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  • FY-2015: Comcast Cable’s Q4-2015 video subscriber additions retard video subscriber decline

    FY-2015: Comcast Cable’s Q4-2015 video subscriber additions retard video subscriber decline

    BENGALURU: Comcast Corporation’s (Comcast) cable communications segment reported its best ever video results in terms of subscriber decline over nine years for the year ended 31 December, 2015 (FY-2015, current year). Video subscriber increase or retard, at least for the current quarter, seems to be a trend in the US, if one were to go by the results declared by a couple of other television signal carriers.

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million =1 crore

    Comcast Cable numbers

    Comcast Cable reported net additions of 89,000 in the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q4-2015, current quarter) as compared to net additions of 6,000 during the corresponding prior year quarter. In the previous quarter (Q3-2015), Comcast Cable had reported a decline of 48,000 video subscribers. For FY-2015, the segment reported 223.47 lakh video subscribers as compared to 223.83 lakh in FY-2014, a decline of just 36,000 as compared to the 196,000 subscribers that Comcast Cable had lost in FY-2014 vis-?-vis FY-2013.

    Customer relationships increased by 281,000 to 270.35 lakh during Q4-2015, a 57.6 per cent improvement compared to an increase of 178,000 in the fourth quarter of 2014, driven by increases in double product and triple product relationships. Video customer net additions of 89,000 were the best result for a quarter in eight years, high-speed Internet customer net additions of 460,000 were the best result for a fourth quarter in nine years, and Voice customer net additions improved to 139,000.

    For FY-2015, customer relationships increased by 666,000, an 85.9 per cent improvement compared to net additions of 358,000 in FY-2014. Video customer net losses of 36,000 improved by 81.7 per cent year-over-year and were the best result in nine years. High-speed Internet customer net additions of 1.4 million marked the tenth consecutive year of more than one million net additions, and were the best result in eight years. Voice customer net additions slowed to 282,000.

    Revenue for Cable Communications increased 5.9 per cent to $11,980 million in Q4-2015 compared to $11,313 million Q4-2014, driven by increases of 9.8 per cent in high-speed Internet, 4.4 per cent in video and 18.9 per cent in business services, partially offset by a 9.3 per cent decline in advertising due to lower political advertising revenue. Comcast says that the increase in Cable revenue reflects increased customer relationships (see below), customers receiving higher levels of service, customers taking additional services, as well as rate adjustments.

    For FY-2015, Cable revenue increased 6.2 per cent to $46,879 million compared to $44,140 million in FY-2014, driven by growth in high-speed Internet, business services and video.

    Company speak

    Comcast chairman and chief executive officer Brian L. Roberts said, “I am exceptionally proud of our results this year, which were driven by strong performances in each of our core businesses. At Comcast Cable, our focus on delivering the most innovative products and improving the customer experience led to fantastic operating metrics, including our best video customer results in nine years, and our best high-speed Internet customer results in eight years. NBCUniversal had a remarkable year, with record-breaking results at both Theme Parks and Film, and continued success at NBC, which was number one in primetime for the second consecutive season. As we enter 2016, the momentum we see across our portfolio is truly exciting. We are executing at the highest level, investing prudently, and energized and focused on driving growth and shareholder value. Underscoring our confidence in our company, we are increasing our dividend by 10 per cent to $1.10 per share and we also plan to repurchase $5.0 billion of our stock this year.”

    Overall numbers

    Consolidated Revenue for Q4-2015 increased 8.5 per cent to $19,245 million as compared to $17,732 million in Q4-2014. Consolidated Operating Cash Flow increased 6.7 per cent to $6,272 million from $5,877 million in Q4-2014. Consolidated Operating Income increased 5.7 per cent to $4,002 million as compared to $3,787 million in the previous year. On 13 November, 2015, Comcast acquired a 51 per cent interest in the Universal Studios theme park located in Osaka, Japan (Universal Studios Japan). Q4-2015 and FY-2015 results include $169 million of revenue and $80 million of operating cash flow attributable to Universal Studios Japan from its acquisition date.

