# The Great Comcast-NBCUniversal Split and What It Means for Universal Parks (Ep. 109)

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network-530663/the-great-comcast-nbcuniversal-split-and-what-it-means-for-universal-parks-ep-109
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network-530663/the-great-comcast-nbcuniversal-split-and-what-it-means-for-universal-parks-ep-109.md
Podcast: [The Jim Hill Media Podcast Network](https://stenobird.com/podcast/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network-530663)
Published: 2026-07-03T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/JHM4593847780.mp3
Audio file: https://www.podtrac.com/pts/redirect.mp3/pdst.fm/e/traffic.megaphone.fm/JHM4593847780.mp3
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/the-jim-hill-media-podcast-network-530663/episodes/the-great-comcast-nbcuniversal-split-and-what-it-means-for-universal-parks-ep-109
Duration seconds: 3048

## Resource

Jim Hill and Eric Hersey break down Comcast’s planned split from NBCUniversal and Sky, and what that could mean for Universal’s theme park business. They look at how a standalone NBCUniversal might affect future park investment, especially after years of Comcast enthusiasm for rides, lands, and Epic Universe. The episode also covers a big week of Halloween Horror Nights announcements, new Universal CityWalk updates, and animation news from Annecy. Then Jim shares the fiery history of how Ron Howard’s Backdraft became a Universal Studios Hollywood attraction. NEWS • Comcast plans to split NBCUniversal and Sky into a standalone publicly traded media company. • Jim and Eric discuss how this could reshape Universal Parks funding, strategy, and future growth. • Halloween Horror Nights announces Hellraiser for both Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Hollywood. • Universal reveals original HHN houses including Invasion: Alien Abduction and Cyber Goria. • Universal CityWalk Orlando appears to be improving its bus terminal entry ahead of peak crowds. FEATURE • Jim looks back at Ron Howard’s 1991 film Backdraft and how Universal turned it into a lower lot attraction. • The Backdraft attraction used intense flame effects, controlled heat, and a surprise platform drop to put guests in the middle of a warehouse fire. • The episode revisits the 1990 Universal backlot fire and the rapid rebuilding of New York Street. • Jim explains how Backdraft opened during Universal Studios Hollywood’s push to become a full motion-picture-based theme park. HOSTS • Jim Hill - X/Twitter: @JimHillMedia, Instagram: @JimHillMedia, Website: jimhillmedia.com • Eric Hersey - X/Twitter: @erichersey, Instagram: @erichersey, Website: strongmindedagency.com FOLLOW • Facebook: @JimHillMediaNews • YouTube:…

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