Comcast's E-mail To Employees On NBC DealStop worrying and get back to work, silly 06:16PM Thursday Oct 01 2009 by Karl Bodetags: business · ComcastAs noted this morning, rumors are flying about a possible Comcast purchase of NBC from GE, though a Comcast denial was issued in such a way to suggest the deal isn't signed yet. As further evidence that the company hopes to buy all or part of NBC, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts sent out an e-mail to employees today we assume is aimed at those worried about the company's stock price, which dropped as much as 7% this morning on the rumors. In the e-mail, Roberts pulls out the pom poms: Comcasters, You have probably seen the news reports that speculate about Comcast's interest in buying NBC Universal. As you know, we've had a long-standing policy not to comment on these types of stories. We have not commented about this rumor in the press, except to say that the blog report that Comcast has a deal to purchase NBC Universal is inaccurate. In other words, we didn't say there was no deal, just that there wasn't a finished deal. It's not surprising that there is speculation about possible acquisitions given Comcast's strong financial position. This happens from time to time. We have always said that we will consider acquisitions and investments to find opportunities to grow in our businesses so that they are profitable, differentiated and have scale.
We have a terrific company that is growing in this economy and we have an exciting future ahead across all of our lines of business. As Steve and I have said, cable is right at the core of everything Comcast does. We continue to invest in our cable business -- it is a key component of our DNA. Some of our other businesses like content, business services and interactive advertising are a smaller part of the company today, and while they are growing rapidly, we would like to find ways to accelerate that growth. If the opportunity came up to add more cable content, we would definitely want to take a look at that opportunity, but in a very disciplined way. In other words, were we to make such a non-existent deal, you shouldn't worry about it, as it makes us even more powerful, by giving us everything from our own Golf channel to a partial stake in Hulu. Were Comcast to make such a non-existent deal, it would also make negotiations easier for their TV Everywhere initiative which aims to offer network shows online as a free added perk to existing cable TV customers. Continuing: You've all worked hard to grow our business and achieve the solid financial position we are in. We've got the best team in the business working to reach our goals. So, while we know it is easy to become distracted by this kind of press activity, it is important that you continue the focus you've always had on making Comcast successful.
Thanks for all you do to make Comcast a great company. In other words, shut up and get back to work. It looks like NBCU CEO Jeff Zucker sent a very similar e-mail to NBC employees published in full at the Los Angeles Times and Media Bistro. One insider at Comcast says that most employees really aren't worried about it either way. "Other than folks here discussing the topic of us making the news again, no one really seems to care," they say. According to new insider information over at CNBC, the deal would involve GE spinning off NBC Universal and giving Comcast a 51% ownership stake.
Related:- Comcast Bandwidth Meter Still A No Show
- Comcast, NBC Deal Almost Complete
- Comcast Is Simply Getting Huge
- Comcast Hints At Layoffs
- Comcast Slammed For Non-Existent Throttling Changes
- Comcast TV Everywhere WILL Work Outside The Home
- Comcast Website Hackers Indicted
- Vivendi In Way Of Comcast's NBC Desires
|
 |  | 
Sabre
Di relung hatiku bernyanyi bidadari
join:2005-05-17
 ·Comcast
| Re: A content spinoff to avoid legal & regulatory problems That's an interesting supposition. It would probably make sense for them to spin it off in some way.
Some of their holdings, like Comcast Spectacor (which owns the Comcast SportsNet channels - along with the Flyers) might be a natural fit to be spun off like this. I wouldn't be surprised if that's their plain. | |
| | | | | | | | | | | 
rawgerz
In Debt we trust
Premium
join:2004-10-03
Grove City, PA
 ·Verizon Online DSL
 ·Sprint Mobile Broa..
| Re: Tech TV I thought that it was Charter that bought them but I guess not. Is G4 in any danger of going under yet? Their all sizzle and no steak mentality keeps me from watching. NBC sucks anyways.
--
You can't make all the people happy all of the time. But it should be common sense to shoot for the majority. | |
| | Joe12345678
join:2003-07-22
Des Plaines, IL
| said by dslhater  :Hopefully Comcrap won't butcher NBC even further like they sabotaged the former Tech TV network. I can just see Brian Williams fired and replaced with a G4 channel clone type with the excuse to bring in a younger audience to NBC. The bigger thing to look out for is them pulling a Versus and makeing all but nbc OTA cable only.
also can they use must carry rules to say make others pay $20 per home for there OTA channel? | |
| | | Kearnstd
Elf Wizard
Premium
join:2002-01-22
Mullica Hill, NJ
| Re: Tech TV the issue with the OTA channel is that NBC is a network. the Affiliates make separate deals in their locals. this is why Disney for example cant use ABC as one of its aces in the hole, the cable/sat really dont have to pay disney to carry ABC because they pay a local TV station to rebroadcast that station.
