COMPANY TOWN ANNEX

GE Says It Probably Won’t Sell NBC: Jay Ireland, corporate investor communications director for General Electric Co., said options remain open but that the company is committed to its NBC broadcasting unit and a sale is unlikely. Asked about published reports that General Electric has been trying to sell NBC, Ireland, in Houston to give a speech to security analysts, said: “Is (a sale) a probable option with NBC? Probably not.” Of the broadcast network, Ireland said: “We’re committed to that business. We like it. It generates $300 to $400 million a year in cash (and) $200 to $300 million of operating earnings. There’s no sense getting rid of it just to get rid of it, because we don’t need the cash.”