Vote of the week: The Comcast/NBC Universal deal - good or bad for the theme parks? By Robert Niles
The big news this week has been cable TV operator Comcast's purchase of 51 percent of NBC Universal, with an option to buy the rest of the company from GE in a few years.Published: December 4, 2009 at 8:21 AM NBC Universal is the full or part owner of the several Universal theme parks, including parks in Orlando, Los Angeles, Japan and soon, Singapore. How will this latest change in ownership (GE bought Universal from French water company Vivendi just six years ago) will affect Universal and its theme parks remains to be seen. I offered my two cents earlier this week. Now let's hear from you: Tell us in the comments why you voted the way you did. Although the current NBC Universal and theme park managers will remain in place, tell us what, specifically, are you looking for from Comcast in its management of the Universal theme parks over the long term. And thanks for reading Theme Park Insider.
Readers' OpinionsFrom Jason Read on December 4, 2009 at 9:54 AM
I'm cautiously optimistic, a media company has far more interest in theme parks than a air plan engine maker. On the flip side Comcast has some notoriously strict accounting. One positive is Steve Burke, who spent 12 years at Disney, is likely to head the combined company... there's a great article about him in the LA Times http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-ct-burke3-2009dec03,0,575935.story From Nick Markham on December 4, 2009 at 11:38 AM
Yes, I have heard the bitter comments of how terrible Comcast is. But here are my two reasons I thinkt his was a good change. One- Never had a problem. We have Comcast cable and internet and we have never had any problem. They have always followed through with the quality they promised and they've been voted most reliable company where I live. Two- Money. Think of this from a buisness standpoint. GM, former big owner of Universal, went bankrupt. They are barely holding on now with the government's money. Comcast on the other hand obviously had a good stash of money if they were able to purchase NBC-Universal. So, if you think of it from this standpoint, the obvious answer is that it was a pretty good thing. From 24.248.58.176 on December 4, 2009 at 12:36 PM
@Nick GM didn't own Universal, GE did. From 74.163.146.96 on December 4, 2009 at 3:24 PM
Comcast is a notoriously cheap company with simply terrible customer service and management philosophies. Wait until you have any kind of problem with them and you'll find out first hand like I have since they took over our cable company (which was bad to begin with, but not THIS BAD). Service is everything to a successful theme park.....I'll bet Disney is licking it's chops right now at the thought of 'competing' with Comcast. They'll win by default as will the new owners of the Seaworld and Busch Parks. From Nick Markham on December 4, 2009 at 8:32 PM
Oh, sorry, I always mix up GM and GE. The point still stands though. At least Comcast avoided bankrupcy. This article has been archived and is no longer accepting comments. More Theme Park NewsPrevious article: Demon Drop does a detour
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Lets ses does anyone care? I think not. Comcast now owns Universal and NBC and on and on..Down the road the Mouse owns ABC, Marvel, on and on...Same tree type new monkeys!