NBCUniversal & Comcast Split into 2 Companies

[Grabnar]

I just hope that Disney buys them so that I can finally quit having to explain to people that I am going to Universal and not Disney.

 

[pumpkinbot343]

I’ve seen some jokes(?) here and there that somebody like the Ellisons might buy NBCUniversal in the future because of this.

 

[Parkscope Joe]

Having some fun going through the last time this happened.

Thread 'Comcast Buys 51% Stake in NBC-Universal'

Oct 1, 2009

Some rumors from last night...

From the LATimes

Comcast in deal talks with NBC Universal

Cable giant Comcast Corp. is kicking the tires of NBC Universal, according to people familiar with the situation.

Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator with almost 25 million subscribers, has been looking to increase its content holdings for several years. In NBC Universal it would get its hands on not only a big broadcast network and movie studio, but also several powerful cable channels, including USA, Syfy, CNBC, MSNBC and Bravo.

NBC parent General Electric has often denied...

• ralphoutloud
• Replies: 33
• Forum: Miscellaneous Universal

Okay. Its official. We're screwed.

So maybe we'll be ok...

 

[rageofthegods]

Having some fun going through the last time this happened.

Thread 'Comcast Buys 51% Stake in NBC-Universal'

Oct 1, 2009

Some rumors from last night...

From the LATimes

Comcast in deal talks with NBC Universal

Cable giant Comcast Corp. is kicking the tires of NBC Universal, according to people familiar with the situation.

Comcast, the nation's largest cable operator with almost 25 million subscribers, has been looking to increase its content holdings for several years. In NBC Universal it would get its hands on not only a big broadcast network and movie studio, but also several powerful cable channels, including USA, Syfy, CNBC, MSNBC and Bravo.

NBC parent General Electric has often denied...

• ralphoutloud
• Replies: 33
• Forum: Miscellaneous Universal

So maybe we'll be ok...

The economy is inarguably better but the media landscape is arguably much worse than it was in 2009, just in terms of sustainability.

I'd honestly rather not joke about the Ellisons or some other capricious billionaire *sshat taking over NBCU because it's frankly a very real possibility. The absolute bear case for media is that it just becomes what newspapers were in 2015, trophy acquisitions by morons with too much money. You could absolutely see some tech idiot acquiring NBCU for $30b with a plan to "revolutionize media with AI" or whatever and then dumping it five years later when his plan fails, he gets bored and he's fired everyone that actually knew the business. Not saying it's guaranteed but it's a disturbingly real possibility.

 

[Mad Dog]

One telling aspect. Brian Roberts will retain a significant role. That say's a lot about what's really happening behind the scenes. This plan has been in the works for a very long time. The push for theme parks' prominent role for corporate revenue/profit is part of the long term plan/goal. I think, from what I've been following on financial sites for the last few years, that @Brian G. has good insight into what is happening....And forget 2009/2010. Everything is different now. Entirely different circumstances.

 

[bdubsCEO]

So, is this going to make Universal Studios Hollywood worse in the long term? Are they going to start doing stuff like demolishing Courthouse Square or getting rid of Express after 3 for the Platinum pass or getting rid of/cutting down on walk-around characters?

I know this is going to affect everything, but that’s my immediate concern tbh

 

[Grabnar]

The economy is inarguably better but the media landscape is arguably much worse than it was in 2009, just in terms of sustainability.

I'd honestly rather not joke about the Ellisons or some other capricious billionaire *sshat taking over NBCU because it's frankly a very real possibility. The absolute bear case for media is that it just becomes what newspapers were in 2015, trophy acquisitions by morons with too much money. You could absolutely see some tech idiot acquiring NBCU for $30b with a plan to "revolutionize media with AI" or whatever and then dumping it five years later when his plan fails, he gets bored and he's fired everyone that actually knew the business.

The economy is probably the same, if not worse, than 09 due to the consolidation of wealth and shrinking of the middle class. If you factor out AI spend the economy is likely in recession.

So, is this going to make Universal Studios Hollywood worse in the long term? Are they going to start doing stuff like demolishing Courthouse Square or getting rid of Express after 3 for the Platinum pass or getting rid of/cutting down on walk-around characters?

I know this is going to affect everything, but that’s my immediate concern tbh

Wayyyyyy too early to tell in any meaningful way what the changes are likely to be, if anything. This spin off is likely due to Comcast being unwilling or unable to integrate NBCU entirely into their structure (which is fair, they’re two entirely different businesses). The decisions around Peacock, the parks, etc, are not the ones that someone with a cohesive vision in entertainment would make if they were allowed the freedom to make all decisions.

My initial instinct is that it’ll be *different*, but largely the same quality. Monetizing the parks will follow Disney’s lead more than anything, which is what they were already doing. The heritage parks and EU are ones I would not worry about at all, I’d be more concerned about satellite sites like the kids park and HHU but that’s again, a longer term view. Nothing will change for at least a few years while they finish the spinoff.

Fwiw this is a project that I will probably sink a few grand into stocks for.