Comcast Reports 3rd Quarter 2021 Results

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

"I am pleased with our strong operating and financial results this quarter. Each of our businesses posted significant growth in Adjusted EBITDA, contributing to a double-digit increase in our Adjusted EPS. At Cable, our customer and financial metrics remained strong, highlighted by 10% growth in Adjusted EBITDA, the highest level of customer retention on record for a third quarter, and the most wireless net additions since the launch of Xfinity Mobile in 2017. Our results at NBCUniversal continue to be driven by the ongoing recovery at our domestic Theme Parks, as well as the success of our linear and streaming Media platforms. At Sky, our UK business maintained its momentum, delivering healthy growth in revenue, EBITDA, and customer relationships. Going forward, I am excited about the opportunity to continue to invest in our global technology platform and other businesses while returning more capital to shareholders. This strategy is reflected in our most recent product launches – XClass TV in the U.S. and Sky Glass in Europe – as well as the $2.7 billion we returned to shareholders through a combination of share repurchases and dividend payments," commented Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation.

For additional detail on segment revenue and expenses, customer metrics, capital expenditures, and free cash flow, please refer to the trending schedules on Comcast’s Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com.

3rd Quarter 2021 Highlights:

• Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Increased 18.1% to $9.0 Billion; Adjusted EPS Increased 33.8% to $0.87; Generated Free Cash Flow of $3.2 Billion
• Returned $2.7 Billion to Shareholders Through a Combination of $1.5 Billion in Share Repurchases and $1.2 Billion in Dividend Payments
• Cable Communications Total Customer Relationship Net Additions Were 255,000; Total Broadband Customer Net Additions Were 300,000
• Cable Communications Adjusted EBITDA Increased 10.3% and Adjusted EBITDA per Customer Relationship Increased 5.3%
• Cable Communications Wireless Customer Line Net Additions Were 285,000, the Best Quarterly Result Since Launch in 2017
• NBCUniversal Adjusted EBITDA Increased 48.2% to $1.3 Billion, Including Peacock Losses
• Theme Parks Delivered Its Most Profitable Quarter Since the First Quarter of 2020, Driven by Universal Orlando; Celebrated the Grand Opening of Universal Beijing Resort on September 20th
• Sky Adjusted EBITDA Increased 88.8% to $971 Million; On a Constant Currency Basis, Adjusted EBITDA Increased 76.2% 

Consolidated Financial Results

Revenue for the third quarter of 2021 increased 18.7% to $30.3 billion. Net Income Attributable to Comcast increased 99.8% to $4.0 billion. Adjusted Net Income increased 34.6% to $4.0 billion. Adjusted EBITDA increased 18.1% to $9.0 billion.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, revenue increased 13.4% to $86.0 billion compared to 2020. Net income attributable to Comcast increased 55.2% to $11.1 billion. Adjusted Net Income increased 22.0% to $11.5 billion. Adjusted EBITDA increased 11.2% to $26.3 billion.

Earnings per Share (EPS) for the third quarter of 2021 was $0.86, an increase of 95.5% compared to the prior year period. Adjusted EPS increased 33.8% to $0.87.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, EPS was $2.38, a 53.5% increase compared to 2020. Adjusted EPS increased 21.1% to $2.47.

Capital Expenditures decreased 10.3% to $2.1 billion in the third quarter of 2021. Cable Communications’ capital expenditures decreased 5.4% to $1.7 billion. NBCUniversal’s capital expenditures decreased 35.7% to $229 million. Sky's capital expenditures decreased 32.3% to $160 million.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, capital expenditures decreased 3.1% to $6.1 billion compared to 2020. Cable Communications' capital expenditures increased 5.5% to $4.7 billion. NBCUniversal's capital expenditures decreased 47.6% to $584 million. Sky's capital expenditures decreased 5.2% to $615 million.

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities was $6.1 billion in the third quarter of 2021. Free Cash Flow was $3.2 billion.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 net cash provided by operating activities was $21.5 billion. Free cash flow was $13.3 billion.

