Comcast seems to be overflowing with joint ventures this past year; it invested approximately US $1.2 billion in WiMax , and this week announced it will become majority owner of NBC Universal.
Comcast is spending $13.75 billion in cash and assets for a 51% ownership of a joint venture that will own two broadcast networks, over a dozen cable networks, a major movie studio and several theme parks.
Empire building on that level requires a lot of revenue; I’m starting to understand why my Comcast internet bill risen so quickly.
It will be very interesting to see whether Comcast’s gamble pays off – and how it will impact broadcast media – including Hulu.com’s – efforts to bring the cable-TV subscription model to the Web and other platforms.
Will this be the start of new era – or of a consumer revolution? And what will Netflix add into this mix?
“Colors fade, temples crumble, empires fall, but wise words endure.”
– Edward Thorndike (1874 – 1949)
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Tags: internet media business, comca, time warner cable, comcast internet, empire building, consumer revolution, silicon alley, owner of nbc
