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Non-Tech : General Electric (GE) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Baldwin who wrote (783)	3/10/1999 8:40:00 AM
From: MeDroogies	Respond to of 3256

I take back a good deal of what I said (read next post). Originally, I was referring to ad revenues....and on that basis, CNBC could NEVER do what Welch said. I forgot about subscriber fees (which a friend reminded me of). That said, don't think that I was bashing GE. I am sitting on a pot of gold called GE. I love Welch. I also think he is the greatest CEO alive (Case is pretty close,too). Still, I think sometimes it is tough to completely read through the spin that ANY CEO (Welch included) puts out.... CNBC is a great property, too. Their margins have always been higher than NBC's, and with the transfer of some news responsibilities to CNBC away from the NBC News Division, CNBC created a profit where there was a loss leader before. Net gain all around. Still, TV as a viable holding of GE isn't what I'd consider a good long-term strategy. TV is losing viewers rapidly to new technology and cable (hence the need for CNBC...though that will be cannibalized eventually). GE can get a PILE for their TV holdings...and invest it in other, more profitable areas (IMHO). NBC is starting its cyclical downturn, which should last 3-5 years. CNBC will be a consistent performer, but is starting to face challenges from other cable entities (CNNfn, Fox News)...so it makes sense to get out while you're on top.