NBC-Comcast Deal Puts Broadcast TV in Doubt

"Everyone's now talking about NBC as a cable company, and Comcast is a cable company," a longtime NBC News staff member said. "I guess we're wondering, do they like broadcast?" At every turn, Comcast has emphasized to its own shareholders that the deal's purpose is to gain control over NBC Universal's fast-growing cable channels. The writer and humorist John Dillon observed Thursday that in the 2,742-word news release about the deal, the broadcast network was not mentioned until word 2,170. There is even talk of changing NBC Universal's name to play down the broadcast association. On the record, they do. Comcast says NBC and its affiliate structure will remain intact for the time being.