Acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast

Acquisition of NBC Universal by Comcast

The logo of Comcast from late 2012 to 2024.
NBCUniversal logo since 2011.
Alternate logo of NBCUniversal used by Comcast to promote their ownership.
Initiator	Comcast
Target	NBC Universal from GE
Type	Majority stake (until March 2013) Full acquisition (from March 2013)
Cost	US$13.75 billion[1]
Initiated	December 3, 2009
Completed	January 28, 2011 (majority) March 19, 2013 (full ownership)
Resulting entity	NBCUniversal

On December 3, 2009, telecommunications company Comcast announced its intent to acquire mass media company NBC Universal from General Electric (GE). The acquisition was subject to scrutiny from activists and government officials; their concerns primarily surrounded the potential effects of the vertical integration that the acquisition could create, as Comcast is also heavily involved in cable television and internet services in many media markets.^[2] The deal went through on January 28, 2011, resulting in Comcast owning 51% of the company until March 19, 2013, when GE divested its stake to give Comcast sole ownership. Through this acquisition, Comcast gained ownership of the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), the film studio Universal Pictures, cable channels such as Syfy, CNBC and MSNBC, and Universal Parks & Resorts, among other assets owned by NBC Universal. It has also integrated its own cable channels – including E! and Golf Channel – into NBC Universal. As a result of the acquisition, NBC Universal slightly changed its name to "NBCUniversal", rendered in camel case, to indicate the integration between NBC and Universal Studios.^[3]