Universal/GE Merger

[AKemel]

No wonder Illumination is no longer sponsored by GE. Talk about loosing a sponsor....

Vivendi Universal and General Electric intend to merge NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment

 

[Planogirl]

I was just reading about this. It sounds like a win-win situation for both sides. I like the idea of the Sci-Fi Channel having access to Universal's movies.

 

[TiggerFreak]

AKemel,

I had the same thought about two weeks ago
Nice to see someone else made the same connection

 

[AKemel]

Vivendi will bring

a Universal movie studio
a television studio
three cable channels, USA, Sci-Fi and Trio
several theme parks

 

[Planogirl]

Oops! I thought that Sci-Fi belonged to NBC. Well, I still like the idea.

 

[DancingBear]

Can't wait to see that Jay Leno animatronic!

 

[wtg2000]

Did the Disney/ABC Cap. Cities merger help Disney theme parks?

Will this merger help Universal theme parks? Will they have NBC peacocks all over them?

I don't really see how Disney is a better company since the merger. I think the only things these mergers do is give rich CEOs a bigger piece of a bigger pie, and an ego boost.

 

[jlambrig]

Originally posted by wtg2000
Did the Disney/ABC Cap. Cities merger help Disney theme parks?

Will this merger help Universal theme parks? Will they have NBC peacocks all over them?

I don't really see how Disney is a better company since the merger. I think the only things these mergers do is give rich CEOs a bigger piece of a bigger pie, and an ego boost.

The issue will be one of how these assets are utilized. As has often been discussed, and I think what you alluded to, is that Disney does not utilize their asset mix well. I don't necessarily believe that it is a bad portfolio but they are often put at odds by management.

GE has displayed keen management skills above all else for years thanks to Jack Welch and his leadership. While I think Eisner has done some very good things while at Disney, showing that he can be a leader and manage a diverse asset portfolio has not been a strength at all.

I honestly believe that DIsney could be a great company with or without ABC/ESPN but it is all depending on the leadership. Right now, current leadership is more of a liability. Get the right people in there, there could be real synergies within the portfolio.

 

[Planogirl]

Besides comparing ABC and NBC is like comparing apples and oranges in my opinion.

 

[Peter Pirate]

Besides comparing ABC and NBC is like comparing apples to oranges...

How so PG? They're both mainstream TV networks and according to the ratings no one has a very secure lead and certainly NONE of them give us much quality programming...

 

[wtg2000]

I felt that the presence of ABC hurt the D-MGM studios by slightly rubbing away the concept of the golden age of Hollywood as it never was. It was obviously a marketing ploy, and Disney's attempt at synergy but it didn't add any quality as far as I could see.

I don't think combining NBC with "Ride the Movies" will add to the quality either.

It's also interesting that one reason Disney wanted a network is so they could air their own shows without having to pitch them. But that can make it too easy. You don't have to try if you are pitching it to yourself. Beforer taking over ABC, Disney used to sell it quality shows like Home Improvement and the Golden Girls. What do they have now? Are You Hot?

So now NBC will be able to air Jaws marathons whenever they are short of product. Whoopee.

 

[AKemel]

GE had done well with NBC, and I think is eager to get more into the entertainment bussiness. A movie studio will help. But I bet this is the first of several buys that they will make. They need more cable channels, IMHO.

On the other hand the Parks do not fit into TV/movie bussiness. The parks are more of ride/hotel/restaurant/store bussiness. I wonder how "bottom line" GE will deal with parks.

 

[Planogirl]

Originally posted by AKemel
GE had done well with NBC, and I think is eager to get more into the entertainment bussiness. A movie studio will help. But I bet this is the first of several buys that they will make. They need more cable channels, IMHO.

On the other hand the Parks do not fit into TV/movie bussiness. The parks are more of ride/hotel/restaurant/store bussiness. I wonder how "bottom line" GE will deal with parks.

I agree with this. From what I understand, NBC has turned out to be a good thing for its parent while ABC has only been a drain for Disney. Ratings are one thing, profit is another but if I'm wrong, someone please correct me.

As for the parks, I'm willing to bet that GE will find a way to deal with them.