UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
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☒ | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021
Or
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☐ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
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Commission File Number | Exact Name of Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices | I.R.S. Employer Identification No. |
001-32871 | COMCAST CORPORATION | 27-0000798 |
Pennsylvania
One Comcast Center
Philadelphia, PA 19103-2838
(215) 286-1700
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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Title of each class | | Trading Symbol(s) | | Name of each exchange on which registered |
Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value | | CMCSA | | NASDAQ Global Select Market |
0.250% Notes due 2027 | | CMCS27 | | NASDAQ Global Market |
1.500% Notes due 2029 | | CMCS29 | | NASDAQ Global Market |
0.750% Notes due 2032 | | CMCS32 | | NASDAQ Global Market |
1.875% Notes due 2036 | | CMCS36 | | NASDAQ Global Market |
1.250% Notes due 2040 | | CMCS40 | | NASDAQ Global Market |
9.455% Guaranteed Notes due 2022 | | CMCSA/22 | | New York Stock Exchange |
5.50% Notes due 2029 | | CCGBP29 | | New York Stock Exchange |
2.0% Exchangeable Subordinated Debentures due 2029 | | CCZ | | New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☒ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
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Large accelerated filer | ☒ | Accelerated filer | ☐ | Non-accelerated filer | ☐ | Smaller reporting company | ☐ | Emerging growth company | ☐ |
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If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☒
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, there were 4,565,878,7804,584,571,926 shares of Comcast Corporation Class A common stock and 9,444,375 shares of Class B common stock outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Item 1. | | |
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Item 2. | | |
Item 3. | | |
Item 4. | | |
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Item 1. | | |
Item 1A. | | |
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Item 6. | | |
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Explanatory Note
Beginning with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020, we are voluntarily complying with new disclosure rules for guarantors and issuers of guaranteed debt securities issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) in March 2020, as permitted by the transition guidance contained in the SEC’s final rule release “Financial Disclosures about Guarantors and Issuers of Guaranteed Securities and Affiliates Whose Securities Collateralize a Registrant’s Securities.” As a result, this report includes disclosures related to our consolidated subsidiaries that guarantee or have issued guaranteed debt securities registered with the SEC that are included within our guarantee structure (refer to Guarantee Structure within the Liquidity and Capital Resources section of Item 2: Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations). As a result of these rules, NBCUniversal Media, LLC is no longer required to prepare stand-alone periodic reports under SEC rules, and our periodic reports are no longer prepared as a combined report being filed separately by Comcast Corporation and NBCUniversal Media, LLC.
Unless indicated otherwise, throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we refer to Comcast and its consolidated subsidiaries, as “Comcast,” “we,” “us” and “our;” Comcast Cable Communications, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries as “Comcast Cable;” Comcast Holdings Corporation as “Comcast Holdings;” NBCUniversal, LLC as “NBCUniversal Holdings;” NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc. as “NBCUniversal Enterprise;” NBCUniversal Media, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries as “NBCUniversal;” and Sky Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries as “Sky.”
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.March 31, 2021. This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q modifies and supersedes documents filed before it. The SECU.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) allows us to “incorporate by reference” information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
You should carefully review the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and particularly consider any risk factors set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. InUnless indicated otherwise, throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we staterefer to Comcast and its consolidated subsidiaries, as “Comcast,” “we,” “us” and “our;” Comcast Cable Communications, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries as “Comcast Cable;” Comcast Holdings Corporation as “Comcast Holdings;” NBCUniversal Media, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries as “NBCUniversal;” and Sky Limited and its consolidated subsidiaries as “Sky.”
CAUTION CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts or statements of current conditions, but instead represent only our beliefs ofregarding future events, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify these so-called “forward-looking statements”control. These may include estimates, projections and statements relating to our business plans, objectives and expected operating results, which are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the words such as“believe,” “project,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “intend,” “potential,” “strategy,” “future,” “opportunity,” “commit,” “plan,” “may,” “should,” “could,” “will,” “should,“would,” “expects,“will be,” “believes,“will continue,” “estimates,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of these words,“will likely result” and other comparable words. You should be aware that these statements are only our predictions. similar expressions.
In evaluating theseforward-looking statements, you should consider various factors, including the risks outlined below and uncertainties we describe in the “Risk Factors” sections of our Forms 10-K and 10-Q and other reports we file with the SEC. Actual events orAdditionally, we operate in a highly competitive, consumer-driven and rapidly changing environment. This environment is affected by government regulation; economic, strategic, political and social conditions; consumer response to new and existing products and services; technological developments; and the ability to develop and protect intellectual property rights. Any of these factors could cause our actual results
could to differ materially from our forward-looking statements, as a result of any such factors, which could adversely affect our businesses, results of operations or financial condition. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements.statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.
Our businesses may be affected by, among other things, the following:
•the COVID-19 pandemic has had, and we expect will likely continue to have, a material adverse effect on our businesses and results of operations
•our businesses operate in highly competitive and dynamic industries, and our businesses and results of operations could be adversely affected if we do not compete effectively
•changes in consumer behavior driven by online video distribution platforms for viewing content continue to adversely affect our businesses and challenge existing business models
•a decline in advertisers’ expenditures or changes in advertising markets could negatively impact our businesses
•our businesses depend on keeping pace with technological developments
•we are subject to regulation by federal, state, local and foreign authorities, which impose additional costs and restrictions on our businesses
•programming expenses for our video services are increasing, which could adversely affect Cable Communications’ and Sky’s video businesses
•NBCUniversal’s and Sky’s success depends on consumer acceptance of their content, and their businesses may be adversely affected if their content fails to achieve sufficient consumer acceptance or the costs to create or acquire content increase
•the loss of programming distribution and licensing agreements, or the renewal of these agreements on less favorable terms, could adversely affect our businesses
•less favorable European telecommunications access regulations, the loss of Sky’s transmission access agreements with satellite or telecommunications providers or the renewal of these agreements on less favorable terms could adversely affect Sky’s businesses
•we rely on network and information systems and other technologies, as well as key properties, and a disruption, cyber attack, failure or destruction of such networks, systems, technologies or properties may disrupt our businesses
•our businesses depend on using and protecting certain intellectual property rights and on not infringing the intellectual property rights of others
•we may be unable to obtain necessary hardware, software and operational support
•weak economic conditions may have a negative impact on our businesses
•acquisitions and other strategic initiatives present many risks, and we may not realize the financial and strategic goals that we had contemplated
•we face risks relating to doing business internationally that could adversely affect our businesses
•our businesses depend on keeping pace with technological developments
•we rely on network and information systems and other technologies, as well as key properties, and a disruption, cyber attack, failure or destruction of such networks, systems, technologies or properties may disrupt our businesses
•the loss of key management personnel or popular on-air and creative talent could have an adverse effect on our businesses
•we are subject to regulation by federal, state, local and foreign authorities, which impose additional costs and restrictions on our businesses
•unfavorable litigation or governmental investigation results could require us to pay significant amounts or lead to onerous operating procedures
•labor disputes, whether involving employees or sports organizations, may disrupt our operations and adversely affect our businesses
•the loss of key management personnel or popular on-air and creative talent could have an adverse effect on our businesses
•our Class B common stock has substantial voting rights and separate approval rights over several potentially material transactions, and our Chairman and CEO has considerable influence over our company through his beneficial ownership of our Class B common stock
PART I: FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Comcast Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income
(Unaudited)
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions, except per share data) | (in millions, except per share data) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions, except per share data) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Revenue | Revenue | $ | 25,532 | | | $ | 26,827 | | | $ | 75,856 | | | $ | 80,544 | | Revenue | | $ | 27,205 | | | $ | 26,609 | |
Costs and Expenses: | Costs and Expenses: | | Costs and Expenses: | | |
Programming and production | Programming and production | 8,565 | | | 8,316 | | | 23,683 | | | 25,140 | | Programming and production | | 8,919 | | | 8,301 | |
Other operating and administrative | Other operating and administrative | 8,059 | | | 8,090 | | | 23,959 | | | 24,076 | | Other operating and administrative | | 8,269 | | | 8,254 | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | Advertising, marketing and promotion | 1,512 | | | 1,901 | | | 4,791 | | | 5,674 | | Advertising, marketing and promotion | | 1,616 | | | 1,938 | |
Depreciation | Depreciation | 2,122 | | | 2,124 | | | 6,328 | | | 6,561 | | Depreciation | | 2,117 | | | 2,107 | |
Amortization | Amortization | 1,198 | | | 1,056 | | | 3,520 | | | 3,215 | | Amortization | | 1,245 | | | 1,157 | |
| Total costs and expenses | Total costs and expenses | 21,456 | | | 21,487 | | | 62,281 | | | 64,666 | | Total costs and expenses | | 22,166 | | | 21,757 | |
Operating income | Operating income | 4,076 | | | 5,340 | | | 13,575 | | | 15,878 | | Operating income | | 5,039 | | | 4,852 | |
Interest expense | Interest expense | (1,220) | | | (1,167) | | | (3,544) | | | (3,454) | | Interest expense | | (1,018) | | | (1,212) | |
Investment and other income (loss), net | Investment and other income (loss), net | (86) | | | (110) | | | (382) | | | 511 | | Investment and other income (loss), net | | 390 | | | (716) | |
Income before income taxes | Income before income taxes | 2,770 | | | 4,063 | | | 9,649 | | | 12,935 | | Income before income taxes | | 4,411 | | | 2,924 | |
Income tax expense | Income tax expense | (739) | | | (775) | | | (2,385) | | | (2,812) | | Income tax expense | | (1,119) | | | (700) | |
Net income | Net income | 2,031 | | | 3,288 | | | 7,264 | | | 10,123 | | Net income | | 3,292 | | | 2,224 | |
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | 12 | | | 71 | | | 110 | | | 228 | | Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | | (37) | | | 77 | |
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | $ | 2,019 | | | $ | 3,217 | | | $ | 7,154 | | | $ | 9,895 | | Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | | $ | 3,329 | | | $ | 2,147 | |
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | Basic earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 0.71 | | | $ | 1.57 | | | $ | 2.18 | | Basic earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | | $ | 0.73 | | | $ | 0.47 | |
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 0.70 | | | $ | 1.55 | | | $ | 2.15 | | Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | | $ | 0.71 | | | $ | 0.46 | |
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See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income
(Unaudited)
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Net income | Net income | $ | 2,031 | | | $ | 3,288 | | | $ | 7,264 | | | $ | 10,123 | | Net income | | $ | 3,292 | | | $ | 2,224 | |
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities, net of deferred taxes of $0, $0, $1 and $0 | 1 | | | 2 | | | (1) | | | 4 | | |
Deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges, net of deferred taxes of $6, $(35), $23 and $(24) | (99) | | | 82 | | | (72) | | | 146 | | |
Amounts reclassified to net income: | | |
Currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes of $(92) and $(7) | | Currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes of $(92) and $(7) | | (35) | | | (2,157) | |
| Realized (gains) losses on cash flow hedges, net of deferred taxes of $8, $11, $29 and $7 | (8) | | | (52) | | | (135) | | | (39) | | |
Employee benefit obligations, net of deferred taxes of $2, $3, $7 and $8 | (8) | | | (8) | | | (24) | | | (24) | | |
Currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes of $40, $(80), $24 and $(98) | 1,642 | | | (1,144) | | | (589) | | | (903) | | |
Cash flow hedges: | | Cash flow hedges: | | |
Deferred gains (losses), net of deferred taxes of $(19) and $10 | | Deferred gains (losses), net of deferred taxes of $(19) and $10 | | 119 | | | 54 | |
| Realized (gains) losses reclassified to net income, net of deferred taxes of $0 and $17 | | Realized (gains) losses reclassified to net income, net of deferred taxes of $0 and $17 | | 0 | | | (106) | |
Employee benefit obligations and other, net of deferred taxes of $2 and $3 | | Employee benefit obligations and other, net of deferred taxes of $2 and $3 | | (10) | | | (7) | |
| Comprehensive income | Comprehensive income | 3,559 | | | 2,168 | | | 6,443 | | | 9,307 | | Comprehensive income | | 3,366 | | | 8 | |
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | 12 | | | 71 | | | 110 | | | 228 | | Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | | (37) | | | 77 | |
Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | 37 | | | (23) | | | 14 | | | (25) | | Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | | (14) | | | (25) | |
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Comcast Corporation | Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Comcast Corporation | $ | 3,510 | | | $ | 2,120 | | | $ | 6,319 | | | $ | 9,104 | | Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Comcast Corporation | | $ | 3,417 | | | $ | (44) | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(Unaudited)
| | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 |
Operating Activities | Operating Activities | | Operating Activities | |
Net income | Net income | $ | 7,264 | | | $ | 10,123 | | Net income | $ | 3,292 | | | $ | 2,224 | |
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | |
Depreciation and amortization | Depreciation and amortization | 9,848 | | | 9,776 | | Depreciation and amortization | 3,362 | | | 3,264 | |
Share-based compensation | Share-based compensation | 922 | | | 790 | | Share-based compensation | 373 | | | 298 | |
Noncash interest expense (income), net | Noncash interest expense (income), net | 606 | | | 310 | | Noncash interest expense (income), net | 62 | | | 227 | |
Net (gain) loss on investment activity and other | Net (gain) loss on investment activity and other | 514 | | | (166) | | Net (gain) loss on investment activity and other | (239) | | | 791 | |
Deferred income taxes | Deferred income taxes | (224) | | | 468 | | Deferred income taxes | 28 | | | (120) | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures: | Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures: | | Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures: | |
Current and noncurrent receivables, net | Current and noncurrent receivables, net | 982 | | | 360 | | Current and noncurrent receivables, net | 554 | | | 198 | |
Film and television costs, net | Film and television costs, net | 163 | | | (321) | | Film and television costs, net | 393 | | | 3 | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors | Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors | (545) | | | (1,149) | | Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors | (198) | | | (727) | |
Other operating assets and liabilities | Other operating assets and liabilities | 165 | | | (729) | | Other operating assets and liabilities | 124 | | | (334) | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | Net cash provided by operating activities | 19,695 | | | 19,462 | | Net cash provided by operating activities | 7,751 | | | 5,824 | |
Investing Activities | Investing Activities | | Investing Activities | |
Capital expenditures | Capital expenditures | (6,344) | | | (6,866) | | Capital expenditures | (1,859) | | | (1,881) | |
Cash paid for intangible assets | Cash paid for intangible assets | (1,771) | | | (1,686) | | Cash paid for intangible assets | (612) | | | (618) | |
| Construction of Universal Beijing Resort | Construction of Universal Beijing Resort | (1,118) | | | (736) | | Construction of Universal Beijing Resort | (428) | | | (371) | |
| Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (225) | | | (181) | | Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (147) | | | (194) | |
Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments | Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments | 2,131 | | | 208 | | Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments | 388 | | | 17 | |
Purchases of investments | Purchases of investments | (545) | | | (1,697) | | Purchases of investments | (52) | | | (69) | |
| Other | Other | (101) | | | 46 | | Other | 98 | | | 15 | |
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (7,973) | | | (10,912) | | Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | (2,612) | | | (3,101) | |
Financing Activities | Financing Activities | | Financing Activities | |
Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net | 0 | | | (1,288) | | |
| Proceeds from borrowings | Proceeds from borrowings | 18,339 | | | 516 | | Proceeds from borrowings | 192 | | | 9,281 | |
Proceeds from collateralized obligation | 0 | | | 5,175 | | |
| Repurchases and repayments of debt | Repurchases and repayments of debt | (16,771) | | | (9,975) | | Repurchases and repayments of debt | (124) | | | (7,439) | |
Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | (429) | | | (432) | | Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | (309) | | | (233) | |
Dividends paid | Dividends paid | (3,086) | | | (2,778) | | Dividends paid | (1,080) | | | (977) | |
| Other | Other | (1,644) | | | (44) | | Other | (577) | | | (258) | |
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (3,591) | | | (8,826) | | Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | (1,898) | | | 374 | |
Impact of foreign currency on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | Impact of foreign currency on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 17 | | | (31) | | Impact of foreign currency on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (33) | | | (77) | |
Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 8,148 | | | (307) | | Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | 3,208 | | | 3,020 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 5,589 | | | 3,909 | | Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 11,768 | | | 5,589 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 13,737 | | | $ | 3,602 | | Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 14,976 | | | $ | 8,609 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
(Unaudited)
| (in millions, except share data) | (in millions, except share data) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 | (in millions, except share data) | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Assets | Assets | | Assets | |
Current Assets: | Current Assets: | | Current Assets: | |
Cash and cash equivalents | Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 13,707 | | | $ | 5,500 | | Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 14,950 | | | $ | 11,740 | |
Receivables, net | Receivables, net | 10,310 | | | 11,292 | | Receivables, net | 10,986 | | | 11,466 | |
Programming rights | 0 | | | 3,877 | | |
Other current assets | Other current assets | 3,352 | | | 4,723 | | Other current assets | 3,502 | | | 3,535 | |
Total current assets | Total current assets | 27,369 | | | 25,392 | | Total current assets | 29,438 | | | 26,741 | |
Film and television costs | Film and television costs | 12,741 | | | 8,933 | | Film and television costs | 12,983 | | | 13,340 | |
Investments | Investments | 6,702 | | | 6,989 | | Investments | 7,889 | | | 7,820 | |
Investment securing collateralized obligation | Investment securing collateralized obligation | 429 | | | 694 | | Investment securing collateralized obligation | 487 | | | 447 | |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $53,959 and $53,239 | 50,466 | | | 48,322 | | |
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $54,793 and $54,388 | | Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $54,793 and $54,388 | 52,317 | | | 51,995 | |
Goodwill | Goodwill | 68,898 | | | 68,725 | | Goodwill | 70,106 | | | 70,669 | |
Franchise rights | Franchise rights | 59,365 | | | 59,365 | | Franchise rights | 59,365 | | | 59,365 | |
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $18,405 and $17,217 | 34,485 | | | 36,128 | | |
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $20,885 and $19,825 | | Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $20,885 and $19,825 | 34,861 | | | 35,389 | |
Other noncurrent assets, net | Other noncurrent assets, net | 8,485 | | | 8,866 | | Other noncurrent assets, net | 11,065 | | | 8,103 | |
Total assets | Total assets | $ | 268,940 | | | $ | 263,414 | | Total assets | $ | 278,511 | | | $ | 273,869 | |
Liabilities and Equity | Liabilities and Equity | | Liabilities and Equity | |
Current Liabilities: | Current Liabilities: | | Current Liabilities: | |
Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors | Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors | $ | 10,979 | | | $ | 10,826 | | Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors | $ | 11,148 | | | $ | 11,364 | |
Accrued participations and residuals | Accrued participations and residuals | 1,794 | | | 1,730 | | Accrued participations and residuals | 1,619 | | | 1,706 | |
Deferred revenue | Deferred revenue | 2,888 | | | 2,768 | | Deferred revenue | 3,376 | | | 2,963 | |
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 9,421 | | | 10,516 | | Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | 9,891 | | | 9,617 | |
Current portion of long-term debt | Current portion of long-term debt | 4,429 | | | 4,452 | | Current portion of long-term debt | 4,777 | | | 3,146 | |
Total current liabilities | Total current liabilities | 29,511 | | | 30,292 | | Total current liabilities | 30,811 | | | 28,796 | |
Long-term debt, less current portion | Long-term debt, less current portion | 99,995 | | | 97,765 | | Long-term debt, less current portion | 98,936 | | | 100,614 | |
Collateralized obligation | Collateralized obligation | 5,167 | | | 5,166 | | Collateralized obligation | 5,168 | | | 5,168 | |
Deferred income taxes | Deferred income taxes | 27,905 | | | 28,180 | | Deferred income taxes | 28,260 | | | 28,051 | |
Other noncurrent liabilities | Other noncurrent liabilities | 17,537 | | | 16,765 | | Other noncurrent liabilities | 20,690 | | | 18,222 | |
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) | | |
