Comcast-NBCU: It's All About the U

     The wait continues for the official announcement on the Comcast NBCU takeover.  Some reports have suggested that the deal could happen in the next two weeks and then take as long as 18 months to complete.  A new report surfaced this week that could further complicate the talks.

     In an article on the recovery of the broadcast industry, Broadcasting and Cable reported that Comcast may be prepared to sell off NBC and its owned and operated stations to a third party.  This would mean that the real target of the NBCU takeover is only the "U".  Comcast would keep the cable networks and Universal assets and avoid the thorny regulatory issues in acquiring NBC.   Since losing its bid for Disney a few years ago, Comcast has been eyeing Hollywood properties for acquisition.

     The unnamed third party is reportedly meeting with Comcast in Philadelphia to hammer out details of a spinoff.  Whoever it is will likely get a bargain since NBC is now at its lowest point since the Silverman years.  The network remains mired in fourth place, with this season's Leno strategy driving ratings down even further.  At the station level, the New York and Washington outlets are embroiled in a labor dispute over the creation of "content centers" to replace news departments.  WNBC in New York, the largest station, has replaced some traditional news broadcasts in order to run LXTV, a lifestyle show that has been met with widespread criticism and audience rejection.

     The era of Must See TV is now gone and NBC now faces a long uphill climb to restore the network to its former glory; a long climb that apparently Comcast wants no part of.    Whatever happens to NBC could be an important indicator as to the future of over the air broadcasting,  that will be covered in future columns.

      Let's hear your comments on what the future holds for broadcasters!