Comcast 1st Quarter 2017

[agentj]

Nothing overly shocking. Comcast had a very good First Quarter. Some takeaways.
Theme park gross up 9%, Revenue up 6.1% mainly due to Harry Potter Hollywood.
Attendance and per cap. spending both up. Spring Break comparisons were not favorable
for this quarters numbers vs, 2016 1st quarter
Finally, while total capital spending was down for the company, theme parks have and will continue to see increases going forward.

 

[Viator]

To be a bit more elaborate,

They mentioned that the attendance increase for USH due to potter, was by 60 percent.

They are also betting high on Volcano Bay redefining the Water Park scene.

From Sandra Pedicini,

• Theme Parks generated 1.1 Billion over the year
• Theme Park guests spent more money per person in the last quarter alone
• Overall revenue of NBCUniversal was at 7.9 Billion, including the Theme Parks into that

 

[Teebin]

Attendance and per cap. spending both up. Spring Break comparisons were not favorable
for this quarters numbers vs, 2016 1st quarter

It's fascinating that this syncs with what I heard on the parkscope podcast a few days ago. One of the members stated that he (as chaperone) had only 16 people to escort this year to gradbash(?) as opposed to 50 something in the previous year.

 

[quinnmac000]

I get people focusing on the theme park numbers, but I think the things to look at are the film slate. What films came out this quarter as Universal did way better than analyst expects, Comcast usually repeats things that do well. (Sing did really well getting sequel, Split overperformed now Universal has a new franchise as Glass was announced yesterday, etc). This also can dictate theme park attractions etc.

 

[twebber55]

wow incredible run by Universal Parks
shockingly when you invest into a product good things happen

 

[Mad Dog]

It's fascinating that this syncs with what I heard on the parkscope podcast a few days ago. One of the members stated that he (as chaperone) had only 16 people to escort this year to gradbash(?) as opposed to 50 something in the previous year.

To clarify that Spring break comment in the first post, this is the actual statement by Comcast, "Theme Parks revenue increased 9% to $1.1 billion in the first quarter of 2017 reflecting higher attendance and per capita spending, despite an unfavorable comparison with the 'timing' of Spring Break." ...In 2016 Easter week was in March. 2017 it was three weeks later, mid April, which falls in the second quarter. The word 'timing' changes the whole meaning of that reference.....Comcast earnings blew past estimates. There was also an increase in video subscribers and broadband subscribers, both important indicators. Stock price is up 4% this morning.

 

[quinnmac000]

Also of note,

He also warned that “it’s quite possible we will have quarters where ad sales go backward. But if affiliate fees go up and ad sales go backward you can still have revenue growth.”

In addition, NBCU can make licensing deals with subscription VOD providers such as Netflix and Amazon. as well as live streaming providers such as DirecTV Now, Sling TV, and YouTube TV which he says “will be moderately beneficial.”

All told, “it’ll be a grindier business than it was, but there’s a lot of cash” to invest in theme parks, consumer products, Telemundo, and digital services “that have higher growth rates,” he says.

Again, Universal is planning to continue investing in theme parks

NBCU Chief Says He’s “Optimistic” Writers’ Strike Will Be Avoided | Deadline

 

[Viator]

Also of note,


Again, Universal is planning to continue investing in theme parks

NBCU Chief Says He’s “Optimistic” Writers’ Strike Will Be Avoided | Deadline

That's not surprising, with projects like USB (Love calling Beijing that), Super Nintendo World for Osaka, Orlando, and Hollywood; Adventura/WNW Hotel's; the Fourth gate; and what may come along the bend if LA gets 2024, it is going to be a big period of growth for the parks, and I think we'll see more of just how big they intend to go sooner than later for parks like Osaka and Hollywood.

 

[quinnmac000]

That's not surprising, with projects like USB (Love calling Beijing that), Super Nintendo World for Osaka, Orlando, and Hollywood; Adventura/WNW Hotel's; the Fourth gate; and what may come along the bend if LA gets 2024, it is going to be a big period of growth for the parks, and I think we'll see more of just how big they intend to go sooner than later for parks like Osaka and Hollywood.

Well ironic the same day the earning call comes out, CNBC puts out a report regarding NBC focus in creating content and spreading their influence in Asian Pacific untapped market with a strong focus on raising revenue in China while investing hard into the Chinese people. (Which may suggest USB may get plussed instead of cut.)
Media companies hunt for the key to a $120 billion chest

As for 2024, I don't think USH will get anything really new for that (resources already will be overwhelmed with USH already being proposed as broadcast central, plus film production, tourists, athletes, and regular theme park business). However, the fact they will willingly openly keep promoting their theme parks growth over other things is a strong positive for those who enjoy Universal Parks.

 

[Viator]

Well ironic the same day the earning call comes out, CNBC puts out a report regarding NBC focus in creating content and spreading their influence in Asian Pacific untapped market with a strong focus on raising revenue in China while investing hard into the Chinese people. (Which may suggest USB may get plussed instead of cut.)
Media companies hunt for the key to a $120 billion chest

As for 2024, I don't think USH will get anything really new for that (resources already will be overwhelmed with USH already being proposed as broadcast central, plus film production, tourists, athletes, and regular theme park business). However, the fact they will willingly openly keep promoting their theme parks growth over other things is a strong positive for those who enjoy Universal Parks.

Personally; I believe there will be something big for USH in particular, if the 2024 Olympics come, as there is going to be an insane amount of tourists coming to flock to LA, from across the globe.

What that is, I am not sure. I am not willing to comment on it either, but I do believe that something is going to happen for the park so they can drive individuals away from the 2024 Olympics. I also believe Disney, Knotts, and Six Flags will also try something to add into the scheme of things as-well, but that's all depending on SoCal, as Tourism has been growing to become one of the largest aspects, and that USH is a good reason for that.

 

[GAcoaster]

The New York Times published a great piece about Comcast and the growing theme park business for them. There's nothing new or ground breaking in the article, but it's a good read and it's interesting to see a publication like the NYT covering this. https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/04/27/business/ap-us-comcast-theme-parks.html?_r=0

 

[Mad Dog]

Nothing overly shocking. Comcast had a very good First Quarter. Some takeaways.
Theme park gross up 9%, Revenue up 6.1% mainly due to Harry Potter Hollywood.
Attendance and per cap. spending both up. Spring Break comparisons were not favorable
for this quarters numbers vs, 2016 1st quarter
Finally, while total capital spending was down for the company, theme parks have and will continue to see increases going forward.

Comcast just posted their 2017 second quarter earnings report. Comcast beat earnings estimates & NBC Universal had a 17.3% revenue growth. Brian Roberts, Comcast :"Driving the tremendous results were the box office success of Fate of the Furious, continued increases in affiliate & retransmission revenue at our TV business, and impressive growth at our theme parks...
"Theme Park revenue increased 15.6% to 1.3 billion reflecting higher attendance & higher per capita spending. Revenue growth also benefited from the WWOHP in Hollywood, the opening of Minion Park in Japan and Volcano Bay in Orlando."

 

[shiekra38]

Comcast just posted their 2017 second quarter earnings report. Comcast beat earnings estimates & NBC Universal had a 17.3% revenue growth. Brian Roberts, Comcast :"Driving the tremendous results were the box office success of Fate of the Furious, continued increases in affiliate & retransmission revenue at our TV business, and impressive growth at our theme parks...
"Theme Park revenue increased 15.6% to 1.3 billion reflecting higher attendance & higher per capita spending. Revenue growth also benefited from the WWOHP in Hollywood, the opening of Minion Park in Japan and Volcano Bay in Orlando."

Yay! Good to see, and the train keeps rolling