ITV

Tag: NBCUniversal

  • MSM inks multi-year film content deal with NBCUniversal for Pix

    MSM inks multi-year film content deal with NBCUniversal for Pix

    MUMBAI: Multi Screen Media (MSM) has entered into a multi-year content partnership with NBC Universal International Distribution.

     

    As a result of this agreement, MSM’s English movie channel Sony Pix will now have access to Universal Pictures’ new US theatrical release. 

     

    Multi Screen Media CEO NP Singh said, “We always strive to get top quality content for our viewers. With access to Universal’s movie titles, we have put ourselves in a position to get the best movies that Hollywood has to offer. I am confident that with this deal, viewer needs will be well-met and their enhanced movie experience will steadily increase viewer loyalty to Sony Pix – our English movie channel.”

     

    NBC Universal has had a landmark year in 2015 and is the first studio ever to have three films namely Minions, Jurassic World and Fast & Furious 7 each cross over the $1 billion mark in the worldwide box office in a single year.

     

    The studio also recently passed the $5.53 billion mark at the worldwide box office, breaking the record for highest-grossing year – ever – for a studio in industry history. The current worldwide total to date is an unprecedented $6.38 billion.

     

    This strategic multi-year deal will give Sony Pix access to Universal’s latest movie releases such as Fast & Furious 7, Jurassic World, Ted 2, Pitch Perfect 2 and Illumination Entertainment’s Minions, as well as the first installment in the studio’s various blockbuster franchises such as Jurassic Park, The Mummy, The Fast & Furious, The Hulk and Despicable Me.

     

    Sony Pix will also provide viewers with access to other hit films from the studio such as Gladiator, the first three films in the Rambo franchise, King Kong, Schindler’s List, Ted and Notting Hill amongst others.

     

    Sony Pix EVP and business head Saurabh Yagnik added, “Sony PIX is on a strong growth path and our objective is to consistently operate in the top two slots of the category. We strive to keep our audience amazed with investment in the right content and continuously innovate to break clutter. We have been aggressively strengthening our library through the right investments and our existing long-term deals with Sony Pictures Entertainment, MGM and Lionsgate have been successful. Now, our association with NBCUniversal is another step in consolidating our leadership position.”

     

    NBC Universal International Distribution & Networks president Belinda Menendez  said, “With one of the world’s fastest growing major economies, we see tremendous growth potential in India and this deal reinforces how important this market is to NBC Universal. Further, we have always had a wonderful relationship with MSM/Sony PIX and are thrilled to partner with them to expand our reach in India and bring Universal’s new blockbuster hits and beloved library titles to their viewers in India.”

  • NBCUniversal invests $200 million in Buzzfeed

    NBCUniversal invests $200 million in Buzzfeed

    MUMBAI: NBCUniversal is stepping up on its digital play. After recently investing $200 million in digital company Vox Media, the company has now made a $200 million equity investment in BuzzFeed, the technology-driven global media company. 

     

    “BuzzFeed has built an exceptional global company that harmonizes technology, data and superior editorial abilities to create and share content in innovative ways. They reach a massive, loyal audience and have proven to be among the most creative, popular and influential new media players. We are pleased to be making this investment and for our companies to partner and work together,” said NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke.

     

    “It’s a fascinating time for the media industry; social, mobile, digital, and broadcast platforms are converging to create new opportunities to connect with global audiences, and we’re excited to partner with NBCUniversal to combine our respective strengths to build the future of news and entertainment,” said BuzzFeed founder and CEO Jonah Peretti.

     

    As part of the investment, the companies will also explore strategic partnerships across both organizations in the coming months.

     

    “BuzzFeed and NBCUniversal will be great strategic partners and we both have a lot to offer the other. We look forward to collaborating on television content, movies, the Olympics, and joint partnerships with ad agencies and brands,” said Buzzfeed executive chairman Kenneth Lerer.

  • NBCUniversal invests $200 million in digital company Vox Media

    NBCUniversal invests $200 million in digital company Vox Media

    MUMBAI: NBCUniversal has made a $200 million equity investment in digital media company Vox Media.

     

    The eight Vox Media brands are SB Nation, Polygon, The Verge, Vox.com, Eater, Racked, Curbed, and Re/code.

     

    NBCUniversal CEO Steve Burke said, “Vox Media has a great portfolio of premium digital brands that deeply engage broad audiences. Vox Media has strong leadership, top editorial talent and a unique technology platform. We are excited to be making this investment and building a collaborative partnership involving editorial content, advertising and technology.”

