NBCUniversal

NBCUniversal, sometimes referred to as NBCU or NBCUni and formerly written as NBC Universal, is an multinational media conglomerate that is a subsidiary division of Comcast. Headquartered in Rockefeller Plaza’s Comcast Building (formerly the GE Building) in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, the company is one of two successor companies to MCA Inc. (Music Corporation of America), the other being Vivendi through its subsidiary Universal Music Group.

NBCUniversal is primarily involved in the media and entertainment industries; among its most significant divisions are the National Broadcasting Company (NBC), one of the United States’ “Big Three” television networks, and the major film studio Universal Studios. It has a significant presence in broadcasting through a portfolio of domestic and international properties, including terrestrial and pay television outlets. Via the Universal Parks & Resorts division, the company is also the third-largest operator of amusement parks in the world.

NBC Universal was formed in 2004 by the merger of General Electric’s NBC with Vivendi Universal’s film and television subsidiary Vivendi Universal Entertainment, after General Electric had acquired 80% of the subsidiary, giving Vivendi a 20% share of NBC Universal1. In 2011, Comcast attained 51% and thereby the control of newly reformed NBCUniversal, by purchasing shares from GE, while GE bought out Vivendi. Since 2013, the company is wholly owned by Comcast, which bought GE’s ownership stake.

In 2017, Comcast NBCUniversal announced LIFT Labs to help entrepreneurs launch the next generation of media industry startups. The multi-city program launched in Philadelphia and includes a startup accelerator powered by Techstars and an Entrepreneurs’ Resource Center.2

References


  1. Reuters Timeline: NBC, Universal through the 20th century and beyond↩︎
  2. Comcast NBCUniversal Announces LIFT Labs↩︎
Last updated byAnonymous on March 10, 2020
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