Commitments and contingencies | | Commitments and contingencies | 0 | | 0 |
Redeemable noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | Redeemable noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | 1,254 | | | 1,372 | | Redeemable noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | 546 | | | 1,280 | |
Equity: | Equity: | | Equity: | |
Preferred stock—authorized, 20,000,000 shares; issued, 0 | Preferred stock—authorized, 20,000,000 shares; issued, 0 | 0 | | | 0 | | Preferred stock—authorized, 20,000,000 shares; issued, 0 | 0 | | | 0 | |
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 7,500,000,000 shares; issued, 5,438,669,808 and 5,416,381,298; outstanding, 4,565,878,780 and 4,543,590,270 | 54 | | | 54 | | |
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 7,500,000,000 shares; issued, 5,457,362,954 and 5,444,002,825; outstanding, 4,584,571,926 and 4,571,211,797 | | Class A common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 7,500,000,000 shares; issued, 5,457,362,954 and 5,444,002,825; outstanding, 4,584,571,926 and 4,571,211,797 | 55 | | | 54 | |
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 9,444,375 | Class B common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 9,444,375 | 0 | | | 0 | | Class B common stock, $0.01 par value—authorized, 75,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding, 9,444,375 | 0 | | | 0 | |
Additional paid-in capital | Additional paid-in capital | 39,173 | | | 38,447 | | Additional paid-in capital | 39,744 | | | 39,464 | |
Retained earnings | Retained earnings | 54,254 | | | 50,695 | | Retained earnings | 58,321 | | | 56,438 | |
Treasury stock, 872,791,028 Class A common shares | Treasury stock, 872,791,028 Class A common shares | (7,517) | | | (7,517) | | Treasury stock, 872,791,028 Class A common shares | (7,517) | | | (7,517) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 212 | | | 1,047 | | Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | 1,972 | | | 1,884 | |
Total Comcast Corporation shareholders’ equity | Total Comcast Corporation shareholders’ equity | 86,176 | | | 82,726 | | Total Comcast Corporation shareholders’ equity | 92,575 | | | 90,323 | |
Noncontrolling interests | Noncontrolling interests | 1,395 | | | 1,148 | | Noncontrolling interests | 1,525 | | | 1,415 | |
Total equity | Total equity | 87,571 | | | 83,874 | | Total equity | 94,100 | | | 91,738 | |
Total liabilities and equity | Total liabilities and equity | $ | 268,940 | | | $ | 263,414 | | Total liabilities and equity | $ | 278,511 | | | $ | 273,869 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity
(Unaudited)
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions, except per share data) | (in millions, except per share data) | 2020 | 2019 | | 2020 | 2019 | (in millions, except per share data) | | 2021 | 2020 |
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Stock | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Stock | | Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests and Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Stock | | |
Balance, beginning of period | Balance, beginning of period | $ | 1,256 | | $ | 1,329 | | | $ | 1,372 | | $ | 1,316 | | Balance, beginning of period | | $ | 1,280 | | $ | 1,372 | |
Redemption of subsidiary preferred stock | | Redemption of subsidiary preferred stock | | (725) | | 0 | |
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net | Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net | (9) | | (12) | | | (46) | | (49) | | Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net | | (27) | | (27) | |
Other | Other | (9) | | (9) | | | (174) | | (28) | | Other | | (10) | | (153) | |
Net income (loss) | Net income (loss) | 16 | | 60 | | | 102 | | 129 | | Net income (loss) | | 28 | | 67 | |
Balance, end of period | Balance, end of period | $ | 1,254 | | $ | 1,368 | | | $ | 1,254 | | $ | 1,368 | | Balance, end of period | | $ | 546 | | $ | 1,259 | |
| Class A common stock | | |
Class A Common Stock | | Class A Common Stock | | |
Balance, beginning of period | Balance, beginning of period | $ | 54 | | $ | 54 | | | $ | 54 | | $ | 54 | | Balance, beginning of period | | $ | 54 | | $ | 54 | |
| Issuances of common stock under employee plans | | Issuances of common stock under employee plans | | 1 | | 0 | |
Balance, end of period | Balance, end of period | $ | 54 | | $ | 54 | | | $ | 54 | | $ | 54 | | Balance, end of period | | $ | 55 | | $ | 54 | |
| Additional Paid-In Capital | Additional Paid-In Capital | | Additional Paid-In Capital | | |
Balance, beginning of period | Balance, beginning of period | $ | 38,936 | | $ | 37,950 | | | $ | 38,447 | | $ | 37,461 | | Balance, beginning of period | | $ | 39,464 | | $ | 38,447 | |
| Stock compensation plans | Stock compensation plans | 240 | | 193 | | | 713 | | 604 | | Stock compensation plans | | 296 | | 212 | |
Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | (61) | | 6 | | | (164) | | (39) | | Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | | (88) | | (93) | |
Employee stock purchase plans | Employee stock purchase plans | 60 | | 51 | | | 193 | | 166 | | Employee stock purchase plans | | 62 | | 54 | |
Other | Other | (2) | | (4) | | | (16) | | 4 | | Other | | 10 | | (23) | |
Balance, end of period | Balance, end of period | $ | 39,173 | | $ | 38,196 | | | $ | 39,173 | | $ | 38,196 | | Balance, end of period | | $ | 39,744 | | $ | 38,597 | |
| Retained Earnings | Retained Earnings | | Retained Earnings | | |
Balance, beginning of period | Balance, beginning of period | $ | 53,420 | | $ | 46,425 | | | $ | 50,695 | | $ | 41,983 | | Balance, beginning of period | | $ | 56,438 | | $ | 50,695 | |
Cumulative effects of adoption of accounting standards | Cumulative effects of adoption of accounting standards | 0 | | 0 | | | (124) | | 0 | | Cumulative effects of adoption of accounting standards | | 0 | | (124) | |
Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | (113) | | (101) | | | (281) | | (406) | | Repurchases of common stock under employee plans | | (289) | | (142) | |
Dividends declared | Dividends declared | (1,062) | | (965) | | | (3,187) | | (2,893) | | Dividends declared | | (1,161) | | (1,064) | |
Other | Other | (10) | | (6) | | | (3) | | (9) | | Other | | 4 | | 4 | |
Net income (loss) | Net income (loss) | 2,019 | | 3,217 | | | 7,154 | | 9,895 | | Net income (loss) | | 3,329 | | 2,147 | |
Balance, end of period | Balance, end of period | $ | 54,254 | | $ | 48,570 | | | $ | 54,254 | | $ | 48,570 | | Balance, end of period | | $ | 58,321 | | $ | 51,516 | |
| Treasury Stock at Cost | Treasury Stock at Cost | | Treasury Stock at Cost | | |
Balance, beginning of period | Balance, beginning of period | $ | (7,517) | | $ | (7,517) | | | $ | (7,517) | | $ | (7,517) | | Balance, beginning of period | | $ | (7,517) | | $ | (7,517) | |
Balance, end of period | Balance, end of period | $ | (7,517) | | $ | (7,517) | | | $ | (7,517) | | $ | (7,517) | | Balance, end of period | | $ | (7,517) | | $ | (7,517) | |
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | |
Balance, beginning of period | Balance, beginning of period | $ | (1,279) | | $ | (62) | | | $ | 1,047 | | $ | (368) | | Balance, beginning of period | | $ | 1,884 | | $ | 1,047 | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | Other comprehensive income (loss) | 1,491 | | (1,097) | | | (835) | | (791) | | Other comprehensive income (loss) | | 88 | | (2,191) | |
Balance, end of period | Balance, end of period | $ | 212 | | $ | (1,159) | | | $ | 212 | | $ | (1,159) | | Balance, end of period | | $ | 1,972 | | $ | (1,144) | |
| Noncontrolling Interests | Noncontrolling Interests | | Noncontrolling Interests | | |
Balance, beginning of period | Balance, beginning of period | $ | 1,177 | | $ | 980 | | | $ | 1,148 | | $ | 889 | | Balance, beginning of period | | $ | 1,415 | | $ | 1,148 | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | Other comprehensive income (loss) | 38 | | (22) | | | 14 | | (24) | | Other comprehensive income (loss) | | (14) | | (14) | |
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net | Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net | 185 | | 50 | | | 200 | | 66 | | Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net | | 189 | | 120 | |
Other | Other | (1) | | (3) | | | 25 | | (14) | | Other | | 0 | | 13 | |
Net income (loss) | Net income (loss) | (4) | | 11 | | | 8 | | 99 | | Net income (loss) | | (65) | | 10 | |
Balance, end of period | Balance, end of period | $ | 1,395 | | $ | 1,016 | | | $ | 1,395 | | $ | 1,016 | | Balance, end of period | | $ | 1,525 | | $ | 1,277 | |
| Total equity | Total equity | $ | 87,571 | | $ | 79,160 | | | $ | 87,571 | | $ | 79,160 | | Total equity | | $ | 94,100 | | $ | 82,783 | |
| Cash dividends declared per common share | Cash dividends declared per common share | $ | 0.23 | | $ | 0.21 | | | $ | 0.69 | | $ | 0.63 | | Cash dividends declared per common share | | $ | 0.25 | | $ | 0.23 | |
See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1: Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
Business and Basis of Presentation
We have prepared these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements based on SEC rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. These financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated results of operations, cash flows and financial condition for the periods shown, including normal, recurring accruals and other items. The consolidated results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.
The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“GAAP”). For a more complete discussion of our accounting policies and certain other information, refer to our consolidated financial statements included in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and the notes within this Form 10-Q.
Reclassifications
Reclassifications have been made to our notes to condensed consolidated financial statements for the prior year period to conform to classifications used in 2021. See Note 2 for a discussion of the changes in our presentation of segment operating results.
Note 2: Segment Information
In the first quarter of 2021, we changed our presentation of segment operating results. We now present our operations in 65 reportable business segments: (1) Comcast Cable in one1 reportable business segment, referred to as Cable Communications; (2) NBCUniversal in four3 reportable business segments: Cable Networks, Broadcast Television, Filmed EntertainmentMedia, Studios and Theme Parks (collectively, the “NBCUniversal segments”); and (3) Sky in one1 reportable business segment. The changes reflect a reorganized operating structure in NBCUniversal’s television and streaming businesses and primarily include: (i) the combination of NBCUniversal’s television networks (previously reported in Cable Networks and Broadcast Television) with the operations of Peacock (previously reported in Corporate and Other) in the Media segment, and (ii) the presentation of NBCUniversal’s television studio production operations (previously reported in Cable Networks and Broadcast Television) with the studio operations of Filmed Entertainment in the Studios segment. Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this presentation.
Cable Communications is a leading provider of high-speed internet,broadband, video, voice, wireless, and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand; we also provide these and other services to business customers and sell advertising. Revenue is generated primarily from residential and business customers that subscribe to our services, which are marketed individually and as bundled services, and from the sale of advertising.
Cable NetworksMedia consists primarily of ourNBCUniversal’s television and streaming platforms, including national, cable networks that provide a variety of entertainment, newsregional and information, and sports content; our regional sports and news networks; our international cable networks; our cable television studio production operations; and various digital properties.
Broadcast Television consists primarily of the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, ournetworks; NBC and Telemundo owned local broadcast television stations,stations; Peacock, our direct-to-consumer streaming service; and various digital properties. Revenue is generated primarily from the NBC Universo national cablesale of advertising on our television networks, Peacock and digital properties; and the fees received from the distribution of our television network ourprogramming to traditional and virtual multichannel video providers and from NBC-affiliated and Telemundo-affiliated local broadcast television stations. Media also generates other revenue from various digital properties.
Studios consists primarily of NBCUniversal’s film and television studio production operations, and variousdistribution operations. Revenue is generated primarily from the licensing of our owned film and television content to broadcast, cable and premium networks, and to direct-to-consumer streaming service providers, as well as through video on demand and pay-per-view services provided by multichannel video providers and over-the-top service providers; from the worldwide distribution of our produced and acquired films for exhibition in movie theaters; and from the sale of owned content on DVDs, Blu-ray discs and through digital properties.
Filmed Entertainment consists primarily of the operations of Universal Pictures, which produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide; our films are also produced under the Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and Focus Features names.distribution services.
Theme Parks consists primarily of our Universal theme parks in Orlando, Florida; Hollywood, California; and Osaka, Japan. In addition, we are developing a theme park in Beijing, China along with a consortium of Chinese state-owned companies, and an additional theme park in Orlando, Florida. Revenue is generated primarily from guest spending at our Universal theme parks.
Sky is one of Europe’s leading entertainment companies, which primarily includes a direct-to-consumer business, providing video, high-speed internet,broadband, voice and wireless phone services, and a content business, operating entertainment networks, the Sky News broadcast network and Sky Sports networks. Revenue is generated primarily from residential and business customers that
subscribe to our services; from the distribution of Sky’s owned television networks on third-party platforms and the licensing of owned and acquired programming to third-party video providers; and from the sale of advertising.
Our other business interests consist primarily of the operations of Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and other business initiatives, such as Peacock, our new direct-to-consumer streaming service that primarily features NBCUniversal content.initiatives.
We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the profitability of our operating segments and the components of net income attributable to Comcast Corporation excluded from Adjusted EBITDA are not separately evaluated. Our financial data by business segment is presented in the tables below.
Table of Contents | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 |
(in millions) | Revenue(a) | Adjusted EBITDA(b) | Depreciation and Amortization | Capital Expenditures | Cash Paid for Intangible Assets |
Cable Communications | $ | 15,805 | | $ | 6,830 | | $ | 1,929 | | $ | 1,370 | | $ | 315 | |
NBCUniversal | | | | | |
Media | 5,036 | | 1,473 | | 247 | | 10 | | 32 | |
Studios | 2,396 | | 497 | | 12 | | 1 | | 2 | |
Theme Parks | 619 | | (61) | | 207 | | 126 | | 6 | |
Headquarters and Other | 16 | | (209) | | 117 | | 35 | | 28 | |
Eliminations(a) | (1,043) | | (210) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
NBCUniversal | 7,024 | | 1,490 | | 583 | | 172 | | 68 | |
Sky | 4,997 | | 364 | | 814 | | 271 | | 201 | |
Corporate and Other | 89 | | (281) | | 36 | | 46 | | 28 | |
Eliminations(a) | (710) | | 10 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
Comcast Consolidated | $ | 27,205 | | $ | 8,413 | | $ | 3,362 | | $ | 1,859 | | $ | 612 | |
Comcast Corporation
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
(in millions) | Revenue | Adjusted EBITDA(d) | Depreciation and Amortization | Capital Expenditures | Cash Paid for Intangible Assets |
Cable Communications | $ | 15,000 | | $ | 6,411 | | $ | 1,952 | | $ | 1,770 | | $ | 296 | |
NBCUniversal | | | | | |
Cable Networks | 2,736 | | 870 | | 191 | | 6 | | 3 | |
Broadcast Television | 2,414 | | 436 | | 38 | | 13 | | 7 | |
Filmed Entertainment | 1,280 | | 300 | | 26 | | 2 | | 4 | |
Theme Parks | 311 | | (203) | | 208 | | 306 | | 11 | |
Headquarters and Other(a) | 32 | | (121) | | 113 | | 30 | | 28 | |
Eliminations(b) | (49) | | (1) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
NBCUniversal | 6,724 | | 1,281 | | 576 | | 357 | | 53 | |
Sky | 4,793 | | 515 | | 750 | | 237 | | 176 | |
Corporate and Other(c) | 84 | | (496) | | 42 | | 23 | | 27 | |
Eliminations(b) | (1,069) | | (128) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
Comcast Consolidated | $ | 25,532 | | $ | 7,583 | | $ | 3,320 | | $ | 2,387 | | $ | 552 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
(in millions) | Revenue | Adjusted EBITDA(d) | Depreciation and Amortization | Capital Expenditures | Cash Paid for Intangible Assets |
Cable Communications | $ | 14,584 | | $ | 5,801 | | $ | 1,967 | | $ | 1,814 | | $ | 336 | |
NBCUniversal | | | | | |
Cable Networks | 2,771 | | 955 | | 184 | | 9 | | 4 | |
Broadcast Television | 2,230 | | 338 | | 36 | | 36 | | 3 | |
Filmed Entertainment | 1,706 | | 195 | | 21 | | 5 | | 5 | |
Theme Parks | 1,631 | | 731 | | 182 | | 400 | | 8 | |
Headquarters and Other(a) | 21 | | (130) | | 114 | | 55 | | 43 | |
Eliminations(b) | (64) | | 2 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
NBCUniversal | 8,295 | | 2,091 | | 537 | | 505 | | 63 | |
Sky | 4,554 | | 899 | | 644 | | 104 | | 188 | |
Corporate and Other(c) | 42 | | (237) | | 32 | | 88 | | 21 | |
Eliminations(b) | (648) | | (1) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
Comcast Consolidated | $ | 26,827 | | $ | 8,553 | | $ | 3,180 | | $ | 2,511 | | $ | 608 | |
| | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 |
(in millions) | (in millions) | Revenue | Adjusted EBITDA(d) | Depreciation and Amortization | Capital Expenditures | Cash Paid for Intangible Assets | (in millions) | Revenue(a) | Adjusted EBITDA(b) | Depreciation and Amortization | Capital Expenditures | Cash Paid for Intangible Assets |
Cable Communications | Cable Communications | $ | 44,346 | | $ | 18,663 | | $ | 5,835 | | $ | 4,491 | | $ | 978 | | Cable Communications | $ | 14,918 | | $ | 6,076 | | $ | 1,946 | | $ | 1,269 | | $ | 356 | |
NBCUniversal | NBCUniversal | | NBCUniversal | |
Cable Networks | 8,110 | | 3,361 | | 576 | | 16 | | 11 | | |
Broadcast Television | 7,462 | | 1,578 | | 120 | | 58 | | 12 | | |
Filmed Entertainment | 3,844 | | 634 | | 71 | | 9 | | 14 | | |
Media | | Media | 4,878 | | 1,529 | | 243 | | 31 | | 38 | |
Studios | | Studios | 2,409 | | 300 | | 17 | | 4 | | 1 | |
Theme Parks | Theme Parks | 1,267 | | (526) | | 590 | | 897 | | 42 | | Theme Parks | 925 | | 87 | | 190 | | 296 | | 15 | |
Headquarters and Other(a) | 79 | | (381) | | 358 | | 129 | | 107 | | |
Eliminations(b) | (180) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | |
Headquarters and Other | | Headquarters and Other | 9 | | (221) | | 116 | | 46 | | 41 | |
Eliminations(a) | | Eliminations(a) | (492) | | (6) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
NBCUniversal | NBCUniversal | 20,582 | | 4,666 | | 1,715 | | 1,109 | | 186 | | NBCUniversal | 7,729 | | 1,689 | | 566 | | 377 | | 95 | |
Sky | Sky | 13,389 | | 1,815 | | 2,188 | | 649 | | 512 | | Sky | 4,517 | | 551 | | 718 | | 197 | | 166 | |
Corporate and Other(c) | 250 | | (1,254) | | 110 | | 95 | | 95 | | |
Eliminations(b) | (2,711) | | (250) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | |
Corporate and Other | | Corporate and Other | 120 | | (193) | | 34 | | 38 | | 1 | |
Eliminations(a) | | Eliminations(a) | (675) | | 7 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
Comcast Consolidated | Comcast Consolidated | $ | 75,856 | | $ | 23,640 | | $ | 9,848 | | $ | 6,344 | | $ | 1,771 | | Comcast Consolidated | $ | 26,609 | | $ | 8,130 | | $ | 3,264 | | $ | 1,881 | | $ | 618 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, 2019 |
(in millions) | Revenue | Adjusted EBITDA(d) | Depreciation and Amortization | Capital Expenditures | Cash Paid for Intangible Assets |
Cable Communications | $ | 43,314 | | $ | 17,383 | | $ | 6,038 | | $ | 4,771 | | $ | 962 | |
NBCUniversal | | | | | |
Cable Networks | 8,586 | | 3,418 | | 549 | | 21 | | 10 | |
Broadcast Television | 7,099 | | 1,259 | | 115 | | 86 | | 9 | |
Filmed Entertainment | 4,931 | | 742 | | 60 | | 13 | | 16 | |
Theme Parks | 4,371 | | 1,819 | | 514 | | 1,172 | | 44 | |
Headquarters and Other(a) | 60 | | (486) | | 341 | | 139 | | 120 | |
Eliminations(b) | (233) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
NBCUniversal | 24,814 | | 6,752 | | 1,579 | | 1,431 | | 199 | |
Sky | 14,179 | | 2,334 | | 2,058 | | 540 | | 491 | |
Corporate and Other(c) | 206 | | (637) | | 101 | | 124 | | 34 | |
Eliminations(b) | (1,969) | | (10) | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
Comcast Consolidated | $ | 80,544 | | $ | 25,822 | | $ | 9,776 | | $ | 6,866 | | $ | 1,686 | |
(a)NBCUniversal Headquarters and Other activities include costs associated with overhead, allocations, personnel costs and headquarter initiatives.
(b)Included in Eliminations are transactions that our segments enter into with one another. Our segments generally report transactions with one another as if they were stand-alone businesses in accordance with GAAP, and these transactions are eliminated in consolidation. When multiple segments enter into transactions to provide products and services to third parties, revenue is generally allocated to our segments based on relative value.
The most significant transactions between our segments include distribution revenue at Media for fees received from Cable NetworksCommunications for the sale of cable network programming to Cable Communications;and under retransmission consent agreements; content licensing revenue in our NBCUniversal segments (Broadcast Television, Filmed Entertainment and Cable Networks) for the license of owned content to Peacock and Sky, andat Studios for licenses of owned content to other NBCUniversal segments;Media and Sky; and advertising revenue at Cable Communications, Cable NetworksMedia and Broadcast Television; and distribution revenue at Broadcast Television for fees received under retransmission consent agreements from Cable Communications. For segment reporting purposes, we account for intercompany content licenses as follows:
•Revenue for licenses of content from NBCUniversal segmentsStudios to PeacockMedia and Sky areis generally recognized at a point in time, consistent with the recognition of transactions with third parties, when the content is delivered and made available for use. The costs of these licenses at PeacockMedia and Sky are recognized as the content is used over the license period. The difference in timing of recognition between segments results in an Adjusted EBITDA impact in eliminations, as the profits (losses) on these transactions are deferred in our consolidated results and recognized as the content is used over the license period.
•Revenue Under the previous segment structure, revenue for licenses of content between our previous NBCUniversal segments iswas recognized over time to correspond with the amortization of the programming rights asset for thecosts of licensed content as the content is used over the license period.
(c)CorporateA summary of revenue for each of our segments resulting from transactions with other segments and Other activities include costs associated with overhead and personnel, revenue and expenses associated with our other business interests, including Peacock.eliminated in consolidation is presented in the table below.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 |
Cable Communications | $ | 45 | | | $ | 42 | |
NBCUniversal | | | |
Media | 540 | | | 544 | |
Studios | 1,089 | | | 540 | |
Theme Parks | 1 | | | 0 | |
Headquarters and Other | 12 | | | 2 | |
Sky | 8 | | | 2 | |
Corporate and Other | 58 | | | 37 | |
Total intersegment revenue | $ | 1,753 | | | $ | 1,167 | |
| | | |
(d)(b)We use Adjusted EBITDA as the measure of profit or loss for our operating segments. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income attributable to Comcast Corporation before net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock, income tax expense, investment and other income (loss), net, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other operating gains and losses (such as impairment charges related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses on the sale of long-lived assets), if any. From time to time we may exclude from Adjusted EBITDAreport the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges related to our operating segments (such as significant legal settlements) that affect the period-to-period comparability of our operating performance.certain costs incurred in response to COVID-19, including severance charges), within Corporate and Other. Our reconciliation of the aggregate amount of Adjusted EBITDA for our reportable segments to consolidated income before income taxes is presented in the table below.
