RENEE MONTAGNE, host: NPR business news starts with the latest big media maneuvers.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: Some of the biggest names in the world of media and entertainment are reportedly talking to each other about a possible deal. The cable company Comcast is apparently eyeing a stake in NBC Universal, the television and movie business that's owned by General Electric. One Internet site went so far as to say a deal had been struck, but Comcast says that report is inaccurate. Any talks would also involve French media giant Vivendi, which owns a large stake in NBC Universal.</s>RENEE MONTAGNE, host: NBC's fate has been under discussion for a while. It is in fourth place behind the other big television networks and profits are falling, but it does own several channels that could offer valuable content for Comcast Cable lineup.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: A big deal was struck in the technology industry. Cisco, the Internet networking company, just spent $3 billion to buy a Norwegian firm called Tandberg. Tandberg makes videoconferencing equipment, which is a business that's been growing even in the recession. That's because businesses are buying more teleconferencing equipment as they cut back on actual business travel.</s>STEVE INSKEEP, host: Cisco is already involved in what its calls telepresence, or systems that use huge screens and transmit life-sized images of people. But those cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, and according to Bloomberg News, the purchase of this Norwegian company gives Cisco a product that might better appeal to smaller companies.
There have been reports that the cable company Comcast has its eye on NBC Universal. That's the television and movie business owned by General Electric. A deal that has been struck involves Cisco Systems buying a Norwegian company that makes hardware for video conferences. Cisco, the world's largest maker of computer networking equipment, will buy Tandberg for $3 billion.