--
[65 Arcanist]Filan(High Elf) Zone: Broadband Reports | |
| | | hottboiinnc
ME
join:2003-10-15
Cleveland, OH | Yes they could use the must carry rule and charge another operators for NBC OTA. | |
| | | | ZachAttack
join:2009-05-30
Yorba Linda, CA | Re: Tech TV Hmm I thought they couldn't charge if they're forced to carry an affiliate using must-carry? If so, how is that at all fair, I could start an affiliate and just tell the Cable guys I was charging $200.00 a household. | |
| | | | | | | | | albie
join:2002-03-17
Decatur, IL
| said by dslhater :Hopefully Comcrap won't butcher NBC even further like they sabotaged the former Tech TV network. I can just see Brian Williams fired and replaced with a G4 channel clone type with the excuse to bring in a younger audience to NBC. Brian Williams is what is WRONG with network television, he is a KNOW NOTHING VACCUOUS talking head, that has NOTHING in common with the likes of a Walter Cronkite or Huntley or Brinkley, or even Howard K. Smith.
The Brian Williams of the world have allowed NUT CASES like SELF-RIGHTEOUS sexually harassing phone sex addicts like Billy O'Reilly and his mortal enemy Keith OLBERDORQUE to take over the flow of NEWS in the mass medium of television.
Network television is much more the VAST WASTELAND today than it was 50 years ago when Newton Minnow made that claim.
Let Comcast buy a desert and call it the PROMISED LAND.
It will come to nothing.
The Japanese bought Rockefeller center and took a public bath.
Oil money bought CITIBANK at 25 and it is now pegged well under ten and that is only because stooges like BUSH and PAULSON and the second set of stooges like Geitner and OBAMA encouraged the MORONS in CONGRESS to charge its bailout on the public credit card.
Let the boys and girls at Comcast buy NBC, physics tell me that two sinking ships drawings water may sink faster than one.
The thought of someone thinking the likes of Brian Williams worthy of lament makes understand me how old an aging babyboomer like myself really is. | |
| | | 
dslhater
Premium
join:2001-09-24
Chicopee, MA
clubs:
| Re: Tech TV said by albie :said by dslhater :Hopefully Comcrap won't butcher NBC even further like they sabotaged the former Tech TV network. I can just see Brian Williams fired and replaced with a G4 channel clone type with the excuse to bring in a younger audience to NBC. Brian Williams is what is WRONG with network television, he is a KNOW NOTHING VACCUOUS talking head, that has NOTHING in common with the likes of a Walter Cronkite or Huntley or Brinkley, or even Howard K. Smith. The Brian Williams of the world have allowed NUT CASES like SELF-RIGHTEOUS sexually harassing phone sex addicts like Billy O'Reilly and his mortal enemy Keith OLBERDORQUE to take over the flow of NEWS in the mass medium of television. Network television is much more the VAST WASTELAND today than it was 50 years ago when Newton Minnow made that claim. Let Comcast buy a desert and call it the PROMISED LAND. It will come to nothing. The Japanese bought Rockefeller center and took a public bath. Oil money bought CITIBANK at 25 and it is now pegged well under ten and that is only because stooges like BUSH and PAULSON and the second set of stooges like Geitner and OBAMA encouraged the MORONS in CONGRESS to charge its bailout on the public credit card. Let the boys and girls at Comcast buy NBC, physics tell me that two sinking ships drawings water may sink faster than one. The thought of someone thinking the likes of Brian Williams worthy of lament makes understand me how old an aging babyboomer like myself really is. No offense but damn lol It's just the nightly news. I'd rather see Brian Williams then a 20yo pin head with a bachelors in looking pretty.
--
dream your dreams with open eyes and make them come true... | |
| | | | | 
PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast
| said by dslhater :Hopefully Comcrap won't butcher NBC even further like they sabotaged the former Tech TV network. I can just see Brian Williams fired and replaced with a G4 channel clone type with the excuse to bring in a younger audience to NBC. Actually, none of that was Comcast's fault, as TechTV was not among the assets Comcast purchased from Jones Communications. The TechTV meltdown was pretty much entirely the fault of Softbank (which owned Ziff-Davis, including Ziff-Davis Television, which ran TechTV, formerly ZDTV). The only reason ZD itself is around is because of CNET, Inc. (which bought ZD from Softbank). So you can't blame Comcast for the TechTV meltdown (just as Comcast isn't to blame for the death of PC Computing).