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 7,583 | | | $ | 8,553 | | | $ | 23,640 | | | $ | 25,822 | | Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 8,413 | | | $ | 8,130 | |
Adjustment for potential legal settlement | (177) | | | 0 | | | (177) | | | 0 | | |
| Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | (10) | | | (33) | | | (40) | | | (168) | | Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | | (12) | | | (14) | |
Depreciation | Depreciation | (2,122) | | | (2,124) | | | (6,328) | | | (6,561) | | Depreciation | | (2,117) | | | (2,107) | |
Amortization | Amortization | (1,198) | | | (1,056) | | | (3,520) | | | (3,215) | | Amortization | | (1,245) | | | (1,157) | |
| Interest expense | Interest expense | (1,220) | | | (1,167) | | | (3,544) | | | (3,454) | | Interest expense | | (1,018) | | | (1,212) | |
Investment and other income (loss), net | Investment and other income (loss), net | (86) | | | (110) | | | (382) | | | 511 | | Investment and other income (loss), net | | 390 | | | (716) | |
| Income before income taxes | Income before income taxes | $ | 2,770 | | | $ | 4,063 | | | $ | 9,649 | | | $ | 12,935 | | Income before income taxes | | $ | 4,411 | | | $ | 2,924 | |
|
Goodwill by Segment
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by segment for the quarter ended March 31, 2021 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | NBCUniversal | | | |
(in billions) | Cable Communications | Cable Networks | Broadcast Television | Filmed Entertainment | Media | Studios | Theme Parks | Sky | Corporate and Other | Total |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Balance, December 31, 2020 | $ | 15.3 | | $ | 14.0 | | $ | 1.1 | | $ | 3.3 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 7.0 | | $ | 30.0 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 70.7 | |
Segment change | 0 | | (14.0) | | (1.1) | | (3.3) | | 14.7 | | 3.7 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Foreign currency translation and other | 0.1 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | 0 | | (0.4) | | (0.3) | | 0 | | (0.6) | |
Balance, March 31, 2021 | $ | 15.4 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 14.7 | | $ | 3.7 | | $ | 6.6 | | $ | 29.7 | | $ | 0 | | $ | 70.1 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Note 3: Revenue
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Residential: | Residential: | | Residential: | | |
High-speed internet | $ | 5,198 | | | $ | 4,721 | | | $ | 15,199 | | | $ | 13,961 | | |
Broadband | | Broadband | | $ | 5,600 | | | $ | 5,001 | |
Video | Video | 5,421 | | | 5,541 | | | 16,468 | | | 16,763 | | Video | | 5,623 | | | 5,632 | |
Voice | Voice | 876 | | | 963 | | | 2,652 | | | 2,935 | | Voice | | 871 | | | 899 | |
Wireless | Wireless | 400 | | | 326 | | | 1,069 | | | 795 | | Wireless | | 513 | | | 343 | |
Business services | Business services | 2,049 | | | 1,971 | | | 6,096 | | | 5,795 | | Business services | | 2,167 | | | 2,043 | |
Advertising | Advertising | 674 | | | 603 | | | 1,659 | | | 1,766 | | Advertising | | 618 | | | 557 | |
Other | Other | 382 | | | 459 | | | 1,203 | | | 1,299 | | Other | | 413 | | | 443 | |
Total Cable Communications(a) | Total Cable Communications(a) | 15,000 | | | 14,584 | | | 44,346 | | | 43,314 | | Total Cable Communications(a) | | 15,805 | | | 14,918 | |
| Advertising | | Advertising | | 2,094 | | | 2,167 | |
Distribution | Distribution | 1,617 | | | 1,681 | | | 4,780 | | | 5,123 | | Distribution | | 2,495 | | | 2,287 | |
Advertising | 793 | | | 809 | | | 2,306 | | | 2,592 | | |
Content licensing and other | 326 | | | 281 | | | 1,024 | | | 871 | | |
Total Cable Networks | 2,736 | | | 2,771 | | | 8,110 | | | 8,586 | | |
Other | | Other | | 447 | | | 424 | |
Total Media | | Total Media | | 5,036 | | | 4,878 | |
| Advertising | 1,054 | | | 1,191 | | | 3,331 | | | 3,837 | | |
Content licensing | Content licensing | 740 | | | 447 | | | 2,224 | | | 1,479 | | Content licensing | | 2,075 | | | 1,819 | |
Distribution and other | 620 | | | 592 | | | 1,907 | | | 1,783 | | |
Total Broadcast Television | 2,414 | | | 2,230 | | | 7,462 | | | 7,099 | | |
Theatrical | | Theatrical | | 39 | | | 316 | |
| Theatrical | 29 | | | 549 | | | 354 | | | 1,246 | | |
Content licensing | 844 | | | 737 | | | 2,385 | | | 2,266 | | |
Home entertainment | 278 | | | 185 | | | 678 | | | 681 | | |
Other | 129 | | | 235 | | | 427 | | | 738 | | |
Total Filmed Entertainment | 1,280 | | | 1,706 | | | 3,844 | | | 4,931 | | |
Home entertainment and other | | Home entertainment and other | | 282 | | | 274 | |
Total Studios | | Total Studios | | 2,396 | | | 2,409 | |
| Total Theme Parks | Total Theme Parks | 311 | | | 1,631 | | | 1,267 | | | 4,371 | | Total Theme Parks | | 619 | | | 925 | |
Headquarters and Other | Headquarters and Other | 32 | | | 21 | | | 79 | | | 60 | | Headquarters and Other | | 16 | | | 9 | |
Eliminations(b) | (49) | | | (64) | | | (180) | | | (233) | | |
Eliminations(a) | | Eliminations(a) | | (1,043) | | | (492) | |
Total NBCUniversal | Total NBCUniversal | 6,724 | | | 8,295 | | | 20,582 | | | 24,814 | | Total NBCUniversal | | 7,024 | | | 7,729 | |
| Direct-to-consumer | Direct-to-consumer | 3,943 | | | 3,793 | | | 11,146 | | | 11,516 | | Direct-to-consumer | | 4,065 | | | 3,679 | |
Content | Content | 388 | | | 315 | | | 947 | | | 1,061 | | Content | | 358 | | | 325 | |
Advertising | Advertising | 462 | | | 446 | | | 1,296 | | | 1,602 | | Advertising | | 574 | | | 513 | |
Total Sky | Total Sky | 4,793 | | | 4,554 | | | 13,389 | | | 14,179 | | Total Sky | | 4,997 | | | 4,517 | |
| Corporate and Other | Corporate and Other | 84 | | | 42 | | | 250 | | | 206 | | Corporate and Other | | 89 | | | 120 | |
Eliminations(b) | (1,069) | | | (648) | | | (2,711) | | | (1,969) | | |
Eliminations(a) | | Eliminations(a) | | (710) | | | (675) | |
Total revenue | Total revenue | $ | 25,532 | | | $ | 26,827 | | | $ | 75,856 | | | $ | 80,544 | | Total revenue | | $ | 27,205 | | | $ | 26,609 | |
(a)For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, 2.6% of Cable Communications segment revenue was derived from franchise and other regulatory fees.
(b)Included in Eliminations are transactions that our segments enter into with one another. See Note 2 for a description of these transactions.
We operate primarily in the United States but also in select international markets. The table below summarizes revenue by geographic location.
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
United States | United States | $ | 19,680 | | | $ | 20,398 | | | $ | 59,026 | | | $ | 61,394 | | United States | | $ | 21,156 | | | $ | 20,690 | |
Europe | Europe | 5,196 | | | 5,211 | | | 14,850 | | | 15,878 | | Europe | | 5,352 | | | 5,033 | |
Other | Other | 656 | | | 1,218 | | | 1,980 | | | 3,272 | | Other | | 697 | | | 886 | |
Total revenue | Total revenue | $ | 25,532 | | | $ | 26,827 | | | $ | 75,856 | | | $ | 80,544 | | Total revenue | | $ | 27,205 | | | $ | 26,609 | |
No single customer accounted for a significant amount
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
The following tables summarize our accounts receivable and other balances that are not separately presented in our condensed consolidated balance sheet that relate to the recognition of revenue and collection of the related cash, as well as the deferred costs associated with our contracts with customers.
| (in millions) | (in millions) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 | (in millions) | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Receivables, gross | Receivables, gross | $ | 11,110 | | | $ | 11,711 | | Receivables, gross | $ | 11,764 | | | $ | 12,273 | |
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts | Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts | 800 | | | 419 | | Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts | 778 | | | 807 | |
Receivables, net | Receivables, net | $ | 10,310 | | | $ | 11,292 | | Receivables, net | $ | 10,986 | | | $ | 11,466 | |
|
| (in millions) | (in millions) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 | (in millions) | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Noncurrent receivables, net (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | Noncurrent receivables, net (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | $ | 1,138 | | | $ | 1,337 | | Noncurrent receivables, net (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | $ | 1,061 | | | $ | 1,091 | |
Contract acquisition and fulfillment costs (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | Contract acquisition and fulfillment costs (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | $ | 1,043 | | | $ | 1,083 | | Contract acquisition and fulfillment costs (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | $ | 1,048 | | | $ | 1,060 | |
Noncurrent deferred revenue (included in other noncurrent liabilities) | Noncurrent deferred revenue (included in other noncurrent liabilities) | $ | 698 | | | $ | 618 | | Noncurrent deferred revenue (included in other noncurrent liabilities) | $ | 726 | | | $ | 750 | |
Note 4: Programming and Production Costs
Film and Television Costs | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | | | | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Video distribution programming | | | | | $ | 3,515 | | | $ | 3,215 | |
Film and television content: | | | | | | | |
Owned(a) | | | | | 1,964 | | | 2,127 |
Licensed, including sports rights | | | | | 3,175 | | | 2,664 |
Other | | | | | 265 | | | 295 |
Total programming and production costs | | | | | $ | 8,919 | | | $ | 8,301 | |
Cable Networks, Broadcast Television, Filmed Entertainment and Sky produce(a) Amount includes amortization of owned content or acquire the rights to programming from third parties, which are described as owned filmof $1.6 billion and television costs and programming rights, respectively. We adopted new accounting guidance related to film and television costs in the first quarter of 2020 (see Note 8), and accordingly amounts presented below for periods in 2020 and the policy discussion reflect the updated accounting guidance, and amounts presented for 2019 reflect the accounting guidance in effect at that time. Under the new accounting guidance, we have determined that the predominant monetization strategy$1.8 billion for the substantial majority of our content is on an individual basis.
Amortization of Filmthree months ended March 31, 2021 and Television Costs
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | Three Months Ended September 30, 2020 | | Nine Months Ended September 30, 2020 |
Owned film and television costs | $ | 1,556 | | | $ | 4,883 | |
| | | |
Programming rights | $ | 3,526 | | | $ | 7,774 | |
Comcast Corporation
2020, respectively, as well as participations and residuals expenses.Capitalized Film and Television Costs
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
(in millions) | Film and Television Costs | | Film Costs | | Television Costs | | Total |
Owned film and television costs: | | | | | | | |
Released, less amortization | $ | 3,578 | | | $ | 1,551 | | | $ | 2,810 | | | $ | 4,361 | |
Completed, not released | 147 | | | 187 | | | 0 | | | 187 | |
In production and in development | 2,608 | | | 1,314 | | | 1,162 | | | 2,476 | |
| 6,333 | | | 3,052 | | | 3,972 | | | 7,024 | |
Programming rights, less amortization | 6,408 | | | | | | | 5,786 | |
| 12,741 | | | | | | | 12,810 | |
Less: Current portion of programming rights | 0 | | | | | | | 3,877 | |
Film and television costs | $ | 12,741 | | | | | | | $ | 8,933 | |
The table below summarizes estimated future amortization expense for the capitalized film and television costs recorded in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2020.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | | | | | | Owned Film and Television Costs | | Programming Rights |
Completed, not released: | | | | | | | | |
Remaining three months of 2020 | | | | | | $ | 20 | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
Released and programming rights: | | | | | | | | |
Remaining three months of 2020 | | | | | | $ | 440 | | | $ | 1,739 | |
2021 | | | | | | $ | 901 | | | $ | 2,846 | |
2022 | | | | | | $ | 463 | | | $ | 760 | |
Capitalization and Recognition of Film and Television Costs
We capitalize costs for owned film and television content, including direct costs, production overhead, print costs, development costs and interest, as well as acquired libraries. Amortization for content predominantly monetized on an individual basis and accrued costs associated with participations and residual payments are recorded using the individual film forecast computation method, which recognizes the costs in the same ratio as the associated ultimate revenue. Estimates of ultimate revenue and total costs are based on anticipated release patterns, public acceptance and historical results for similar productions. Amortization for content predominantly monetized with other owned or licensed content is recorded based on estimated usage. In determining the method of amortization and estimated life of an acquired film or television library, we generally use the method and the life that most closely follow the undiscounted cash flows over the estimated life of the asset. We do not capitalize costs related to the distribution of a film in movie theaters or the licensing or sale of a film or television production, which primarily include costs associated with marketing and distribution.
We may enter into cofinancing arrangements with third parties to jointly finance or distribute certain of our film productions. Cofinancing arrangements can take various forms, but in most cases involve the grant of an economic interest in a film to an investor who owns an undivided copyright interest in the film. The number of investors and the terms of these arrangements can vary, although investors generally assume the full risks and rewards for the portion of the film acquired in these arrangements. We account for the proceeds received from the investor under these arrangements as a reduction of our capitalized film costs and the investor’s interest in the profit or loss of the film is recorded as either a charge or a benefit, respectively, in programming and production costs. The investor’s interest in the profit or loss of a film is recorded each period using the individual film forecast computation method.
We capitalize the costs of programming rights for content that we license but do not own when the license period begins, the content is made available for use and the costs of programming licenses are known. Programming rights are amortized as the associated programs are broadcast.
Owned film and television costs and programming rights are presented as noncurrent assets in film and television costs. We present amortization of film and television costs and accrued costs associated with participation and residual payments in programming and production costs.
When an event or a change in circumstance occurs that was known or knowable as of the balance sheet date and that indicates the fair value of either owned film and television content or programming rights is less than the unamortized costs in the
balance sheet, we determine the fair value and record an impairment charge to the extent the unamortized costs exceed the fair value. Owned film and television costs are assessed either individually or in identified film groups, for content predominantly monetized on an individual basis or with other content, respectively. The substantial majority of our owned film and television costs are evaluated for impairment on an individual title basis. Programming rights that are not part of a film group are generally assessed in packages, channels, or dayparts. A daypart is an aggregation of programs broadcast during a particular time of day or programs of a similar type. Programming rights licensed by Cable Networks are primarily tested on a channel basis for impairment, whereas programming rights licensed by Broadcast Television are tested on a daypart basis. Estimated fair values of owned film and television costs or programming rights are generally based on level 3 inputs including analysis of market participant estimates of future cash flows. We record charges related to impairments or content that is substantively abandoned to programming and production costs. Impairments of capitalized film and television costs were not material in any of the periods presented.
Sports Programming Rights
We recognize the costs of multiyear, live-event sports programming rights as the rights are utilized over the contract term based on estimated relative value. Estimated relative value is generally based on the ratio of the current period revenue to the estimated ultimate revenue or the terms of the contract. When cash payments, including advanced payments, exceed the relative value of the programming delivered, we recognize an asset in programming rights. Production costs incurred in advance of airing are also presented in programming rights. | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Owned: | | | |
Released, less amortization | $ | 3,885 | | | $ | 3,815 | |
Completed, not released | 626 | | | 139 | |
In production and in development | 2,369 | | | 2,755 | |
| 6,880 | | | 6,709 | |
Licensed, including sports advances | 6,103 | | | 6,631 | |
| | | |
| | | |
Film and television costs | $ | 12,983 | | | $ | 13,340 | |
Note 5: Earnings Per Share
Computation of Diluted EPS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, |
| 2020 | | 2019 |
(in millions, except per share data) | Net Income Attributable to Comcast Corporation | | Shares | | Per Share Amount | | Net Income Attributable to Comcast Corporation | | Shares | | Per Share Amount |
Basic EPS attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | 2,019 | | | 4,577 | | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 3,217 | | | 4,551 | | | $ | 0.71 | |
Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assumed exercise or issuance of shares relating to stock plans | | | 51 | | | | | | | 68 | | | |
Diluted EPS attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | 2,019 | | | 4,628 | | | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 3,217 | | | 4,619 | | | $ | 0.70 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
| 2020 | | 2019 |
(in millions, except per share data) | Net Income Attributable to Comcast Corporation | | Shares | | Per Share Amount | | Net Income Attributable to Comcast Corporation | | Shares | | Per Share Amount |
Basic EPS attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | 7,154 | | | 4,571 | | | $ | 1.57 | | | $ | 9,895 | | | 4,544 | | | $ | 2.18 | |
Effect of dilutive securities: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Assumed exercise or issuance of shares relating to stock plans | | | 45 | | | | | | | 62 | | | |
Diluted EPS attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | 7,154 | | | 4,616 | | | $ | 1.55 | | | $ | 9,895 | | | 4,606 | | | $ | 2.15 | |
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders (“diluted EPS”) considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. Our potentially dilutive securities include potential common shares related to our stock options and our restricted share units (“RSUs”). Diluted EPS excludes the impact of potential common shares related to our stock options in periods in which the combination of the option exercise price and the associated unrecognized compensation expense is greater than the average market price of our common stock. The amount of potential common shares related to our share-based compensation plans that were excluded from diluted EPS because their effect would
have been antidilutive was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 or 2019.
Note 6: Long-Term Debt
As of September 30,March 31, 2021, our debt had a carrying value of $103.7 billion and an estimated fair value of $117.8 billion. As of December 31, 2020, our debt had a carrying value of $104.4$103.8 billion and an estimated fair value of $124.2$125.6 billion. The estimated fair value of our publicly traded debt was primarily based on levelLevel 1 inputs that use quoted market value for the debt. The estimated fair value of debt for which there are no quoted market prices was based on levelLevel 2 inputs that use interest rates available to us for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.
In March 2021, we entered into a new $11 billion revolving credit facility due March 30, 2026 with a syndicate of banks that may be used for general corporate purposes. We may increase the commitments under the revolving credit facility up to a total of $14 billion, as well as extend the expiration date to no later than March 30, 2028, subject to approval of the lenders. The interest rate on the revolving credit facility consists of a base rate plus a borrowing margin that is determined based on Comcast’s credit rating. As of March 31, 2021, the borrowing margin for borrowings based on the London Interbank Offered Rate was 1.00%. Our revolving credit facility requires that we maintain certain financial ratios based on debt and EBITDA, as defined in the revolving credit facility. We were in compliance with all financial covenants for all periods presented. The new
revolving credit facility replaced an aggregate $9.2 billion of existing revolving credit facilities due May 26, 2022, which were terminated. Our revolving credit facilities were undrawn as of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020.
Note 7:6: Significant Transactions
Universal Beijing Resort
We entered into an agreement with a consortium of Chinese state-owned companies to build and operate a Universal theme park and resort in Beijing, China (“Universal Beijing Resort”). We own a 30% interest in Universal Beijing Resort and the construction is being funded through a combination of debt financing and equity contributions from the investors in accordance with their equity interests. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, Universal Beijing Resort had $2.1$3.0 billion of debt outstanding, including $2.7 billion principal amount of a term loan outstanding under the debt financing agreement.
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, our condensed consolidated balance sheet included assets primarily property and equipment, and liabilities including the term loan, of Universal Beijing Resort, totaling $4.5$8.5 billion and $3.0$6.8 billion, respectively. The assets and liabilities of Universal Beijing Resort primarily consist of property and equipment, operating lease assets and liabilities, and debt.
Note 8: Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Film and Television Costs
In March 2019, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) updated the accounting guidance related to film and television costs. The updated guidance aligned the accounting for production costs of episodic television series with those of films, allowing for costs to be capitalized in excess of amounts of revenue contracted for each episode. The guidance also updated certain presentation and disclosure requirements for capitalized film and television costs, and when content is predominantly monetized with other owned or licensed content the guidance requires impairment testing for capitalized film and television costs to be performed at a film group level and amortization to be based on usage. We adopted the updated guidance on January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis and as a result, prior period amounts were not adjusted.
Following the adoption, we now present all film and television costs, including acquired programming rights previously classified as current, as noncurrent in the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The adoption of the updated accounting guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position. See Note 4 for further information.
Credit Losses
In June 2016, the FASB updated the accounting guidance related to the measurement of credit losses on financial instruments, including trade receivables and loans. The updated guidance requires the recognition of credit losses on financial instruments based on an estimate of expected losses, replacing the incurred loss model in the prior guidance. We adopted the updated guidance on January 1, 2020 on a prospective basis, recording $124 million, net of tax, as a cumulative effect adjustment to retained earnings and as a result, prior period amounts were not adjusted. The adoption of the updated accounting guidance did not have a material impact on our consolidated results of operations or financial position for any periods presented.
