Is NBC Up for Sale, Vivendi may be getting out (1 Viewer)

[mattCR]

http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/zucker-orders-nbcu-get-ready-for-ipo/

When it rains, it pours.

I've learned that last week, during a visit to the West Coast, NBC Universal chief Jeff Zucker told both Universal and NBC, "We have to be ready in case Vivendi exits for an IPO of that 20% stake." This is why, as I reported last week, the brass have been asking for more and deeper financial information than years past prior to the Vivendi put coming due. Meanwhile, the rumors keep coming fast and furious. The latest (#3, if you're keeping count) is also one of the most persistent despite denials on all sides: that some deal negotiation is underway between Time Warner and GE over all or part of NBCU.

GE may be in a mood to consider buy out options here.

 

[Greg_S_H]

Chuck fans, let's pool our money.

 

[Camper]

Wrong thread !!

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

I don't see TimeWarner in a position to buy NBC Universal, and I don't see the FTC approving it if they did. Such a deal would mean three major studios (Warner Bros, New Line and Universal), two major networks (NBC and the CW), 10 major TV stations, 150 magazine titles, as well as significant real estate holdings in New York and Los Angeles would be wholly or substantially owned by a single company.

And even through some of the worst years in both Universal and NBC's existence, NBC Universal remains one of GE's higher margin businesses. However, I wouldn't be surprised to see Vivendi dump its 20 percent stake in the company. I've been waiting for the shoe to drop ever since the merger happened.

 

[mattCR]

Comcast is apparently in negotiations to buy.

http://www.thewrap.com/article/exclusive-comcast-buy-nbc-universal-general-electric-8002

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

I dunno, why did a site nobody's ever heard of get this exclusive? Who are the "knowledgeable individuals" cited? Or the "executives familiar with the meeting"? Or the "two individuals informed about the meeting"? A non-established cite that couldn't name a single source isn't exactly trustworthy. When it comes from Variety, TVWeek, the Wall Street Journal or one of the wires, then I'll believe it.

 

[mattCR]

Nikki Finke discusses today:

http://www.deadline.com/hollywood/half-a-dozen-media-giants-tire-kicking-ges-nbc-universal-no-deals-imminent-no-prices-yet/

 

[mattCR]

Financial times: http://bit.ly/iSdbU Ge is apparently serious about dropping nbc/u

 

[MatthewA]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adam Lenhardt

I dunno, why did a site nobody's ever heard of get this exclusive? Who are the "knowledgeable individuals" cited? Or the "executives familiar with the meeting"? Or the "two individuals informed about the meeting"? A non-established cite that couldn't name a single source isn't exactly trustworthy. When it comes from Variety, TVWeek, the Wall Street Journal or one of the wires, then I'll believe it.

Ask and you shall receive (subscription required for the first one):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125438284720055575.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/09/comcast-wants-nbc-universal-.html

 

[mattCR]

Nikki Finke and others are busting Waxman (who founded "The Wrap" apparently after leaving THR(?)) and the Huffington Post gives a blow-by-blow:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/09/30/comcast-in-talks-to-buy-n_n_305688.html

 

[vnisanian2001]

If Comcast does buy out all of Vivendi Universal, I wonder what will happen to Shout Factory, since their DVD products are distributed by Vivendi?

 

[Tim Tucker]

I doubt anything will happen, except the dropping of the Vivendi name. Universal will still need a distribution arm for all its music and video releases.

 

[Zack Gibbs]

30 Rock could squeeze some great material from this, fingers crossed!

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Originally Posted by MatthewA

Quote:

Ask and you shall receive (subscription required for the first one):

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125438284720055575.html
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/entertainmentnewsbuzz/2009/09/comcast-wants-nbc-universal-.html

Those stories were published after my post. And there is a big difference between "a deal had already been completed at a purchase price of $35 billion" and negotiations over a possible stake in the future.

 

[MatthewA]

Originally Posted by Adam Lenhardt

Those stories were published after my post. And there is a big difference between "a deal had already been completed at a purchase price of $35 billion" and negotiations over a possible stake in the future.

Supposedly that website no one has ever heard of (including myself) is backtracking from its statement.

Even so, I think everyone knows what the best solution is: get rid of Jeff Zucker. It's much cheaper. The Peter Principle should be renamed in his "honor".

 

[Adam Lenhardt]

Originally Posted by MatthewA

Even so, I think everyone knows what the best solution is: get rid of Jeff Zucker. It's much cheaper. The Peter Principle should be renamed in his "honor".

Absolutely. It takes a unique talent to shred $20 billion, or 40 percent of NBC Uni's total value, in just over a year. If the rumors are true, part of me wonders whether Zucker has been working for Comcast from the very beginning. The cable co never would have been able to afford NBC Universal if Zucker hadn't run it into the ground.