     

    “NBCUniversal is the perfect strategic partner for Vox Media as we continue to rapidly grow our audience and business. NBCUniversal’s valuable family of properties align especially well with Vox Media’s authoritative, voice-driven brands which span sports, tech, news, fashion, food, and more. We are extraordinarily excited to collaborate in many areas including video programming, brand advertising, cross-promotion, and platform technology to grow existing properties and launch new franchises,” added Vox Media CEO and chairman Jim Bankoff.

  • Q2-2015: Comcast reports 11% revenue growth, loses 69,000 video customers

    Q2-2015: Comcast reports 11% revenue growth, loses 69,000 video customers

    BENGALURU: Comcast Corporation (Comcast) reported 11.3 per cent growth in consolidated revenue in Q2-2015 (quarter ended 30 June, 2015) to $18,743 million as compared to the $16,844 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. 

     

    In Q1-2015, the company had reported consolidated revenue of $17,853 million. The company’s Cable Communications and NBCUniversal segments reported a y-o-y increase in revenue.

     

    Comcast consolidated operating income increased 7.9 per cent in Q2-2015 to $4105 million as compared to the $3804 million in Q2-2014 and was 5.5 per cent more than the $3890 million Q1-2015. Year to date (YTD, 6M-2015), the company’s consolidated revenue grew 6.8 per cent to $36,596 million from $34,252 in the corresponding year ago period. 

     

    Though the company’s Cable Communication segment reported a fall of 69,000 video customers in Q2-2015, video revenue grew 3.7 per cent in Q2-2015 to $5431 million from $5239 million during the corresponding year ago quarter. YTD, video revenue increased 3.3 per cent to $10,762 million as compared to $10,417 million in 6M-2014.

     

    Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian L Roberts said, “Our second quarter results, including 11.3 per cent revenue growth and eight per cent operating cash flow growth, demonstrate the strength and momentum we are seeing across our businesses. In Cable, high-speed Internet and business services continued to perform extremely well, and, significantly, this was the best second quarter video customer results we’ve had in nine years. Our focus on accelerating the deployment of our transformative X1 platform, as well as efforts to improve customer service, are clearly making a difference, with lower churn across all product categories. NBCUniversal had an exceptional quarter, led by the record-breaking box office performances of Jurassic World and Furious 7 and continued strong momentum in our theme parks. In addition, NBC won the 2014-2015 broadcast season for adults 18-49. Our teams are executing incredibly well across our strong and diversified portfolio, and I am excited for what we can deliver in the rest of 2015 and beyond.”

     

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

     

    Let us look at the numbers reported by Comcast

     

    Cable Communications

     

    Comcast’s Cable Communications segment has three products – video, high speed internet and voice.  Five streams add to the segment’s revenue – video, high speed internet, voice, business service and advertising.

     

    This segment’s revenue in Q2-2015 grew 6.3 per cent to $11,729 million as compared to the $11,029 million in Q1-2014. YTD also, the segment’s revenue increased 6.3 per cent to $23,159 million as compared to $21,786 million in 6M-2014. 

     

    Cable Communications customer relationships increased to 272.65 lakh in Q2-2015 as compared to 267.75 lakh in Q2-2014.

     

    Single product customer relationships declined in Q2-2015 to 83.43 lakh from 85.10 lakh in Q1-2014; double product customer relationships in Q2-2015 to 89.36 lakh from 85,74,000 in Q2-2014; triple product customer relationships increased in Q2-2015 to 99.87 lakh from 96.91 lakh in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    Operating Cash Flow for Cable Communications increased 5.1 per cent to $4798 million Q2-2015 compared to $4564 million in Q2-2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a 7.2 per cent increase in operating expenses primarily related to higher video programming costs, as well as an increase in technical and product support expenses driven by an acceleration in the deployment of X1 and investments to improve the customer experience. As a result, this quarter’s operating cash flow margin was 40.9 per cent compared to 41.4 per cent in the prior year period.

     

    For the six months ended 30 June, 2015, Cable operating cash flow increased 5.7 per cent to $9472 million compared to $8964 million in 6M-2014. YTD operating cash flow margin was 40.9 per cent compared to 41.1 per cent in 2014.

     

    Video 

     

    Video revenue has been mentioned above. The company lost 69,000 video customers in Q2-2015, much lower than the 144,000 customers it lost in Q1-2014. Total video customer relationships in Q2-2015 stood at 223.06 lakh as compared to the 224.57 lakh in the corresponding year ago quarter.

     

    High speed Internet

     

    High speed internet revenue in Q2-2015 grew 10 per cent to $3101 million from $2819 million in Q2-2014. YTD, revenue from this stream grew 10.3 per cent to $6145 million from $5569 million in 6M-2014.

     

    High speed internet customer relationships in Q2-2015 improved by 180,000 as compared to the improvement of 203,000 in Q2-2014. The total number of high speed internet customer relationships in Q2-2015 stood at 225.48 lakh, in Q2-2015, the corresponding number was 212.71 lakh.

