Comcast could be the sole owner of NBC Universal within four years, buying out General Electric Co.’s 49% interest in the joint venture for $17 billion, Citigroup media analyst Jason Bazinet writes in new research note, Multichannel News reports.

The deal gives GE up to seven years after the deal closes to gradually sell its stake to Comcast, if it chooses to do so, beginning at the three and a half-year mark. But Bazinet writes that it would make affordable sense for Comcast to buy out its partner early.

–Elizabeth Jensen