    Consolidated revenue for Q4-2015 excluding Universal Studios Japan increased 7.6 per cent. Consolidated operating cash flow excluding Universal Studios Japan, as well as $22 million of costs associated with a change in the presentation of amounts payable for a contractual obligation in Q4-2015 and $99 million of Time Warner Cable and Charter transaction-related costs in Q4-2014, increased four per cent.

    For FY-2015, consolidated revenue increased 8.3 per cent to $74,510 million as compared to $68,775 million in FY-2014. Consolidated operating cash flow increased 7.7 per cent to $24,678 million as compared to $22,923 million in FY-2014. Consolidated operating income increased 7.3 per cent to $15,998 million as compared to $14,904 million in the prior year. Consolidated revenue for FY-2015 excluding Universal Studios Japan, as well as $376 million of revenue generated by the broadcast of the NFL’s Super Bowl in the first quarter of 2015 and $1.1 billion of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in the first quarter of 2014, increased 9.3 per cent. Consolidated operating cash flow excluding Universal Studios Japan, as well as $178 million of transaction-related costs in 2015 and $237 million in 2014, and $22 million of costs associated with a change in the presentation of amounts payable for a contractual obligation4 in the fourth quarter of 2015, increased 7.1 per cent.

    Other segments

    NBCUniversal

    Revenue for NBCUniversal increased 13.0 per cent to $7,477 million in Q4-2015 compared to $6,615 million in Q4-2014. For FY-2015, NBCUniversal revenue increased 11.9 per cent to $28.5 billion compared to $25.4 billion in FY-2014.

    Cable Networks

    For Q4-2015, Cable Networks segment revenue increased 3.4 per cent to $2,407 million as compared to $2,327 million in Q4-2014. These results reflect a 6.8 per cent increase in distribution revenue, partially reflecting NASCAR Comcast’s sports network, NBCSN, which was more than offset by a modest 0.3 per cent decline in advertising revenue and an increase in sports programming costs, reflecting the impact of NASCAR and higher programming costs for the English Premier League.

    For FY-2015, revenue from the Cable Networks segment increased 0.7 per cent to $9,628 million from $9,563 million in FY-2014.

    Broadcast Television

    For Q4-2015, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment increased seven per cent to $2,498 million compared to $2,335 million in Q4-2014, reflecting a seven per cent increase in advertising revenue, primarily driven by higher rates, a 34.9 per cent increase in content licensing revenue, and higher retransmission consent fees.

    For FY-2015, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment was stable at $8,530 million as compared to $8,542 million in FY-2014. Excluding $376 million of revenue generated by the NFL’s Super Bowl in the first quarter of 2015, as well as $846 million of revenue generated by the 2014 Sochi Olympics, revenue increased six per cent, reflecting a 13.7 per cent increase in content licensing revenue, a 4.1 per cent increase in advertising revenue, and higher retransmission consent fees.

    Filmed Entertainment

    For Q4-2015, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment increased 25.8 per cent to $1,6 29billion compared to $1,295 million in Q4-2014, reflecting a 74.9 per cent increase in home entertainment revenue driven by the strong performances of Minions and Jurassic World, as well as a 22.7 per cent increase in content licensing revenue, partially offset by a 37.5 per cent decline in theatrical revenue.

    For FY-2015, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment increased 45.5 per cent to $7,287 million compared to $5,008 million in FY-2014, driven by higher theatrical revenue from the record performances of Minions, Jurassic World, and Furious 7. Operating cash flow increased 73.5 per cent to $1.2 billion compared to $711 million in 2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a 40.9 per cent increase in operating expenses, primarily driven by an increase in the amortisation of film costs and higher advertising, marketing and promotion expense due to a larger film slate.

    Theme Parks

    For Q4-2015, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 38.6 per cent to $1,019 million compared to $735 million in Q4-2014. These results reflect higher guest attendance and per capita spending, driven by the continued success of Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Hollywood’s Fast and Furious: Supercharged, as well as Halloween Horror Nights at the Orlando and Hollywood parks, partially offset by an increase in operating costs to support new attractions.

