Report: EA Almost Merged With NBC Universal Before Deal With Comcast Dissolved

Mergers, acquisitions, and consolidation are all the fad with main conglomerates lately. Microsoft is within the technique of acquiring Activision Blizzard, Discovery and Time Warner have lately completed merging into one mega-media empire, and Sony is bringing Destiny developer Bungie into the PlayStation family. What we did not learn about is a now-failed bid for NBC Universal to strengthen its hand by folding Electronic Arts into its company umbrella. 

According to a report from Dylan Byers at Puck News, the merging of EA into NBC Universal was properly in movement till the deal fell aside in April. Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast Corporation, is claimed to have wished to inject the enterprise with an inflow of latest IP and types for a while now, and EA was within the crosshairs most lately. “In the wake of the Microsoft-Activision deal, Roberts approached Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson with a proposal to spin off NBCUniversal and merge the media and gaming giants, 4 sources with information of the proposal advised me,” writes Byers. He says the deal was negotiated for weeks, and the commonest end result, if it went by means of, would have had Andrew Wilson main this new amalgamation with NBCUniversal head Jeff Shell elevated inside Comcast.

The deal was later destined to disintegrate as the 2 events couldn’t attain an settlement on financial figures and company construction, in accordance with Byers’ story. Despite the recency of the shattering of this merger, Byers additionally states that EA has been trying towards Disney for the same enterprise deal. His sources name the connection EA desires with Disney as “‘a extra significant relationship’ than licensing offers.” Byers factors out that the blending of ESPN and EA Sports might show to be a profitable unification for each side.

While none of this has been publically talked about by any of the concerned entities, we’ll maintain a watch out for traces of any of this shifting ahead. As of now, Electronic Arts is staying solo however appears open to combining forces with one other firm if the correct provide comes alongside. 

[Source: Puck News]