Claire Atkinson

Once a sector in so-called "secular and cyclical decline," broadcast networks are suddenly as welcome on Wall Street as the first crocuses of spring.

Speaking at the annual UBS media conference, top Comcast executives said they saw significant upside to helping NBC get to "third, second or first place."

Advertisers are weighing the implications of Comcast-NBC deal and some think the combination could deliver some positive results. The deal might speed the progress of addressable advertising.

Comcast senior management told Wall Street analysts today that their deal for NBC Universal is about taking a bigger share of the recession proof growth story that is cable content.

Nielsen is fast-forwarding its plan to monitor viewers' Web habits in order to help clients understand, among other things, whether their advertising or TV promotion is working.

Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg said Hulu is a six month wonder and that technology will ultimately bypass the current fascination with the online video service.

For Comcast's Brian Roberts, acquiring NBC Universal will be the capstone of years of carefully plotting how to control both the distribution of content into homes and the production of it.

One Wall Street player confirmed market rumors that bankers have already descended on the Comcast's Philadelphia headquarters to work with management on selling the NBC Network and stations to a third party.

The health-care reform debate is giving national cable news networks an ad boost this month.

The free-TV model is broken and someone needs to fix it, and fast. It's not that broadcast networks can't make money. They still make boatloads; in fact, the lion's share...