    For FY-2015, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 27.3 per cent to $3,339 million compared to $2,623 million in FY-2014.

  • FY-2015: Comcast Cable’s Q4-2015 video subscriber additions retard video subscriber decline

    FY-2015: Comcast Cable’s Q4-2015 video subscriber additions retard video subscriber decline

    BENGALURU: Comcast Corporation’s (Comcast) cable communications segment reported its best ever video results in terms of subscriber decline over nine years for the year ended 31 December, 2015 (FY-2015, current year). Video subscriber increase or retard, at least for the current quarter, seems to be a trend in the US, if one were to go by the results declared by a couple of other television signal carriers.

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million =1 crore

    Comcast Cable numbers

    Comcast Cable reported net additions of 89,000 in the quarter ended 31 December, 2015 (Q4-2015, current quarter) as compared to net additions of 6,000 during the corresponding prior year quarter. In the previous quarter (Q3-2015), Comcast Cable had reported a decline of 48,000 video subscribers. For FY-2015, the segment reported 223.47 lakh video subscribers as compared to 223.83 lakh in FY-2014, a decline of just 36,000 as compared to the 196,000 subscribers that Comcast Cable had lost in FY-2014 vis-?-vis FY-2013.

    Customer relationships increased by 281,000 to 270.35 lakh during Q4-2015, a 57.6 per cent improvement compared to an increase of 178,000 in the fourth quarter of 2014, driven by increases in double product and triple product relationships. Video customer net additions of 89,000 were the best result for a quarter in eight years, high-speed Internet customer net additions of 460,000 were the best result for a fourth quarter in nine years, and Voice customer net additions improved to 139,000.

    For FY-2015, customer relationships increased by 666,000, an 85.9 per cent improvement compared to net additions of 358,000 in FY-2014. Video customer net losses of 36,000 improved by 81.7 per cent year-over-year and were the best result in nine years. High-speed Internet customer net additions of 1.4 million marked the tenth consecutive year of more than one million net additions, and were the best result in eight years. Voice customer net additions slowed to 282,000.

    Revenue for Cable Communications increased 5.9 per cent to $11,980 million in Q4-2015 compared to $11,313 million Q4-2014, driven by increases of 9.8 per cent in high-speed Internet, 4.4 per cent in video and 18.9 per cent in business services, partially offset by a 9.3 per cent decline in advertising due to lower political advertising revenue. Comcast says that the increase in Cable revenue reflects increased customer relationships (see below), customers receiving higher levels of service, customers taking additional services, as well as rate adjustments.

    For FY-2015, Cable revenue increased 6.2 per cent to $46,879 million compared to $44,140 million in FY-2014, driven by growth in high-speed Internet, business services and video.

    Company speak

    Comcast chairman and chief executive officer Brian L. Roberts said, “I am exceptionally proud of our results this year, which were driven by strong performances in each of our core businesses. At Comcast Cable, our focus on delivering the most innovative products and improving the customer experience led to fantastic operating metrics, including our best video customer results in nine years, and our best high-speed Internet customer results in eight years. NBCUniversal had a remarkable year, with record-breaking results at both Theme Parks and Film, and continued success at NBC, which was number one in primetime for the second consecutive season. As we enter 2016, the momentum we see across our portfolio is truly exciting. We are executing at the highest level, investing prudently, and energized and focused on driving growth and shareholder value. Underscoring our confidence in our company, we are increasing our dividend by 10 per cent to $1.10 per share and we also plan to repurchase $5.0 billion of our stock this year.”

    Overall numbers

    Consolidated Revenue for Q4-2015 increased 8.5 per cent to $19,245 million as compared to $17,732 million in Q4-2014. Consolidated Operating Cash Flow increased 6.7 per cent to $6,272 million from $5,877 million in Q4-2014. Consolidated Operating Income increased 5.7 per cent to $4,002 million as compared to $3,787 million in the previous year. On 13 November, 2015, Comcast acquired a 51 per cent interest in the Universal Studios theme park located in Osaka, Japan (Universal Studios Japan). Q4-2015 and FY-2015 results include $169 million of revenue and $80 million of operating cash flow attributable to Universal Studios Japan from its acquisition date.

