The survivor: despite enduring four owners in a decade, Universal TV is in fine shape.(Top of the Week)

Broadcasting & Cable, May, 2004 by Higgins, John M.

Any company slammed by the perpetual tornado that has swirled around Universal Television should be in terrible shape. The cable network and TV studio operation has been flipped among four owners in the past decade. The last owner, Vivendi, was gripped by a financial scandal that led to the ouster of profligate CEO Jean Marie Messier.

Still, despite all the corporate mayhem, Vivendi Universal's TV operations now under NBC control are in surprisingly fine shape. USA Network just reclaimed the crown as No. 1 cable network. The once-sagging Sci Fi Channel is a top 10. Universal Television Productions is making serious money and just nailed a big payday from NBC's renewal of its cornerstone Law & Order franchise.

"Not too shabby given all we went...

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