Comcast announces a tax-free spin-off that will separate NBCUniversal and Sky from its technology division and says the transaction should close within about one year.Mike Cavanagh will lead NBCUniversal and Sky as chief executive officer, Michael Angelakis will run the technology company called Independent Comcast after joining first as a strategic advisor, and Brian L. Roberts will remain involved with both firms.Comcast will retain up to 19.9% of
NBCUniversal and
Sky for up to a year to allow tax-efficient monetization, says the company, and its shares rose as much as 23% in premarket trading.