K
kenrayc
Guest
The Dude said:
How can it get any lower than it is now.
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It's Official: Comcast, NBC/GE Announce Deal
- Thread starter DToTheJ
- Start date
How can it get any lower than it is now.
kenrayc said:
They could add "Soup"-branded clip shows (like the ones on many of Comcast's current cable network properties) on the rest of the NBCU networks. Next up: "News Soup" on MSNBC (wait, there is already a show with that format, InfoMania on Current TV).
Then again, that might not be a bad thing.
KeithE4 said:
I agree that there will be scrutiny placed on this deal (just like what derailed mergers involving Worldcom/Sprint in 2000 and DirecTV/DISH Network five years ago). This current administration will be tougher than the last when it comes to big mergers (would have Sirius/XM been able to merge if a Democrat was president at the time of its approval?).
What would they do if it did go through? Merge some cable networks? I could see Comcast's G4 and NBCU's SyFy merged as one network, as well as Style/Bravo/Oxygen. Will E! change its name to "Access," or Access Hollywood just be cancelled in favor of "E! News Daily?"
To me the big part of the deal and the one that I see getting a lot of buzz on the internet is that with the merger comes the push for the sports channels
(Versus, Golf Channel, etc.) which will more than likely fall under NBC Sports Control once it's complete.
It's them wanting to compete with ESPN which makes a lot of sense.
(Versus, Golf Channel, etc.) which will more than likely fall under NBC Sports Control once it's complete.
It's them wanting to compete with ESPN which makes a lot of sense.
M
Morgan Wick
Guest
No. Or perhaps Comcast would sell the NBC network itself to some other station owner, but considering all the "what does it mean that Versus is shacking up with NBC?" speculation I'm hearing, I doubt it.KeithE4 said:
I could see a scenario where Comcast could sell the O&O's to a third company but keep the NBC and Telemundo networks. The sale of the O&O's would come with contract language allowing NBC and Telemundo programming to continue for their duration. The reason why Comcast may keep NBC around is because that brand still has a good name recognition, even as the network has struggled lately. What they could do, if they're smart, is beef up Universal Sports to become a viable channel for live Olympic events and rename Versus to something like "NBC Sports Net" or "NBC Versus". That's already two platforms where they can put major sports programming in. I would not try to mess up CNBC or MSNBC with sports programming, not even with the Olympics. But USA Network would make more sense.
So with sports Comcast would already have:
Universal Sports (obviously shift live Olympics coverage there once that channel clears the Comcast spaces)
Versus (NBC)
USA Network (Olympics coverage)
NBC Network (they may go to cable/satellite eventually)
Telemundo
Mun2 (Comcast clears space for them as well)
That's already six platforms that could match up against the ESPNs and the Fox Sports Nets + FX + FSC/FSE.
I think a lot of mid-major sports leagues could see their fortunes improve. For example, soccer could end up as a big winner, depending on how they would leverage the emerging big player in sports television. Let's face it: ESPN is more focused on keeping football, baseball and basketball on their channels. That leaves a little more opportunity for sports like soccer to shop around their product. However, it would only be English-language coverage that would be affected. Spanish-language soccer matches are in the catbird seat, proverbially.
So with sports Comcast would already have:
Universal Sports (obviously shift live Olympics coverage there once that channel clears the Comcast spaces)
Versus (NBC)
USA Network (Olympics coverage)
NBC Network (they may go to cable/satellite eventually)
Telemundo
Mun2 (Comcast clears space for them as well)
That's already six platforms that could match up against the ESPNs and the Fox Sports Nets + FX + FSC/FSE.
I think a lot of mid-major sports leagues could see their fortunes improve. For example, soccer could end up as a big winner, depending on how they would leverage the emerging big player in sports television. Let's face it: ESPN is more focused on keeping football, baseball and basketball on their channels. That leaves a little more opportunity for sports like soccer to shop around their product. However, it would only be English-language coverage that would be affected. Spanish-language soccer matches are in the catbird seat, proverbially.
cowboybud said:
DFW used to have Comcrap till the mess with Adelphia happened and then Comcrap sold off DFW to TW.