     

    Voice

     

    Voice revenue in the current quarter at $903 million declined 2.1 per cent as compared to the $921 million in Q2-2014. YTD, revenue from this stream declined 1.8 per cent to $1809 million as compared to the $1842 million in 6M-2014.

     

    Voice customer relationships increased to 113.19 lakh as compared to the 110.03 lakh in Q2-2014.

     

    Business services, Advertising and Other

     

    Business services revenue grew 20.4 per cent to $1161 million in Q2-2015 as compared to $961 million in Q2-2015. Business services revenue in 6M-2015 increased 20.9 per cent to $2275 million as compared to the $1883 million in 6M-2014.

     

    Advertising revenue in Q2-2015 declined by 0.9 per cent to $582 million from $589 million in Q2-2014, while for 6M-2015, revenue declined 0.8 per cent to $1086 million as compared to $1094 million in 6M-2014.

     

    ‘Other’ revenue in Q1-2015 increased 10.9 per cent to $551 million as compared to the $497 in the corresponding year ago quarter. YTD, ‘Other’ revenue increased 10.2 per cent to $1082 million as compared to the $982 million in 6M-2014.

     

    NBCUniversal 

     

    Cable Networks, Broadcast television, Filmed Entertainment and Themed Parks contribute to NBCUniversal segment’s revenues.

     

    NBCUniversal revenue in Q2-2015 at $7230 million increased 20.2 per cent as compared to the $6016 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. For 6M-2015, revenue from this segment increased 7.3 per cent to $13,834 million from $12,892 million in the corresponding year ago six month period.

     

    Operating cash flow increased 19.4 per cent to $1712 million in Q2-2015 as compared to the $1434 million in Q2-2014. During 6M-2015, operating cash flow from this segment improved 16.8 per cent to $3206 million as compared to the $2745 million in 6M-2014 driven by strong results at Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks.

     

    Cable Networks

     

    Cable Networks revenue in Q-2015 declined 4.6 per cent to $872 million as compared to the $914 million in Q2-2014, reflecting a 26.3 per cent decrease in content licensing and other revenue due to the timing of content provided under licensing agreements and a three per cent decline in advertising revenue, partially offset by a 5.6 per cent increase in distribution revenue. Operating cash flow decreased 4.6 per cent to $872 million compared to $914 million in Q2-2014, reflecting lower revenue and modest increases in other operating and administrative expenses.

     

    For 6M-2015, revenue 2.2 per cent to $1170 million as compared to the $1809 million in 6M-2014. Operating cash flow decreased 2.2 per cent to $1.8 billion in 6M-2015.

     

    Broadcast Television

     

    Broadcast Television revenue increased 3.7 per cent in Q2-2015 to $240 million as compared to the $231 million in Q2-2014 reflecting a slight increase in advertising revenue and higher retransmission consent fees, which were offset by lower content licensing revenue. Operating cash flow decreased 3.7 per cent to $231 million compared to Q2-2014, primarily reflecting increases in other operating and administrative expenses, which were largely offset by a decrease in programming and production costs associated with the timing of the airing of certain shows in our primetime schedule.

     

    YTD, Broadcast Television revenue increased 14 per cent to $413 million as compared to $352 million in 6M-2014. Excluding $376 million of revenue generated by the NFL’s Super Bowl in the Q1-2015, as well as $846 million of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in Q1-2014, revenue increased 2.6 per cent. Operating cash flow increased 14 per cent to $413 million compared to $362 million in 6M-2014.

     

    Filmed Entertainment

     

    Filmed Entertainment revenue in Q2-2015 more than doubled (up 2.17 times) to $422 million as compared to the $195 million in Q2-2014 driven by higher theatrical revenue from the record performances of Furious 7 and Jurassic World. Operating cash flow increased $227 million to $422 million, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in the amortization of film costs and higher advertising, marketing and promotion expense due to a larger film slate.

     

    For 6M-2015, revenue increased 48.1 per cent to $715 million as compared to $483 million in 6M-2014. Operating cash flow increased 48.1 per cent to $715 million compared to $483 million in 6M-2014.

     

    Themed Parks

     

    Themed Parks in Q2-2015 increased 44.9 per cent to $354 million as compared to the $244 million in Q2-2014 reflecting higher guest attendance and per capita spending, driven by the continued success of Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. Q2-2015 cash flow increased 44.9 per cent to $354 million compared to $244 million in the same period last year, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating costs to support the new attractions.

     

    For 6M-2015, revenue increased 48.9 per cent to $616 million as compared to the $414 million in 6M-2014. Operating cash flow increased 48.9 per cent to $617 million compared to $414 million in 6M-2014.

