So Long, Microwave Division—Comcast to Buy Out GE’s NBCU Stake

It was always kind of a matter of when, not if... But ahead of Comcast’s earnings on Wed, the company announced its official plans to buy the remaining 49% of NBCU from GE for approx $16.7bln, planning to close in 1Q. Calling the announcement an “exciting day” for the top MSO, chmn/CEO Brian Roberts said GE had been a “wonderful partner” over the last 2 years but that taking full control of NBCU made the most financial sense. More on the deal and Comcast’s earnings here.

More top stories in today's CableFAX Daily:

 

Comcast and Fox reached a distribution pack Tues to offer live and VOD programming from 20 Fox broadcast stations as well as a flurry of cable networks.

 

ABC and Univision announced they will name their joint venture news and lifestyle net for US Hispanics Fusion, which will launch in the 2nd half of ’13. Read on to see which distributors are already in place.

 

Higher pay-TV revenue pushed Lionsgate’s 4Q revenue to $743.6mln, up 30% YOY.