M&A rumor...let's hope not.

[Flyin2MCO]

In the news:

http://news-briefs.ew.com/2009/09/30/comcast-nbc-universal/

Hey everybody, let's go to Comcast Studios

 

[keishashadow]

it was on today show this am, GE, NBC & Comcast deny it

perhaps still hammering out the gory details

http://money.cnn.com/2009/10/01/news/companies/Comcast_NBC_Universal/index.htm?section=money_latest

i fled to satellite service years ago to avoid frequent price comcast price hikes...sure would hate to see that business model extend to park tix prices

 

[cbsnyber1]

After reading those two articles it doesn't look good. The French company is looking like it wants to sell its share of NBC Universal sometime in November. Add in the fact that Comcast tried to buy Disney back in 2004, and GE is looking at falling profit & revenue from NBC/Uni, well, when I add that all together. . .

I can't see them changing Universal Studios name, but I can see them dividing the parks into Basic, Basic Extended, Premium, and HD areas and of course you'd have to pay extra for any shows (that is a joke. . .lame, I know)

 

[Bruce in PA]

Some facts, followed by speculation:
-- Comcast is making this deal for one reason: they need programming to sell their main product, cable TV. They have little interest in any side businesses acquired along with the NBC/Universal television operation.
-- In 2004, Comcast tried to acquire Disney for the same reason.
-- Comcast's chief operating officer Steve Burke has Disney ties; he was formerly a television executive with Disney before joining Comcast.
-- With Disney's acquisition of Marvel, Disney now has a legitimate business interest in the Universal theme parks.

If Comcast acquires NBC/Universal, I would not be surprised to see talks somewhere down the road about Disney acquiring the Universal theme parks business from them.

And try to wrap your head around what THAT would mean for Orlando...

 

[A Mickeyfan]

After reading those two articles it doesn't look good. The French company is looking like it wants to sell its share of NBC Universal sometime in November. Add in the fact that Comcast tried to buy Disney back in 2004, and GE is looking at falling profit & revenue from NBC/Uni, well, when I add that all together. . .

I can't see them changing Universal Studios name, but I can see them dividing the parks into Basic, Basic Extended, Premium, and HD areas and of course you'd have to pay extra for any shows (that is a joke. . .lame, I know)

I actually thought your joke was cute.. and does fit Comcast

 

[bicker]

Engadget is announcing that it is now a done-deal.

http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/comcast-deal-to-buy-nbc-is-done-will-be-announced-thursday/

 

[JB2K]

It IS a done deal

Story

Anyone out there remember several years ago when Comcast made a play for Disney??

 

[JB2K]

If Comcast acquires NBC/Universal, I would not be surprised to see talks somewhere down the road about Disney acquiring the Universal theme parks business from them.

Maybe -- maybe not.

Thinking "outside of Orlando", the theme park at Universal Studios Hollywood is an extension of what is first, a working movie studio. And, most recently, NBC has moved their West Coast TV HQ from their long-time home in Burbank to USH (where Jay Leno and Conan O'Brien now tape their nightly shows).

That said, I don't see Comcast jettisoning anything from the Universal family, as the studios will be Comcast's direct outlet for programming (just as it is with some of the cable networks Comcast either owns or has a controlling stake in).

 

[Metro West]

That said, I don't see Comcast jettisoning anything from the Universal family, as the studios will be Comcast's direct outlet for programming (just as it is with some of the cable networks Comcast either owns or has a controlling stake in).

I agree...I think the only thing we'll see changing at the parks are advertisements for more Comcast products and programming...that's about it for now.

Now...it would very interesting if Comcast wanted to sell the theme parks. That would open the door for Blackstone to purchase the remaining 50% of Universal Orlando and own everything in Orlando except WDW.

 

[A Mickeyfan]

I agree...I think the only thing we'll see changing at the parks are advertisements for more Comcast products and programming...that's about it for now.