  • EU files anti-trust charges against Sky TV & major Hollywood studios

    EU files anti-trust charges against Sky TV & major Hollywood studios

    MUMBAI: The European Commission has filed anti-trust charges against Sky UK and six major US film studios namely Disney, NBCUniversal, Paramount Pictures, Sony, Twentieth Century Fox and Warner Bros, accusing them of unfairly restricting customers’ access to content within the European Union.

     

    The Commission takes the preliminary view that each of the six studios and Sky UK have bilaterally agreed to put in place contractual restrictions that prevent Sky UK from allowing EU consumers located elsewhere to access, via satellite or online, pay-TV services available in the UK and Ireland. Without these restrictions, Sky UK would be free to decide on commercial grounds whether to sell its pay-TV services to such consumers requesting access to its services, taking into account the regulatory framework including, as regards online pay-TV services, the relevant national copyright laws.

     

    If the Commission’s preliminary position were to be confirmed, each of the companies would have breached EU competition rules prohibiting anti-competitive agreements. The sending of a Statement of Objections does not prejudge the outcome of the investigation.

     

    EU Commissioner in charge of competition policy Margrethe Vestager said, “European consumers want to watch the pay-TV channels of their choice regardless of where they live or travel in the EU. Our investigation shows that they cannot do this today, also because licensing agreements between the major film studios and Sky UK do not allow consumers in other EU countries to access Sky’s UK and Irish pay-TV services, via satellite or online. We believe that this may be in breach of EU competition rules. The studios and Sky UK now have the chance to respond to our concerns.”

     

    US film studios typically license audio-visual content, such as films, to a single pay-TV broadcaster in each Member State (or combined for a few Member States with a common language). The Commission’s investigation, which was opened in January 2014, identified clauses in licensing agreements between the six film studios and Sky UK, which require Sky UK to block access to films through its online pay-TV services (geo-blocking) or through its satellite pay-TV services to consumers outside its licensed territory (UK and Ireland).

     

    The Commission’s preliminary view as set out in the Statement of Objections is that such clauses restrict Sky UK’s ability to accept unsolicited requests for its pay-TV services from consumers located abroad, i.e. from consumers located in Member States where Sky UK is not actively promoting or advertising its services (passive sales). Some agreements also contain clauses requiring studios to ensure that, in their licensing agreements with broadcasters other than Sky UK, these broadcasters are prevented from making their pay-TV services available in the UK and Ireland.

     

    As a result, these clauses grant ‘absolute territorial exclusivity’ to Sky UK and/or other broadcasters. They eliminate cross-border competition between pay-TV broadcasters and partition the internal market along national borders. The Commission’s preliminary conclusion is that, in the absence of convincing justification, the clauses would constitute a serious violation of EU rules that prohibit anticompetitive agreements (Article 101 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union).

     

    The Commission previously also set out concerns as regards licensing agreements between the film studios and other major European broadcasters (Canal Plus of France, Sky Italia of Italy, Sky Deutschland of Germany and DTS of Spain). The Commission continues to examine cross-border access to pay-TV services in these Member States.

     

    These antitrust investigations focus on contractual restrictions on passive sales outside the licensed territory in agreements between studios and broadcasters. At the same time, broadcasters also have to take account of the applicable regulatory framework beyond EU competition law when considering sales to consumers located elsewhere. This includes, for online pay-TV services, relevant national copyright laws. In this context, in parallel to its actions under EU competition law, the Commission will propose to modernise EU copyright rules and review the EU Satellite and Cable Directive as part of its Digital Single Market Strategy adopted in May 2015. The aim is to reduce the differences between national copyright regimes and allow for wider access to online content across the EU.

     

    Background

    EU antitrust rules prohibit the restriction of passive sales, i.e. the sales of products cross-border in the internal market responding to demands from customers not solicited by the seller. In its October 2011 ruling on the Premier League/Murphy cases, the EU Court of Justice specifically addressed the issue of absolute territorial restrictions in licence agreements for broadcasting services. The Court held that certain licensing provisions preventing a satellite broadcaster from providing its broadcasts to consumers outside the licensed territory enable each broadcaster to be granted absolute territorial exclusivity in the area covered by the license, thus eliminating all competition between broadcasters and partitioning the market in accordance with national borders.

     

    As part of its Digital Single Market strategy, the Commission will propose to reform EU copyright rules. It seeks to improve people’s access to cultural content online as well as to open new opportunities for creators and the content industry. More specifically, the Commission wants to ensure that users who buy online content such as films, music or articles at home can also enjoy them while travelling across Europe.

