Comcast agreed to pay $16.7 billion for the remainder of NBC Universal, signaling chief executive officer Brian Roberts’ confidence in the prospects for entertainment as a complement to cable distribution.
Comcast bought the 49 percent stake from General Electric more than a year ahead of its original plan, gaining full ownership of the NBC broadcast network, cable channels MSNBC and Bravo, and the Universal film and theme park businesses. NBC Universal’s performance since Comcast acquired control in 2011 has made Roberts more "comfortable" with his bet on television, film and other content, he said in an interview.