Now...it would very interesting if Comcast wanted to sell the theme parks. That would open the door for Blackstone to purchase the remaining 50% of Universal Orlando and own everything in Orlando except WDW.

and that would put a little scare into Disney... Blackstone being bigger than they are in the theme park business... in one area. Maybe it would force Disney to lower their rates (let's hope not make Universal raise theirs )

 

[donaldduck352]

What scares me is more sales vultures trying to sell Comcast products now!!

 

[Flyin2MCO]

Really sad to see this come to fruition, but Comcast will have their collective hands full getting this through the gauntlet of regulatory hurdles and related issues.

Assuming approval is granted, I think they will be absorbed with the TV/cable content and delivery sides of the house, so hopefully they will leave UO alone, but make investments and develop the parks for the future.

Would hate to see Comcast apply their less than stellar customer service philosophy to park operations...

 

[Metro West]

Really sad to see this come to fruition, but Comcast will have their collective hands full getting this through the gauntlet of regulatory hurdles and related issues.

Assuming approval is granted, I think they will be absorbed with the TV/cable content and delivery sides of the house, so hopefully they will leave UO alone, but make investments and develop the parks for the future.

Would hate to see Comcast apply their less than stellar customer service philosophy to park operations...

I agree on all points!

 

[bicker]

In the end, it will have taken a bit more than a year to finalize, but the Comcast acquisition of NBC Universal has entered the final stage:

FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski has concluded that the Comcast/NBCU joint venture is, on balance, in the public interest, but with the scales tipped by a series of conditions on the deal, as well as the companies' public interest pledges.

The FCC will impose conditions on program access, program carriage, online access, broadcast competition and diversity, localism and other related issues, related to how each might advantage Comcast/NBCU or disadvantage others.

http://www.broadcastingcable.com/article/461480-FCC_Comcast_NBCU_In_Public_Interest.php

All-in-all, from the rumors I've read, and from the whiny reaction from anti-free enterprise folks like Free Press (link), the conditions on the deal will be a bit less draconian than originally anticipated, though I will withhold final judgment until the official order is published and we can read past all the rumor-mongering.

 

[perdidochas]

Some facts, followed by speculation:
-- Comcast is making this deal for one reason: they need programming to sell their main product, cable TV. They have little interest in any side businesses acquired along with the NBC/Universal television operation.
-- In 2004, Comcast tried to acquire Disney for the same reason.
-- Comcast's chief operating officer Steve Burke has Disney ties; he was formerly a television executive with Disney before joining Comcast.
-- With Disney's acquisition of Marvel, Disney now has a legitimate business interest in the Universal theme parks.

If Comcast acquires NBC/Universal, I would not be surprised to see talks somewhere down the road about Disney acquiring the Universal theme parks business from them.

And try to wrap your head around what THAT would mean for Orlando...

I think if Disney ran the Universal parks, they would soon become a decent park. Besides the WWOHP I was very underwhelmed by IOA.

 

[Metro West]

I think if Disney ran the Universal parks, they would soon become a decent park. Besides the WWOHP I was very underwhelmed by IOA.

I would love to hear your ideas of what Disney could do to make IOA a decent park......

 

[cm8]

After reading those two articles it doesn't look good. The French company is looking like it wants to sell its share of NBC Universal sometime in November. Add in the fact that Comcast tried to buy Disney back in 2004, and GE is looking at falling profit & revenue from NBC/Uni, well, when I add that all together. . .

I can't see them changing Universal Studios name, but I can see them dividing the parks into Basic, Basic Extended, Premium, and HD areas and of course you'd have to pay extra for any shows (that is a joke. . .lame, I know)

 

[donaldduck352]

I would love to hear your ideas of what Disney could do to make IOA a decent park......

Me too!!

 

[Lou Holtz]

Put in a bunch of outdated omni-mover rides.

 

[Victoria3]

I would love to hear your ideas of what Disney could do to make IOA a decent park......

Me too. Disney can't seem to fix their own parks.