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February 11, 2012
 
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Comcast might buy NBC (or they might not - who knows?)

by Bob Sassone, posted Oct 1st 2009 1:33PM

NBCYesterday, rumors were flying after an Los Angeles Times report said that Comcast was in negotiations to buy NBC. But then The New York Times reported late last night that both sides denied that any negotiations were going on between the two companies. This morning, things are a little... murkier.

Mediabistro got hold of an e-mail that NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker sent to employees. It's a long e-mail, but nowhere in it does he say that the rumors of Comcast (or anyone else) buying NBC are untrue.

Zucker simply says that "there's always significant interest in NBC Universal" and that "there are a number of possible things that could happen" if Vivendi and GE "choose to exit." In other words, everything is up in the air, but just keep doing your job as usual and we'll get back to you if anything changes.

I don't know what a Comcast takeover of NBC would mean. I just hope that when it happens I can get the irritating audio glitch on my cable fixed.

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RobynM

Let me preface this by saying I'm not trying to defend Comcast in any way - there's a reason I have satellite.

However, for those of you concerned about Comcast owning channels, that ship has already sailed. Aside from regional sports networks, they also own:

E!
Style Channel
G4
Versus
The Golf Channel

and have part ownership in:

Exercise TV
TV One
FEARnet
Sprout
MLB Network

They also own 20% of MGM.

October 01 2009 at 9:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
Tim

Content provider v. access provider.... How is it any different from NBC/Universal producing shows for NBC/Universal?

I don't care - as long as the new boss fires Jeff Zucker.

October 01 2009 at 2:14 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
bruce

I too take issue with a content provider being an access provider. It stinks of serious antitrust issues. But unfortunately the Bushbama White House won't do anything to stop it.

Although if this issue did arise, they could always use the defense that NBC doesn't actually provide any content aside from Jay Leno. And using the words "Leno" and "content" in the same sentence is laughable at best. Retarded rhesus monkeys could do a better job of running a network and picking successful TV shows than the current NBC leadership. Shit, I could turn around NBC working an hour a night from my bedroom.

NBC is completely unwatched except for the 4-5 million or so people who may randomly be tuning in to watch Jay Leno each night. So why would Comcast - or any company - want to buy it? Brand name and goodwill only go so far. Considering the nefarious things that a access provider can do with a content provider - regardless of the content or lack thereof - this can only turn out poorly for consumers. But Comcast stock and NBC stock will both rise a few cents in the near term, so it's bound to happen.

October 01 2009 at 2:12 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply
edgore

This would be completely awesome! The possiblities for synergy and vertical integration rival those of AOL/Time Warner!

Oh...wait...

October 01 2009 at 2:09 PM Report abuse rate up rate down Reply

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