October 1st, 2009
Comcast plus NBC Universal creates a Web juggernaut
If Comcast did manage to gain control of NBC Universal it would be have an aggregation of Web sites that would make it a top 10 player in comScore’s top 50 rankings.
According to CNBC, General Electric is talking to Comcast about a deal that would spin off NBC Universal and combine it with the entertainment assets of the cable giant. In the end, Comcast would control NBC Universal. Talks are fluid and may fall apart, but Comcast, which tried to buy Disney before, appears to be serious about NBC Universal. GE certainly wants to unload the network.
On the old media side, Comcast would own content and distribution in a combination that would either be a boon or a bane. Time Warner had the content-distribution mojo, but decided it was better to separate its distribution (Time Warner Cable) from content (HBO, TBS and other properties).
While the Internet ramifications are likely to be overlooked it’s worth noting that Comcast-NBC would have a bevy of assets. To wit:
- Comcast has the broadband network (distribution).
- Comcast-NBC would have the No. 22, No. 41 and No. 43 properties in comScore’s top 50 for August.
- Comcast would have a stake in Hulu via NBCU that delivered 488 million video streams in August.
- Comcast would have a large women’s network (iVillage via NBCU).
- Comcast would continue with its TV Everywhere initiative.
Wrap it all up and Comcast-NBCU’s Web ranking would fall in about No. 6 or No. 7 on comScore’s scorecard. With a little push, Comcast-NBCU would nudge out News Corp.’s interactive properties.
Here’s a look at comScore’s ranking with Comcast-NBCU’s potential reach highlighted:
For now, the chatter will revolve around big media, Comcast’s penchant to own a network, earnings dilution and questionable logic. But don’t forget the Web reach: Comcast-NBCU would be a big player in an instant.
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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