Note 9:7: Investments
Investment and Other Income (Loss), Net
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net | Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net | $ | (266) | | | $ | (355) | | | $ | (634) | | | $ | (295) | | Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net | | $ | 136 | | | $ | (668) | |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net | Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net | 118 | | | 174 | | | 65 | | | 582 | | Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net | | 237 | | | (58) | |
Other income (loss), net | Other income (loss), net | 62 | | | 71 | | | 187 | | | 224 | | Other income (loss), net | | 17 | | | 10 | |
Investment and other income (loss), net | Investment and other income (loss), net | $ | (86) | | | $ | (110) | | | $ | (382) | | | $ | 511 | | Investment and other income (loss), net | | $ | 390 | | | $ | (716) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Equity method | $ | 5,097 | | | $ | 5,347 | |
Marketable equity securities | 141 | | | 353 | |
Nonmarketable equity securities | 1,833 | | | 1,896 | |
Other investments | 138 | | | 1,796 | |
Total investments | 7,209 | | | 9,392 | |
Less: Current investments | 78 | | | 1,709 | |
Less: Investment securing collateralized obligation | 429 | | | 694 | |
Noncurrent investments | $ | 6,702 | | | $ | 6,989 | |
The amount of unrealized gains (losses) recognized in the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 that related to marketable and nonmarketable equity securities still held as of the end of each reporting period were gains of $98 million and losses of $59 million, respectively. | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Equity method | $ | 6,048 | | | $ | 6,006 | |
Marketable equity securities | 260 | | | 460 | |
Nonmarketable equity securities | 2,021 | | | 1,950 | |
Other investments | 130 | | | 143 | |
Total investments | 8,459 | | | 8,559 | |
Less: Current investments | 83 | | | 292 | |
Less: Investment securing collateralized obligation | 487 | | | 447 | |
Noncurrent investments | $ | 7,889 | | | $ | 7,820 | |
Equity Method
Atairos
Atairos follows investment company accounting and records its investments at their fair values each reporting period with the net gains or losses reflected in its statement of operations. We recognize our share of these gains and losses in equity in net income (losses) of investees, net. For both the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, we recognized losses of $107 million and $242 million, respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized a loss of $262 million and income of $6 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019, we made cash capital contributions to Atairos totaling $184 million and $475 million, respectively.$12 million. As of September 30, 2020both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, our investment in Atairos was $3.3 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively.$3.9 billion.
Hulu and Collateralized Obligation
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, we recognized losses of $104 million and $265 million, respectively, in equity in net income (losses) of investees, net. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized losses of $101 million and $351 million, respectively, in equity in net income (losses) of investees, net and in the first quarter of 2019, we recognized a previously deferred dilution gain of $159 million in other income (loss), net. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, we made cash capital contributions totaling $903 million to Hulu, inclusive of the funding to acquire our proportionate share of AT&T’s previously held 10% interest. There were 0 cash capital contributions made during the nine months ended September 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, our investment was $429 million and $694 million, respectively.
In 2019, we borrowed $5.2 billion under a term loan facility due March 2024 which is fully collateralized by the minimum guaranteed proceeds of the put/call option related to our investment in Hulu. As of September 30,March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, both the carrying value and fair value of our collateralized obligation waswere $5.2 billion. The estimated fair value was based on levelLevel 2 inputs that use interest rates for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities. We present our investment in Hulu and the term loan separately in our condensed consolidated balance sheet in the captions “investment securing collateralized obligation”
and “collateralized obligation,” respectively. The recorded value of our investment reflects our historical cost in applying the equity method, and as a result, is less than its fair value.
Marketable
Note 8: Equity Securitiesand Share-Based Compensation
PelotonWeighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding
Following Peloton’s initial public offering in September 2019, we recognized unrealized gains of $150 million in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net and presented our investment in Peloton in marketable equity securities, which was previously presented in nonmarketable equity securities. In the second quarter of 2020, we sold our investment in Peloton | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | | | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic | | | | 4,591 | | | 4,562 | |
Effect of dilutive securities | | | | 74 | | | 55 | |
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – diluted | | | | 4,665 | | | 4,617 | |
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation
shareholders (“diluted EPS”) considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. The amount of potential common shares related to our share-based compensation plans that were excluded from diluted EPS because their effect would have been antidilutive was not material in any of the periods presented.Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Cumulative translation adjustments | $ | 1,769 | | | $ | 1,790 | |
| | | |
Deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges | 10 | | | (109) | |
Unrecognized gains (losses) on employee benefit obligations and other | 193 | | | 203 | |
| | | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred taxes | $ | 1,972 | | | $ | 1,884 | |
Share-Based Compensation
Our share-based compensation plans consist primarily of awards of RSUs and recognized gainsstock options to certain employees and directors as part of $67 million in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net. Asour approach to long-term incentive compensation. Additionally, through our employee stock purchase plans, employees are able to purchase shares of December 31, 2019, our investment in Peloton was $294 million.
Snapcommon stock at a discount through payroll deductions.
In the fourth quarter of 2019,March 2021, we soldgranted 12.8 million RSUs and 42.3 million stock options related to our investment in Snap. For the threeannual management awards. The weighted-average fair values associated with these grants were $54.62 per RSU and nine months ended September 30, 2019, we recognized unrealized gains of $45 million and $303 million, respectively, in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net.$9.64 per stock option.
Other InvestmentsRecognized Share-Based Compensation Expense
AirTouch
In April 2020, Verizon Americas, Inc., formerly known as AirTouch Communications, Inc. (“AirTouch”), redeemed the 2 series of preferred stock and we received cash payments totaling $1.7 billion. Subsequently, we redeemed and repurchased the 3 series of preferred shares issued by one of our consolidated subsidiaries and made cash payments totaling $1.8 billion. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | | | | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Restricted share units | | | | | $ | 206 | | | $ | 141 | |
Stock options | | | | | 90 | | | 71 | |
Employee stock purchase plans | | | | | 11 | | | 12 | |
Total | | | | | $ | 307 | | | $ | 224 | |
As of DecemberMarch 31, 2019, our AirTouch investment was2021, we had unrecognized pretax compensation expense of $1.6 billion and the associated liability$821 million related to redeemable subsidiary preferred shares was $1.7 billion.nonvested RSUs and nonvested stock options, respectively.
Note 10: Intangible Assets
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 |
(in millions) | Weighted-Average Original Useful Life as of September 30, 2020 | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization | Gross Carrying Amount | Accumulated Amortization |
Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets: | | | | | |
Franchise rights | N/A | $ | 59,365 | | | $ | 59,365 | | |
Trade names | N/A | 0 | | | 8,809 | | |
FCC licenses | N/A | 2,345 | | | 2,337 | | |
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets: | | | | | |
Customer relationships | 14 years | 21,665 | | $ | (8,363) | | 22,884 | | $ | (8,295) | |
Software | 5 years | 16,770 | | (8,786) | | 15,357 | | (7,287) | |
Other agreements and rights | 28 years | 12,110 | | (1,256) | | 3,958 | | (1,635) | |
Total | | $ | 112,255 | | $ | (18,405) | | $ | 112,710 | | $ | (17,217) | |
Estimated Amortization Expense of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
| | | | | |
(in millions) | |
Remaining three months of 2020 | $ | 1,190 | |
2021 | $ | 4,443 | |
2022 | $ | 3,868 | |
2023 | $ | 3,209 | |
2024 | $ | 2,524 | |
Note 11:9: Supplemental Financial Information
Share-Based CompensationCash Payments for Interest and Income Taxes
Our share-based compensation plans consist primarily of awards of RSUs and stock options to certain employees and directors as part of our approach to long-term incentive compensation. Additionally, through our employee stock purchase plans, employees are able to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount through payroll deductions.
In March 2020, we granted 15.8 million RSUs and 59.9 million stock options related to our annual management awards. The weighted-average fair values associated with these grants were $42.47 per RSU and $6.53 per stock option. | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 |
Interest | $ | 911 | | | $ | 991 | |
Income taxes | $ | 87 | | | $ | 281 | |
Recognized Share-Based Compensation Expense
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Restricted share units | $ | 164 | | | $ | 143 | | | $ | 484 | | | $ | 437 | |
Stock options | 72 | | | 57 | | | 226 | | | 176 | |
Employee stock purchase plans | 9 | | | 8 | | | 30 | | | 23 | |
Total | $ | 245 | | | $ | 208 | | | $ | 740 | | | $ | 636 | |
As of September 30, 2020, we had unrecognized pretax compensation expense of $1.3 billion and $615 million related to nonvested RSUs and nonvested stock options, respectively.
Cash Payments for Interest and Income Taxes
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 |
Interest | $ | 2,845 | | | $ | 3,167 | |
Income taxes | $ | 2,298 | | | $ | 2,490 | |
Noncash Activities
During the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2021:
•we recognized operating lease assets and liabilities of $2.7 billion related to Universal Beijing Resort with lease terms of 33 years and using a weighted average discount rate of 4.4%
•we acquired $1.6 billion of property and equipment and intangible assets that were accrued but unpaid
•we recorded a liability of $1.2 billion for a quarterly cash dividend of $0.25 per common share paid in April 2021
During the three months ended March 31, 2020:
•we acquired $1.9$1.6 billion of property and equipment and intangible assets that were accrued but unpaid
•we recorded a liability of $1.1 billion for a quarterly cash dividend of $0.23 per common share paid in OctoberApril 2020
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Restricted Cash
The following table provides a reconciliation of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash reported in the condensed consolidated balance sheet to the total of the amounts reported in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | | December 31, 2019 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 13,707 | | | $ | 5,500 | |
Restricted cash included in other current assets | 11 | | | 42 | |
Restricted cash included in other noncurrent assets, net | 19 | | | 47 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 13,737 | | | $ | 5,589 | |
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | September 30, 2020 | | September 30, 2019 |
Unrealized gains (losses) on marketable securities | $ | 5 | | | $ | 7 | |
Deferred gains (losses) on cash flow hedges | (68) | | | 162 | |
Unrecognized gains (losses) on employee benefit obligations | 241 | | | 301 | |
Cumulative translation adjustments | 34 | | | (1,629) | |
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of deferred taxes | $ | 212 | | | $ | (1,159) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
(in millions) | March 31, 2021 | | December 31, 2020 |
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 14,950 | | | $ | 11,740 | |
Restricted cash included in other current assets | 12 | | | 14 | |
Restricted cash included in other noncurrent assets, net | 14 | | | 14 | |
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | $ | 14,976 | | | $ | 11,768 | |
Note 12:10: Commitments and Contingencies
Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Stock
AsIn the first quarter of September 30, 2020, the fair value2021, we redeemed all of the NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc. preferred stock and made cash payments equal to the aggregate liquidation preference of $725 million. As of December 31, 2020, the preferred stock had a carrying value equal to its liquidation preference and was presented in redeemable noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock was $731 million. The estimated fair value is based on level 2 inputs that use pricing models whose inputs are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.stock.
Contingencies
We are subject to legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. While the amount of ultimate liability with respect to such actions is not expected to materially affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial position, any litigation resulting from any such legal proceedings or claims could be time-consuming and injure our reputation.
ITEM 2: MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our 2020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Overview
We are a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. We present our operations for (1) Comcast Cable in one reportable business segment, referred to as Cable Communications; (2) NBCUniversal in fourthree reportable business segments: Cable Networks, Broadcast Television, Filmed EntertainmentMedia, Studios and Theme Parks (collectively, the “NBCUniversal segments”); and (3) Sky in one reportable business segment.
Cable Communications Segment
Cable Communications is Refer to Note 2 for information on our reportable segments, including a leading providerdescription of high-speed internet, video, voice, wireless, and security and automation services to residential customersthe segment change implemented in the first quarter of 2021. All amounts are presented on a consistent basis under the Xfinity brand; we also provide these and other services to business customers and sell advertising. As of September 30, 2020, our cable systems had 32.7 million total customer relationships, including 30.3 million residential and 2.4 million business customer relationships, and passed more than 59 million homes and businesses. Revenue is generated primarily from residential and business customers that subscribe to our services, which are marketed individually and as bundled services, and from the sale of advertising.
NBCUniversal Segments
NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies that develops, produces and distributes entertainment, news and information, sports, and other content for global audiences, and owns and operates theme parks worldwide.
Cable Networks
Cable Networks consists primarily of our national cable networks that provide a variety of entertainment, news and information, and sports content; our regional sports and news networks; our international cable networks; our cable television studio production operations; and various digital properties. Revenue is generated primarily from the distribution of our cable network programming to traditional and virtual multichannel video providers; from the sale of advertising on our cable networks and digital properties; from the licensing of our owned programming, including programming from our cable television studio production operations, to cable and broadcast networks and subscription video on demand services; and from the sale of our owned content on standard-definition DVDs and Blu-ray discs (together, “DVDs”) and through digital distribution services such as iTunes.
Broadcast Television
Broadcast Television consists primarily of the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, our NBC and Telemundo owned local broadcast television stations, the NBC Universo national cable network, our broadcast television studio production operations, and various digital properties. Revenue is generated primarily from the sale of advertising on our networks and digital properties, from the licensing of programming, including to cable and broadcast networks as well as to subscription video on demand services; from the fees received under retransmission consent agreements and associated fees received from NBC-affiliated and Telemundo-affiliated local broadcast television stations; and from the sale of our owned programming on DVDs and through digital distribution services.
Filmed Entertainment
Filmed Entertainment primarily produces, acquires, markets and distributes filmed entertainment worldwide. Our films are produced primarily under the Universal Pictures, Illumination, DreamWorks Animation and Focus Features names. Revenue is generated primarily from the worldwide distribution of our produced and acquired films for exhibition in movie theaters, from the licensing of produced and acquired films through various distribution platforms, and from the sale of produced and acquired films on DVDs and through digital distribution services. Filmed Entertainment also generates revenue from Fandango, a movie ticketing and entertainment business, consumer products, the production and licensing of live stage plays, and the distribution of filmed entertainment produced by third parties.
Theme Parks
Theme Parks consists primarily of our Universal theme parks in Orlando, Florida; Hollywood, California; and Osaka, Japan. In addition, we are developing a theme park in Beijing, China along with a consortium of Chinese state-owned companies, and an additional theme park in Orlando, Florida. Revenue is generated primarily from guest spending at our Universal theme parks.
Sky Segment
Sky is one of Europe’s leading entertainment companies, which primarily includes a direct-to-consumer business, providing video, high-speed internet, voice and wireless phone services, and a content business, operating entertainment networks, the Sky News broadcast network and Sky Sports networks. As of September 30, 2020, Sky had 23.7 million retail customer relationships.
Corporate and Other
Our other business interests consist primarily of the operations of Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and other business initiatives, such as Peacock, which was made available to Comcast customers in April 2020 and launched nationally in July 2020.new segment structure.
Impacts of COVID-19
The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) and measures taken to prevent its spread across the globe continue to impacthave impacted our businesses in a number of ways. Our Cable Communications results of operations were strong in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, despite having been affected by the significant deterioration in domestic economic conditionsCOVID-19 has had, and by the costs associated with our support of customer connectivity as people continuedwe expect will continue to work and learn remotely from home. COVID-19 hadhave, material negative impacts on NBCUniversal and Sky results of operations during the second and third quarters of 2020 primarily due to the temporary closure ofrestrictions and closures at our theme parks and the postponement and cancellationimpacts of many sporting events. We continue to implement and evaluate cost initiatives across our businesses that have impacted and will continue to impact our results of operations; certain costs incurred by our businesses in response to COVID-19, including severance and restructuring charges, are presented in Corporate and Other.professional sports, respectively. We expect the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic will continue to have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations over the near to medium term.
Cable Communications
•Our distribution networkterm, although the extent of such impact will depend on restrictive governmental measures, further deterioration of the global economy, widespread availability and acceptance of vaccines and consumer behavior in response to date has performed well underCOVID-19. The most significant effects of COVID-19 began in the stress of increased traffic and peak usage driven by increased video streaming, gaming and videoconferencing as more customers work and learn remotely from home.
•We incurred costs in 2020 associated with compensating personnel in roles affected by COVID-19, primarily during the firstsecond half of the year. These costs included additional compensation for frontline personnel who worked to keep our customers connectedfirst quarter of 2020. The following summary provides a discussion of current and potential future effects of the pandemic with direct impacts to our services and compensation for certain personnel who were unable to work due to the closing or suspension of operations.businesses.
Cable Communications
•Beginning in March 2020 and continuing through the end of December 2020,June 2021, new qualifying customers for Internet Essentials, our low-income internet adoption program, will receive 60 days of free internetbroadband services. We also implemented programs, primarily during the second quarter of 2020, under which we elected to waive certain fees and to not disconnect internet, voice or wireless services for customers for nonpayment, and we are now providing customers a variety of flexible and extended payment options. As a result of these programs, ourOur customer metrics for 2020 do not include customers in the free Internet Essentials offer or certain high-risk customers who continued to receive service following nonpayment.nonpayment as a result of COVID-19 programs. The number of customers excluded from our customer metrics was highest as of June 30, 2020 and these customers were excluded from second quarter net additions. The number of such customers decreased in the third quarterhas continued to decrease as some of these customers either began paying for service, resulting in customer net additions, or disconnected and no longer receive service. Weservice, and we expect the number of excluded customersthis to continue to decrease in the fourth quarter.
•Professional sports leagues have generally resumed, some with a reduced schedule for the remainder of the interrupted seasons. Certain of our programming distribution agreements with regional sports networks include contractual adjustment provisions if a minimum number of sporting events does not occur. In the second and third quarters of 2020, our programming expenses were reduced as a result of these provisions, and our revenue was negatively impacted in similar amounts as a result of adjustments that we have begun passing through to our customers in the fourth quarter of 2020.
•The deterioration of economic conditions and increased economic uncertainty resulting from COVID-19 have resulted in reduced demand for certain of our residential and business services and reduced spending from advertisers, which have had, and likely will continue to have, negative impacts on our revenue over the near to medium term. In addition, wefuture periods. We also believe there is increasedcontinues to be a risk associated with collections on our outstanding receivables, and we have incurred, and expect to continue to incur, increases in our bad debt expense compared to the prior year periods.customer accounts.
NBCUniversal
•In the first quarter of 2021, our theme parks in Orlando and Japan were open with limited capacity while our park in Hollywood remained closed. In April 2021, our theme park in Hollywood reopened with limited capacity, but our theme park in Japan has temporarily closed. The temporarylimited capacity and closure of all of our theme parks had the mosta significant impact on our revenue and Adjusted EBITDA for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 on a consolidated basis. Our parks in Orlando and Japan reopened with limited capacity in June 2020, while our park in Hollywood remains closed. We expect the results of operations at our theme parks will continue to be negatively impacted in the near to medium term, and we cannot predict when the Hollywood park will reopen, if any reopened parks will remain open or the level of attendance at anyour reopened parks. In addition, although weWe currently expect that Universal Beijing Resort will open induring summer 2021 and we have delayed certain construction projects, includingresumed the development of the Epic Universe theme park in Orlando.Orlando in the first quarter of 2021.
•The deteriorationDelays to the start of economic conditions caused by COVID-19current seasons for certain professional sports leagues, including the NHL and NBA, resulted in significant reductions in advertising spend by our customers in the Cable Networks and Broadcast Television segments in the second and third quartersshift of 2020, and we expect this trend to continue over the near to medium term. These conditions have also resulted, and may continue to result, in an acceleration of subscriber losses at our networks.
•We incurred costs in 2020 associated with compensating personnel who were unable to work due to the closing or suspension of operations, primarily duringadditional events into the first halfquarter of 2021, which impacted the year, including at our theme parkstiming of revenue and at our production studios.
•The postponement and cancellation of many sporting events and professional sports seasons impacted our first and second quarter 2020 results of operations,expense recognition, since both advertising revenuesrevenue and costs associated with broadcasting these programs were not recognized. Professional sports leagues have generally resumed in the third quarter of 2020, some with reduced numbers ofare recognized when events for the remainder of the interrupted seasons. Certain of our sports programming rights agreements and distribution agreements with multichannel video providers include contractual provisions if a minimum number ofare broadcast. We also expect additional events does not occur. Our distribution revenue in the second and third quartersquarter of 2020 was negatively impacted as a result of credits accrued relating2021 compared to these provisions; and the programming costs that we recognize as the remaining events occur, which were primarilysame period in the third quarterprior year. We cannot predict the ultimate timing of 2020, will also be impacted. When,when, or the extent to which, sporting events will occur for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021 will impact the timing, and potentially the amount, of revenue and expense recognition.in future periods. In addition, the 2020 Tokyo Olympics have been postponed from the third quarter of 2020 to the third quarter of 2021, which will resultresulting in a corresponding delay of the associated revenue and costs.
•The creation and availability of our film and television programming in the United States and globally have been disrupted, including from the suspension ofOur studio production operations in the first half of 2020. In the third quarter of 2020, our studio production operationshave resumed, with some at a limited capacity. Additionally, with the temporary closure and limited-capacity operation of many movie theaters worldwide, we have delayed or altered the theatrical distribution strategy for certain of our films, both domestically and internationally. Delays in theatrical releases will affect both current and future periods as a result of corresponding delays in subsequent content licensing windows. We expect results of operations in our Filmed EntertainmentStudios segment to continue to be negatively impacted over the near to medium term as a result of COVID-19.
Sky
•Many sporting events and professional sports seasons were postponed beginning in the second half of the first quarter of 2020, with certain sports, including European soccer, resuming in May and June 2020, which resulted in significant impacts on Sky’s results of operations in the first, second and third quarters of 2020. Direct-to-consumer revenue has been negatively impacted, and future periods may be negatively impacted, as a result of lower sports subscription revenue and we expect continued negative impacts as a result of the impacts of COVID-19 on the reopening plans anddue to the extent of reopening of our commercial customers. Additionally,In addition, delays to the start of the current seasons for certain sports, including European football, resulted in the shift of additional events and the significant costs associated with broadcasting these programs were not recognized as a result of the sporting events not occurring ininto the first quarter and for most of 2021. We also expect additional events in the second quarter. These costs were generally recognizedquarter of 2021 compared to the same period in the third quarter of 2020; and although sporting events have resumed, COVID-19 continues to result in uncertainty inprior year. We cannot predict the ultimate timing of when, or the extent to which, sporting events will occur forin future periods.
In 2020, our businesses implemented separate cost savings initiatives, with the remaindermost significant relating to severance at NBCUniversal in connection with the realignment of 2020; their broadcast isthe operating structure in our television businesses as well as overall reductions in the cost base. The costs of these initiatives were presented in Corporate and Other. Payments related to NBCUniversal employee severance are expected to impactbe completed in 2021 and the timing, and potentially the amount, of revenue and expense recognition.
•We temporarily suspended certain sales channels due to COVID-19, which negatively impacted net customer additions and revenue in the first and second quarters of 2020. Our sales channels generally resumed operations in June.