Dividends and Share Repurchases. Comcast resumed its share repurchase program in May 2021 after pausing the program in 2019 to accelerate the reduction of indebtedness it incurred in connection with its acquisition of Sky. During the third quarter of 2021, Comcast paid dividends totaling $1.2 billion and repurchased 25.9 million of its common shares for $1.5 billion. As of September 30, 2021, Comcast had $8.0 billion available under its share repurchase authorization.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Comcast paid dividends totaling $3.4 billion and repurchased 34.7 million of its common shares for $2.0 billion.

Cable Communications

Revenue for Cable Communications increased 7.4% to $16.1 billion in the third quarter of 2021, driven by increases in broadband, wireless, business services, video, other, and advertising revenue, partially offset by a decrease in voice revenue. In the prior year period, results were negatively impacted by accrued customer regional sports network (RSN) fee adjustments related to canceled sporting events as a result of COVID-19. Excluding the impact of accrued customer RSN fee adjustments in the prior year period⁵, Cable Communications revenue increased 6.3%. Broadband revenue increased 11.6% due to an increase in the number of residential broadband customers and an increase in average rates. Excluding the impact of accrued RSN fee adjustments in the prior year period for customers taking bundled services⁵, broadband revenue increased 10.5%. Wireless revenue increased 50.7% due to an increase in the number of customer lines and an increase in device sales. Business services revenue increased 8.7% due to an increase in average rates and an increase in the number of customers receiving our services compared to the prior year period, which were negatively impacted by COVID-19. Video revenue increased 1.4%, reflecting an increase in average rates, partially offset by a decrease in the number of residential video customers. Excluding the impact of accrued customer RSN fee adjustments in the prior year period⁵, video revenue was consistent with the prior year period. Other revenue increased 12.4%, primarily reflecting increases in revenue from our security and automation services and from licensing of our technology platforms. Advertising revenue increased 4.6%, reflecting an overall market recovery and higher revenue from our advanced advertising businesses, partially offset by a decrease in political advertising. Excluding political advertising revenue, advertising revenue increased 19.0%. Voice revenue decreased 2.9%, primarily reflecting a decrease in the number of residential voice customers.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Cable revenue increased 8.1% to $47.9 billion compared to 2020, driven by growth in broadband, wireless, business services, advertising, video, and other revenue, partially offset by a decrease in voice revenue. Excluding the impact of accrued customer RSN fee adjustments in 2020⁵, Cable Communications revenue increased 7.2%.

Total Customer Relationships increased by 255,000 to 34.0 million in the third quarter of 2021. Residential customer relationships increased by 237,000 and business customer relationships increased by 18,000. Total broadband customer net additions were 300,000, total video customer net losses were 408,000, and total voice customer net losses were 158,000. In addition, Cable Communications added 285,000 wireless lines in the quarter.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, total customer relationships increased by 930,000. Residential customer relationships increased by 884,000 and business customer relationships increased by 46,000. Total broadband customer net additions were 1.1 million, total video customer net losses were 1.3 million, and total voice customer net losses were 372,000. In addition, Cable Communications added 842,000 wireless lines in the current period.

Adjusted EBITDA for Cable Communications increased 10.3% to $7.1 billion in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a 5.3% increase in operating expenses. In the prior year period, total operating expenses benefited from adjustments for provisions in our programming distribution agreements with RSNs related to canceled sporting events as a result of COVID-19. In the third quarter of 2021, programming costs increased 7.6%, including the effects of the adjustment provisions in the prior year period. Excluding these adjustments⁵, programming costs increased 2.8%, reflecting the timing of contract renewals, partially offset by a decline in the number of video subscribers. Non-programming expenses increased 3.9%, primarily reflecting higher technical and product support expenses and advertising, marketing and promotion expenses, partially offset by lower other expenses and customer service expenses. Non-programming expenses per customer relationship decreased 0.8%. Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship increased 5.3%, and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 43.9% compared to 42.7% in the prior year period. While the accrued RSN adjustments did not impact Adjusted EBITDA in the prior year period, they resulted in an increase to Adjusted EBITDA margin in that period. Cable Communications results include Adjusted EBITDA⁷ of $51 million from our wireless business, compared to a loss of $50 million in the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Adjusted EBITDA for Cable Communications increased 12.4% to $21.0 billion compared to 2020, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by a 4.9% increase in operating expenses. Programming costs increased 8.3%, reflecting the timing of contract renewals and adjustments in 2020 for provisions in our programming distribution agreements with RSNs related to canceled sporting events as a result of COVID-19, partially offset by a decline in the number of video subscribers. Excluding the impact of accrued RSN adjustments in 2020⁵, programming costs increased 4.4%. Non-programming expenses increased 2.8%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship increased 7.4%, and Adjusted EBITDA margin was 43.8% compared to 42.1% in 2020. While the accrued RSN adjustments did not impact Adjusted EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2020, they resulted in an increase to Adjusted EBITDA margin in that period. Cable Communications results include Adjusted EBITDA⁷ of $125 million from our wireless business, compared to a loss of $146 million in 2020.

