The Comcast-GE deal includes NBC local stations -- triggering regulatory scrutiny

Comcast will take control of NBC Universal's 10 owned-and-operated stations, triggering a federal investigation, according to a source with knowledge of the deal. On Tuesday, the source says, GE (GE), the bellwether American icon that produces everything from jet engines to lightbulbs, agreed to sell control of news and entertainment giant NBC Universal to Comcast (CMCSA), the largest cable-TV provider in the U.S.

"This is for all of NBC, not part of it," the source tells DailyFinance. NBC Local Media comprises 10 NBC owned-and-operated TV stations reaching 27% of U.S. households, according to the company. The source cautions that delays could arise due to the deal's complexity, but the companies are aiming to announce the agreement Thursday morning.