•COVID-19 has resulted in the deterioration of economic conditions and increased economic uncertainty in the U.K. and Europe, intensifying what was an already deteriorating economic and advertising environment. These conditions negatively impacted revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2020, and we expect will continue to reduce advertising spend and consumer demand for our services for the remainder of 2020. In addition, there is increased risk associated with collections on our outstanding receivables, and we have incurred and expect to continue to incur increases in our bad debt expense.
Global financial markets have been volatile and domestic and global economic conditions continue to show signs of material weakness. At this point, it is impossible to predict the extent and duration of these and any other impacts of COVID-19 to our businesses, or the degree to which demand for our products and services, or supply of key inputs to those products and services,related costs savings will be affected. This uncertainty makes it challenging for management to estimate with precision the future performance of our businesses.
As of September 30, 2020, we evaluated whether the facts and circumstances and available information resultedrealized in the need for an impairment assessment for any of our long-lived assets and concluded no assessment was required. Refer to the Critical Accounting Judgments and Estimates section for discussion of our impairment testing of goodwill and cable franchise rights. We will continue to evaluate the impacts of COVID-19 to our businesses, including the impacts of overall economic conditions, which could result in the recognition of an impairment charge in the future. Our results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 were impacted by significant losses and gains as a result of the volatility in the market values for publicly traded equity securities underlying our investments.
Liquidity
Although negatively impacted by the effects of COVID-19, we expect that our businesses will continue to generate significant cash flow from operating activities and we believe that these cash flows, together with our existing cash, cash equivalents and investments, available borrowings under our existing credit facilities, and our ability to obtain future external financing, will be sufficient for us to meet our current and long-term liquidity and capital requirements. However, we expect the timing of certain priorities to be impacted, such as the pace of our debt reduction efforts and return to share repurchases, and the delay of certain capital projects.
Competition
All of our businesses operate in intensely competitive, consumer-driven and rapidly changing environments and compete with a growing number of companies that provide a broad range of communications products and services, and entertainment, news and information content to consumers. Technological changes are further intensifying and complicating the competitive landscape and challenging existing business models. In particular, consumers are increasingly turning to online sources for viewing and purchasing content, which has and likely will continue to reduce the number of our video customers and subscribers to our cable networks even as it makes our high-speed internet services more valuable to consumers. In addition, the increasing number of entertainment choices available to consumers has intensified audience fragmentation and disaggregated the way that content traditionally has been viewed by consumers. This increase has caused and likely will continue to cause audience ratings declines at our programming channels.
For additional information on the competition our businesses face, see our 2019 Annual Report on Form 10-K and refer to Item 1: Business and Item 1A: Risk Factors. Within the Business section, refer to the “Competition” discussion, and within the Risk Factors section, refer to the risk factors entitled “Our businesses operate in highly competitive and dynamic industries, and our businesses and results of operations could be adversely affected if we do not compete effectively” and “Changes in consumer behavior driven by online video distribution platforms for viewing content continue to adversely affect our businesses and challenge existing business models.”
Seasonality and Cyclicality
Each of our businesses is typically subject to seasonal and cyclical variations. Cable Communications’ results are impacted by the seasonal nature of residential customers receiving our services in college and vacation markets. This generally results in fewer net customer relationship additions in the second quarter of each year.
Revenue and operating costs and expenses (comprisedprimarily beginning in 2021. A portion of total costs and expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expensethese cost savings may be reallocated to investments in content and other operating gains) are cyclical as a result of our periodic broadcasts of major sporting events, such as the Olympic Games, which affect Cable Networks and Broadcast Television, and the Super Bowl, which affects Broadcast Television. In particular, advertising revenue increases due to increased demand for advertising time for these events and distribution revenue increases in the period of broadcasts of the Olympic Games. Operating costs and expenses also increase as a result of our production costs for these broadcasts and the amortization of the related rights fees.strategic initiatives.
Revenue in Cable Communications, Cable Networks, Broadcast Television and Sky is also subject to cyclical advertising patterns and changes in viewership levels. Advertising revenue in the U.S. is generally higher in the second and fourth quarters of each year and in even-numbered years due to increases in consumer advertising in the spring and in the period leading up to and including the holiday season and advertising related to candidates running for political office and issue-oriented advertising, respectively. Revenue in Cable Networks and Broadcast Television fluctuates depending on the timing of when our programming is aired, which typically results in higher advertising revenue in the second and fourth quarters of each year.
Revenue at Sky has seasonally higher audience levels in winter months and increased competition during major sporting events where public service broadcasters lease the rights, such as the Olympic Games and the FIFA World CupTM.
Revenue in Filmed Entertainment fluctuates due to the timing, nature and number of films released in movie theaters, on DVDs, and through various other distribution platforms. Release dates are determined by several factors, including competition and the timing of vacation and holiday periods. As a result, revenue tends to be seasonal, with increases experienced each year during the summer months and around the holiday season. Content licensing revenue in our Cable Networks, Broadcast Television and Filmed Entertainment segments also fluctuates due to the timing of when our content is made available to licensees.
Revenue in Theme Parks fluctuates with changes in theme park attendance that result from the seasonal nature of vacation travel and weather variations, local entertainment offerings and the opening of new attractions, as well as with changes in currency exchange rates. Theme Parks generally experiences peak attendance during the spring holiday period, the summer months when schools are closed and the Christmas holiday season.
Sky’s results are impacted by the seasonal nature of residential customers receiving direct-to-home (“DTH”) and over the top (“OTT”) video services, including the start of the new soccer seasons and the Christmas holiday. This generally results in greater net customer relationship additions and higher subscriber acquisition costs in the second half of each year due to higher marketing expenses.
Exclusive sports rights play a key role within Sky’s wider content strategy. In Europe, broadcasting rights for major sports are usually tendered through a competitive auction process, with the winning bidder or bidders acquiring rights over a three to five-year period. This creates some level of cyclicality for Sky, although the staggered timing of major sports rights auctions usually gives Sky time to react to any material changes in the competitive dynamics of the prevailing market. Certain of Sky’s significant sports rights agreements require payments at the start of each season, resulting in increases in sports rights payments in the third and fourth quarter of each year.
Consolidated Operating Results
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions, except per share data) | (in millions, except per share data) | 2020 | | 2019 | | % | | 2020 | | 2019 | | % | (in millions, except per share data) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | % |
Revenue | Revenue | $ | 25,532 | | | $ | 26,827 | | | (4.8) | % | | $ | 75,856 | | | $ | 80,544 | | | (5.8) | % | Revenue | | $ | 27,205 | | | $ | 26,609 | | | 2.2 | % |
Costs and Expenses: | Costs and Expenses: | | Costs and Expenses: | | |
Programming and production | Programming and production | 8,565 | | | 8,316 | | | 3.0 | | | 23,683 | | | 25,140 | | | (5.8) | | Programming and production | | 8,919 | | | 8,301 | | | 7.5 | |
Other operating and administrative | Other operating and administrative | 8,059 | | | 8,090 | | | (0.4) | | | 23,959 | | | 24,076 | | | (0.5) | | Other operating and administrative | | 8,269 | | | 8,254 | | | 0.2 | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | Advertising, marketing and promotion | 1,512 | | | 1,901 | | | (20.5) | | | 4,791 | | | 5,674 | | | (15.6) | | Advertising, marketing and promotion | | 1,616 | | | 1,938 | | | (16.6) | |
Depreciation | Depreciation | 2,122 | | | 2,124 | | | (0.1) | | | 6,328 | | | 6,561 | | | (3.6) | | Depreciation | | 2,117 | | | 2,107 | | | 0.5 | |
Amortization | Amortization | 1,198 | | | 1,056 | | | 13.4 | | | 3,520 | | | 3,215 | | | 9.5 | | Amortization | | 1,245 | | | 1,157 | | | 7.6 | |
| Operating income | Operating income | 4,076 | | | 5,340 | | | (23.7) | | | 13,575 | | | 15,878 | | | (14.5) | | Operating income | | 5,039 | | | 4,852 | | | 3.8 | |
Interest expense | Interest expense | (1,220) | | | (1,167) | | | 4.5 | | | (3,544) | | | (3,454) | | | 2.6 | | Interest expense | | (1,018) | | | (1,212) | | | (16.0) | |
Investment and other income (loss), net | Investment and other income (loss), net | (86) | | | (110) | | | (21.9) | | | (382) | | | 511 | | | (174.6) | | Investment and other income (loss), net | | 390 | | | (716) | | | 154.6 | |
Income before income taxes | Income before income taxes | 2,770 | | | 4,063 | | | (31.8) | | | 9,649 | | | 12,935 | | | (25.4) | | Income before income taxes | | 4,411 | | | 2,924 | | | 50.9 | |
Income tax expense | Income tax expense | (739) | | | (775) | | | (4.6) | | | (2,385) | | | (2,812) | | | (15.2) | | Income tax expense | | (1,119) | | | (700) | | | 59.9 | |
Net income | Net income | 2,031 | | | 3,288 | | | (38.2) | | | 7,264 | | | 10,123 | | | (28.2) | | Net income | | 3,292 | | | 2,224 | | | 48.0 | |
Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | 12 | | | 71 | | | (83.6) | | | 110 | | | 228 | | | (51.9) | | |
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | | Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | | (37) | | | 77 | | | (147.8) | |
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | $ | 2,019 | | | $ | 3,217 | | | (37.2) | % | | $ | 7,154 | | | $ | 9,895 | | | (27.7) | % | Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | | $ | 3,329 | | | $ | 2,147 | | | 55.1 | % |
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | Basic earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 0.71 | | | (38.0) | % | | $ | 1.57 | | | $ | 2.18 | | | (28.0) | % | Basic earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | | $ | 0.73 | | | $ | 0.47 | | | 55.3 | % |
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | 0.44 | | | $ | 0.70 | | | (37.1) | % | | $ | 1.55 | | | $ | 2.15 | | | (27.9) | % | Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | | $ | 0.71 | | | $ | 0.46 | | | 54.3 | % |
| Adjusted EBITDA(a) | Adjusted EBITDA(a) | $ | 7,583 | | | $ | 8,553 | | | (11.3) | % | | $ | 23,640 | | | $ | 25,822 | | | (8.5) | % | Adjusted EBITDA(a) | | $ | 8,413 | | | $ | 8,130 | | | 3.5 | % |
All percentages are calculated based on actual amounts. Minor differences may exist due to rounding. Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with NM.
(a)Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 3624 for additional information, including our definition and our use of Adjusted EBITDA, and for a reconciliation from net income attributable to Comcast Corporation to Adjusted EBITDA.
Consolidated Revenue
Theme Parks, Filmed EntertainmentCable Communications, Sky and Cable NetworksMedia drove decreasesincreases in consolidated revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, which were partially offset by increasesdecreases in revenue in Cable Communications, Sky and Broadcast Television.
Theme Parks Filmed Entertainment, Sky and Cable Networks drove decreases in consolidated revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which were partially offset by increases in revenue in Cable Communications and Broadcast Television.Studios.
Revenue for our segments and other businesses is discussed separately below under the heading “Segment Operating Results.”
Consolidated Costs and Expenses
Filmed Entertainment, Theme ParksSky, Media and Cable Communications drove decreasesincreases in consolidated operating costs and expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, which were partially offset by increasesdecreases in operating costs and expenses in Sky, Broadcast TelevisionStudios and Cable Networks.
Filmed Entertainment, Theme Parks, Cable Networks, Sky and Cable Communications drove decreases in consolidated operating costs and expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which were partially offset by increases in operating costs and expenses in Broadcast Television.
Operating costs and expenses for our segments and our corporate operations, businesses development initiatives and other businesses are discussed separately below under the heading “Segment Operating Results.”
Consolidated Depreciation and Amortization Expense
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | % | | 2020 | | 2019 | | % | (in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | % |
Cable Communications | Cable Communications | $ | 1,952 | | | $ | 1,967 | | | (0.7) | % | | $ | 5,835 | | | $ | 6,038 | | | (3.4) | % | Cable Communications | | $ | 1,929 | | | $ | 1,946 | | | (0.9) | % |
NBCUniversal | NBCUniversal | 576 | | | 537 | | | 7.3 | | | 1,715 | | | 1,579 | | | 8.6 | | NBCUniversal | | 583 | | | 566 | | | 3.0 | |
Sky | Sky | 750 | | | 644 | | | 16.5 | | | 2,188 | | | 2,058 | | | 6.3 | | Sky | | 814 | | | 718 | | | 13.3 | |
Corporate and Other | Corporate and Other | 42 | | | 32 | | | 26.7 | | | 110 | | | 101 | | | 6.9 | | Corporate and Other | | 36 | | | 34 | | | 6.4 | |
Comcast Consolidated | Comcast Consolidated | $ | 3,320 | | | $ | 3,180 | | | 4.4 | % | | $ | 9,848 | | | $ | 9,776 | | | 0.7 | % | Comcast Consolidated | | $ | 3,362 | | | $ | 3,264 | | | 3.0 | % |
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019March 31, 2021 primarily due to an increase in the increased amortization of certain trade names beginning in the first quarter of 2020, which were previously accounted for as indefinite-lived intangible assets (see Note 10), partially offset by a decrease in depreciationexpense at Cable Communications related to a reduction in capital expenditures on customer premise equipment. During the first quarter of 2019, we recorded adjustmentsSky due to the purchase price allocationimpact of Sky, primarily related to intangible assets and property and equipment. This change resulted in an adjustment recorded in the first quarter of 2019 related to the fourth quarter of 2018 that increased depreciation and amortization expense by $53 million.foreign currency.
Amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets totaled $574$592 million and $1.7 billion$575 million for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. Amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets totaled $486 million and $1.5 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. Amounts primarily relate to customer relationship intangible assets recorded in connection with the Sky transaction in the fourth quarter of 2018 and the NBCUniversal transaction in 2011.
Consolidated Interest Expense
Interest expense increaseddecreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 20192020 primarily due to a $220$140 million charge recorded in the third quarter of 2020prior year period related to the early redemption of senior notes, due 2022 and 2023, partially offset byas well as lower weighted averageweighted-average interest rates in the current year period. Interest expense increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to $360 million of charges recorded in the first and third quarters of 2020 related to the early redemption of senior notes due 2021 to 2023, partially offset by decreases in our debt outstanding.
Consolidated Investment and Other Income (Loss), Net
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net | $ | (266) | | | $ | (355) | | | $ | (634) | | | $ | (295) | |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net | 118 | | | 174 | | | 65 | | | 582 | |
Other income (loss), net | 62 | | | 71 | | | 187 | | | 224 | |
Total investment and other income (loss), net | $ | (86) | | | $ | (110) | | | $ | (382) | | | $ | 511 | |
Equity in Net Income (Losses) of Investees, Net | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | | | | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net | | | | | $ | 136 | | | $ | (668) | |
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net | | | | | 237 | | | (58) | |
Other income (loss), net | | | | | 17 | | | 10 | |
Total investment and other income (loss), net | | | | | $ | 390 | | | $ | (716) | |
The change in investment and other income (loss) net for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2020 was primarily due to equity in net income (losses) of investees, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 were primarily duerelated to our equity method investmentsinvestment in Atairos Group, Inc. and Hulu.realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net related to fair value adjustments for nonmarketable equity securities. The income (losses) at Atairos were driven by fair value adjustments on its underlying investments. The equity in netinvestments with income (losses) of Atairos and Hulu for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 and 2019 are presented in the table below.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 |
Atairos | $ | (107) | | | $ | (262) | | | $ | (242) | | | $ | 6 | |
Hulu | $ | (104) | | | $ | (101) | | | $ | (265) | | | $ | (351) | |
Realized and Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Equity Securities, Net
The changes in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 were primarily due to gains related to our investment in Peloton and gains$77 million and losses related to other investments in the current year compared to gains related to our investments in Snap and Peloton in the prior year. See Note 9.
Other Income (Loss), Net
The decrease in other income (loss), netof $581 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, compared to the same period in 2019 primarily relates to higher foreign exchange remeasurement gains in 2020, more than offset by a gain of $60 million recorded in the prior year period related to the dilution of our Hulu ownership. The decrease in other income (loss), net for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily relates to gains of $219 million recorded in the first and third quarters of 2019 related to the dilution of our Hulu ownership, partially offset by $90 million of losses due to equity method investment impairments recorded in the second and third quarters of 2019 and higher foreign exchange remeasurement gains in 2020. See Note 9.respectively.
Consolidated Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 and 2019 reflects an effective income tax rate that differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to state and foreign income taxes and adjustments associated with uncertain tax positions. The decreaseincrease in income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 was primarily due to lowerhigher income before income taxes in 2020, partially offset by the impact of tax law changes in the third quarter of 2020 and a benefit from state tax adjustments recognized in the third quarter of 2019.taxes.
Segment Operating Results
Our segment operating results are presented based on how we assess operating performance and internally report financial information. We use Adjusted EBITDA as the measure of profit or loss for our operating segments. See Note 2 for our definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation from the aggregate amount of Adjusted EBITDA for our reportable business segments to consolidated income before income taxes.
Cable Communications Segment Results of Operations
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | | % | (in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | | % |
Revenue | Revenue | | Revenue | |
Residential: | Residential: | | Residential: | |
High-speed internet | $ | 5,198 | | | $ | 4,721 | | | $ | 477 | | | 10.1 | % | |
Broadband | | Broadband | $ | 5,600 | | | $ | 5,001 | | | $ | 599 | | | 12.0 | % |
Video | Video | 5,421 | | | 5,541 | | | (120) | | | (2.1) | | Video | 5,623 | | | 5,632 | | | (9) | | | (0.2) | |
Voice | Voice | 876 | | | 963 | | | (87) | | | (9.0) | | Voice | 871 | | | 899 | | | (28) | | | (3.1) | |
Wireless | Wireless | 400 | | | 326 | | | 74 | | | 22.8 | | Wireless | 513 | | | 343 | | | 170 | | | 49.7 | |
Business services | Business services | 2,049 | | | 1,971 | | | 78 | | | 4.0 | | Business services | 2,167 | | | 2,043 | | | 124 | | | 6.1 | |
Advertising | Advertising | 674 | | | 603 | | | 71 | | | 11.8 | | Advertising | 618 | | | 557 | | | 61 | | | 10.8 | |
Other | Other | 382 | | | 459 | | | (77) | | | (17.2) | | Other | 413 | | | 443 | | | (30) | | | (6.7) | |
Total revenue | Total revenue | 15,000 | | | 14,584 | | | 416 | | | 2.9 | | Total revenue | 15,805 | | | 14,918 | | | 887 | | | 5.9 | |
Operating costs and expenses | Operating costs and expenses | | Operating costs and expenses | |
Programming | Programming | 3,296 | | | 3,315 | | | (19) | | | (0.6) | | Programming | 3,670 | | | 3,479 | | | 191 | | | 5.5 | |
Technical and product support | Technical and product support | 1,980 | | | 2,066 | | | (86) | | | (4.2) | | Technical and product support | 2,021 | | | 2,012 | | | 9 | | | 0.4 | |
Customer service | Customer service | 598 | | | 628 | | | (30) | | | (4.8) | | Customer service | 602 | | | 637 | | | (35) | | | (5.5) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | Advertising, marketing and promotion | 929 | | | 1,024 | | | (95) | | | (9.2) | | Advertising, marketing and promotion | 905 | | | 954 | | | (49) | | | (5.2) | |
Franchise and other regulatory fees | Franchise and other regulatory fees | 421 | | | 408 | | | 13 | | | 3.3 | | Franchise and other regulatory fees | 501 | | | 406 | | | 95 | | | 23.4 | |
Other | Other | 1,365 | | | 1,342 | | | 23 | | | 1.6 | | Other | 1,276 | | | 1,354 | | | (78) | | | (5.8) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | Total operating costs and expenses | 8,589 | | | 8,783 | | | (194) | | | (2.2) | | Total operating costs and expenses | 8,975 | | | 8,842 | | | 133 | | | 1.5 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 6,411 | | | $ | 5,801 | | | $ | 610 | | | 10.5 | % | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 6,830 | | | $ | 6,076 | | | $ | 754 | | | 12.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | | % |
Revenue | | | | | | | |
Residential: | | | | | | | |
High-speed internet | $ | 15,199 | | | $ | 13,961 | | | $ | 1,238 | | | 8.9 | % |
Video | 16,468 | | | 16,763 | | | (295) | | | (1.8) | |
Voice | 2,652 | | | 2,935 | | | (283) | | | (9.6) | |
Wireless | 1,069 | | | 795 | | | 274 | | | 34.5 | |
Business services | 6,096 | | | 5,795 | | | 301 | | | 5.2 | |
Advertising | 1,659 | | | 1,766 | | | (107) | | | (6.1) | |
Other | 1,203 | | | 1,299 | | | (96) | | | (7.5) | |
Total revenue | 44,346 | | | 43,314 | | | 1,032 | | | 2.4 | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | | |
Programming | 9,978 | | | 10,106 | | | (128) | | | (1.3) | |
Technical and product support | 5,925 | | | 5,844 | | | 81 | | | 1.4 | |
Customer service | 1,836 | | | 1,877 | | | (41) | | | (2.2) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 2,717 | | | 3,000 | | | (283) | | | (9.4) | |
Franchise and other regulatory fees | 1,225 | | | 1,189 | | | 36 | | | 3.0 | |
Other | 4,002 | | | 3,915 | | | 87 | | | 2.2 | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 25,683 | | | 25,931 | | | (248) | | | (1.0) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 18,663 | | | $ | 17,383 | | | $ | 1,280 | | | 7.4 | % |
Customer Metrics
| | | | Net Additions | | | | Net Additions |
| | September 30, | Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | March 31, | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in thousands) | (in thousands) | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | 2019 | (in thousands) | 2021 | 2020 | | 2021 | 2020 |
Customer relationships | Customer relationships | | Customer relationships | | | |
Residential customer relationships | Residential customer relationships | 30,289 | | 28,797 | | 539 | | 288 | | 1,140 | | 688 | | Residential customer relationships | 31,062 | | 29,483 | | | 370 | | 360 | |
Business services customer relationships | Business services customer relationships | 2,401 | | 2,377 | | 17 | | 21 | | 5 | | 74 | | Business services customer relationships | 2,437 | | 2,408 | | | 11 | | 11 | |
Total customer relationships | Total customer relationships | 32,690 | | 31,173 | | 556 | | 309 | | 1,144 | | 762 | | Total customer relationships | 33,499 | | 31,891 | | | 380 | | 371 | |
Residential customer relationships mix | Residential customer relationships mix | | Residential customer relationships mix | | | |
One product customers | One product customers | 11,957 | | 9,905 | | 625 | | 379 | | 1,710 | | 890 | | One product customers | 12,997 | | 10,775 | | | 589 | | 554 | |
Two product customers | Two product customers | 8,732 | | 8,915 | | (9) | | (38) | | (191) | | (78) | | Two product customers | 8,645 | | 8,848 | | | (89) | | (75) | |
Three or more product customers | Three or more product customers | 9,600 | | 9,977 | | (77) | | (53) | | (379) | | (125) | | Three or more product customers | 9,420 | | 9,860 | | | (130) | | (119) | |
High-speed internet | | |
Broadband | | Broadband | | | |
Residential customers | Residential customers | 27,837 | | 25,990 | | 617 | | 359 | | 1,423 | | 893 | | Residential customers | 28,774 | | 26,854 | | | 448 | | 466 | |
Business services customers | Business services customers | 2,225 | | 2,197 | | 16 | | 20 | | 10 | | 71 | | Business services customers | 2,261 | | 2,226 | | | 12 | | 11 | |
Total high-speed internet customers | 30,062 | | 28,186 | | 633 | | 379 | | 1,433 | | 964 | | |
Total broadband customers | | Total broadband customers | 31,034 | | 29,080 | | | 461 | | 477 | |
Video | Video | | Video | | | |
Residential customers | Residential customers | 19,220 | | 20,421 | | (253) | | (222) | | (1,068) | | (539) | | Residential customers | 18,590 | | 19,900 | | | (404) | | (388) | |
Business services customers | Business services customers | 874 | | 983 | | (20) | | (16) | | (92) | | (45) | | Business services customers | 765 | | 944 | | | (87) | | (22) | |
Total video customers | Total video customers | 20,094 | | 21,403 | | (273) | | (238) | | (1,160) | | (583) | | Total video customers | 19,355 | | 20,845 | | | (491) | | (409) | |
Voice | Voice | | Voice | | | |
Residential customers | Residential customers | 9,684 | | 9,945 | | (14) | | (63) | | (250) | | (208) | | Residential customers | 9,533 | | 9,840 | | | (112) | | (94) | |
Business services customers | Business services customers | 1,341 | | 1,334 | | 11 | | 10 | | (1) | | 37 | | Business services customers | 1,363 | | 1,347 | | | 6 | | 5 | |
Total voice customers | Total voice customers | 11,025 | | 11,278 | | (3) | | (53) | | (251) | | (171) | | Total voice customers | 10,896 | | 11,187 | | | (106) | | (89) | |
| Wireless | Wireless | | Wireless | | | |
Wireless lines | Wireless lines | 2,580 | | 1,791 | | 187 | | 204 | | 528 | | 555 | | Wireless lines | 3,103 | | 2,267 | | | 278 | | 216 | |
Customer metrics are presented based on actual amounts. Minor differences may exist due to rounding. Customer relationships represent the number of residential and business customers that subscribe to at least one of our services. One product, two product, and three or more product customers represent residential customers that subscribe to one, two, or three or more of our services, respectively. For multiple dwelling units (“MDUs”), including buildings located on college campuses, whose residents have the ability to receive additional services, such as additional programming choices or our high-definition video (“HD”) or digital video recorder (“DVR”) services, we count and report customers based on the number of potential billable relationships within each MDU. For MDUs whose residents are not able to receive additional services, the MDU is counted as a single customer. Residential high-speed internetbroadband and video customer metrics include certain customers that have prepaid for services. Business customers are generally counted based on the number of locations receiving services within our distribution system, with certain offerings such as of September 30, 2020 included prepaid customers totaling approximately 299,000 and 9,000, respectively.Ethernet network services counted as individual customer relationships. Wireless lines represent the number of activated, eligible wireless devices on customers’ accounts. Individual customer relationships may have multiple wireless lines. Customer metrics for 2021 and 2020 do not include customers in the free Internet Essentials offer or certain high-risk customers who continued to receive service following nonpayment (refer to “Impacts of COVID-19” for further discussion). Total residential customer relationships and broadband customers were updated in the first quarter of 2021 due to a conforming change to methodology, resulting in a reduction of approximately 26,000 customers. There was no impact to net additions and information for all periods presented have been recast on a comparable basis.
