Comcast And NBC Approval: There's Hulu, The Clouds, And 2018

With all the details of the Comcast-NBC Universal deal now set, a big change will affect Hulu, one of the new venture's possibly major future business areas.

The Justice Department demanded Comcast give up management rights to the digital video service, rights it shares with its two other major partners, News Corp. and Walt Disney Co. Still, Comcast retains its financial stake -- about a third of the business. In essence, the new Hulu deal put Comcast in a minority ownership position. Perhaps Comcast execs, in the back of their minds, believes this digital video destination -- albeit a successful and growing brand -- may not be the be-all, end-all of the new digital world. Things change quickly in the digital space.

Where does this put Disney and News Corp. with Hulu? Possibly in a better position. Seemingly two partners might make for an easier future -- especially when dealing with a sometimes-complicated advertising inventory supply that has some media executives scratching their heads.