Comcast Gets Smaller

The nation's largest cable-system operator just got a wee bit smaller.

Comcast (CMCSA Quote), which completed its acquisition of AT&T Broadband last November, said Tuesday it had reached a definitive agreement to sell systems in four Western states to privately held Bresnan Broadband Holdings.

As part of the transaction, Comcast will receive $525 million in cash, enabling the cable operator to do what all major cable operators are interested in doing these days: cutting debt to ease investors' concerns and improve their own deal-making flexibility.

Comcast's shares fell $1.15 Tuesday to trade at $24.90. ...