     

    Currently, service providers, in particular in the audio-visual sector, may be prevented from providing such portability features by copyright licensing arrangements. The Commission also wants to facilitate wider access to online content across borders. In this context, the Satellite and Cable Directive will be reviewed and a public consultation will be launched after the summer. The Commission will notably assess if the scope of the Directive needs to be enlarged to broadcasters’ online transmissions.

  • Comcast founder Ralph Roberts dies at 95

    Comcast founder Ralph Roberts dies at 95

    MUMBAI: Ralph J. Roberts, the cable television pioneer, who founded Comcast Corporation died of natural causes last night in Philadelphia, PA. He was 95.

     

    Roberts served as chairman emeritus of Comcast, which is now the parent company of NBCUniversal.

     

    Comcast said in a statement, “Ralph was a born entrepreneur, a visionary businessman, a philanthropist and a wonderful human being. Ralph built Comcast into one of America’s greatest companies and his vision and spirit have been at the heart of Comcast and our culture for 50 years. He will be truly missed. Ralph’s greatest love was his family, and our deepest sympathies go to his wife Suzanne and the entire Roberts family.”

     

    Time Warner Cable chairman and CEO Rob Marcus said, “Ralph Roberts was a pioneer, a visionary and a role model. He exemplified the value of working hard and treating others with kindness and respect. His influence has extended far beyond Comcast and Cable. His life’s work, and the legacy he leaves, helped shape the way consumers use content today and how they communicate with one another. On behalf of everyone at Time Warner Cable, I send our sympathy and love to Ralph’s family and to everyone at Comcast.”

     

    Roberts was a born entrepreneur, great American businessman and philanthropist, who played a key role in the development of the cable television business. He founded Comcast in 1963 with the purchase of a 1,200-subscriber cable system in Tupelo, Mississippi. He grew the company from its humble roots as a small, regional cable company into the global Fortune 50 media and technology leader it is today.

     

    During his more than five decades at Comcast, Roberts became one of the most well-regarded executives in America. He was widely respected and admired for his visionary leadership and spirit, his passion for the business and his deep sense of integrity and courtesy. Most importantly, he was a kind and humble man who has been the heart and soul of Comcast for over 50 years.

     

    Roberts is survived by Suzanne Roberts, his wife of over 70 years. An actress, director and host of Seeking Solutions with Suzanne, Suzanne has spent a lifetime seeking to help others.

     

    In addition to his wife, Roberts is survived by four of his children and their spouses: Catherine R. Clifton and Anthony A. Clifton, Lisa S. Roberts and David Seltzer, Ralph Roberts Jr. and Kim Roberts, Brian L. Roberts and Aileen K. Roberts and Diane Roberts, widow of Ralph and Suzanne’s son Douglas Roberts, who passed away in September 2011. He is also survived by his eight grandchildren.

  • Brian Williams demoted; Lester Holt to anchor ‘NBC Nightly News’

    Brian Williams demoted; Lester Holt to anchor ‘NBC Nightly News’

    MUMBAI: Brian Williams, who was suspended as the anchor of NBC Nightly News earlier this year, has been replaced by Lester Holt as the permanent anchor of the show.

     

    Holt, 56, has been a television news reporter for thirty-four years. He joined NBC in 2000 and became the full-time anchor of Weekend Nightly News in 2007. He also anchors Dateline and co-anchors Weekend Today.

     

    NBC News and MSNBC chairman Andrew Lack and NBCU CEO Steve Burke have decided that Williams will not be the anchor of Nightly News, which he hosted from 1996 to 2004.

     

    In a review conducted by NBCUniversal, it was found that Williams made a number of inaccurate statements about his own role and experiences covering events in the field. The statements in question did not for the most part occur on NBC News platforms or in the immediate aftermath of the news events, but rather on late-night programs and during public appearances, usually years after the news events in question.

     

    Williams will now join MSNBC as anchor of breaking news and special reports. He will work with NBCU News Group SVP of special reports Mark Lukasiewicz, who will help lead a team to strengthen MSNBC’s daytime coverage by further leveraging NBC News’ expertise in breaking news. In addition, Williams will serve as a breaking news anchor for NBC News live special reports when Holt is not available. He will begin the new role in mid-August.

     

    Speaking about Hold’s appointment as the new anchor of NBC Nightly News, Lack said, “Lester has done outstanding work for NBC News over the last ten years, and he’s performed remarkably well over the last few months under very tough circumstances. He’s an exceptional anchor who goes straight to the heart of every story and is always able to find its most direct connection to the everyday lives of our audience. In many ways, television news stands at a crossroads, and Lester is the perfect person to meet the moment.”

     

    Holt added, “This is an enormous honor. The respect and admiration I have for the Nightly News team has only grown deeper over the last several months that we’ve been together. Day-in and day-out under an uncomfortable spotlight they have produced world-class journalism. I’m very proud and grateful to be part of such an unflappable and dedicated team of professionals as we move forward together.”

