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Comcast CEO weighed idea of acquiring Roku

(Startup animation by Roku, interactive animation by The Desk)

Comcast’s chief executive has considered a possible acquisition of technology company Roku as part of an overall strategy to build out his company’s streaming television offerings, according to a new report.

The idea was revealed in a lengthy profile on Comcast CEO Brian Roberts published by the Wall Street Journal on Wednesday. The information was attributed to a single, unnamed source.

Comcast declined to cooperate with the article by providing Roberts for an interview, and officials at Roku declined to comment, the Journal said.

Over the last few years, Comcast has shifted its focus away from its traditional cable television and broadcast operations toward one that goes nearly all-in on streaming.

Roberts has told fellow executives that he doesn’t particularly feel the need to acquire or merge with another company in order to achieve Comcast’s streaming goals, though he has considered a potential buy of Roku or a merger of content with ViacomCBS, the Journal reported.

Comcast operates its own streaming service, Peacock, as well as a streaming platform called Flex.

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About the Author:

Matthew Keys

Matthew Keys covers the business of broadcast and streaming TV, radio broadcasting, social media, technology and telecommunications. A journalist for over 15 years, Matthew previously worked at Thomson Reuters, KGO-TV in San Francisco, KTXL in Sacramento and McNaughton Newspapers. He received 9 California Journalism Awards between 2018 and 2020, and is a member of IRE (Investigative Reporters and Editors).
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