Comcast might buy stake in NBC Universal

Comcast's bid to buy a controlling stake in NBC Universal from General Electric could be sealed next week if GE reaches an agreement with Vivendi, a source close to the matter said Wednesday.An agreement between GE and cable television operator Comcast on the NBC Universal sale "should probably be announced next week," said the source, adding that "a deal has to be finished with Vivendi" first.GE owns 80 percent of media and entertainment company NBC Universal.

Comcast said Thursday it will put up $6.5 billion in cash and $7.25 billion in assets to buy 51 percent of NBC Universal from General Electric Co. That means the biggest U.S. cable TV provider would control the NBC and Telemundo networks, about two dozen cable channels and the Universal movie studio and theme parks.

Zacks.com submits: Is Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) on the verge of getting regulatory approval to acquire a controlling stake in NBC Universal (NBCU)? A recent change at the helm of NBCU indicates this. Yesterday, Comcast and General Electric Co. (GE), the current owner of NBCU said in a joint statement that the existing COO of Comcast, Mr. Steve Burke will succeed the incumbent CEO of NBCU Mr. Jeff Zucker by 2010 end.

Comcast will take full control of NBCUniversal, two years after the cable TV operator bought a 51% interest in the media firm.Comcast Corp.