Jeff Zucker
Posted on 01/22/2010 11:20:11 AM PST by iowamark
Network takes NFL fee hit; Comcast names cable unit president head of merger
NBC Universal’s profit fell 30 percent during the fourth quarter, General Electric reported on Friday. Revenues fell 3.7 percent to $4.27 billion.
NBCU’s operating profit -- at $602 million -- slid from $865 million in 2008.
The company attributed the decline to increased programming costs and massive fees associated with carrying National Football League games.
For the year, NBCU's revenues were down about 9 percent.
The numbers, of course, don’t reflect the costs associated with NBC’s settlement with Conan O’Brien. On Thursday, the network agreed to pay the “Tonight Show” host more than $40 million to relinquish the 11:35 p.m. slot to Jay Leno.
Meanwhile, Comcast -- which is preparing to take over NBCU once its $30 billion deal is approved by federal regulators -- named Neil Smit president of Comcast Cable Communications.
The move means that Smit, who has served as chief executive of Charter Communications since 2005, will take on the duties of Comcast COO Steve Burke so that Burke can focus on Comcast’s pending deal with NBCU.
Federal scrutiny of the merger is set to begin next month, with NBC head Jeff Zucker [pictured] and Comcast CEO Brian Roberts scheduled to appear in Washington on Feb. 4.
More to read: How Long Before Zucker Goes?
And when Comcast takes over they will cut the shows that loosing audience and money — Keith Olberman, Rachel Madcow, Crissy Matthews, the Ed Show....
Gee, I wonder why??? Could it have something to do with, all the CRAP that’s on NBC that they call news? I’d rather listen to someone raking there fingernails down a chalkboard and apparently I’m not alone.
At this rate I wouldn’t trust Zucker to run an ice cream cart business.
Obermann should be fired immediately.
Remember everyone saying they wouldn’t watch the superbowl after the attacks on Rush.....
We will find out soon enough.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.