    Consolidated revenue for Q4-2015 excluding Universal Studios Japan increased 7.6 per cent. Consolidated operating cash flow excluding Universal Studios Japan, as well as $22 million of costs associated with a change in the presentation of amounts payable for a contractual obligation in Q4-2015 and $99 million of Time Warner Cable and Charter transaction-related costs in Q4-2014, increased four per cent.

    For FY-2015, consolidated revenue increased 8.3 per cent to $74,510 million as compared to $68,775 million in FY-2014. Consolidated operating cash flow increased 7.7 per cent to $24,678 million as compared to $22,923 million in FY-2014. Consolidated operating income increased 7.3 per cent to $15,998 million as compared to $14,904 million in the prior year. Consolidated revenue for FY-2015 excluding Universal Studios Japan, as well as $376 million of revenue generated by the broadcast of the NFL’s Super Bowl in the first quarter of 2015 and $1.1 billion of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in the first quarter of 2014, increased 9.3 per cent. Consolidated operating cash flow excluding Universal Studios Japan, as well as $178 million of transaction-related costs in 2015 and $237 million in 2014, and $22 million of costs associated with a change in the presentation of amounts payable for a contractual obligation4 in the fourth quarter of 2015, increased 7.1 per cent.

    Other segments

    NBCUniversal

    Revenue for NBCUniversal increased 13.0 per cent to $7,477 million in Q4-2015 compared to $6,615 million in Q4-2014. For FY-2015, NBCUniversal revenue increased 11.9 per cent to $28.5 billion compared to $25.4 billion in FY-2014.

    Cable Networks

    For Q4-2015, Cable Networks segment revenue increased 3.4 per cent to $2,407 million as compared to $2,327 million in Q4-2014. These results reflect a 6.8 per cent increase in distribution revenue, partially reflecting NASCAR Comcast’s sports network, NBCSN, which was more than offset by a modest 0.3 per cent decline in advertising revenue and an increase in sports programming costs, reflecting the impact of NASCAR and higher programming costs for the English Premier League.

    For FY-2015, revenue from the Cable Networks segment increased 0.7 per cent to $9,628 million from $9,563 million in FY-2014.

    Broadcast Television

    For Q4-2015, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment increased seven per cent to $2,498 million compared to $2,335 million in Q4-2014, reflecting a seven per cent increase in advertising revenue, primarily driven by higher rates, a 34.9 per cent increase in content licensing revenue, and higher retransmission consent fees.

    For FY-2015, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment was stable at $8,530 million as compared to $8,542 million in FY-2014. Excluding $376 million of revenue generated by the NFL’s Super Bowl in the first quarter of 2015, as well as $846 million of revenue generated by the 2014 Sochi Olympics, revenue increased six per cent, reflecting a 13.7 per cent increase in content licensing revenue, a 4.1 per cent increase in advertising revenue, and higher retransmission consent fees.

    Filmed Entertainment

    For Q4-2015, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment increased 25.8 per cent to $1,6 29billion compared to $1,295 million in Q4-2014, reflecting a 74.9 per cent increase in home entertainment revenue driven by the strong performances of Minions and Jurassic World, as well as a 22.7 per cent increase in content licensing revenue, partially offset by a 37.5 per cent decline in theatrical revenue.

    For FY-2015, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment increased 45.5 per cent to $7,287 million compared to $5,008 million in FY-2014, driven by higher theatrical revenue from the record performances of Minions, Jurassic World, and Furious 7. Operating cash flow increased 73.5 per cent to $1.2 billion compared to $711 million in 2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a 40.9 per cent increase in operating expenses, primarily driven by an increase in the amortisation of film costs and higher advertising, marketing and promotion expense due to a larger film slate.

