UPDATE 1-GE, Comcast agree on NBC Universal JV board-source

Fri Nov 13, 2009 5:51pm EST
 
[-] Text [+]

* Comcast to have majority seats on board-source

* GE, Vivendi talks continue-source

* Deal unlikely this weekend-source (Adds details, background, byline)

By Jui Chakravorty

NEW YORK, Nov 13 (Reuters) - General Electric Co (GE.N) and Comcast Corp (CMCSA.O) have agreed on the structure of the board for the proposed joint venture with NBC Universal, a person familiar with the matter said.

Comcast will have the majority of seats on the board, the source said, but could not give other details.

GE and Comcast are unlikely to reach a deal on the venture this weekend, two people familiar with the matter said, as GE is still in talks with Vivendi SA (VIV.PA) to buy the French company's 20 percent stake in NBC Universal.

Vivendi is still negotiating to get the best value for its investment, the person said.

GE, which currently owns 80 percent of NBC Universal, has been in talks with Comcast to sell it a 51 percent stake in a proposed joint venture that would also house the cable networks now belonging to Comcast.

They recently agreed to value NBC Universal at about $30 billion, sources previously told Reuters.

Comcast declined to comment. NBC Universal was not immediately available for comment.

GE and Comcast have ironed out several of the issues in the past few days, agreeing on valuation, top management and exit provisions for GE, sources have told Reuters.

NBC Universal CEO Jeff Zucker has been picked to head the proposed joint venture. Peter Chernin, the former president of News Corp (NWSA.O) who has been advising Comcast and was expected by some to lead the new entity, will not be on the board, the source said.

VIVENDI TALKS SLOW

GE's talks with Vivendi, which has to agree to a GE-Comcast deal, have been progressing, but "going slow," many sources said this week.

Every year between mid-November and mid-December, Vivendi has to decide whether to exercise its "put" option to sell its NBC Universal stake.  Continued...

 

More News

GE, Comcast agree on NBC Universal JV board: source
Friday, 13 Nov 2009 05:52pm EST 
Comcast/NBC deal to have regulatory baggage: rivals
Thursday, 12 Nov 2009 04:28pm EST 
GE sells security arm to United Tech for $1.82 billion
Thursday, 12 Nov 2009 12:58pm EST 
FCC conditions on Comcast-NBC could hurt synergy
Wednesday, 11 Nov 2009 06:58pm EST 

Editor's Choice

A selection of our best photos from the past 24 hours.  Slideshow 

Most Popular on Reuters

  • Articles
  • Video