Capital Expenditures for Cable Communications decreased 5.4% to $1.7 billion in the third quarter of 2021, primarily reflecting decreased investment in customer premise equipment, partially offset by increased investment in line extensions and scalable infrastructure. Cable capital expenditures represented 10.4% of Cable revenue in the third quarter of 2021 compared to 11.8% in the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, capital expenditures for Cable Communications increased 5.5% to $4.7 billion, primarily reflecting increased investment in scalable infrastructure and line extensions. Cable capital expenditures represented 9.9% of Cable revenue compared to 10.1% in 2020.

NBCUniversal

Beginning in the first quarter of 2021, the operations of Peacock, which were previously reported in Corporate and Other, are now included with NBCUniversal results and the operations of NBCUniversal are now presented in three reportable business segments: Media, Studios and Theme Parks. Prior periods have been adjusted to reflect this presentation.

Revenue for NBCUniversal increased 57.9% to $10.0 billion in the third quarter of 2021, including $1.8 billion of revenue from the Tokyo Olympics included in the Media segment. Adjusted EBITDA increased 48.2% to $1.3 billion.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, NBCUniversal revenue increased 26.3% to $25.0 billion compared to 2020. Adjusted EBITDA increased 10.4% to $4.4 billion.

Media

Media revenue increased 47.5% to $6.8 billion in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting higher advertising revenue and distribution revenue. Excluding $1.8 billion of revenue generated by the broadcast of the Tokyo Olympics⁵, Media revenue increased 9.2%. Advertising revenue increased 73.0%, reflecting the broadcast of the Tokyo Olympics, higher pricing, and additional Peacock sales, partially offset by the timing of other sporting events and a decline in ratings. Distribution revenue increased 36.2%, driven by the broadcast of the Tokyo Olympics, contractual rate increases in the current period, and increases at Peacock, partially offset by a decline in subscribers at our networks. Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.2% to $997 million in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by higher programming and production expenses, reflecting higher sports programming costs associated with the broadcast of the Tokyo Olympics and higher amortization expense related to programming at Peacock, partially offset by the timing of other sporting events. Media results include $230 million of revenue and an Adjusted EBITDA⁷ loss of $520 million related to Peacock, compared to $41 million of revenue and an Adjusted EBITDA⁷ loss of $233 million in the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, revenue from the Media segment increased 25.0% to $17.0 billion compared to 2020, reflecting higher advertising revenue, distribution revenue, and other revenue. Excluding $1.8 billion of revenue associated with the broadcast of the Tokyo Olympics in the third quarter of 2021⁵, revenue increased 12.0%. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 7.3% to $3.8 billion compared to 2020, reflecting higher operating expenses, which more than offset higher revenue. The increase in operating expenses was primarily driven by higher programming and production expenses, reflecting higher sports programming costs due to the broadcast of the Tokyo Olympics and an increase in the number of other sporting events compared to the prior year period when sports were postponed due to COVID-19, as well as higher amortization expense related to programming at Peacock. Media results include $443 million of revenue and an Adjusted EBITDA⁷ loss of $1.2 billion related to Peacock, compared to $47 million of revenue and an Adjusted EBITDA⁷ loss of $409 million in 2020.

