSE: Comcast-NBCU: Oh, the Drama!
As we wait for word that the deal nearly everyone has pronounced inevitable has indeed been done, let's take a moment to observe how much this M&A has played out like a marriage plot in a novel or stage farce.

BUSINESS & DEALS

Vivendi: No Decision Yet on NBCU Stake
Vivendi CFO Philippe Capron speaks out amid speculation that Comcast-G.E. deal will be done by Nov. 23

FATES & FORTUNES: Zucker Looking Like a Lock to Head New Comcast-GE Venture
Reuters is reporting what we've been hearing for a while now: Comcast and GE have agreed to keep NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker on as head of the two companies' proposed joint venture.

Comcast Mum on NBCU in Q3 Earnings Call
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts declines to "comment on rumors" as cable programming unit posts 10% revenue pop

BC BEAT: Comcast/NBC U Domain DÃÆ'©jÃÆ'  vu
Since I noted the problem of website cyber-squatting as it relates to the NBC Universal-Comcast acquisition two weeks ago, the deal has marched slowly forward, while the name of the new venture remains a mystery.

OnScreen Media Summit: Reif Cohen Likes Comcast-NBCU Deal
Bank of America-Merrill Lynch media analyst says potential deal could create "incredible" value for cable giant

Time Warner Stock Gains; Comcast Falls Following NBCU News
TW investors' fears of a major acquisition allayed

ADVERSE: Wall Street blows Hot and Cold on Comcast/NBCU Tie-Up
Wall Street analysts spent yesterday chewing down on the news of a possible Comcast deal for a 51% stake in a new NBC Universal entity. Here's our round-up of those notes to investors from the most negative to the most positive

Comcast/GE Discussing Joint NBC Universal Venture
The new company would be majority controlled by Comcast which would own a 51% stake in NBC Universal versus General Electric's 49%

WASHINGTON

"Seattle Times' Disses Potential NBCU/Comcast Merger
In an editorial, the paper called it an arrangement "made for mischief" and urged federal regulators to block it if the deal does indeed get done.

Interest Groups Speak Out Against Impending Comcast/NBCU Meld
Media Access Project, Free Press among those opposed

Malone: Key to NBCU-Comcast Deal Is What Government, Affiliates Want
Liberty Media chairman says broadcast network model is broken, needs to be "subsidized"

Free Press Launches Online Campaign To Block Comcast/NBCU
Says supporters of the deal do not understand the antitrust implications

Analysts Say a Comcast/NBCU Deal Would Likely Pass Government Muster
Stifel Nicolaus advisory says potential Comcast/General Electric joint venture would face close scrutiny from DOJ, FTC

Comcast/NBCU: D.C. Hurdles, But No Roadblocks
With Comcast and GE said to be in talk to to join forces in a new company pooling GE's NBC Universal assets and controlled (51%) by Comcast, a long-form review of the deal would have to take place at the FCC.