     

    Speaking about Willians, Lack said, “Brian now has the chance to earn back everyone’s trust. His excellent work over twenty-two years at NBC News has earned him that opportunity.”

     

    Burke said, “First of all, I want to thank Lester Holt. Lester stepped into the anchor chair in a trying time and has really come through for us. We are lucky to have him and I know he will continue to do great things at NBC News for years to come.”

     

    “As you would imagine this was a difficult decision. Brian Williams has been with NBC News for a very long time and he has covered countless news events with honor and skill. As I said in February, we believe in second chances, and I am hopeful that this new beginning will be good for Brian and the organization. This matter has been extensively analyzed and deliberated on by NBC. We are moving forward,” Burke continued.

     

    On his return to NBC, Williams said, “I’m sorry. I said things that weren’t true. I let down my NBC colleagues and our viewers, and I’m determined to earn back their trust. I will greatly miss working with the team on Nightly News, but I know the broadcast will be in excellent hands with Lester Holt as anchor. I will support him 100 per cent as he has always supported me. I am grateful for the chance to return to covering the news. My new role will allow me to focus on important issues and events in our country and around the world, and I look forward to it.”

  • Honda strikes deal with NBC for ‘Saturday Night Line’ web series

    Honda strikes deal with NBC for ‘Saturday Night Line’ web series

    MUMBAI: Honda and NBCUniversal have partnered to bring laughs and impromptu entertainment to the dedicated fans of NBC’s Saturday Night Live that wait in the standby line in front of 30 Rock for days ahead of the show with Saturday Night Line.

     

    Hosted by Michael Antonucci, former Upright Citizens Brigade member, the original digital Saturday Night Line episodes will feature the redesigned 2015 Honda CR-V and all-new 2016 Honda HR-V crossover in sketches and interviews for the digital series.

     

    The latest Saturday Night Line episodes can be viewed on NBC.com/SNLine.

     

    Honda will provide the rolling venues for Saturday Night Line, where the Honda CR-V and HR-V crossover may even get pulled into the comedy. Both vehicles offer spacious, functional, high-tech interiors with plenty of space and versatility for multiple passengers, creating the perfect sets for the Saturday Night Line shenanigans. 

     

    This multi-platform partnership comes as part of Honda’s continued investment in engaging young and young-at-heart car shoppers, and NBCUniversal’s compelling programming. The well-placed presence in digital media make for the perfect platform to garner brand exposure for Honda’s thoughtful, sophisticated light truck lineup.

     

    Saturday Night Line will be featured on NBC.com on Saturdays as a prequel to each live episode of SNL. The episodes also will be made available through a variety of digital platforms including Hulu and video-on-demand platforms.

     

    In collaboration with Broadway Video’s Above Average, NBCUniversal’s Content Innovation Agency (CIA) develops and produces the episodes that celebrate fans of the cultural phenomena that is SNL. The CIA works closely with advertising partners to create custom content for a variety of initiatives in addition to these premium original video series.

     

    Saturday Night Line is part of NBCUniversal’s companywide original digital video programming initiative designed to connect brands with consumers in the most engaging and immersive ways.

     

    Saturday Night Live is produced in association with Broadway Video. The creator and executive producer is Lorne Michaels.

  • FY-2014: Comcast Corporation’s consolidated revenue up 6.4%

    FY-2014: Comcast Corporation’s consolidated revenue up 6.4%

    BENGALURU: Comcast Corporation’s consolidated revenue increased 6.4 per cent, operating cash flow increased 6.9 per cent, Operating Income increased 9.9 per cent and Free Cash Flow exceeded $ 8 billion in FY2014. 

     

    Earnings per share increased 25.0 per cent to $ 3.20; Excluding Adjustments, EPS increased 18.6 per cent to $ 2.93.

     

    Cable communications revenue increased 5.5 per cent and operating cash flow increased 5.3 per cent.

     

    Customer relationships increased by 358,000, a 67 per cent improvement compared to 2013.

     

    NBCUniversal revenue increased 7.5 per cent and operating cash flow increased 18.1 per cent. 

     

    4th Quarter 2014 Highlights:

     

    Consolidated revenue increased 4.8 per cent, operating cash flow increased 4.1 per cent and operating income increased 3.8 per cent.

     

    Earnings per share increased 2.8 per cent to US$ 0.74; excluding adjustments, EPS increased 16.7 per cent to US$ 0.77.

     

    Cable communications revenue increased 6.1 per cent and operating cash flow increased 6.3 per cent.

     

    Customer relationships increased by 178,000, a 47 per cent increase from the fourth quarter of 2013.