    Theme Parks

    For Q4-2015, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 38.6 per cent to $1,019 million compared to $735 million in Q4-2014. These results reflect higher guest attendance and per capita spending, driven by the continued success of Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, Hollywood’s Fast and Furious: Supercharged, as well as Halloween Horror Nights at the Orlando and Hollywood parks, partially offset by an increase in operating costs to support new attractions.

    For FY-2015, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 27.3 per cent to $3,339 million compared to $2,623 million in FY-2014.

  • NBC Sports & Yahoo expand digital sports alliance

    NBC Sports & Yahoo expand digital sports alliance

    MUMBAI: Yahoo! Inc and NBC Sports Group have renewed their multi-faceted partnership that combines the content and experiences of Yahoo Sports, including its fantasy sports product, with NBC Sports Digital’s video assets and promotional power.

     

    This expanded partnership brings even more content to Yahoo/NBC Sports viewers, including Premier League highlights, NBC Sports Regional Network team reports, and Golf Channel content. It also extends the reach of the digital and on-air experiences beyond desktop to mobile and Tumblr.

     

    Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports Digital will continue to collaborate on premium sports news and events coverage both online and on-air on NBC, NBCSN, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Regional Networks, NBCSports.com and Yahoo, while maintaining separate sites and editorial control of their respective newsrooms and digital properties.

     

    “Yahoo has been a great partner, and we are pleased to extend this very complementary alliance that will now include Golf Channel,” said NBC Sports Group SVP and GM – digital media Rick Cordella. “This partnership extends the digital reach of both sides, and allows us to collaborate on the creation of widely-consumed, cross-platform content, particularly around short-form video and fantasy sports.”

     

    “We’re thrilled to not only continue our relationship with NBC Sports, but also to expand the partnership as we work to bring more premium digital sports content to our users. The addition of the Premier League and Golf Channel complements the current lineup, and we’re excited to extend the reach of NBC Sports content to Yahoo’s mobile and Tumblr users,” added Yahoo SVP of corporate development and partnerships Ian Weingarten.

     

    Additional features of the alliance include Live Sports, Rotoworld + Yahoo Fantasy, Golf Channel, NBC Sports Regional Networks and Fantasy Football Live.

     

    Yahoo Sports and NBC Sports will continue to partner to provide scalable advertising solutions to reach engaged audiences through distinctive opportunities and sponsorships. In addition, Rotoworld.com will integrate with Yahoo Gemini for access to native advertising technology.

  • Q3-2015: Comcast Cable revenue up 6.3%, loses 48K video subs; NBCU shines

    Q3-2015: Comcast Cable revenue up 6.3%, loses 48K video subs; NBCU shines

    BENGALURU: Comcast Corporation’s (Comcast) Cable Communications reported revenue growth of 6.3 per cent at $11,740 million in the quarter ended 30 September, 2015 (Q3-2015, current quarter) as compared to the $11,041 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. The segment’s revenue in the current quarter was almost flat (increased by 0.09 per cent) as compared to $11,729 million reported for the immediate trailing quarter.

     

    Note: 100,00,000 = 100 lakh = 10 million = 1 crore

    Subscription numbers have been mentioned in lakhs and revenue and other financial numbers in millions of US dollars.

     

    Operating cash flow of Comcast’s Cable Communications in Q3-2015 improved 6.4 per cent to $4748 million (40.4 per cent margin) as compared to the $4,464 million (40.4 per cent margin) in Q3-2014.

     

    In terms of decline in video customers, Comcast’s Cable Communication reported the best quarter among the last nine quarters. The company lost only 48,000 video customers in Q3-2015 as compared to the decline of 69,000 in Q2-2015.

     

    Comcast NBCUniversal segment reported a 20.8 per cent growth in revenue at $7,151 million in the current quarter as compared to the $5,921 million in Q3-2014. Operating cash flow of the segment in Q3-2015 improved 17 per cent to $1,657 million as compared to the $1,416 million in Q3-2014.

