Ex-NBC topper Bob Wright on Vivendi and Jay Leno

Former NBC Universal CEO Bob Wright said he doesn't think Vivendi, the French conglomerate that owns 20% of the media giant will look to unload that stake in a public offering.

What Vivendi will do with its chunk of NBC Universal has become everyone's favorite guessing game, especially now that NBC Universal parent General Electric Co. is in negotiations to sell a controlling stake in its entertainment unit cable goliath Comcast Corp.

In an interview with News Corp.'s  Fox Business Network, Wright said, "I don't think an IPO is such an attractive proposition right in this market." He said he thinks Vivendi will negotiate an exit deal.

Wright did not shed much light on why he thinks GE is looking to sell. He said "this is a depressed time for media. NBC Universal value is lower today than three or four years ago." Asked why then is GE looking to deal, he responded "maybe they worry it won't get much better."

Ever the politician, Wright did not criticize he successor Jeff Zucker's big bet on Jay Leno in prime time. Asked about the move to run the show in the 10 p.m. time slot five nights a week, Wright said, "it's a decision with a long point of view ... they'll have to wait awhile."

-- Joe Flint

Photo: Bob Wright. Credit: NBC

Comments

[Big Jim Slade]

Why in the world would anyone take advice from the guy that is responsible for taking NBC from the Number ONE network to the Number FOUR network?

His "idea", no doubt cloned from the GE playbook, was to make NBC stand for "Nothing But Corridors" by laying 60% of the staff off, outsourcing key creative work, cutting down on new techology, and hiring second tier individuals.

Sometimes you have to spend money to make money, something that clearly was never in Bob Wright's demeanor.