Fresh reports suggest that the General Electric and cable giant Comcast have agreed that NBC-Universal is worth some $30bn. This agreement is key if a new structure is to emerge between GE, 80% owner of NBC-U, and Comcast.
The plan is for Comcast to emerge as a 51% shareholder in NBC-U, with the NBC network as the jewel in a crown studded with precious media jewels. The planed joint-venture would see GE hold 49% of the new media giant. Then, over the next 7 years or so, Comcast would increase its stake year-by year.
However, the missing link in the deal is 20% shareholder Vivendi, which according to the Wall Street Journal, has yet to agree. Nevertheless, a deal might well emerge this week.
