Comcast, the largest U.S. cable operator, is buying NBC Universal, valued at $30 million, from its current owner, General Electric Company, after months of negotiations. The New York Times. NBC Universal is a media company known in the entertainment and information market, owned by General Electric and Vivendi S.A., the French telecommunications conglomerate, which will also profit from the deal.
The result of the transaction will be the creation of a joint venture in which Comcast will own 51%, and General Electric – 49% shares. The joint company will retain the NBC Universal name for the time being and its chief executive Jeff Zucker will remain in his post. The deal will allow Comcast become the leader of the media market and the largest producer of films and TV shows, in the asset NBC Universal such profitable TV channels as USA, Bravo, SyFy, CNBC and MSNBCas well as film studios NBC network и Universal Studios. In turn, for GE such a deal may indicate a desire to leave the media business.
