With NBC having taken it on the chin for a while in terms of television ratings, the network is newly poised to take some viewership back according to the Wall Street Journal (subscription required).

NBC, which is owned by global behemoth General Electric Company (NYSE:GE), is far removed from the leader of the ratings race compared to where it was when smashes "Seinfeld" and "Friends" were on the air. But it may have a chance this fall with newer shows like "30 Rock" and others. In "30 Rock" (a reference to 30 Rockefeller where NBC Studios is located), an appliance manager takes control of the NBC network in an apparent effort by the network to make fun of itself.

With GE's earnings suffering due to the lowly performance of the NBC unit, new shows like "Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip" and "Heroes" may give the network a partial (or whole) boost it needs. Along with the NFL's Sunday Night Football broadcasts, NBC is priming itself to regain lost ad revenue and viewership. GE's investors are ready as well, and they've been vocal about disappointment with NBC recently.

In the Wall Street Journal article, the point is made that an NBC revival is particularly important to GE's stock because of its role in the mix of GE's businesses. Although about half of GE's revenues come from its financial services offerings, investors tend to look at other GE businesses just as highly due to their high visibility.

Perhaps "30 Rock" will be enough to raise the network's fortunes but detailing a potential future scenario for NBC? Maybe the Maytag repairman could become the new network president? The 30 Rock Christmas tree may be lit nicely in a few months if things go well -- with GE light bulbs, of course.

Fall lineup bodes well for GE's NBC, WSJ says originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 02 Oct 2006 12:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.