     

    NBCUniversal revenue increased 2.3 per cent and operating cash flow increased 6.6 per cent. 

     

    Comcast chairman and CEO Brian L. Roberts said, “2014 was a great year financially, operationally, and strategically for Comcast NBC Universal. We continued to execute incredibly well as we accelerated our innovation, launched new products, and brought amazing films, shows and theme park attractions to consumers. Cable’s results, driven by High-Speed Internet and Business Services, demonstrate our focus on driving profitable growth and technology innovations, including our transformative X1 platform. This is bearing fruit in our operating performance, as we added 358,000 customer relationships, while video subscriber trends were the best in 7 years and in broadband we added over 1 million subscribers for the ninth year in a row. NBCUniversal also had a standout performance in 2014, with 18 percent growth in operating cash flow, driven by a successful Sochi Olympics, continued momentum at NBC Broadcast, the successful opening of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in Orlando, and strong box office performance from Universal Pictures. We enter 2015 with great momentum and significant opportunities ahead, and we look forward to receiving regulatory approval for the Time Warner Cable merger. Underscoring our confidence in the continued success of our company, we are increasing our dividend to US$ 1.00 per share on an annualized basis, marking the seventh consecutive annual increase, and plan to repurchase at least US$ 4.25 billion of our stock this year.”

     

    Cable Communications

     

    Revenue for Cable Communications increased 6.1 per cent to US$ 11.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to US$ 10.7 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, driven by increases of 9.9 per cent in high-speed internet and 20.8 per cent in business services. Advertising revenue increased 18.9 per cent, reflecting higher political advertising in the fourth quarter of 2014. 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 the year ended 31 December, 2014, cable revenue increased 5.5 per cent to US$ 44.1 billion compared to US$ 41.8 billion in 2013, driven by growth in high-speed internet, business services and advertising.

     

    Customer relationships increased by 178,000 to 27.0 million during the fourth quarter of 2014, a 47 per cent improvement compared to an increase of 121,000 in the fourth quarter of 2013. At the end of the fourth quarter, the triple product customers increased to 37 per cent of the company’s total customer relationships compared to 35 per cent in the fourth quarter of 2013. In addition, video, high-speed internet and voice customers increased in the fourth quarter of 2014.

     

    For the year ended 31 December, 2014, customer relationships increased by 358,000, a 67 per cent improvement compared to net additions of 215,000 in 2013. Video customer net losses improved year-over-year and were the best result in seven years.

     

    High-speed internet customer net additions of 1.3 million marked the ninth consecutive year of more than one million net additions. Voice net additions slowed, reflecting X1 availability that was more focused on triple play customers last year, making for a difficult comparison.

     

    NBC Universal

     

    Revenue for NBC Universal increased 2.3 per cent to US$ 6.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2014 compared to US$ 6.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, as revenue growth in Theme Parks and Broadcast Television was partially offset by lower Filmed Entertainment revenue driven by a year-over-year decline in home entertainment revenue. Operating Cash Flow increased 6.6 per cent to US$ 1.4 billion compared to US$ 1.3 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, driven by strong results at Theme Parks and Broadcast Television.

     

    For the year ended 31 December, 2014, NBC Universal revenue increased 7.5 per cent to US$ 25.4 billion compared to US$ 23.7 billion in 2013. Excluding US$ 1.1 billion of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in the first quarter of 2014, revenue increased 2.9 per cent.

     

    Operating cash flow increased 18.1 per cent to US$ 5.6 billion compared to US$ 4.7 billion in 2013. Excluding US$ 130 million of operating cash flow generated by the Olympics, operating cash flow increased 15.3 per cent, reflecting solid results at each business segment.

     

    Cable Networks

     

    For the fourth quarter of 2014, revenue from the Cable Networks segment was stable at US$ 2.3 billion and operating cash flow decreased 1.8 percent to US$ 912 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2013. These results reflect a 5.6 percent decline in advertising revenue along with a slight increase in operating costs driven by investment in programming, which more than offset a 4.6 percent increase in distribution revenue.

     

    For the year ended December 31, 2014, revenue from the Cable Networks segment increased 3.9 percent to US$ 9.6 billion compared to US$ 9.2 billion in 2013. Excluding US$ 257 million of revenue generated by the 2014 Sochi Olympics, revenue increased 1.1 percent, reflecting a 4.6 percent increase in distribution revenue, partially offset by a 3.5 percent decrease in advertising revenue. Operating cash flow increased 2.5 percent to US$ 3.6 billion compared to US$ 3.5 billion in 2013. Excluding the Olympics, operating cash flow increased

     

    2.2 percent, reflecting higher revenue and flat operating costs, even as we continue to invest in programming.

