The proposed deal steps up the pressure on Disney Chairman Michael Eisner, who is facing a campaign by ex-directors Roy Disney and Stanley Gold to oust him, and who recently lost a lucrative film distribution partnership with Pixar.
Comcast said Eisner has been unwilling to discuss a merger, so it sent
a letter to Disney's board making its offer public. Disney said in a statement that it "will carefully evaluate" the offer and Eisner reiterated this during a conference call with analysts Wednesday afternoon.