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Report: Comcast is buying out Blackstone. Will own all of Universal Orlando

By Robert Niles
Published: May 30, 2011 at 11:17 PM
Perhaps this is just stating what should have been obvious, but reports are confirming that Comcast, the new majority owners of NBCUniversal, will in fact buy out Blackstone Group to obtain full ownership of the Universal Orlando Resort.

The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal's Islands of Adventure

Blackstone earlier this year exercised its option to force a buyout or sale of the resort's holding company, following the record-breaking launch of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the boost it provided not only to the resort's cash flow, but its capital value, as well.

The buyout is expected to cost Comcast between $1-1.5 billion.

Readers' Opinions

From 62.249.247.159 on May 31, 2011 at 12:23 AM
Any mention of Merlin?
From Eric Malone on May 31, 2011 at 12:50 AM
Well, there goes internet access in the resorts. ;)
From duncan henny on May 31, 2011 at 1:34 AM
i hope this will not be the end of the orlando flex ticket
From James Koehl on May 31, 2011 at 2:09 AM
Robert, for those of us not savy in the business ways of the world, what does this mean to those of us who just want to go and "ride the movies"?
From aj geez on May 31, 2011 at 4:04 AM
This buyout will have its pros and cons, because comcast is a good corporation and i hope has a team ready to assets universal Orlando. Some of the pros may include free WI-fi throughout the park, On demand in every resort (Thank God), etc.... Some of the Cons might include, Higher prices on tickets, etc.... but for the most part i think this change is a good change. WHICH IS MY OPINION.
From Scott B on May 31, 2011 at 4:48 AM
Great, now when a ride breaks, they won't be here until next Monday between 8:00 am - 4:00 pm to fix it.
From 173.70.188.226 on May 31, 2011 at 5:58 AM
wonder what affect this will have on the current agreement with marvel, and will this now open the door for disney to incorporate their marvel properties into WDW?
From Robert Niles on May 31, 2011 at 7:31 AM
No effect on the Marvel deal. Merlin's not part of the deal, either.

Let me also throw in a plug for an oldie-but-goodie blog flume post, Top new attractions at a Comcast-owned Universal theme park.

From TH Creative on May 31, 2011 at 9:35 AM
Dr. Niles reports: "The buyout is expected to cost Comcast between $1-1.5 billion."

I respond: Makes a person wonder about how Universal will scrape together the duckets required for future new attractions.

From Joshua Counsil on May 31, 2011 at 12:08 PM
Why didn't Blackstone's shares jump? Isn't this similar to a buyout?

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