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http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4239739/

Comcast proposes buying Disney

U.S. cable TV giant makes $54 billion hostile bidThe Associated Press

Updated: 10:04 a.m. ET Feb. 11, 2004NEW YORK - In a surprise move, cable TV giant Comcast Corp. proposed early Wednesday to buy Walt Disney Co., the iconic media and entertainment powerhouse that owns the ABC and ESPN television networks, movie studios and theme parks, for stock valued at about $54 billion.

The nation’s biggest cable systems operator said it would also assume $11.9 billion in Disney debt.

Comcast’s stunning proposal was made even as Disney boss Michael Eisner is fending off criticism from former board members Roy E. Disney, the nephew of Disney founder Walt Disney, and Stanley E. Gold about his performance and lack of a succession plan as Disney’s chief executive.

Comcast said Eisner declined earlier this week to discuss a possible merger.

“This is a unique opportunity for all shareholders of Comcast and Disney to create a new leader of the entertainment and communications industry,” said Comcast president and chief executive Brian L. Roberts said in a statement.

Calls to Disney representatives Zenia Mucha, Michelle Bergman and John Spelich were not immediately returned early Wednesday. Michael Citrick, spokesman for Disney and Gold, said they had no immediate comment.

Comcast also released a letter sent to Eisner indicating that Eisner had personally rejected Roberts’ offer to enter into discussions about a merger earlier in the week.

The letter from Roberts called it “unfortunate” that Eisner was not willing to enter into discussions. “Given this, the only way for us to proceed is to make a public proposal directly to you and your board,” the letter stated.

Under the merger, Comcast said it would issue 0.78 of a share of its stock for each Disney share, and Disney shareholders would retain 42 percent of the combined company.

The deal values each Disney share at $25.69, a 7 percent premium over their closing price Tuesday, or more than $5 billion total. Comcast shares ended trading Tuesday at $32.94; Disney shares finished at $24.08.

Philadelphia-based Comcast merged with AT&T Broadband in November 2002, and the company noted that merger in its sales pitch Wednesday.

“Our management team has a proven track record of successful integration of our merger partners,” Roberts said.

Comcast has more than 21 million total cable television subscribers in 35 states and the District of Columbia. In October, the company reported net income of $3.18 billion and stronger-than-expected demand for premium services including high-speed Internet access. It has not yet released its results for the most recent quarter.

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Originally posted by Ghost Who Talks

Can Comcast put the friggin NFL network on its digital cable lineup?

Man, they got the golf channel, which I'm sure is cheap, but come on!

Well you know what is going to happen they are going to charge a lot for ESPN now. Remember there was the big fight about this recently.

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Troy

Why? that would be so lame. We'd trade away our young franchise QB who's shown actual ability to play and then draft an unknown quantity at QB? WHY?

That's like trading Chris Samuels for a high 1st and taking an OT with that. It only makes sense if someone is real old, real expensive, etc.

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Originally posted by Troy Fakeman

Adelphia > Comcast

at least where I live.

Booma? Did you see the thing on ESPN yesterday about Ramsey and how he could go to San Diego for the no. 1 pick overall...and how we would just take Manning? What do you think?

Personally I would want Fitzgerald before Manning. However getting the #1 pick for Ramsey I think a lot of us would have to at least think about it. Imagine how many picks we could get then trading that away.

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Originally posted by Ghost Who Talks

Troy

Why? that would be so lame. We'd trade away our young franchise QB who's shown actual ability to play and then draft an unknown quantity at QB? WHY?

That's like trading Chris Samuels for a high 1st and taking an OT with that. It only makes sense if someone is real old, real expensive, etc.

Dude....dont act like I am the GM...I am just 'reporting' what BSPN was 'reporting'

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