January 31, 2011
Willkie serves as FCC regulatory counsel to Comcast in $13.75 billion deal with General Electric.
On January 29, it was announced that Willkie client Comcast Corporation and General Electric closed their $13.75 billion transaction to create a joint venture, NBCUniversal, LLC. Willkie served as FCC regulatory counsel to Comcast. Under the terms of the transaction, GE contributed to the joint venture NBC Universal, Inc.’s businesses, including its cable networks, filmed entertainment, televised entertainment, theme parks, and unconsolidated investments. Comcast contributed its cable networks, its regional sports networks, certain digital media properties, and made a payment to GE. The new company, managed by Comcast, is 51 percent owned by Comcast and 49 percent owned by GE, with headquarters maintained in New York City. Comcast is one of the nation's leading providers of entertainment, information and communications products and services.
The matter was handled by partners Michael Hammer, James Casserly and David Murray; special counsel Jonathan Friedman, Michael Jones and Ryan Wallach; and associates Daniel Alvarez, Brien Bell, Mia Hayes, Michael Hurwitz and Mary Underwood.
