Comcast in talks to buy NBC Universal?
The Wrap’s Sharon Waxman has the story of Comcast in talks with GE to buy NBC Universal…
Comcast, the nation’s leading provider of cable, entertainment and communications products and services, is in talks to buy the entertainment giant NBC-Universal from General Electric, according to knowledgeable individuals.
Deal points were hammered out at a meeting among bankers for both sides in New York on Tuesday, executives familiar with the meeting said.
Two individuals informed about the meeting said that a deal had already been completed at a purchase price of $35 billion.
A spokeswoman for NBC-Universal had no comment. Comcast responded with this statement: “While we do not normally comment on M&A rumors, the report that Comcast has a deal to purchase NBC Universal is inaccurate.”
Update: The New York Times’ Bill Carter has more information…
But executives briefed on the negotiations said Comcast was one of several companies in talks about potentially buying a stake in NBC Universal.
The denial was issued in response to a report on the Web site TheWrap that a deal had been completed.
“While we do not normally comment on merger and acquisition rumors, the report that Comcast has a deal to acquire NBC Universal is inaccurate,” Comcast said.
The executives briefed on the talks, who spoke on the condition that they not be identified, said it was possible that Comcast would seek to acquire the 20 percent of NBC Universal that is controlled by Universal’s former owner, the French company Vivendi.
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September 30, 2009 at 9:28 pm
So there’s probably no deal. Of course, if there was a deal imminent they would say there wasn’t to keep the stock values from spiking.
September 30, 2009 at 9:42 pm
The important thing is Comcast refused to deny that talks were ongoing, they refused to deny there was a bid on the table, they refused to deny they were interested in purchasing NBC.
That translates from corporate speak into English as…
- There is a bid on the table and it’s probably for $35 Billion
- They are interested
- Talks are ongoing
October 1, 2009 at 7:07 am
If NBC is sold, how long before KO attacks GE for “something?”
And conversely, how long before O’Reilly attacks Comcast/New Owner for “something?”
October 1, 2009 at 10:09 am
Blue, we both know KO will immediately be “freed” from the shackles his journalistic integrity was compromised by, and will tell “the truth”about GE. Just like he managed to admit he “never liked the guy” after Imus was fired.
Billo will accuse Comcast of spreading their “liberal media bias” throughout their cable empire, trying to become the equivalent of the Soviet Channel 1. Actually, that one’s pretty creative, if I do say so myself. If he uses it, I demand credit.