The Obama administration shows no signs of derailing the first big media merger under its watch, yet the regulatory review of Comcast's deal to buy NBC Universal is likely to extend into 2011, analysts say.
A prolonged review means tough conditions could be placed on the deal. In the meantime, U.S. cable leader Comcast (CMCSA) can't move forward with any strategic plans it has for NBC until the deal is approved, and NBC's owner, General Electric (GE), won't be able to put Comcast's money in the bank.
Way back on Dec. 3, after months of talks, Comcast and GE announced a complex deal that would give the cable firm a 51% stake in NBC Universal. Comcast will pay GE about $6.5 billion in cash and contribute cable channels to a new joint venture. The deal values NBC Universal at $30 billion.
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, right, and founder Ralph Roberts attended a March Senate committee hearing in their quest to get the NBC deal OK'd. AP
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, right, and founder Ralph Roberts attended a March Senate committee hearing in their quest to get the NBC deal OK'd. AP View Enlarged Image
Comcast had often stated that it expected approval this year. The Federal Communications Commission, though, paused its review on June 24. The agency asked Comcast and GE to provide more data.
NBC Universal owns a TV broadcast network, several popular cable channels, a major movie studio, 26 local TV stations, a stake in online video site Hulu, a vast content library and more. Besides seeking more data, the FCC hired an outside party
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