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | Increase/(Decrease) |
| | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | | | 2021 | | 2020 | % |
Average monthly total revenue per customer relationship | Average monthly total revenue per customer relationship | $ | 154.27 | | | $ | 156.72 | | | $ | 153.42 | | | $ | 156.29 | | Average monthly total revenue per customer relationship | | $ | 158.17 | | | $ | 156.84 | | 0.8 | % |
Average monthly Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship | Average monthly Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship | $ | 65.94 | | | $ | 62.34 | | | $ | 64.57 | | | $ | 62.72 | | Average monthly Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship | | $ | 68.35 | | | $ | 63.88 | | 7.0 | % |
Average monthly total revenue per customer relationship is impacted by rate adjustments and changes in the types and levels of services received by our residential and business services customers, as well as changes in advertising revenue. While revenue from our residential high-speed internet,broadband, video and voice services is also impacted by changes in the allocation of revenue among services sold in a bundle, the allocation does not impact average monthly total revenue per customer relationship.
Each of our services has a different contribution to operating margin and we also use average monthly Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship to evaluate the profitability of our customer base across our service offerings. We believe these metrics are useful to understand the trends in our business and average monthly Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship is useful particularly as we continue to focus on growing our higher-margin businesses, including residential high-speed internetbroadband and business services.
Cable Communications Segment – Revenue
High-Speed InternetBroadband
Revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 due to increasesan increase in the number of residential high-speed internetbroadband customers and increasesan increase in average rates. Average rates in the second and third quarters of 2020 were negatively impacted by customer adjustments and waived fees due to COVID-19. Refer to video description for further information.
Video
Revenue decreasedwas flat for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 due to declinesa decline in the number of residential video customers, partially offset by increasesan increase in average rates. Average rates in the second and third quarters of 2020 were negatively impacted by customer adjustments accrued as a result of provisions in our programming distribution agreements with regional sports networks related to canceled sporting events. For customers receiving bundled services, the revenue reduction was allocated across each of the services in the bundle.
We have experienced, and expect that we will continue to experience, declines in the number of residential video customers due to competitive pressures, and we expect that our video revenue will continue to decline, negatively impacting video revenue as a result of the economic and competitive environment and shifting video consumption patterns. We believe our X1 platform helps us compete more effectively against this competition, and have also continued to employ sales and marketing programs, such as promotions, bundled service offerings and service offerings targeted at specific market segments.
Voice
Revenue decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 primarily due to decreasesa decrease in average rates and the number of residential voice customers. We expect that the number of residential voice customers and voice revenue will continue to decline.
Wireless
Revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 primarily due to increases in the number of customer lines.lines and sales of devices.
Business Services
Revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 primarily due to increasesan increase in average rates and increasesan increase in the number of customers receiving our services. The rates of growth in the second and third quarters of 2020 were reduced due to the negative impacts of COVID-19 on small businesses.
Advertising
Revenue increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 20192020 primarily due to an increase in political advertising, partially offset by reduced spending from advertisers due to COVID-19. Revenue decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to reduced spending from advertisers due to COVID-19, partially offset by an increase in political advertising.
For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, 5% of our advertising revenue was generated from our NBCUniversal segments. For the threeadvanced advertising business and nine months ended September 30, 2019, 8% and 6%, respectively, of our advertising revenue was generated from our NBCUniversal segments. These amounts are eliminated in our condensed consolidated financial statements but are included in the amounts presented above.recent acquisitions.
Other
Revenue decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 20192020 due to decreases in certain waived billing and collection fees due to COVID-19 and a decrease in revenue from our security and automation services. Revenue decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to certain waived billing and collection fees due to COVID-19, partially offset by an increase in the licensing of our technology platforms to other multichannel video providers.business.
Cable Communications Segment – Operating Costs and Expenses
Programming expenses decreasedincreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 primarily due to adjustments recorded for provisions in our programming distribution agreements with regional sports networks related to canceled sporting events as a result of COVID-19. Excluding these adjustments, programming expenses increased due to increasesan increase in retransmission consent and sports programming fees, partially offset by declinesa decline in the number of video customers. We anticipate that our programming expenses in the fourth quarter of 2020 will be impacted by higher rate increases to a greater extent in 2021 compared to those experienced in 20192020 due to the timing of contract renewals, in 2020, partially offset by an expected declinedeclines in the number of residential video customers.
Technical and product support expenses decreasedwere flat for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2019 due to lower personnel costs and cost savings initiatives as well as a reduction in activity in certain aspects of our business related to COVID-19, partially offset by increased costs associated with our wireless phone service. Technical and product support expenses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to increased costs associated with our wireless phone service, and increased costs related to COVID-19, including additional compensation costs for certain personnel, partially offset by cost savings initiatives and a reduction in activity in certain aspects of our business.lower personnel costs.
Customer service expenses decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 20192020 primarily due to lower labor costs as a result of cost savings initiatives and reduced call volumes. Customer service expenses decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to lower labor costs as a result of reduced call volumes and cost savings initiatives, partially offset by increases in costs as a result of additional Xfinity stores.
Advertising, marketing and promotion expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 primarily due to decreasesa decrease in spending.the costs associated with attracting new customers and promoting our service offerings.
Franchise and other regulatory fees increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 primarily due to increasesan increase in the related rates of these fees.regulatory costs.
Other operating costs and expenses increased slightlydecreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2019. Other operating costs and expenses increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019primarily due to increasesa decrease in bad debt expense as a result of COVID-19 and personnel-related costs, partially offset by lower third-party advertising costs.expense.
Cable Communications Segment – Operating Margin
Our operating margin is Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. We believe this metric is useful particularly as we continue to focus on growing our higher-margin businesses, including residential high-speed internetbroadband and business services, and on reducing losses related to our wireless phone service and improving overall operating cost management.
Our operating margin for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020 was 42.7%43.2% and 42.1%, respectively. While the accrued adjustments for regional sports networks did not impact Adjusted EBITDA for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, they resulted in increases to operating margins. Our operating margin for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 was 39.8% and 40.1%40.7%, respectively. The most significant operating costs and expenses are the programming expenses we incur to provide content to our video customers, which were flatincreased 5.5% for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2019, and decreased 1.3%2020.
NBCUniversal Segments Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Media | $ | 5,036 | | | $ | 4,878 | | | $ | 158 | | 3.2 | % |
Studios | 2,396 | | | 2,409 | | | (13) | | (0.6) | |
Theme Parks | 619 | | | 925 | | | (306) | | (33.1) | |
Headquarters and Other | 16 | | | 9 | | | 7 | | 85.9 | |
Eliminations | (1,043) | | | (492) | | | (551) | | (111.5) | |
Total revenue | $ | 7,024 | | | $ | 7,729 | | | $ | (705) | | (9.1) | % |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | | |
Media | $ | 1,473 | | | $ | 1,529 | | | $ | (56) | | (3.7) | % |
Studios | 497 | | | 300 | | | 197 | | 65.7 | |
Theme Parks | (61) | | | 87 | | | (148) | | (170.9) | |
Headquarters and Other | (209) | | | (221) | | | 12 | | 5.7 | |
Eliminations | (210) | | | (6) | | | (204) | | NM |
Total Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,490 | | | $ | 1,689 | | | $ | (199) | | (11.8) | % |
Media Segment Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Advertising | $ | 2,094 | | | $ | 2,167 | | | $ | (73) | | (3.4) | % |
Distribution | 2,495 | | | 2,287 | | | 208 | | 9.1 | |
Other | 447 | | | 424 | | | 23 | | 5.3 | |
Total revenue | 5,036 | | | 4,878 | | | 158 | | 3.2 | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 2,522 | | | 2,268 | | | 254 | | 11.2 | |
Other operating and administrative | 819 | | | 840 | | | (21) | | (2.5) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 222 | | | 241 | | | (19) | | (7.9) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 3,563 | | | 3,349 | | | 214 | | 6.4 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,473 | | | $ | 1,529 | | | $ | (56) | | (3.7) | % |
Media Segment – Revenue
Revenue increased for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2019. Losses from our wireless phone service were $50 million and $146 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 respectively, compared to losses of $94 million and $285 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.
NBCUniversal Segments Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Cable Networks | $ | 2,736 | | | $ | 2,771 | | | $ | (35) | | (1.3) | % |
Broadcast Television | 2,414 | | | 2,230 | | | 184 | | 8.3 | |
Filmed Entertainment | 1,280 | | | 1,706 | | | (426) | | (25.0) | |
Theme Parks | 311 | | | 1,631 | | | (1,320) | | (80.9) | |
Headquarters, other and eliminations | (17) | | | (43) | | | 26 | | NM |
Total revenue | $ | 6,724 | | | $ | 8,295 | | | $ | (1,571) | | (18.9) | % |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | | |
Cable Networks | $ | 870 | | | $ | 955 | | | $ | (85) | | (8.9) | % |
Broadcast Television | 436 | | | 338 | | | 98 | | 28.7 | |
Filmed Entertainment | 300 | | | 195 | | | 105 | | 53.4 | |
Theme Parks | (203) | | | 731 | | | (934) | | (127.7) | |
Headquarters, other and eliminations | (122) | | | (128) | | | 6 | | NM |
Total Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,281 | | | $ | 2,091 | | | $ | (810) | | (38.7) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Cable Networks | $ | 8,110 | | | $ | 8,586 | | | $ | (476) | | (5.5) | % |
Broadcast Television | 7,462 | | | 7,099 | | | 363 | | 5.1 | |
Filmed Entertainment | 3,844 | | | 4,931 | | | (1,087) | | (22.0) | |
Theme Parks | 1,267 | | | 4,371 | | | (3,104) | | (71.0) | |
Headquarters, other and eliminations | (101) | | | (173) | | | 72 | | NM |
Total revenue | $ | 20,582 | | | $ | 24,814 | | | $ | (4,232) | | (17.1) | % |
Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | | |
Cable Networks | $ | 3,361 | | | $ | 3,418 | | | $ | (57) | | (1.7) | % |
Broadcast Television | 1,578 | | | 1,259 | | | 319 | | 25.3 | |
Filmed Entertainment | 634 | | | 742 | | | (108) | | (14.6) | |
Theme Parks | (526) | | | 1,819 | | | (2,345) | | (128.9) | |
Headquarters, other and eliminations | (381) | | | (486) | | | 105 | | NM |
Total Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 4,666 | | | $ | 6,752 | | | $ | (2,086) | | (30.9) | % |
Cable Networks Segment Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Distribution | $ | 1,617 | | | $ | 1,681 | | | $ | (64) | | (3.8) | % |
Advertising | 793 | | | 809 | | | (16) | | (2.1) | |
Content licensing and other | 326 | | | 281 | | | 45 | | 16.6 | |
Total revenue | 2,736 | | | 2,771 | | | (35) | | (1.3) | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 1,432 | | | 1,323 | | | 109 | | 8.2 | |
Other operating and administrative | 359 | | | 375 | | | (16) | | (4.0) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 75 | | | 118 | | | (43) | | (36.9) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 1,866 | | | 1,816 | | | 50 | | 2.8 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 870 | | | $ | 955 | | | $ | (85) | | (8.9) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Distribution | $ | 4,780 | | | $ | 5,123 | | | $ | (343) | | (6.7) | % |
Advertising | 2,306 | | | 2,592 | | | (286) | | (11.0) | |
Content licensing and other | 1,024 | | | 871 | | | 153 | | 17.7 | |
Total revenue | 8,110 | | | 8,586 | | | (476) | | (5.5) | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 3,431 | | | 3,740 | | | (309) | | (8.3) | |
Other operating and administrative | 1,078 | | | 1,104 | | | (26) | | (2.2) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 240 | | | 324 | | | (84) | | (26.1) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 4,749 | | | 5,168 | | | (419) | | (8.1) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 3,361 | | | $ | 3,418 | | | $ | (57) | | (1.7) | % |
Cable Networks Segment – Revenue
Cable Networks revenue decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 due to decreasesincreases in distribution revenue and advertisingother revenue, which werepartially offset by increasesa decrease in content licensing and otheradvertising revenue. Distribution revenue decreased primarilyincreased due to credits accrued at some of our regional sports networks resulting from the reduced number of games playedcontractual rate increases, partially offset by professional sports leagues due to COVID-19. Certain of our distribution agreements with multichannel video providers require contractual adjustments if a minimum number of sporting events does not occur. Excluding these credits, distribution revenue decreased due to increased declines in the number of subscribers at our cable networks, partially offset by increasesnetworks. Other revenue increased primarily due to an increase in the contractual rates charged under distribution agreements.revenue from our digital properties. Advertising revenue decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to continued audience ratings declines at our networks, partially offset by spending from advertisers on our sports networks as a result of professional sports leagues resuming postponed seasons due to COVID-19. Advertising revenue decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to continued audience ratings declines at our networks and reduced spending from advertisers as a result of COVID-19, partially offset by higher prices for advertising units sold. Content licensing and other revenue increased primarily due to the timing of content provided under our licensing agreements, which included transactions with Peacock beginningsold, an increase in the second quarternumber of 2020.
Forunits sold related to sports and an increase in advertising revenue at Peacock. We expect the number of subscribers and audience ratings at our networks to continue to decline as a result of the competitive environment and shifting video consumption patterns. Revenue included $91 million related to Peacock for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, 15% and 14%, respectively, of our Cable Networks segment revenue was generated from our Cable Communications segment. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, 16% and 15%, respectively, of our Cable Networks segment revenue was generated from our Cable Communications segment. These amounts are eliminated in our condensed consolidated financial statements but are included in the amounts presented above.March 31, 2021.
Cable NetworksMedia Segment – Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating costs and expenses increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2019 due to increases in programming and production costs, which were offset by decreases in advertising, marketing and promotion costs and other operating and administrative costs. The increase in programming and production costs was primarily2020 due to an increase in sports programming costs as professional sports leagues resumed seasons following postponements as a result of COVID-19, partially offset by decreases in other programming costs at our networks and studio production costs. The decrease in advertising, marketing and promotion costs was due to lower spending on marketing related to our cable networks. The decrease in other operating and administrative costs was primarily due to lower employee-related and other overhead costs as a result of cost savings initiatives.
Operating costs and expenses decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to decreases in programming and production costs and advertising, marketing and promotion costs. The decrease in programming and production costs was primarily due to decreases in sports programming costs recognized resulting from the reduced number of events as a result of COVID-19, partially offset by increases in studio production costs. The decrease in advertising, marketing and promotion costs was due to lower spending on marketing related to our cable networks. The decrease in other operating and administrative costs was primarily due to lower employee-related and other overhead costs as a result of cost savings initiatives.
Broadcast Television Segment Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Advertising | $ | 1,054 | | | $ | 1,191 | | | $ | (137) | | (11.5) | % |
Content licensing | 740 | | | 447 | | | 293 | | 65.6 | |
Distribution and other | 620 | | | 592 | | | 28 | | 4.9 | |
Total revenue | 2,414 | | | 2,230 | | | 184 | | 8.3 | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 1,589 | | | 1,398 | | | 191 | | 13.7 | |
Other operating and administrative | 335 | | | 373 | | | (38) | | (9.8) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 54 | | | 121 | | | (67) | | (55.4) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 1,978 | | | 1,892 | | | 86 | | 4.6 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 436 | | | $ | 338 | | | $ | 98 | | 28.7 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Advertising | $ | 3,331 | | | $ | 3,837 | | | $ | (506) | | (13.2) | % |
Content licensing | 2,224 | | | 1,479 | | | 745 | | 50.3 | |
Distribution and other | 1,907 | | | 1,783 | | | 124 | | 7.0 | |
Total revenue | 7,462 | | | 7,099 | | | 363 | | 5.1 | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 4,564 | | | 4,344 | | | 220 | | 5.1 | |
Other operating and administrative | 1,103 | | | 1,150 | | | (47) | | (4.0) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 217 | | | 346 | | | (129) | | (37.3) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 5,884 | | | 5,840 | | | 44 | | 0.8 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,578 | | | $ | 1,259 | | | $ | 319 | | 25.3 | % |
Broadcast Television Segment – Revenue
Broadcast Television revenue increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 due to increases in content licensing revenue and distribution and other revenue, partially offset by decreases in advertising revenue. The increases in content licensing revenue were primarily due to the timing of content provided under our licensing agreements, which included transactions with Peacock beginning in the second quarter of 2020. The increases in distribution and other revenue were primarily due to increases in fees recognized under our retransmission consent agreements. Advertising revenue decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to continued declines in audience ratings. The decrease in advertising revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily due to continued declines in audience ratings and reduced spending from advertisers as a result of COVID-19, partially offset by higher prices for advertising units sold.
