Microsoft and NBC Universal finally have agreed on a resolution for the cable side of their joint venture. The deal points:

-- NBCU has acquired a controlling interest in MSNBC with an option to acquire 100 percent of the struggling cable news network within two years. The network now will be more fully intergrated with NBC News.

-- The announcement came with an affirmation of the companies’ strong commitment to thriving MSNBC.com. This from Steve Capus, recently appointed president of NBC News: “Our partnership in the nation’s leading cable and broadcast news website, MSNBC.com, keeps us on the leading edge in the online world. This combination of assets is unrivaled in network news, and we look forward to continuing a productive relationship with Microsoft for many years to come.”

-- MSNBC.com retains online rights to NBC News content, including video from the “Today” show, “Nightly News” and CNBC television and MSNBC cable, he said.

-- Hollywood Reporter: Financial terms of the deal weren’t announced, but an executive familiar with the deal said Friday morning that NBC Universal will now own 82% of MSNBC, while Microsoft will own 18%. Both companies have owned 50% each of MSNBC ever since 1996.

More details in the release…

Nice to have that loose end tied up before the new year.