     

    Overall, Comcast reported a 11.2 per cent growth in consolidated revenue (excluding Olympics and Super Bowl) at $18,669 million as compared to the $16,791 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Operating Income in Q3-2015 increased 6.9 per cent to $4001 million as compared to the $3745 million in Q3-2014, while Free Cash Flow increased 6.8 per cent to $2663 million as compared to $2494 million in Q3-2014. Earnings per share in the current quarter however declined 19.2 per cent to $0.80 as compared to $0.99 in Q3-2014.

     

    Comcast chairman and CEO Brian L Roberts said, ”I’m pleased to report that our businesses generated outstanding revenue and operating cash flow growth for the third quarter of 2015. At Cable Communications, overall customer relationships increased 156,000, a 90 per cent improvement compared to last year, video subscriber results were the best for a third quarter in nine years, high-speed Internet subscriber results were the best for a third quarter in six years, and churn across all product categories continues to improve. NBCUniversal also delivered terrific results, including another record-breaking box office quarter driven by Minions and Jurassic World, the highest summer attendance ever at our theme parks, and maintaining the #1 broadcast network ranking for five summers in a row. These outstanding results from our unique portfolio of complementary businesses underscore our confidence that we are well positioned to compete, continue our strong performance and drive shareholder value.”

     

    Cable Communications numbers

     

    Six sub-segments contribute to Comcast’s Cable Communications – Video; High Speed Internet; Voice; Business Services; Advertising; and ‘Other.’

     

    Growth in revenue was driven by increases of 10.2 per cent in high-speed Internet revenue, 19.5 per cent in business services and 3.3 per cent in video. The company says that the increase in Cable revenue reflects increased customer relationships, customers receiving higher levels of service and customers taking additional services, as well as rate adjustments.

     

    Customer relationships

     

    Overall, Cable Communications customer relationships in Q3-2015 increased to 274.21 lakh as compared to 268.57 lakh in Q3-2014. During Q3-2015, the segment saw net addition of 156,000 customer relationships as compared to the net addition of 82,000 in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Single, double and triple play customers

     

    While the number of single product customers in the current quarter was lower at 83.67 lakh, it grew by 24,000, as compared to the 84.44 lakh in Q3-2014, which saw a decline of 66,000. Double Product customers were higher at 90.66 lakh in Q3-2015 as compared to 86.50 lakh in Q3-2014. In Q3-2015, the number of double product customers increased by 130,000 as compared to the increase of 76,000 in Q3-2014. Triple Product customers in Q3-2015 increased to 99.88 lakh as compared to 97.63 lakh in the corresponding year ago quarter. Q3-2015 saw the number of triple product customers’ increase by a mere 1,000 as compared to the increase of 72,000 n Q3-2014.

     

    Video

    Revenue from Video improved 3.3 per cent to $5,348 million in Q3-2015 as compared to the $5,179 million in Q3-2014. For the current quarter, the company reported a net loss of 48,000 customers, while its customer base declined by 118,000 to 222.58 lakhs as compared to the 223.76 lakh customers in Q3-2014.

     

    High Speed Internet

    High Speed Internet revenue in the current quarter increased 10.2 per cent to $3,129 million as compared to the $2,840 million in Q3-2014.

     

    The company added 320,000 high speed internet customers in Q3-2015 and reported a customer base of 228.68 lakh. In Q3-2014, Cable Communications had added 315,000 customers and reported a high spend internet customer base of 215.86 lakh.

     

    Voice

    Despite a higher customer base, Voice revenue in Q3-2015 declined 1.4 per cent to $900 million as compared to the $913 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Voice customer base in Q3-2015 increased to 113.36 lakh as compared to the 110.70 lakh in the corresponding quarter of last year. In Q3-2015, Cable Communications added only 17,000 customers as compared to the 68,000 in Q3-2014.

     

    Business Services revenue in Q3-2015 increased 19.2 per cent to $1,208 million as compared to the $1,011 million in Q3-2014.

     

    Advertising revenue in the current quarter was almost flat (declined 0.2 per cent) to $593 million as compared to $596 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    ‘Other’ revenue increased 11.2 per cent to $562 million in Q3-2015 as compared to the $ 502 in Q3-2014.

