Now that General Electric has reached a preliminary deal with Vivendi over the sale of its 20 percent stake in NBC Universal, it has cleared what some consider the largest obstacle to GE's agreement to sell a 51 percent stake in NBCU to Comcast.
Analysts spoke to CNBC about the imminent deal between GE (parent company of CNBC) and Comcast, which some say could close by the end of the week.
Evolution of an Industry
"I think Comcast is getting some great assets—It's getting a great deal here...There's a whole host of industry business evolution aspects to this deal that Comcast can help forge the TV industry going forward."
—David Joyce, analyst at Miller Tabak
'Inappropriate' Investor Reaction
Comcast stock has been hit since rumors of the merger starting swirling, but the deal has pretty good leverage, said Larry Haverty, of Gabelli Global Multimedia Trust.
"This is what an emotional bottom looks like. Media investors absolutely hate this deal and they've penalized the Comcast stock, and I think it's inappropriate," Haverty said.
Both GE, Comcast to Emerge Stronger
"There are no losers in this deal...I think GE's a cleaner, better business without [NBCU], and I think [Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian] Roberts can probably make something out of this."
—Mike Holland, Holland & Company
Media's Next Challenge
"What we need now is having a way that if you make great content...how do you make sure that a consumer finds a way that values it and pays for it. And we haven't done that yet, which is why the media space has been so hit in the past five years."
—Walter Isaacson, Aspen Institute President and CEO
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