Overall, I do not like this deal AT ALL. It would be nice for once to see those-inside-the-Beltway grow some nerve and b***s and tell TIIC to stuff it, but unfortunately, where there's a lobbyist, there's a way.....
I thought I heard somewhere that Comcast was more interested in the cable networks than the NBC/Telemundo and the O&O group. Makes me wonder if that will be spun off into its own company and IPO'd like Viacom did with CBS.
It wouldn't surprise me if Cheapcast does it that. They might leave a parting gift to NBC by allowing them to keep CNBC, Universal Sports, ShopNBC, mun2 and MSNBC. That also would mean that they aren't serious about building a rival to ESPN for major sports programming. That would be a huge relief to ESPN, paving the way to eventually lock up everything they want, shutting out the broadcasters. However, the NBC name still has some value and if Cheapcast thought that they could do without it they should've just bid on the cable channels alone and not the whole enchilada.
However, it is very early days and we don't know where this is headed.
However, it is very early days and we don't know where this is headed.
taylorjsdad said:
I wouldn't be surprised if they spin -- or sell -- off their broadcast networks and stations if the sale goes through. However, I would expect that Comcast would first strip some of the top content off of NBC before selling it off. Granted, that doesn't amount to much, nowadays...
What they wouldn't be able to move off of NBC successfully would be the Today show -- it would lose a lot of viewers without the local news lead in and local news inserts that NBC affiliates provide.
It looks like the transition will begin in earnest: http://www.mediabistro.com/tvnewser/nbc/zucker_announces_nbcucomcast_transition_teams_146324.asp
Upon further thought, I think that their chances of keeping the rights to the Olympics are further improved. I have forgotten about Universal HD, which does air some sports programming. As HD becomes more and more accepted, look for this channel to be more readily available. They can even drop sports programming completely from USA Network and still come out fine, if I'm reading correctly. And they should not have to use Bravo, CNBC, SyFy or MSNBC after 2010. The question mark would be with Telemundo and/or Mun2. For the Summer Games it makes sense as long as soccer and basketball are part of the program. However, I don't know if the Winter Games can fit with the Telemundo network. I just don't think their audience can get excited about downhill skiing, hockey or luge. Figure skating they might be interested in.
They should be using these for the Olympics: Versus, Universal Sports, Universal HD (or an Olympics HD channel), along with NBC and the Telemundo network (Summer Games only)
Also, these same platforms can be leveraged to win the rights to World Cup soccer starting from 2018 and the World Basketball Championship. They should get the NBA back at some point.
Upon further thought, I think that their chances of keeping the rights to the Olympics are further improved. I have forgotten about Universal HD, which does air some sports programming. As HD becomes more and more accepted, look for this channel to be more readily available. They can even drop sports programming completely from USA Network and still come out fine, if I'm reading correctly. And they should not have to use Bravo, CNBC, SyFy or MSNBC after 2010. The question mark would be with Telemundo and/or Mun2. For the Summer Games it makes sense as long as soccer and basketball are part of the program. However, I don't know if the Winter Games can fit with the Telemundo network. I just don't think their audience can get excited about downhill skiing, hockey or luge. Figure skating they might be interested in.
They should be using these for the Olympics: Versus, Universal Sports, Universal HD (or an Olympics HD channel), along with NBC and the Telemundo network (Summer Games only)
Also, these same platforms can be leveraged to win the rights to World Cup soccer starting from 2018 and the World Basketball Championship. They should get the NBA back at some point.
The DoJ will be in charge of scrutinizing the whole deal. More details here: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=amGZxVXHzBl8&pos=2
Source: http://www.thewrap.com/ind-column/comcast-nbc-make-case-deal-fcc-13618
How about lowering the monthly bill? :-X
The affiliates of the other networks have finally commented on the proposed merger and are seeking conditions placed on it:
http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...-seeking-comcast-concessions-in-nbc-deal.html
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar...S_Affils_Board_s_Concern_Over_NBC_Comcast.php
http://www.businessweek.com/news/20...-seeking-comcast-concessions-in-nbc-deal.html
http://www.broadcastingcable.com/ar...S_Affils_Board_s_Concern_Over_NBC_Comcast.php
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