Brian Roberts: NBC News ‘The Single Most Awesome Asset’ Of Comcast Deal

Comcast CEO Brian Roberts had some very kind words for NBC News at the 2010 Cable Show in Los Angeles Tuesday. Roberts was interviewed by former News Corp. COO Peter Chernin on stage at the show, and said NBC’s news division will remain independent once Comcast completes its acquisition of NBC Universal.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Times‘ Joe Flint:

“The single most awesome asset that comes from this deal is NBC News,” he said, adding, “NBC News will help define Comcast.”

Mediaweek‘s Anthony Crupi was also at the keynote, and reports that Roberts dodged a question from Chernin (who once counted Fox News among the divisions he oversaw) about what he would do regarding MSNBC firebrand Keith Olbermann.

“Let’s have that conversation in 12 months when we’re playing with live ammo,” Roberts said, before adding that he would ensure that NBC News continued to “keep [its coverage] down the middle, whatever that means.”

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