NBC Universal has been a disappointment for General Electric (GE). Will the company, after the transaction involving it, GE and Comcast (CMCSA) goes through (assuming it does), see an improvement in its future prospects? I sure hope so, but I have to say, if the new leaders simply engage the same old strategies as before, then I don't have a lot of confidence.

It's been reported that Jeff Zucker will be leaving. On the surface, one might, on an instinctual level, feel positive about the exit of the studio's CEO. As we all know, change can be good; reboots can oftentimes act as catalysts that transform an operation into a stronger entity.

Comcast (CMCSA) and Visa (V) reported earnings on Wednesday. Following is my brief take on each of them.

Comcast is a big name in cable, and it's waiting to close on a deal with General Electric (GE) involving the latter company's NBC Universal. It will be interesting to see if Comcast's management team can properly synergize with the studio.

Here's a very interesting item from Theflyonthewall concerning DreamWorks Animation (DWA). It appears that the cartoon concern possibly isn't so fond of being a standalone entity any longer. Instead, it might want to be purchased by another media player. Comcast (CMCSA) was mentioned as a potential suitor.

There's some confusion, however, over this topic; it's not clear whether Jeffrey Katzenberg, the CEO of DreamWorks Animation, approached Comcast or Comcast approached Katzenberg.

TiVo (TIVO), an expert in digital-video recording, closed Tuesday's regular session at $9.15. It was up over 1%. Sure, that sounds swell when juxtaposed with Tuesday's market action. It does nothing, however, to make me like the stock.

The 52-week low for the shares is $6.41. The 52-week high is $18.93. The one-year chart is ... not appealing. You've got a big spike in buying interest near the right side, preceded by sideways action. Then, a nasty plunge. How can you possibly comprehend this technical situation? It's difficult at best, and I'm not going to pretend I know where the stock is heading.

Blockbuster (BBI) is not a stock any sane investor should buy. First, it's under a buck. Second, it is currently down over 20% in afternoon trading, backed by significant volume. I'm seeing a price of just under 40 cents as I write this. Not a good situation.

Yet, I'm sure there are a fair amount of professional speculators out there making bets on the business. Hey, I can't predict the future, but I just don't see how anyone can take a chance on the shares. The one-year chart is terrible. And the most recent earnings report, released yesterday after the bell, is likewise a horrible sight to behold.

DISH Network Corp. (DISH), a provider of television entertainment channels whose competitors include Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) and DIRECTV (DTV), is trading higher about an hour before the closing bell. It's up 50 cents, or over 2%, to $21.80. Volume isn't that great, though. And I have to say, I'm not sure I'd want to join in with the buyers.

Over the last twelve months, the stock has seen a nice rise. Before you become too impressed, keep in mind that the 52-week range is a relatively narrow one. The low is $14.17, while the high is $23.06.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Aflac Inc. (AFL) higher Q1 earnings were better than analysts expected, due in part to a stronger yen.
• Automatic Data Processing Inc. (ADP) Q3 EPS were the same as a year ago and revenue inched higher.
• BlackRock Inc. (BLK) higher Q1 earnings fell short of analysts' expectations due to acquisition-related charges.
• Broadcom Corp. (BRCM) posted record revenue in Q1 and swung to a profit from a year-ago loss.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (BKC) topped Wall Street's Q3 earnings estimate, but same-store sales fell.

Here are some highlights from this past week's earnings coverage on BloggingStocks:

• Aol Inc. (AOL) reported a better-than-expected Q4 profit and said its revenue also topped estimates.
• Burger King Holdings Inc. (BKC) higher Q2 earnings topped analysts' estimates but same-store sales fell.
• Clorox Co. (CLX) higher Q2 earnings beat expectations and it lifted its full-year earnings guidance.
• Comcast Corp. (CMCSA) Q4 earnings more than doubled and beat Wall Street expectations, but shares fell.
• Gap Inc. (GPS) shares jumped after it forecast earnings above analysts' expectations, boosted by January sales.

Comcast (CMCSA) published fourth-quarter numbers earlier today. On a reported basis, net income more than doubled to 33 cents per share. According to Reuters, the cable company earned 29 cents per share on an adjusted basis, beating estimates by two pennies.

Management loves to promote its ability to generate free cash flow. There was an increase in this metric of just under 21% for the twelve-month period. I love free-cash generation, and I appreciate this example of growth, but one thing should be pointed out: operational cash flow was flat. As the earnings release stated, a reduction in capital expenditures was mostly responsible for the expansion. Free cash flow was down 11% for the fourth quarter itself, sorry to say.