Comcast Eyes NBCU Stake

NEW YORK: Comcast Corporation is one of several companies in talks for a stake of NBC Universal, published reports indicate, with the cable giant said to be eyeing anywhere from a 20-percent to a 50-percent stake.

Comcast has formally denied a report yesterday that it had reached a deal to acquire NBC Universal from GE, but indications are that is in negotiations for an interest in the company. It is possible that Comcast will acquire the 20 percent of NBCU held by Vivendi. Other reports see Comcast in talks for a 50-percent stake acquisition from GE.

A report on Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily today indicated that GE is in talks with five or six companies about offloading a majority 51-percent interest in NBCU. A deal, however, is said to be a long way off.