Yesterday, 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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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
10-01-2009 @ 1:48PM
Elf said...
I don't like the idea of any content provider also being an access provider. I would be afraid of Comcast using their ownership of Universal channels such as USA and SciFi (don't give me crap about not using the stupid new name) to drive up the carriage price for DirecTV or Time Warner Cable subscribers while not doing the same for Comcast cable subscribers.
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10-01-2009 @ 2:09PM
edgore said...
This would be completely awesome! The possiblities for synergy and vertical integration rival those of AOL/Time Warner!
Oh...wait...
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10-01-2009 @ 2:12PM
bruce said...
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.
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10-01-2009 @ 2:16PM
hessian said...
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.
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10-01-2009 @ 2:41PM
Elf said...
Hessian,
(Sorry I can't reply directly b/c I have no 'reply' button visible-using an old browser on a corporate PC so I can't upgrade.)
Anyway, it's very different because NBC/Universal doesn't own a cable or satellite company that charges me money each money to get programming into my home.
And Bruce, you seem to forget that there is far more to NBCU than just NBC. Yes, the primary NBC network is tarnished a bit but network popularity has always been cyclical. In 1980 NBC was at the bottom and by 1984 they were #1 by a mile. Plus there are all of the cable channels like the two I mentioned, the Universal Studios theme parks and most importantly, the Universal movie and TV show library. What you're saying makes as much sense as not wanting to buy a house because you don't like the mailbox.
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10-01-2009 @ 9:12PM
RobynM said...
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.
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