Broadcast Television Segment – Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating costs and expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 due to increases in programming and production costs, partially offset by decreases in other operating and administrative costs and advertising, marketing and promotion costs. Programming and production costs increased primarily due to higher amortization expense related to programming at Peacock. Programming and otherproduction costs at our television networks increased slightly, reflecting higher sports programming costs driven by an increase in the number of sporting events offset by a decrease in
entertainment programming costs from delays in production due to COVID-19. Other operating and administrative costs. The increases in programmingcosts decreased due to cost savings initiatives, partially offset by increased costs related to Peacock. Advertising, marketing and productionpromotion costs decreased due to lower spending on marketing related to our networks, partially offset by higher marketing related to Peacock. Operating costs and expenses included $368 million and $59 million related to Peacock for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2021 and 2020, comparedrespectively, and we expect to the same periods in 2019 were primarily duecontinue to amortization associated withincur significant costs related to additional content licensing sales, partially offset by the impact of the updated accounting guidance, which removed certain limitations on the amounts capitalized for episodic television series and had a favorable impact on programming and production expense in the current year (see Note 8). The increase in programming and production costsmarketing for the ninenew platform.
Studios Segment Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Content licensing | $ | 2,075 | | | $ | 1,819 | | | $ | 256 | | 14.1 | % |
Theatrical | 39 | | | 316 | | | (277) | | (87.7) | |
| | | | | | |
Home entertainment and other | 282 | | | 274 | | | 8 | | 2.8 | |
Total revenue | 2,396 | | | 2,409 | | | (13) | | (0.6) | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 1,614 | | | 1,513 | | | 101 | | 6.6 | |
Other operating and administrative | 161 | | | 213 | | | (52) | | (24.7) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 124 | | | 383 | | | (259) | | (67.6) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 1,899 | | | 2,109 | | | (210) | | (10.0) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 497 | | | $ | 300 | | | $ | 197 | | 65.7 | % |
Studios Segment – Revenue
Revenue decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 2019 was also partially offset by decreases in sports programming costs recognized2020 due to the reduced number of events as a result of COVID-19. The decreases in advertising, marketing and promotion costs were primarily due to reduced spending on marketing related to our programming. The decreases in other operating and administrative costs were due to decreased overhead costs as part of cost savings initiatives and lower employee-related costs.
Filmed Entertainment Segment Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Theatrical | $ | 29 | | | $ | 549 | | | $ | (520) | | (94.7) | % |
Content licensing | 844 | | | 737 | | | 107 | | 14.5 | |
Home entertainment | 278 | | | 185 | | | 93 | | 49.1 | |
Other | 129 | | | 235 | | | (106) | | (44.8) | |
Total revenue | 1,280 | | | 1,706 | | | (426) | | (25.0) | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 639 | | | 867 | | | (228) | | (26.4) | |
Other operating and administrative | 248 | | | 277 | | | (29) | | (9.7) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 93 | | | 367 | | | (274) | | (74.8) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 980 | | | 1,511 | | | (531) | | (35.1) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 300 | | | $ | 195 | | | $ | 105 | | 53.4 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | | | | | | |
Theatrical | $ | 354 | | | $ | 1,246 | | | $ | (892) | | (71.6) | % |
Content licensing | 2,385 | | | 2,266 | | | 119 | | 5.3 | |
Home entertainment | 678 | | | 681 | | | (3) | | (0.6) | |
Other | 427 | | | 738 | | | (311) | | (42.1) | |
Total revenue | 3,844 | | | 4,931 | | | (1,087) | | (22.0) | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 1,841 | | | 2,201 | | | (360) | | (16.4) | |
Other operating and administrative | 718 | | | 832 | | | (114) | | (13.6) | |
Advertising, marketing and promotion | 651 | | | 1,156 | | | (505) | | (43.7) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 3,210 | | | 4,189 | | | (979) | | (23.4) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 634 | | | $ | 742 | | | $ | (108) | | (14.6) | % |
Filmed Entertainment Segment – Revenue
Filmed Entertainment revenue decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 due to decreases in theatrical revenue and other revenue, partially offset by increases in content licensing revenue and home entertainment revenue. The decrease in theatrical revenue, was primarily due to theater closures as a result of COVID-19. The decrease in other revenue was primarily due to decreases in revenue from our movie ticketing and entertainment business and live stage plays, which were impactedoffset by theater and entertainment venue closures as a result of COVID-19. Thean increase in content licensing revenue. Theatrical revenue wasdecreased primarily due to the deferral of theatrical releases due to the temporary closure and limited-capacity operation of many movie theaters due to COVID-19. Content licensing revenue increased primarily due to the timing of when content was made available under licensing agreements, increased sales of titles madeincluding a new licensing agreement for content that became exclusively available for streaming on demand, including certain 2020 releases after theater closures due to COVID-19, and transactions with Peacock beginning induring the second quarter of 2020. The increase in home entertainment revenue was primarily due to higher sales of 2020 releases, including Trolls World Tour.quarter.
Filmed Entertainment revenue decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to decreases in theatrical revenue and other revenue, partially offset by an increase in content licensing revenue. The decreases in theatrical and other revenue were primarily due to theater and entertainment venue closures as a result of COVID-19. The increase in content licensing revenue was primarily due to the timing of when content was made available under licensing agreements, increased sales of titles made available on demand, including certain 2020 releases after theater closures due to COVID-19, and transactions with Peacock beginning in the second quarter of 2020.
Filmed EntertainmentStudios Segment – Operating Costs and Expenses
Operating costs and expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 due to decreases in advertising, marketing and promotion costs programming and production costs, and other operating and administrative costs, partially offset by an increase in programming and production costs. The decreases in advertising,Advertising, marketing and promotion costs weredecreased due to lower spending on theatrical film releases in the current period releases as a result of COVID-19. The decreases in programmingyear period. Other operating and administrative costs decreased due to cost savings initiatives. Programming and production costs wereincreased primarily due to higher amortization of filmassociated with content licensing sales, including the new licensing agreement for content that became exclusively available for streaming on Peacock during the quarter, as well as the impact from the updated accounting guidance related to episodic television series, which was adopted and had a favorable impact on programming and production costsexpense in the prior year period. The decreasesThese increases were partially offset by a decrease in other operating and administrative costs were due to lower costsamortization associated with our movie ticketing and entertainment business and live stage plays, which were impacted by theater and entertainment venue closures as a result of COVID-19, and overall efforts oftheatrical film releases in the business to reduce costs.current year period.
Theme Parks Segment Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | 311 | | | $ | 1,631 | | | $ | (1,320) | | (80.9) | % |
Operating costs and expenses | 514 | | | 900 | | | (386) | | (42.9) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (203) | | | $ | 731 | | | $ | (934) | | (127.7) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | 1,267 | | | $ | 4,371 | | | $ | (3,104) | | (71.0) | % |
Operating costs and expenses | 1,793 | | | 2,552 | | | (759) | | (29.8) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (526) | | | $ | 1,819 | | | $ | (2,345) | | (128.9) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | 619 | | | $ | 925 | | | $ | (306) | | (33.1) | % |
Operating costs and expenses | 680 | | | 838 | | | (158) | | (18.8) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (61) | | | $ | 87 | | | $ | (148) | | (170.9) | % |
Theme Parks Segment – Revenue
Theme Parks revenueRevenue decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 due to the temporary limited-capacity operation and closures of our theme parks as a result of COVID-19,COVID-19. Our theme parks closed beginning in late February 2020 in Japan and mid-March for our theme parks2020 in Orlando and Hollywood. Our theme parks in Orlando and Japan reopened with limited capacity
limited-capacity in June 2020, while our theme park in Hollywood remainsremained closed through the first quarter of 2021. In April 2021, our theme park in Hollywood reopened with limited capacity, but our theme park in Japan has temporarily closed.
Theme Parks Segment – Operating Costs and Expenses
Theme Parks operatingOperating costs and expenses decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 primarily due to decreases in costs related to park operations due to the parktemporary limited-capacity operation and closures and lower marketing-related costs, partially offset by increased pre-opening costs associated with Universal Beijing Resort. We expect to incur significant additional pre-opening costs ahead of the expected opening of Universal Beijing Resort later in 2021.
NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations
Headquarters and Other Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | 16 | | | $ | 9 | | | $ | 7 | | 85.9 | % |
Operating costs and expenses | 225 | | | 230 | | | (5) | | (2.2) | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (209) | | | $ | (221) | | | $ | 12 | | 5.7 | % |
Operating costs and expenses include overhead, personnel costs and costs associated with corporate initiatives.
Eliminations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | (1,043) | | | $ | (492) | | | $ | 551 | | 111.5 | % |
Operating costs and expenses | (833) | | | (486) | | | 347 | | 70.9 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (210) | | | $ | (6) | | | $ | 204 | | NM |
Amounts represent eliminations of transactions between our NBCUniversal segments. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, eliminations of revenue and operating costs and expenses increased as a result of licensing of content between our Studios and Media segments, including transactions with Peacock. For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, approximately 52% and 30% of Studios segment content licensing revenue resulted from transactions with other segments, primarily with the Media segment. Eliminations will increase or decrease to the extent that additional content is made available to our other segments. Refer to Note 2 for further description of transactions between our segments.
Sky Segment Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | | Constant Currency Growth(a) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | | $ | % | | | % |
Revenue | | | | | | | | | | |
Direct-to-consumer | $ | 3,943 | | | $ | 3,793 | | | | $ | 150 | | 3.9 | % | | | (1.0) | % |
Content | 388 | | | 315 | | | | 73 | | 23.3 | | | | 17.5 | |
Advertising | 462 | | | 446 | | | | 16 | | 3.7 | | | | (1.2) | |
Total revenue | 4,793 | | | 4,554 | | | | 239 | | 5.2 | | | | 0.3 | |
Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | | | | | |
Programming and production | 2,350 | | | 2,003 | | | | 347 | | 17.3 | | | | 11.8 | |
Direct network costs | 530 | | | 419 | | | | 111 | | 26.3 | | | | 20.5 | |
Other | 1,398 | | | 1,233 | | | | 165 | | 13.5 | | | | 8.2 | |
Total operating costs and expenses | 4,278 | | | 3,655 | | | | 623 | | 17.0 | | | | 11.5 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 515 | | | $ | 899 | | | | $ | (384) | | (42.8) | % | | | (45.4) | % |
| | | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | | Constant Currency Growth(a) | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | | Constant Currency Growth(a) |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | | $ | % | | | % | (in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | | $ | % | | | % |
Revenue | Revenue | | | | | | Revenue | | | | | |
Direct-to-consumer | Direct-to-consumer | $ | 11,146 | | | $ | 11,516 | | | | $ | (370) | | (3.2) | % | | | (3.1) | % | Direct-to-consumer | $ | 4,065 | | | $ | 3,679 | | | | $ | 386 | | 10.5 | % | | | 1.8 | % |
Content | Content | 947 | | | 1,061 | | | | (114) | | (10.7) | | | | (10.4) | | Content | 358 | | | 325 | | | | 33 | | 10.3 | | | | 1.7 | |
Advertising | Advertising | 1,296 | | | 1,602 | | | | (306) | | (19.1) | | | | (18.7) | | Advertising | 574 | | | 513 | | | | 61 | | 11.9 | | | | 3.4 | |
Total revenue | Total revenue | 13,389 | | | 14,179 | | | | (790) | | (5.6) | | | | (5.4) | | Total revenue | 4,997 | | | 4,517 | | | | 480 | | 10.6 | | | | 2.0 | |
Operating costs and expenses | Operating costs and expenses | | | | | | Operating costs and expenses | | | | | |
Programming and production | Programming and production | 5,957 | | | 6,543 | | | | (586) | | (9.0) | | | | (8.7) | | Programming and production | 2,485 | | | 2,064 | | | | 421 | | 20.4 | | | | 10.9 | |
Direct network costs | Direct network costs | 1,485 | | | 1,218 | | | | 267 | | 21.9 | | | | 22.0 | | Direct network costs | 631 | | | 457 | | | | 174 | | 38.1 | | | | 28.1 | |
Other | Other | 4,132 | | | 4,084 | | | | 48 | | 1.2 | | | | 1.5 | | Other | 1,517 | | | 1,445 | | | | 72 | | 5.0 | | | | (3.1) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | Total operating costs and expenses | 11,574 | | | 11,845 | | | | (271) | | (2.3) | | | | (2.0) | | Total operating costs and expenses | 4,633 | | | 3,966 | | | | 667 | | 16.8 | | | | 7.8 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 1,815 | | | $ | 2,334 | | | | $ | (519) | | (22.3) | % | | | (22.5) | % | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 364 | | | $ | 551 | | | | $ | (187) | | (33.9) | % | | | (39.6) | % |
All percentages are calculated based on actual amounts. Minor differences may exist due to rounding.
(a)Constant currency growth is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 3624 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of Sky’s constant currency growth rates.
Customer Metrics
| | | | | Net Additions | | | | Net Additions |
| | September 30, | | Three Months Ended September 30, | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | March 31, | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| (in thousands) | (in thousands) | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | 2019 | 2020 | | 2019 | (in thousands) | 2021 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Total customer relationships | Total customer relationships | 23,695 | | | 23,918 | | | (21) | | (99) | | (299) | | | 317 | | Total customer relationships | 23,446 | | | 23,216 | | | 221 | | | (65) | |
Sky customerCustomer metrics are presented based on actual amounts. Minor differences may exist due to rounding. Customer relationships represent the number of residential retail customers that subscribe to at least one of Sky’s four primary services of video, high-speed internet,broadband, voice and wireless phone service. Commercial retailSky reports commercial customers, includeincluding hotels, bars, workplaces and restaurants, with an active subscription for the purpose of providing Sky services to customers. Sky reports commercial customersgenerally based on the number of locations receiving our services. In the first quarter of 2021, we implemented conforming changes to our methodology for counting commercial agreements per venuecustomers in Italy and Germany, which are now counted as described above, consistent with customers in the U.K., and generallyUnited Kingdom. Previously these customers were counted based on a residential equivalent unit using the multiple of residential customer revenue in Italy and the number of active venues (bars and restaurants) or rooms (hotelsin Germany. This change resulted in a reduction in Sky’s total customer relationships of 714,000 as of December 31, 2020. The impact of the change in methodology to customer relationship net additions for any period was not material. For comparative purposes, we have updated Sky’s historical total customer relationships and clinics) in Germany.average monthly direct-to-consumer revenue per customer relationship to reflect this adjustment.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | Constant Currency Growth(a) | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | Constant Currency Growth(a) |
| 2020 | 2019 | | % | % | | 2020 | 2019 | | % | % |
Average monthly direct-to-consumer revenue per customer relationship | $ | 55.44 | | $ | 52.77 | | | 5.1 | % | 0.1 | % | | $ | 51.94 | | $ | 53.86 | | | (3.6) | % | (3.5) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | Constant Currency Growth(a) |
| | | | | | | 2021 | 2020 | | % | % |
Average monthly direct-to-consumer revenue per customer relationship | | | | | | | $ | 58.06 | | $ | 52.76 | | | 10.0 | % | 1.4 | % |
(a)Constant currency growth is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 3624 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of Sky’s constant currency growth rates.
Average monthly direct-to-consumer revenue per customer relationship is impacted by rate adjustments and changes in the types and levels of services received by Sky’s customers. Each of Sky’s services has a different contribution to Adjusted EBITDA. We believe average monthly direct-to-consumer revenue per customer relationship is useful in understanding the trends in our business across all of our direct-to-consumer service offerings.
Sky Segment – Revenue
Direct-to-Consumer
Revenue increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2019.2020. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenue decreasedincreased primarily due to decreases in customer relationships, and for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, decreasesincreases in average revenue per customer relationship also contributed to the decrease.and customer relationships.
Content
Revenue increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2019.2020. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenue increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to higher revenue from sports programming wholesaling arrangements as European soccer leagues resumed sporting events that were previously postponed due to COVID-19. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenue decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to a decrease in revenue from the distribution of Sky’s sports programming on third-party platforms, due to postponed sporting events as a resultreflecting the negative impact of COVID-19.COVID-19 in the prior year period.
Advertising
Revenue increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2019.2020. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenue decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2020increased primarily due to overall market weakness, partially offset by additional sporting eventshigher advanced advertising revenue in the current quarter that were previously postponed. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, revenue decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to overall market weakness, which has worsened due to COVID-19, and the impact of changes in legislation related to gambling advertisements in the U.K. and Italy that occurred in the third quarter of 2019.United Kingdom.
Sky Segment – Operating Costs and Expenses
Programming and production costs increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 and decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2019.2020. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, programming and production costs increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to an increase in the recognitionnumber of sports programming costs due to rescheduled sporting events that were previously postponedin the current year period due to COVID-19, partially offset byincluding the impact of the delayed starts of new seasons. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, programming and production costs decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 primarily due to the impactimpacts of the delayed starts of the newcurrent European soccer seasons.
2020. We currently hold Italian broadcast rights to Lega Nazionale Professionisti Serie A through the end of the 2020-2021 season. It is uncertain whether we will retain any broadcast or other rights related to future seasons, which would result in a reduction in programming and production costs and may result in a decline in customer relationships in Italy. Direct network costs increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2019.2020. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, direct network costs increased primarily due to increasesan increase in costs associated with Sky’s high-speed internetwireless phone and wireless phonebroadband services as a result of increases in the sale of handsets and the number of customers receiving these services.
Other expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 2019.2020. Excluding the impact of foreign currency, other expenses increaseddecreased primarily due to higher marketing costs and a favorable settlement in the prior year periods. The increase in other expenses for the nine months ended September, 30, 2020 was partially offset by lower costs relating to advertising sales resulting from the impactpersonnel costs.
Corporate, Other and Eliminations
Corporate and Other Results of Operations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | 84 | | | $ | 42 | | | $ | 42 | | 97.7 | % |
Operating costs and expenses | 767 | | | 312 | | | 455 | | 145.7 | |
Adjustment for potential legal settlement | (177) | | | — | | | (177) | | NM |
Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | (10) | | | (33) | | | 23 | | NM |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (496) | | | $ | (237) | | | $ | (259) | | (109.6) | % |
| | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) | | Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % | (in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | % |
Revenue | Revenue | $ | 250 | | | $ | 206 | | | $ | 44 | | 21.1 | % | Revenue | $ | 89 | | | $ | 120 | | | $ | (31) | | (26.1) | % |
Operating costs and expenses | Operating costs and expenses | 1,721 | | | 1,011 | | | 710 | | 70.1 | | Operating costs and expenses | 382 | | | 327 | | | 55 | | 16.6 | |
Adjustment for potential legal settlement | (177) | | | — | | | (177) | | NM | |
| Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | (40) | | | (168) | | | 128 | | NM | Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | (12) | | | (14) | | | 2 | | NM |
Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (1,254) | | | $ | (637) | | | $ | (617) | | (96.8) | % | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (281) | | | $ | (193) | | | $ | (88) | | (45.3) | % |
Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with NM.
Corporate and Other – Revenue
Revenue primarily relates to Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and, beginningPennsylvania. Revenue decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in the second quarter2020 as a result of 2020, revenues at Peacock.COVID-19.
Corporate and Other – Operating Costs and Expenses
ExpensesOperating costs and expenses primarily include overhead, personnel costs, the costs of other business initiatives, such as Peacock, and operating costs and expenses associated with Comcast Spectacor.
Expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same periodsperiod in 20192020 primarily due to costs associated with Peacock, certain costs incurred in response to COVID-19, including severance and restructuring chargesincreases related to our NBCUniversal segments,corporate activities and a potential legal settlement, which were partially offset by a reduction in costs related to the Sky transaction. Beginning in the second quarter of 2020, Peacock costs include amortization of film and television costs and we expect to continue to incur significant costs related to additional content and marketing for the new platform.other business initiatives.
Corporate and Other Adjusted EBITDA excludes a potential legal settlement andthe Sky transaction-related costs.
Eliminations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended March 31, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | (710) | | | $ | (675) | | | $ | 35 | | 5.3 | % |
Operating costs and expenses | (720) | | | (682) | | | 38 | | 5.6 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 10 | | | $ | 7 | | | $ | (3) | | (29.0) | % |
35
Eliminations
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Three Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | (1,069) | | | $ | (648) | | | $ | 421 | | 64.9 | % |
Operating costs and expenses | (941) | | | (647) | | | 294 | | 45.2 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (128) | | | $ | (1) | | | $ | 127 | | NM |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Increase/ (Decrease) |
(in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | | $ | % |
Revenue | $ | (2,711) | | | $ | (1,969) | | | $ | 742 | | 37.6 | % |
Operating costs and expenses | (2,461) | | | (1,959) | | | 502 | | 25.5 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (250) | | | $ | (10) | | | $ | 240 | | NM |
Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with NM.
For the threetransactions between Cable Communications, NBCUniversal, Sky and nine months ended September 30, 2020, revenue and operating costs and expenses eliminations increased as a resultother businesses. Eliminations of the licensing of contenttransactions between our NBCUniversal segments and Peacock.are presented separately. Refer to Note 2 for furthera description of transactions between our segments.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is the primary basis used to measure the operational strength and performance of our businesses as well as to assist in the evaluation of underlying trends in our businesses. This measure eliminates the significant level of noncash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of certain of our businesses and from intangible assets recognized in business combinations. It is also unaffected by our capital and tax structures, and by our investment activities, including the results of entities that we do not consolidate, as our management excludes these results when evaluating our operating performance. Our management and Board of Directors use this financial measure to evaluate our consolidated operating performance and the operating performance of our operating segments and to allocate resources and capital to our operating segments. It is also a significant performance measure in our annual incentive compensation programs. Additionally, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is one of the bases for comparing our operating performance with that of other companies in our industries, although our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Comcast Corporation before net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock, income tax expense, investment and other income (loss), net, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other operating gains and losses (such as impairment charges related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses on the sale of long-lived assets), if any. From time to time, we may exclude from Adjusted EBITDA the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges (such as significant legal settlements) that affect the period-to-period comparability of our operating performance.
We reconcile consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Comcast Corporation. This measure should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income (loss), net income attributable to Comcast Corporation, or net cash provided by operating activities that we have reported in accordance with GAAP.
