http://orlandosentinel.com/business/tourism/orl-biz-viv072502.story



Even so, there is a frenzy of speculation surrounding who will buy Universal Studios. Off-the-cuff remarks by NBC chief executive Robert Wright that his company might be interested in buying or merging with the studio created a furor at a meeting of television journalists in Pasadena, Calif., on Wednesday. Network sources later said Wright's comments were exaggerated.



Interesting combination, NBC and Universal...

I wonder if we would see an NBC Primetime Preview weekend at Universal Studios Hollywood:p

Heck, the amount of time that Jay Leno goes over there to find "ordinary people", I think they already work together.:D

I think maybe the use of the word "might" in this thread title would have been appropriate...

-Jeff

Did you miss the question icon??????

This almost sounds like one of those deals where NBC might be one of the only corporations out there to have the money and have some reasonable connection to buy those parts of Universal that Vivendi doesn't want.

Maybe it makes sense - whenever Universal has a box office dog they can get it on tv that much quicker ..........

They may not have any idea what to do with Universal but what the heck, at least they can afford it ................

I'm curious to see what kind of reaction this comment will stir up, but I would actually like to see DISNEY buy Universal's theme park division...

Originally posted by Iceman
I'm curious to see what kind of reaction this comment will stir up, but I would actually like to see DISNEY buy Universal's theme park division...

Only if OLC buys Disney's theme parks division first... :)

Iceman: An intriguing thought ...........

(1) Not uncommon for many larger companies to buy out competitor and then still maintain competitor's brand. Control of Universal parks would bring in control of merchandise of many other cartoon characters and movie franchises to Disney, something that they could probably benefit from in terms of limiting direct competition and in some ways, monopolizing the marketing of theme park souveniors. For example, if Disney was running a promotion on Pooh, then they could ensure that there was no competing offers at the same time at Universal Parks. On the other hand, if they wanted to run a Jurassic Park promotion, they could keep Disney promotions on dinosaur stuff at a lower level for that period of time.

(2) Geographically, control of the Universal Parks would be easy.
In both LA area and Orlando parks are within 30 miles of each other and could easily be managed by same upper management teams. Monopoly of largest theme park attrations in both areas could lead to package deals locking in customers for longer periods of time and for more money as pricing wars will no longer exist.

(3) If Spielberg is still involved now Disney would have both him and Lucas in the fold with park attractions designed by each in their control.

As good as it might sound, however, more likely that some big media corporation will do the buying and Universal/Disney battles will continue - besides, isn't that competition that we amusement parkgoers want?

Yes, CMM, I see the same kinds of benefits you do. They would have to maintain Universal as a separate division but it could become friendly competition rather than some of the cut-throat things that go on now. Heck, if they did it right the vast majority of the general public wouldn't even know about the merger (it's sometimes amazing to me how ignorant most people are about the entire business world). It would just result in subtly improved experiences and hopefully improved guest experiences at all the properties. Wouldn't it be nice to see Universal employees raised to the standard of Disney cast members, for example?