G$earch

Comcast completes deal for NBCU

Posted by Harshad

Comcast completes deal for NBCU


Comcast completes deal for NBCU

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 12:25 PM PST

Comcast completes deal for NBCUComcast has completed its acquisition of NBC Universal this week, gaining a 51 percent stake for $13.45 billion.

NBCU is in charge of NBC, the fourth-highest ranked broadcaster in the U.S, Universal Pictures, the Universal theme parks, and popular cable channels like E!, Bravo and USA.

The FCC and US Department of Justice, facing criticism that the deal would allow Comcast to favor its own cable subscribers, has imposed numerous conditions that will force Comcast to keep NBCU content "as a single package to online competitors on terms comparable to those reached with more established rivals such as Dish Network Corp. and DirecTV," says the AP.

Furthermore, Comcast will have to match any new deals for programming between traditional media firms and online video providers, if it has a comparable program. For example, if Viacom makes a reality show available via Netflix, NBCU will have to make a comparable show available.

As part of the deal, Comcast bought the stake from GE for $6.2 billion in cash, and gave its cable channels (like E! and Bravo) to NBCU. Those channels were worth $7.25 billion.

The long-time logo has also been changed, with NBCUniversal removing the space between "NBC" and "Universal" and getting rid of the colorful peacock and globe silhouette.

As a bonus, all 25,000 NBCU employees were given 25 Comcast shares and a family pass to Universal theme park.

Permalink | Comments



15 percent of Galaxy Tabs are returned

Posted: 29 Jan 2011 10:52 AM PST

15 percent of Galaxy Tabs are returnedIf investment firm ITG is to be believed, 15 percent of all Samsung Galaxy Tab tablets are returned after purchase, a huge figure when compared to market leader Apple's 2 percent return rate for the iPad.

Says the firm: "Consumers just aren't in love with the device."

Samsung announced yesterday that global sales for the Tab had reached 2 million, just two months after launch.

The analysts believe the main problem with the Tab is its use of Android 2.2 Froyo, which was designed for smartphones, and is not ideal for large screens.

Upcoming Android tablets, like the Motorola Xoom and LG G-Slate will run on Android 3.0 Honeycomb, which is optimized for tablets.

Research firm iSuppli says the Tab is not alone in its issues, however: "There are a lot of issues with Android tablets, not just Samsung. A lot of those products have difficulties with high return rates or with not moving off the shelf."

Samsung's tablet runs on Android 2.2, has a 1GHz processor, a 7-inch multi-touch screen and dual cameras.

Permalink | Comments



0 comments:

Post a Comment