Comcast to buy remainder of NBC Universal

[Tim from Springfield IL]

Comcast will be buying GE's stake in NBC Universal for $16.7 billion. Crain's Chicago Business story:

http://www.chicagobusiness.com/article/20130212/BLOGS08/130219926/

Thoughts on the potential implications?

 

[rnigma1]

I noticed Comcast already changed its logo to incorporate the NBC peacock.

I wonder if they'll buy the Universal music and video game divisions from Vivendi?

 

[TheBigA]

I wonder if they'll buy the Universal music and video game divisions from Vivendi?

That's an interesting question. Record labels have become different businesses from what they were 25 years ago. They're more into content licensing now than content creation. It's more like owning real estate, and American companies have been selling that part of the business to foreign companies. I don't see a lot in the last few years that encourages American companies to change their approach.

 

[Robnoxious]

The G-E-C network tones are now meaningless.
They had a good run.

 

[KeithE4]

The G-E-C network tones are now meaningless.
They had a good run.

Why?

 

[stationless listener]

Brian Roberts, CEO of Comcast, in a video explaining why the move was made:

http://www.cnbc.com/id/100453695

 

[rwells2265]

The G-E-C network tones are now meaningless.
They had a good run.

Why?

I believe Keith is referring to the notes of the NBC chimes: (G)eneral (E)lectric (C)ompany. Which, from all accounts, was a myth -- even though GE was a founding part-owner of the network.

A decent history of the first-ever "audio service mark": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_chimes

--Russell

 

[KeithE4]

The G-E-C network tones are now meaningless.
They had a good run.

Why?

I believe Keith is referring to the notes of the NBC chimes: (G)eneral (E)lectric (C)ompany. Which, from all accounts, was a myth -- even though GE was a founding part-owner of the network.

A decent history of the first-ever "audio service mark": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_chimes

--Russell

Correct. They should still be able to use the NBC chimes any time they want to.

 

[Corky Marlowe]

Wonder what this means for any potential purchase of Clear Channel by Comcast.

 

[TheBigA]

Wonder what this means for any potential purchase of Clear Channel by Comcast.

CC has nothing that Comcast wants or needs.

 

[Mario500]

The G-E-C network tones are now meaningless.
They had a good run.

Why?

I believe Keith is referring to the notes of the NBC chimes: (G)eneral (E)lectric (C)ompany. Which, from all accounts, was a myth -- even though GE was a founding part-owner of the network.

A decent history of the first-ever "audio service mark": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_chimes

--Russell

Correct. They should still be able to use the NBC chimes any time they want to.

Here are some links to some pages about the "NBC chimes" not vulnerable to vandalism like the Wikipedia article:

"Three Famous Notes of Broadcasting History - The NBC Chimes"
The NBC Chimes Museum"
"Q & A with Stuart Elliott"

 

[TheBigA]

Last I heard, there was a similar chime (although just one note) heard before TOH CBS News. I'm sure there's a history page for that as well somewhere.

 

[LKellerIII]

The G-E-C network tones are now meaningless.
They had a good run.

Why?

I believe Keith is referring to the notes of the NBC chimes: (G)eneral (E)lectric (C)ompany. Which, from all accounts, was a myth -- even though GE was a founding part-owner of the network.

A decent history of the first-ever "audio service mark": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/NBC_chimes

--Russell

Correct. They should still be able to use the NBC chimes any time they want to.

Here are some links to some pages about the "NBC chimes" not vulnerable to vandalism like the Wikipedia article:

"Three Famous Notes of Broadcasting History - The NBC Chimes"
The NBC Chimes Museum"
"Q & A with Stuart Elliott"

In the 80s, the NBC chimes made a comeback on TV and radio. Even a local Bay Area Top 40 FM station (owned by NBC) would include the NBC chimes in their top of the hour ID and jingle. I fact, the station's call letters (KYUU) were sung in the same tune.

 

[oldiesfan6479]

Last I heard, there was a similar chime (although just one note) heard before TOH CBS News.

That sounder is better known as "the bong."

 

[desertv]

So they're going to go back to calling it all "NBC" then? (Comcast cable is now called Xfinity)

 

[rnigma1]

Last I heard, there was a similar chime (although just one note) heard before TOH CBS News.

That sounder is better known as "the bong."

I remember when CBS used that sounder on TV. Even if they were running a movie at 9 pm and there was no break at 10, you would hear that "bong" at 10 sharp in the middle of a scene. I think it was a signal that local stations used to synchronize their clocks with the network.

 

[hubcity]

I'm sure they'll remove the GE sign at the top of 30 Rock...wonder whether they'll put up the Peacock (now that it stands for both NBC and its parent)?

 

[Markxxx]

Do you think they'll sell or buy any station? What was the last TV stations NBC sold or bought?

 

[kilamanjero]

They last sold WVTM, WNCN, WCMH, and WJAR to Media General back in 2006, but the selling of those were a bigger mistake than anything else considering 2 of those 4 markets are amongst the fastest growing DMAs. Hell, it's pretty bad in some of these markets because since then their ratings have been in the toilet because MG cannot run a news operation in a truly diverse DMA. FYI, Tampa-St. Petersburg isn't a "diverse" market at all.

 

[TroyG]

How about Renaming The GE Building over at 30 Rock as The NBC Tower in New York?