FCC Approves Comcast-NBC Universal Merger
Posted by Jesse Ward on Tuesday, January 18, 2011 · 
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Update: The deal is now done. The FCC and the DoJ have both approved the transaction, imposing separate but overlapping conditions on the merger.
The Department of Justice (DoJ) still has to approve the transaction, although industry analysts largely view DOJ’s approval as a given.
As part of its approval, the commission stipulated certain conditions and “enforceable commitments” which will require Comcast-NBCU to take affirmative steps to foster competition in the video marketplace. In addition, Comcast-NBCU will increase local news coverage to viewers; expand children’s programming; enhance the diversity of programming available to Spanish-speaking viewers; offer broadband services to low-income Americans at reduced monthly prices; and provide high-speed broadband to schools, libraries and underserved communities, among other public benefits.
For more, see this FCC release.
Washington Report will have more analysis later this week.
GE, Intel to Form Joint Venture Focused on Telehealth
Posted by Kevin McGuire on Wednesday, August 4, 2010 · ·
GE and Intel announced a joint venture today that will help utilize “… technology to bring more effective healthcare into the home, and to improve the lives of seniors and people with chronic conditions.” Specifically, they are going to focus on three key areas:
Chronic disease management - technologies to help patients and their caregivers manage common conditions including congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension and diabetes
Independent living – wireless passive-behavioral monitoring technologies to help elderly people live independently for longer, or more safely and comfortably in assisted living communities
Assistive technologies – products to enable people with learning disabilities or visual impairments Read more
Comcast, GE Strike a Deal on NBC Universal
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, December 7, 2009 · ·
It’s official. Late last week, Comcast, the nation’s largest cable operator, announced an agreement to acquire NBC Universal from the General Electric (GE) Company. The deal valued NBC Universal at about $30 billion. As expected, the agreement gives Comcast 51%, and G.E. 49% ownership of the new joint entity which will not only produce content, but also control consumer’s access to it.
Comcast will contribute its cable channels to the joint venture, which include Versus, the Golf Channel and E Entertainment, worth about $7.25 billion, and will pay G.E. about $6.5 billion in cash, for a total of $13.75 billion.
Most of NBC’s value is in its cable channels — USA, Bravo, SyFy, CNBC and MSNBC. These networks, along with the channels that Comcast will contribute to the joint venture, will compose 82% of the company’s cash flow. The NBC network and Universal Studios will account for only a small portion of the joint company’s cash flow. Read more
GE, Comcast Close to Deal on NBC Universal
Posted by Jesse Ward on Monday, November 9, 2009 · ·
Comcast Corp. and General Electric Co. (GE) agreed to value GE’s NBC Universal at about $30 billion as they discuss creating a joint venture to own the entertainment division, Bloomberg News and the Wall Street Journal reported today, citing sources familiar with the matter.
Rumor has it that Comcast would start out with a 51% stake in NBC, with an option to increase its ownership position to 100% during the next three to seven years. The only wildcard is Vivendi SA, which owns 20% of NBC Universal and is not yet part of the agreement. According to news reports, the deal would be dependent on the French telecom and media company selling its stake.
According to this morning’s report in the Wall Street Journal, the two companies are ironing out the final details and a deal could come as early as this week. Read more