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NBCUniversal completes takeover of Universal Orlando theme parks

By Meg JamesStaff Writer 
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It’s now all part of the Wizarding World of Comcast.

NBCUniversal said Friday that it had finalized its $1-billion purchase of private investor Blackstone Group’s 50% ownership stake in the Universal Orlando theme parks in Florida.

Comcast Corp., which controls NBCUniversal, said in a statement that the acquisition was financed with ‘cash on hand, borrowings under NBCUniversal’s existing credit facility and a one-year $250 million note to NBCUniversal from a Comcast Corp. affiliate.’ The deal was announced in June.

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NBCUniversal and affiliates now own 100% of the Universal Orlando Resort, which includes Universal Studios Florida and Universal’s Islands of Adventure -- which has seen attendance soar during the last year due to the popularity of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction -- as well as Universal CityWalk.

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NBCUniversal to buy Blackstone’s theme park stake

-- Meg James

Depiction of the Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction. Credit: Max Toporsky / Universal Orlando Resort

Company Town Blog
Meg James

Meg James is a senior entertainment industry writer for the Los Angeles Times. She was the lead reporter for The Times’ coverage of the deadly “Rust” shooting on a New Mexico film set in 2021, work recognized by the Pulitzer Prize board as a finalist in breaking news. A member of the Company Town team for two decades, James specializes in covering television, corporate media and investigative projects. She previously wrote for the Miami Herald and the Palm Beach Post. A native of Wyoming, she is a graduate of the University of Colorado and Columbia University.

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