Rumors, theories and conjectures have been swirling since The Wrap reported yesterday that a deal between cable provider Comcast and GE-owned NBC Universal “had already been completed at a purchase price of $35 billion.”

But reps from Comcast later told Bloomberg, “the report that Comcast has a deal to purchase NBC Universal is inaccurate.”

However, that same report revaled that “negotiations for Comcast to buy about 50 percent of NBC Universal have been under way for at least two months.” Such a deal would depend on whether French company Vivendi SA decides to sell its 20 percent stake in NBCU.

After the jump, what some people around the industry are saying about the possible deal.

Update: Our sister blog TVNewser has an email from NBCU CEO Jeff Zucker to employees. Of the future of Vivendi’s stake, Zucker said, “They have not yet made us aware of any final decisions about their future with us; should they choose to exit, there are a number of possible things that could happen.”

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Right now, the public memorial for Walter Cronkite is just getting started at Avery Fisher Hall at Lincoln Center.

TVNewser editors Chris and Kevin are on the scene and Tweeting from the event. So far, they’ve spotted NBC News‘ Steve Capus chatting with Rick Kaplan of CBS, Liz Smith sitting next to former Foxnews.com columnist Roger Friedman along with news anchors Diane Sawyer, Barbara Walters, Charlie Gibson and Dan Rather.

Cronkite’s longtime home CBS will is streaming live coverage of the service on CBSnews.com and TVNewser will have a full report on the memorial later today.

Will you be tuning it to the Web-cast?

TVNewser: Gathering For The Walter Cronkite Memorial Service

There will be a big change at one network’s evening news desk starting next year.

ABC News announced today that Charles Gibson, who has anchored the news channel’s “World News” nightly newscast since May 2006, will be stepping down from his post at the end of the year and retiring from full-time work. Diane Sawyer, who currently co-anchors “Good Morning America,” will step into Gibson’s seat, making her the nation’s second female nightly news anchor along with Katie Couric.

As the story developed this morning, our colleagues at FishbowlDC obtained an email sent by Gibson today. He explained his decision to leave in part:

“It had been my intention to step down from my job at ‘Good Morning America’ in 2007 but with Peter’s illness, Bob’s injuries, and Elizabeth’s pregnancy, the job at ‘World News’ came open in May of 2006, and [ABC News President David Westin] asked me to step in as anchor. It was an honor to do so. The program is now operating at a very accelerated, but steady, cruising speed, and I think it is an opportune time for a transition — both for the broadcast and for me. Life is dynamic; it is not static.”

As Gibson prepares to depart, TVNewser took a look at the ratings since he took over the anchor desk. During his run, Gibson managed to keep his NBC News rival Brian Williams on his toes. With Gibson in the anchor chair, “World News” became the number 1 evening news broadcast by March 2007, although “NBC Nightly News” reclaimed its title in 2008.

Today’s New York Times is speculating whether Rupert Murdoch has a soft spot for Barack Obama. Anyone who keeps up with the New York Post can’t help but be aware that the Senator and now President-elect has rarely been subject to the infamous (and endlessly entertaining) lacerations of the Post‘s front-page headlines. However the Times also points out that the love is not merely cover-deep:

The Post mentioned Mr. Obama’s damaging associations with the Rev. Jeremiah A. Wright and William Ayers less often than several other large American newspapers, including its archrival tabloid, the Daily News

So, has Rupe gone left?

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