Comcast, NBCU Network Affiliate Units Merging

Comcast and NBC Universal programming-network distribution teams are combining in NBCU's Englewood Cliffs (NJ) base, phasing jobs out of Comcast Center in Philadelphia.

The New Jersey relocation is being timed for after Labor Day, with Comcast employees in Philadelphia deciding whether to try for a job with NBCU in New Jersey or take a buyout. An estimated 40 to 50 network-distribution jobs are involved on each of the Comcast networks and NBCU networks sides. The NBC Universal joint venture will absorb Comcast-owned programming services including E!, Style, Sprout, Versus and various regional sports networks into NBCU's camp, which includes USA Network, Bravo, Syfy and Oxygen. Both sets of networks have their own distribution teams, selling and marketing to programming affiliates. Earlier this week, the joint venture named the leaders for its sports networks, with NBC Sports executives mostly in ascendance under NBC Sports Group chairman Dick Ebersol.