GE is still working on a deal with Comcast that would give the cable giant control of the NBC Universal empire, but the WSJ reports that GE is exploring other options, including some sort of deal with Rupert Murdoch's News Corp. Seems a little whacky given that News Corp. also owns a TV network and movie studio. The Journal, which also is owned by News Corp., quotes a source as saying that any News Corp. deal would exclude NBC, MSNBC, and the local TV stations owned by NBC Universal. Like, why bother? The Comcast folks say it's just a negotiating tactic by GE.

Brian Roberts, Comcast's chief executive, played a central role in pitching a potential deal to Jeffrey Immelt, GE's chief executive, a person familiar with the matter said. Another person described the role of Messrs. Roberts and Immelt in talks as "huge."