     

    NBCUniversal

     

    As mentioned above, NBCUniversal division revenue increased 20.8 per cent YoY in the current quarter, while Operating Cash Flow increased 17 per cent driven by strong results at Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks.

     

    Four sub-segments add to NBCUniversal’s revenue – Cable Networks; Broadcast Television; Filmed Entertainment; and Theme Parks.

     

    Cable Networks reported seven per cent growth in operating revenue at $2,412 million in Q3-2015 as compared to the $2,255 million in the corresponding year ago quarter, driven by an 8.6 per cent increase in distribution revenue and a two per cent increase in advertising revenue, partially reflecting the introduction of NASCAR on Comcast’s sports network, NBCSN, as well as a 17.6 per cent increase in content licensing and other revenue. Operating cash flow decreased 3.9 per cent to $835 million compared to $868 million in Q3-2014, reflecting higher revenue, more than offset by increased sports programming costs, driven by the impact of NASCAR., informs the company.

     

    Broadcast Television revenue in the current quarter increased 11.3 per cent in Q3-2015 at $1,971 million as compared to the $1,770 million in Q3-2014 reflecting a 33.5 per cent increase in content licensing revenue, higher retransmission consent fees, and a 2.8 per cent increase in advertising revenue. Operating cash flow increased 6.1 per cent to $150 million compared to $142 million in Q3-2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in programming and production costs associated with the timing of content provided under NBCUniversal’s licensing agreements and studio production costs.

     

    Filmed Entertainment revenue increased 64 per cent to $1,946 million in Q3-2015  as compared to the $1,186 million in the corresponding year ago quarter driven by higher theatrical revenue from the record performances of Minions andJurassic World, continuing on the earlier success of Furious 7. Operating cash flow increased $225 million to $376 million compared to $151 million in Q3- 2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in the amortisation of film costs and higher advertising, marketing and promotion expense due to a larger film slate.

     

    Theme Parks revenue increased 14.1 per cent to $876 million as compared to the $786 million in the corresponding year ago quarter reflecting higher guest attendance and per capita spending, driven by the continued success of Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley, as well as Fast and Furious: Supercharged at the Hollywood park. Q3-2015 operating cash flow increased 14.1 per cent to $458 million compared to $402 million in the same period last year, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating costs to support new attractions and $18 million of transaction-related costs associated with the development of a theme park in China.

  • NBC is set to showcase elite football

    NBC is set to showcase elite football

    MUMBAI: Fox Sports 1, Rupert Murdoch’s challenge to ESPN, will face tough competition from NBC Universal as it opens the first season of its three-year, $250 million deal with England’s Premier League, which will show every game on television or on digital streams.

     

    NBC is augmenting the games, which are being produced by the league, with its announcers, saving on costs.

     

    “It’s a blue-chip property that has not been exploited in the way that we will take advantage of it,” said NBC Sports president programming Jon Miller, which is being rebranded as NBCSN. “It provides all 380 games to every fan at no additional cost, which has never been done before.”

     

    True, but the 184 games that will be digitally streamed free on Premier League Extra Time will be accessible only to those who pay for cable, satellite or telephone company subscriptions that include NBCSN. The strategy underscores how important NBCSN is to its parent company’s sports future and how media companies like NBC Universal want to keep subscribers from cutting their cords to pay-TV providers. Extra Time is widely available; the only major cable provider that has not signed up is Charter.

     

    Those cable, satellite and telephone subscriptions will also be required for laptop and smartphone users looking to watch the full Premier League schedule on NBC Sports Live Extra, the TV Everywhere platform.

     

    In all, NBCSN will carry 154 games, the surest sign that the deal was structured to benefit the cable network by filling a lot of time slots with elite soccer, with replays of the day’s and week’s best matches, and studio programming. In addition to Extra Time’s 184 games, NBC will broadcast 21 games, CNBC eight, USA six, and the remaining seven have not been assigned.