NBC TO CHANGE HANDS - AT 7:14 A.M. ET:  Now it's official, as The New York Times reports:

After nearly eight months of negotiations, Comcast, the nation’s largest cable operator, finally reached an agreement on Thursday to acquire the television network, NBC Universal, from the General Electric Company in a $30 billion deal.

They overpaid, but people getting involved in Hollywood almost always do. 

The deal, which has been known for months, was announced Thursday morning. Almost immediately, the transaction reshapes the nation’s entertainment industry even as it raises the sector’s anxieties about the future.

Here comes the hype:

In a statement, Brian Roberts, the chief executive of Comcast, called the deal “a perfect fit for Comcast and will allow us to become a leader in the development and distribution of multiplatform ‘anytime, anywhere’ media that American consumers are demanding.”

Oh, dear God, when they start talking like that you know they're easy prey for the Hollywood horribles.

Jeff Zucker, the current head of NBC, will stay on as chief executive and would report to the chief executive of Comcast, Steve Burke. In a statement released by the companies Monday morning, Mr. Zucker called the deal the “start of a new era” for NBC.

That statement reflects the level of creativity we've seen from NBC recently.

Look, our main interest is in NBC News, which needs new direction and new standards.  We'll hope for the best.

NBC's hope:  Resurrect Johnny Carson!

December 3, 2009