However, there *may* be talks to combine NBCU with Comcast's programming and production assets and spin-off the combined entity (which lets GE monetize NBCU, while letting them use that to shore up their non-broadcast assets, especially the insurance and banking arms, which are still dripping lots of red ink), a process similar to that used to create Liberty Media. | |
| | | 
KrK
Heavy Artillery For The Little Guy
Premium
join:2000-01-17
Tulsa, OK | Re: Tech TV I remember when Ziff-Davis kicked ass. | |
| | | | | | | 
ssj4android
Redefining Reality
join:2002-04-14
Wyoming, MI | Huh? Then why was the channel called "G4TechTV" while most of the TechTV programs were gradually killed off? | |
| | | |
PGHammer
join:2003-06-09
Accokeek, MD
clubs:
·Comcast
| Re: Tech TV said by ssj4android :Huh? Then why was the channel called "G4TechTV" while most of the TechTV programs were gradually killed off? Softbank had *already* run ZDTV into the ground by then; G4 was started as a TechTV replacement (primarily for the cable systems Comcast had acquired from Jones *and* was going to acquire from AT&T). Remember, what was TechTV was started by Jones Intercable and ZD and was originally a subchannel of Mind Extension University, and later became Jones Computer Network. TechTV didn't even have a full slate or schedule of programming as JCN. In short, Comcast tried to *rescue* TechTV; however, the damage had largely already been done. | |
| | | | | 
Alcohol
Premium
join:2003-05-26
Somerset, NJ
| said by dslhater :Hopefully Comcrap won't butcher NBC even further like they sabotaged the former Tech TV network. I can just see Brian Williams fired and replaced with a G4 channel clone type with the excuse to bring in a younger audience to NBC. I hope they don't start canceling shows like Fox without really giving them a chance to succeed.
--
I found the key to success but somebody changed the lock. | |
| | | 
Xtremepayne
@qwest.net | :) maybe they have have Leo Laporte do the NBC nightly news  | |
| | rendrenner
join:2005-09-03
Grandville, MI | Re: :) I thought they might just move Seacrest from E! to the nightly news | |
| | | | | | | |
four Oh one
@comcast.net
| In other news out today.... I guess we now find out how they're planning on paying for this acquisition ...
"The Comcast 401K contribution match will move from 6% to 4.5% as of January 1. In the existing economic climate, many employers have needed to eliminate 401K matches completely. This change will enable us to continue to contribute to your retirement, while remaining a competitive employer."
Soooo..I guess that Comcasts "strong financial position"...and "terrific company that has done nothing but grow in this economy"
(because of the hard work of it's employees)..now finds the need to take from exactly those that make it happen everyday.
Hey Brian..how about lowering your multi million zillion dollar salary instead of taking away from the 12 dollar an hour employees. | |
| | | 
FastiBook
join:2003-01-08
Newtown, PA | Not going to happen. Just no okey scott? *Lorn Michaels*
- A
--
LETS GO METS! | |
| | |
whisteblower
@comcast.net | If comcast is doing so finacially well then how come there are lay offs, due to outsourcing ? cant get much more un-american than laying off americans and hiring the phillapenos | |
| | Kommie
join:2003-05-13
East Haven, CT | Re: If comcast is doing so finacially well then Greed. American Greed. | |
|
bslap
@optonline.net
| as likely as triumph(insultcomicdog) loving ben affleck then comcast can finally cap Saturday Night Live.. this show's outlived it's usefulness to the Saturday lineup. i smell a time warner-aol comparison coming on somehow, but anywho...
just a thought, don't enough local channels have ownership relations with cable-networks... such as capcities/abs & disney? i don't see what comcast brings to the table besides an informal enemy relationship with its customer base. another thing.. i don't think microsoft which has a parnership with nbc (msnbc) necessarily wants anything to do with comcast... just as they release a new operating system too, great timing.. to have a company people love to hate be associated with your company.
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pppeine3xC8 | |
| slrebel
join:2009-10-02
Sandy, UT
| pay no attention to the man behind the curtain If Comcast is such a "terrific company that is growing" and has "the best team in the business", then why have they been laying off hundreds of employees in the past couple of months and then outsourcing those same jobs to other companies, some of which are in other countries? they are lowering their 401K match, getting rid of employees and increasing the costs employees pay for healthcare. What a coincidence this is occurring around the same time "the rumor" of acquiring NBC was reported. I smell a skunk. | |
| | 
Robotics
See You On The Dark Side
Premium
join:2003-10-23
Louisa, VA
·Verizon Wireless B..
·Comcast
| Re: pay no attention to the man behind the curtain said by slrebel :If Comcast is such a "terrific company that is growing" and has "the best team in the business", then why have they been laying off hundreds of employees in the past couple of months and then outsourcing those same jobs to other companies, some of which are in other countries? they are lowering their 401K match, getting rid of employees and increasing the costs employees pay for healthcare. What a coincidence this is occurring around the same time "the rumor" of acquiring NBC was reported. I smell a skunk. Yeah, you smell comcast
--
Long you live and high you fly and Smiles you'll give and tears you'll cry
and all you touch and all you see, is all your life will ever be. | |
| ski93
join:2005-02-14
Northwood, NH
 ·ViaTalk
·Metrocast Communic..
| Comcast and NBC While comcast is cutting 401k matching and getting ready to increase yet again cost of benefits to it's employee's, they would even entertain spending this kind of money on NBC..Last time I checked the network was in the toilet. But when all else fails throw money around..Feel bad for the customers caught up in this mess...hope it never happens..Just my two cents | |
| | | |
|
|
A content spinoff to avoid legal & regulatory problems
Re: Tech TV