Comcast is close to annoucing a deal that would give it a controlling stake in NBC Universal.

A report in today’s New York Times says [1] that “a formal announcement could be made sometime next week.”

This basically confirms the reports by TheWrap’s Sharon Waxman that the cable giant and General Electric owned unit had all-but-agreed on a deal and were in the process of due diligence [2]. (Two weeks ago, executives from Comcast and NBC Universal met at 30 Rockefeller Plaza "to kick tires, scrutinize balance sheets and perform due diligence.”)

The Wrap said on September 30 [3] that Comcast would get a 51 percent stake in NBC Universal – a detail that has not changed.

The Times also points out [1] that the proposed deal is complicated by Viviendi, which owns a 20 percent stake in NBCU and has the right to sell its stake through an I.P.O., something Vivendi’s chief executive, Jean-Bernard Lévy hinted last week that it might do.

Since the first report of a Comcast-NBCU deal [2], other bidders – including News Corp. – have expressed interest. (Really though, is there a deal Rupert Murdoch hasn't expressed interest in?)

But the Times notes [1] that “talks between G.E. and Comcast have advanced far enough that a deal with another company was unlikely, people briefed on the matter said.”