Reconciliation from Net Income Attributable to Comcast Corporation to Adjusted EBITDA
| | | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | (in millions) | | 2020 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions) | | 2021 | | 2020 |
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | | $ | 2,019 | | | $ | 3,217 | | | $ | 7,154 | | | $ | 9,895 | | Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | | $ | 3,329 | | | $ | 2,147 | |
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | | 12 | | | 71 | | | 110 | | | 228 | | Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and redeemable subsidiary preferred stock | | (37) | | | 77 | |
Income tax expense | Income tax expense | | 739 | | | 775 | | | 2,385 | | | 2,812 | | Income tax expense | | 1,119 | | | 700 | |
Investment and other (income) loss, net | Investment and other (income) loss, net | | 86 | | | 110 | | | 382 | | | (511) | | Investment and other (income) loss, net | | (390) | | | 716 | |
Interest expense | Interest expense | | 1,220 | | | 1,167 | | | 3,544 | | | 3,454 | | Interest expense | | 1,018 | | | 1,212 | |
Depreciation | Depreciation | | 2,122 | | | 2,124 | | | 6,328 | | | 6,561 | | Depreciation | | 2,117 | | | 2,107 | |
Amortization | Amortization | | 1,198 | | | 1,056 | | | 3,520 | | | 3,215 | | Amortization | | 1,245 | | | 1,157 | |
| Adjustment for potential legal settlement | | 177 | | | — | | | 177 | | | — | | |
Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | | 10 | | | 33 | | | 40 | | | 168 | | Adjustment for Sky transaction-related costs | | 12 | | | 14 | |
| | Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 7,583 | | | $ | 8,553 | | | $ | 23,640 | | | $ | 25,822 | | Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 8,413 | | | $ | 8,130 | |
Constant Currency
Constant currency and constant currency growth rates are non-GAAP financial measures that present our results of operations excluding the estimated effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Certain of our businesses, including Sky, have operations outside the United States that are conducted in local currencies. As a result, the comparability of the financial results reported in U.S. dollars is affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In our Sky segment, we use constant currency and constant currency growth rates to evaluate the underlying performance of the business, and we believe it is helpful for investors to present operating results on a comparable basis period over period to evaluate its underlying performance.
Constant currency and constant currency growth rates are calculated by comparing the comparative period results in the prior year adjusted to reflect the average exchange rates from the current year period rather than the actual exchange rates in effect during the respective prior year periods.
Reconciliation of Sky Constant Currency Growth Rates
| | | Three Months Ended September 30, | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
| | Actual | | Constant Currency | | Constant Currency Growth | | Actual | | Constant Currency | | Constant Currency Growth | | | Actual | | Constant Currency | | Constant Currency Growth |
(in millions, except per customer data) | (in millions, except per customer data) | 2020 | | 2019 | | % | | 2020 | | 2019 | | % | (in millions, except per customer data) | | 2021 | | 2020 | | % |
Revenue | Revenue | | Revenue | | |
Direct-to-consumer | Direct-to-consumer | $ | 3,943 | | | $ | 3,981 | | | (1.0) | % | | $ | 11,146 | | | $ | 11,504 | | | (3.1) | % | Direct-to-consumer | | $ | 4,065 | | | $ | 3,993 | | | 1.8 | % |
Content | Content | 388 | | | 330 | | | 17.5 | | | 947 | | | 1,057 | | | (10.4) | | Content | | 358 | | | 352 | | | 1.7 | |
Advertising | Advertising | 462 | | | 468 | | | (1.2) | | | 1,296 | | | 1,595 | | | (18.7) | | Advertising | | 574 | | | 555 | | | 3.4 | |
Total revenue | Total revenue | 4,793 | | | 4,779 | | | 0.3 | | | 13,389 | | | 14,156 | | | (5.4) | | Total revenue | | 4,997 | | | 4,900 | | | 2.0 | |
Operating costs and expenses | Operating costs and expenses | | Operating costs and expenses | | |
Programming and production | Programming and production | 2,350 | | | 2,102 | | | 11.8 | | | 5,957 | | | 6,525 | | | (8.7) | | Programming and production | | 2,485 | | | 2,240 | | | 10.9 | |
Direct network costs | Direct network costs | 530 | | | 440 | | | 20.5 | | | 1,485 | | | 1,217 | | | 22.0 | | Direct network costs | | 631 | | | 493 | | | 28.1 | |
Other | Other | 1,398 | | | 1,294 | | | 8.2 | | | 4,132 | | | 4,073 | | | 1.5 | | Other | | 1,517 | | | 1,565 | | | (3.1) | |
Total operating costs and expenses | Total operating costs and expenses | 4,278 | | | 3,836 | | | 11.5 | | | 11,574 | | | 11,815 | | | (2.0) | | Total operating costs and expenses | | 4,633 | | | 4,298 | | | 7.8 | |
Adjusted EBITDA | Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 515 | | | $ | 943 | | | (45.4) | % | | $ | 1,815 | | | $ | 2,341 | | | (22.5) | % | Adjusted EBITDA | | $ | 364 | | | $ | 602 | | | (39.6) | % |
Average monthly direct-to-consumer revenue per customer relationship | Average monthly direct-to-consumer revenue per customer relationship | $ | 55.44 | | | $ | 55.36 | | | 0.1 | % | | $ | 51.94 | | | $ | 53.80 | | | (3.5) | % | Average monthly direct-to-consumer revenue per customer relationship | | $ | 58.06 | | | $ | 57.25 | | | 1.4 | % |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our businesses generate significant cash flows from operating activities. We believe that we will be able to continue to meet our current and long-term liquidity and capital requirements, including fixed charges, through our cash flows from operating activities; existing cash, cash equivalents and investments; available borrowings under our existing credit facilities;facility; and our ability to obtain future external financing. Refer to “Impacts of COVID-19” for additional discussion.
We maintain significant availability under our revolving credit facilitiesfacility and commercial paper programsprogram to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, amounts available under our revolving credit facilities,facility, net of amounts outstanding under our commercial paper programsprogram and outstanding letters of credit and bank guarantees, totaled $9.2$11.0 billion. We entered into a new revolving credit facility in March 2021 (see Note 5).
We are subject to customary covenants and restrictions set forth in agreements related to debt issued at Comcast and certain of our subsidiaries, including the indentures governing our public debt securities and the credit agreements governing the Comcast revolving credit facility. Our credit facility contains a financial covenant pertaining to leverage, which is the ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined in the credit facility. Compliance with this financial covenant is tested on a quarterly basis under the terms of the credit facility. As of March 31, 2021, we met this financial covenant by a significant margin and we would expect to remain in compliance with this financial covenant and other covenants related to our debt. The covenants and restrictions in our revolving credit facility do not apply to certain entities, including Sky and our international theme parks.
Operating Activities
Components of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
| | | Nine Months Ended September 30, | | Three Months Ended March 31, |
(in millions) | (in millions) | 2020 | | 2019 | (in millions) | 2021 | | 2020 |
Operating income | Operating income | $ | 13,575 | | | $ | 15,878 | | Operating income | $ | 5,039 | | | $ | 4,852 | |
Depreciation and amortization | Depreciation and amortization | 9,848 | | | 9,776 | | Depreciation and amortization | 3,362 | | | 3,264 | |
Noncash share-based compensation | Noncash share-based compensation | 922 | | | 790 | | Noncash share-based compensation | 373 | | | 298 | |
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | Changes in operating assets and liabilities | 361 | | | (1,670) | | Changes in operating assets and liabilities | (176) | | | (1,393) | |
Payments of interest | Payments of interest | (2,845) | | | (3,167) | | Payments of interest | (911) | | | (991) | |
Payments of income taxes | Payments of income taxes | (2,298) | | | (2,490) | | Payments of income taxes | (87) | | | (281) | |
Other | Other | 132 | | | 345 | | Other | 151 | | | 75 | |
Net cash provided by operating activities | Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 19,695 | | | $ | 19,462 | | Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 7,751 | | | $ | 5,824 | |
The variance in changes in operating assets and liabilities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 20192020 was primarily due to the impact of COVID-19 on the timing of amortization and related payments for our film and television costs, including the suspensiontiming of studio production operations, as well assporting events, and collections on ourof accounts receivable.receivables and increases in deferred revenue.
The decrease in payments of income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 was primarily due to lower taxable income from operations in 2020, partially offset by the taxable gain associatedIn March 2021, we entered into an agreement with the AirTouch redemption which approximatedNFL extending our rights for an additional 11 years through the proceeds received.2033-2034 season. The new agreement includes exhibition rights for three additional Super Bowls and certain other rights, including streaming rights and additional exclusive games on Peacock.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 consisted primarily of capital expenditures, cash paid for intangible assets and the construction of Universal Beijing Resort, which were partially offset by proceeds from sales of businesses and investments. Net cash used in investing activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 consisted primarily of capital expenditures, purchases of investments and cash paid for intangible assets.assets and the construction of Universal Beijing Resort. Capital expenditures decreased for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 20192020 primarily due to decreasesa decrease in spending byin our Cable Communications and Theme Parks segments. We anticipate further declinessegment, partially offset by an increase in spending across our segments as a result of COVID-19, even as we continuerelated to invest in scalable infrastructure to increase network capacity in our Cable Communications segment.segment to increase network capacity. Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments increased for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 compared to the same period in 20192020 primarily due to $1.7 billion of proceeds received from the sale of our investment in AirTouch in the second quarter of 2020. See Note 9.
On September 2, 2020, the FCC announced the results of its spectrum auction. In the auction, we were awarded the rights to $459 million of spectrum, the majority of which will be paid in the fourth quarter of 2020.marketable equity securities.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 consisted primarily of repaymentsdividend payments, payments related to the redemption of debt and the related early redemption paymentsNBCUniversal Enterprise redeemable subsidiary preferred stock presented in other financing activities dividend payments and payments related to the redemption and repaymentrepurchases of subsidiary preferred shares in the second quarter of 2020 presented in other financing activities (see Note 9), which were partially offset by proceeds from borrowings and proceeds from the settlement of cross currency swaps related tocommon stock under our debt presented in other financing activities.employee plans. Net cash used inprovided by financing activities for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2019March 31, 2020 consisted primarily of repayments of debt and dividend payments, partially offset by proceeds from a collateralized obligation.borrowings, including the issuance of senior
In the first quarternotes, partially offset by repayments of 2020, we issued $4.0 billion of fixed rate senior notes maturing between 2025 and 2040, $3.2 billion (using exchange rates on the date of issuance) of fixed rate Euro senior notes maturing between 2027 and 2040 and $1.8 billion (using exchange rates on the date of issuance) of fixed rate Sterling senior notes maturing between 2029 and 2036. In the second quarter of 2020, we issued $4.0 billion of fixed rate senior notes maturing between 2031 and 2051. In August 2020, we issued $4.5 billion of fixed rate senior notes maturing between 2031 and 2062.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, we made debt, repayments totaling $16.8 billion, including the early redemption and purchase of $14.9 billion of senior notes, maturing between 2020dividend payments and 2047.repurchases of common stock under our employee plans.
As of September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, we had no commercial paper outstanding and there were no amounts outstanding under our revolving credit facilities.facility.
We have made, and may from time to time in the future make, optional repayments on our debt obligations, which may include repurchases or exchanges of our outstanding public notes and debentures, depending on various factors, such as market conditions. See Notes 65 and 76 for additional information on our financing activities.
Share Repurchases and Dividends
Effective January 1, 2017, our Board of Directors increased our share repurchase program authorization to $12 billion, which does not have an expiration date. Under the authorization, we may repurchase shares in the open market or in private transactions. We have paused our share repurchase program in order to accelerate the reduction of indebtedness we incurred in connection with the acquisition of Sky, and no common shares were repurchased under the authorization for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.
We paid $429 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 related to employee taxes associated with the administration of our share-based compensation plans.
In January 2020,2021, our Board of Directors approved a 10%9% increase in our dividend to $0.92$1.00 per share on an annualized basis. In July 2020,January 2021, our Board of Directors approved our thirdfirst quarter dividend of $0.23$0.25 per share, which was paid in October 2020.April 2021. We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends, although each dividend is subject to approval by our Board of Directors. On July 22, 2020,January 27, 2021, we paid dividends of $1.1 billion.
Guarantee Structure
Our debt is primarily issued at Comcast, although we also have debt at certain of our subsidiaries as a result of acquisitions and other issuances. A substantial amount of this debt is subject to guarantees by Comcast and by certain subsidiaries that we have put in place to simplify our capital structure. We believe this guarantee structure provides liquidity benefits to debt investors and helps to simplify credit analysis with respect to relative value considerations of guaranteed subsidiary debt.
Debt and Guarantee Structure
| | | (in billions) | (in billions) | September 30, 2020 | December 31, 2019 | (in billions) | March 31, 2021 | December 31, 2020 |
Debt subject to cross-guarantees | Debt subject to cross-guarantees | | Debt subject to cross-guarantees | |
Comcast | Comcast | $ | 86.5 | | $ | 80.4 | | Comcast | $ | 85.6 | | $ | 85.7 | |
NBCUniversal(a) | NBCUniversal(a) | 2.8 | | 5.8 | | NBCUniversal(a) | 2.8 | | 2.8 | |
Comcast Cable(a) | Comcast Cable(a) | 2.1 | | 2.1 | | Comcast Cable(a) | 2.1 | | 2.1 | |
| | 91.4 | | 88.3 | | | 90.5 | | 90.6 | |
Debt subject to one-way guarantees | Debt subject to one-way guarantees | | Debt subject to one-way guarantees | |
Sky | Sky | 8.7 | | 9.2 | | Sky | 8.2 | | 8.4 | |
Other(a) | Other(a) | 2.8 | | 4.1 | | Other(a) | 2.5 | | 2.8 | |
| | 11.5 | | 13.3 | | | 10.7 | | 11.2 | |
Debt not guaranteed | Debt not guaranteed | | Debt not guaranteed | |
Universal Beijing Resort(b) | Universal Beijing Resort(b) | 2.1 | | 1.3 | | Universal Beijing Resort(b) | 3.0 | | 2.5 | |
Other | Other | 1.1 | | 1.0 | | Other | 1.2 | | 1.1 | |
| | 3.2 | | 2.3 | | | 4.2 | | 3.6 | |
Debt issuance costs, premiums, discounts, fair value adjustments for acquisition accounting and hedged positions, net | Debt issuance costs, premiums, discounts, fair value adjustments for acquisition accounting and hedged positions, net | (1.7) | | (1.7) | | Debt issuance costs, premiums, discounts, fair value adjustments for acquisition accounting and hedged positions, net | (1.7) | | (1.6) | |
Total debt | Total debt | $ | 104.4 | | $ | 102.2 | | Total debt | $ | 103.7 | | $ | 103.8 | |
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(a)NBCUniversal, Comcast Cable and Comcast Holdings (included within other debt subject to one-way guarantees) are each consolidated subsidiaries subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the SEC. The guarantee structures and related disclosures in this section, together with Exhibit 22, satisfy these reporting obligations.
(b)Universal Beijing Resort debt financing is secured by the assets of Universal Beijing Resort and the equity interests of the investors. See Note 76 for additional information.
Cross-guarantees
Comcast, NBCUniversal and Comcast Cable (the “Guarantors”) fully and unconditionally, jointly and severally, guarantee each other’s debt securities. NBCUniversal and Comcast Cable also guarantee other borrowings of Comcast, including its revolving credit facility. These guarantees rank equally with all other general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the respective Guarantors. However, the obligations of the Guarantors under the guarantees are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of their respective non-guarantor subsidiaries. The obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the maximum amount that would not render such Guarantor’s obligations subject to avoidance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of U.S. and non-U.S. law. Each Guarantor’s obligations will remain in effect until all amounts payable with respect to the guaranteed securities have been paid in full. However, a guarantee by NBCUniversal or Comcast Cable of Comcast’s debt securities, or by NBCUniversal of Comcast Cable’s debt securities, will terminate upon a disposition of such Guarantor entity or all or substantially all of its assets.
The Guarantors are each holding companies that principally hold investments in, borrow from and lend to non-guarantor subsidiary operating companies; issue and service third-party debt obligations; repurchase shares and pay dividends; and engage in certain corporate and headquarters activities. The Guarantors are generally dependent on non-guarantor subsidiary operating companies to fund these activities.
As of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, the combined Guarantors have noncurrent notes payable to non-guarantor subsidiaries of $124$125 billion and $122$124 billion, respectively, and for both periods have noncurrent notes receivable from non-guarantor subsidiaries of $23 billion and $21 billion, respectively.$26 billion. This financial information is that of the Guarantors presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances between the Guarantors eliminated. The combined financial information excludes financial information of non-guarantor subsidiaries. The underlying net assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries are significantly in excess of the Guarantor obligations. Excluding investments in non-guarantor subsidiaries, external debt and the noncurrent notes payable and receivable with non-guarantor subsidiaries, the Guarantors do not have material assets, liabilities or results of operations.
One-way Guarantees
Comcast provides full and unconditional guarantees of certain debt issued by Sky and other consolidated subsidiaries not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the SEC.
Comcast also provides a full and unconditional guarantee of $185$138 million principal amount of subordinated debt issued by Comcast Holdings. Comcast’s obligations under this guarantee are subordinated and subject, in right of payment, to the prior payment in full of all of Comcast’s senior indebtedness, including debt guaranteed by Comcast on a senior basis; and are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of its non-guarantor subsidiaries (for purposes of this Comcast Holdings discussion, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal are included within the non-guarantor subsidiary group). Comcast’s obligations as guarantor will remain in effect until all amounts payable with respect to the guaranteed debt have been paid in full. However, the guarantee will terminate upon a disposition of Comcast Holdings or all or substantially all of its assets. Comcast Holdings is a consolidated subsidiary holding company that directly or indirectly holds 100% and approximately 37% of our equity interests in Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal, respectively.
As of September 30, 2020March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2019,2020, Comcast and Comcast Holdings, the combined issuer and guarantor of the guaranteed subordinated debt, have noncurrent senior notes payable to non-guarantor subsidiaries of $93$95 billion and $92$94 billion, respectively, and noncurrent notes receivable from non-guarantor subsidiaries of $21$24 billion and $18$23 billion, respectively. This financial information is that of Comcast and Comcast Holdings presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances between Comcast and Comcast Holdings eliminated. The combined financial information excludes financial information of non-guarantor subsidiaries of Comcast and Comcast Holdings. The underlying net assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries of Comcast and Comcast Holdings are significantly in excess of the obligations of Comcast and Comcast Holdings. Excluding investments in non-guarantor subsidiaries, external debt and the noncurrent notes payable and receivable with non-guarantor subsidiaries, Comcast and Comcast Holdings do not have material assets, liabilities or results of operations.
Critical Accounting Judgments and Estimates
The preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and contingent liabilities. We base our judgments on our historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making estimates about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believeFollowing the change in presentation of our judgments and related estimates associated with the valuation and impairment testing of goodwill and cable franchise rights and the accounting for film and television costs are criticalsegment operating results in the preparationfirst quarter of our condensed consolidated financial statements. We performed our annual impairment testing of goodwill and cable franchise rights as of July 1, 2020 and no impairment was required. Our impairment testing consisted of qualitative assessments for our cable franchise rights and2021, we reassessed the reporting units related to goodwill in our Cable Communications and NBCUniversal segments and a quantitative assessmentconcluded that our reporting units are the same as our reportable segments. See Note 2 for goodwill in our Sky segment. The goodwill in our Sky segment resulted from our acquisition of Sky in the fourth quarter of 2018. Given this was a recent transaction, the fair value is in close proximity to the carrying value of the Sky reporting unit.
Changes in market conditions, laws and regulations, and key assumptions made in future quantitative assessments, including expected cash flows, competitive factors and discount rates, could negatively impact the results of future impairment testing and could result in the recognition of an impairment charge.additional information.
For a more complete discussion of the accounting judgments and estimates that we have identified as critical in the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements, please refer to our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 8 for additional information related to recent accounting pronouncements.
ITEM 3: QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We have evaluated the information required under this item that was disclosed in our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and there have been no significant changes to this information.
ITEM 4: CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Conclusions regarding disclosure controls and procedures
Our principal executive and principal financial officers, after evaluating the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report, have concluded that, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by paragraph (b) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15, such disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in internal control over financial reporting
There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with the evaluation required by paragraph (d) of Exchange Act Rules 13a-15 or 15d-15 that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II: OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 1: LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See Note 1210 included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a discussion of legal proceedings.
ITEM 1A: RISK FACTORS
There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of our 20192020 Annual Report on Form 10-K and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020.10-K.
ITEM 6: EXHIBITS
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Exhibit No. | | Description |
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| | Comcast Corporation 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, effective October 22, 2020 |
| | Comcast Corporation 2002 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan, as amended and restated, effective July 31, 2020 |
| | Comcast Corporation 2002 Restricted Stock Plan, as amended and restated effective October 22, 2020March 1, 2021 |
| | Comcast Corporation 2002 Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective March 1, 2021 |
| | Comcast Corporation 2005 Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective March 1, 2021 |
| | Credit Agreement dated as of March 30, 2021, among Comcast Corporation, the financial institutions party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, Citibank, N.A., as syndication agent, Bank of America, N.A., Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Morgan Stanley MUFG Partners, LLC and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-documentation agents (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Comcast’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 31, 2021) |
| | Subsidiary guarantors and issuers of guaranteed securities and affiliates whose securities collateralize securities of the registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 22.1 to Comcast’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2020) |
| | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
| | Certification of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
101 | | The following financial statements from Comcast Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020,March 31, 2021, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on OctoberApril 29, 2020,2021, formatted in Inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income; (ii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income; (iii) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows; (iv) the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet; (v) the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity; and (vi) the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. |
104 | | Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the iXBRL document) |
* | | Constitutes a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. |
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
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| | COMCAST CORPORATION |
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By: | | /s/ DANIEL C. MURDOCK |
| | Daniel C. Murdock Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer) |
Date: OctoberApril 29, 20202021