Comcast acquires 51% of NBC Universal

US cable giant Comcast has acquired a 51% stake in NBC Universal. The cable company has acquired the majority stake in the company from GE, following a deal with Vivendi to acquire its stake in the network and studio.

The deal values NBC Universal at US$30 billion. Comcast will pay US$6.5 billion in cash and will contribute cable channels including E! Entertainment and The Golf Channel, which it values at US$7.25 billion.

The move will give Comcast control of the NBC network, which currently airs series including The Office: An American Workplace, 30 Rock and The Jay Leno Show, as well as its TV production and distribution arm, film studio and a host of domestic and international cable channels including Bravo, Sci Fi and the USA Network. 

Regulatory approval is expected to take up to a year.