     

    Broadcast Television

     

    For the fourth quarter of 2014, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment increased 4.8 percent to US$ 2.3 billion compared to US$ 2.2 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, driven by a 3.1 percent increase in advertising revenue, as well as higher retransmission consent fees. Operating cash flow increased 64.0 percent to US$ 230 million compared to US$ 140 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, reflecting higher revenue, which more than offset a slight increase in operating costs and expenses.

     

    For the year ended December 31, 2014, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment increased 20.0 percent to US$ 8.5 billion compared to US$ 7.1 billion in 2013. Excluding US$ 846 million of revenue generated by the 2014 Sochi Olympics, revenue increased 8.1 percent, reflecting higher advertising revenue and retransmission consent fees. Operating cash flow increased US$ 389 million to US$ 734 million compared to US$ 345 million in 2013. Excluding the Olympics, operating cash flow increased US$ 272 million, or 78.6 percent, reflecting higher revenue and a modest increase in operating costs and expenses.

     

    Filmed Entertainment

     

    For the fourth quarter of 2014, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment decreased 10.6 percent to US$ 1.3 billion compared to US$ 1.4 billion in the fourth quarter of 2013, reflecting a decline in home entertainment revenue primarily due to the strong performance of Despicable Me 2 in the fourth quarter of 2013. Operating cash flow decreased US$ 115 million to US$ 77 million compared to US$ 192 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, reflecting lower revenue, partially offset by a decrease in the amortization of film costs.

     

    For the year ended December 31, 2014, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment decreased 8.2 percent to US$ 5.0 billion compared to US$ 5.5 billion in 2013, reflecting lower theatrical and home entertainment revenue, primarily due to the strong performances of Despicable Me 2 and Fast and Furious 6 in 2013. Operating cash flow increased US$ 228 million to US$ 711 million compared to US$ 483 million in 2013, as lower revenues were more than offset by a decrease in the amortization of film costs and reduced advertising, marketing and promotion expense due to a reduced film slate.

     

    Theme Parks

     

    For the fourth quarter of 2014, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 29.9 percent to US$ 735 million compared to US$ 566 million in the fourth quarter of 2013, reflecting higher guest attendance and per capita spending, driven by the continued success of Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ – D iagon Alley™, as well aHsa lloween Horror Nights at the Orlando and Hollywood parks. Fourth quarter operating cash flow increased 37.6 percent to US$ 352 million compared to US$ 257 million in the same period last year, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating costs to support the new attractions.

     

    For the year ended December 31, 2014, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 17.3 percent to US$ 2.6 billion compared to US$ 2.2 billion in 2013. Operating cash flow increased 16.4 percent to US$ 1.2 billion compared to US$ 1.0 billion in 2013, driven by The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley and Despicable Me attractions.

  • PwC report: content value, retransmission fees to boost E&M deals

    PwC report: content value, retransmission fees to boost E&M deals

    MUMBAI: If the new report released by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) comes true, the media and entertainment sector could witness increasingly lucrative retransmission fees and high value for content having key influences on deal activity in the sector.

     

    The value of deals in the US entertainment, media and communications sector in 2013 more than doubled, driven by several “megadeals,” according to PwC’s year-end update.

     

    The deal volume year-to-year was relatively stable, the company reveals in its US Entertainment, Media & Communications Deal Insights report, rising by just three per cent to 866, while deal value soared from $96.2 billion to $222.7 billion.

     

    In broadcasting, deal volume rose from 71 to 87, with deal value soaring from $5.8 billion to $26.3 billion, driven by Comcast’s acquisition of GE’s interest in NBCUniversal. Going forward, deal activity in broadcasting is likely to be influenced by the increasing importance of retransmission revenues, as companies look to broaden their geographic reach.

     

    “PwC is beginning to see increased activity from US government regulators around anti-trust, intra-market media ownership and foreign media ownership regulations, which will likely be another market factor influencing deal volume,” the report says in its broadcasting 2014 outlook.

     

    Cable deal volume was stable at 16, but the value of deals fell year-to-year from $9 billion to $5 billion.

     

    Last year also saw 46 deals in film/content, up from 40, with a value of $0.5 billion, down from $9 billion in 2012. The previous year included Disney’s purchase of Lucasfilm.

     

    On the 2014 outlook for deals in film and content, PwC says, “The rising value of content has started an industry-wide race to acquire it. Buyers continue to look for ways to bridge the value gap and meet the premiums demanded by content providers through attractive deal structures, beneficial tax structuring and contingent consideration. Recent years have seen several major acquisitions of content assets, and despite the drop in deal value in 2013, the ongoing deal activity is likely to continue. Geographic location will hold no bar as U.S. participants look abroad and foreign players look to the United States for a means to acquire and monetize content.”