Comcast seals NBC Universal deal

By PETER RANSCOMBE
Published on 14/02/2013 00:00

AMERICAN cable television giant Comcast is to buy the 49 per cent of film studio NBC Universal that it doesn’t already own from General Electric (GE) for £10.6 billion.

Comcast had bought its original stake from GE in 2011, having failed in a hostile takeover bid for rival studio Disney in 2004.

The deal will create a £19bn business spread across television broadcasting, cable networks, movie studios and theme parks. Matthew Harrigan at Wunderlich Securities said: “It’s an attractive price – Comcast is getting a good deal.”

NBC Universal’s recent films have included Les Misérables, left, This is 40 and the 3D version of Jurrasic Park.

PETER RANSCOMBE