Studios

Studios revenue increased 26.8% to $2.4 billion in the third quarter of 2021, primarily reflecting higher theatrical revenue and content licensing revenue. Theatrical revenue increased by $279 million, primarily due to current year releases, including F9 and The Boss Baby: Family Business, and the impact of theater closures in the prior year period. Content licensing revenue increased by $243 million, reflecting the timing of when content was made available under licensing agreements. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 47.3% to $179 million in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting higher operating expenses, which more than offset higher revenue. The increase in operating expenses was driven by higher programming and production expenses, reflecting higher amortization of television and film production costs in the current year period and compared to the prior year period when production was impacted due to COVID-19, as well as an increase in advertising, marketing and promotion expenses, reflecting a higher number of theatrical releases in the current period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, revenue from the Studios segment increased 10.5% to $7.0 billion compared to 2020, primarily reflecting higher content licensing revenue and theatrical revenue. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 13.6% to $833 million compared to 2020, reflecting higher revenue more than offset by higher operating expenses.

Theme Parks

Theme Parks revenue increased $1.1 billion to $1.4 billion in the third quarter of 2021, reflecting improved operating conditions compared to the prior year period, when each of our theme parks was either operating at limited capacity or closed as a result of COVID-19. Theme Parks Adjusted EBITDA was $434 million in the third quarter of 2021, which included pre-opening costs related to Universal Beijing Resort, compared to a $174 million Adjusted EBITDA loss in the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased $1.7 billion to $3.2 billion compared to 2020, reflecting improved operating conditions compared to 2020, when each of our theme parks was either closed or operating at limited capacity for the majority of the period as a result of COVID-19. Theme Parks Adjusted EBITDA was $593 million, which included pre-opening costs related to Universal Beijing Resort, compared to a $480 million Adjusted EBITDA loss in 2020.

Headquarters and Other

NBCUniversal Headquarters and Other includes overhead, personnel costs and costs associated with corporate initiatives. Headquarters and Other Adjusted EBITDA loss was $248 million compared to a loss of $127 million in the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Headquarters and Other Adjusted EBITDA loss was $643 million compared to a loss of $430 million in 2020.

Eliminations

Amounts represent eliminations of transactions between our NBCUniversal segments, which are affected by the timing of recognition of content licenses between our Studios and Media segments. Revenue eliminations for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 were $654 million compared to $551 million in the prior year period, and Adjusted EBITDA eliminations were $12 million compared to $114 million in the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, revenue eliminations were $2.2 billion compared to $1.6 billion in 2020, and Adjusted EBITDA eliminations were $238 million compared to $224 million in 2020.

Sky

Revenue for Sky increased 4.1% to $5.0 billion in the third quarter of 2021. Excluding the impact of currency, revenue was consistent with the prior year period, reflecting lower content revenue partially offset by higher advertising revenue and consistent direct-to-consumer revenue. Content revenue decreased 26.4% to $300 million due to a change in sports programming licensing agreements in Italy and Germany, as well as the timing of sporting events compared to the prior year period due to COVID-19. Advertising revenue increased 15.6% to $561 million, reflecting an overall market recovery compared to the prior year period. Direct-to-consumer revenue of $4.1 billion was consistent with the prior year period, primarily reflecting an increase in customer relationships and average revenue per customer relationship in the U.K., offset by a decrease in customer relationships and average revenue per relationship in Italy mainly due to the negative impact of the reduction in Sky's rights to Serie A.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Sky revenue increased 13.6% to $15.2 billion compared to 2020. Excluding the impact of currency, revenue increased 5.1%, primarily reflecting higher direct-to-consumer revenue and advertising revenue.

Total Customer Relationships decreased by 233,000 to 23.0 million in the third quarter of 2021, primarily reflecting the negative impact of the reduction in Sky's broadcast rights to Serie A in Italy, partially offset by an increase in customer relationships in the U.K. For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, total customer relationships decreased by 259,000.

Adjusted EBITDA for Sky increased 88.8% to $971 million in the third quarter of 2021. Excluding the impact of currency, Adjusted EBITDA increased 76.2%, primarily reflecting lower operating expenses. The decrease in operating expenses was due to lower programming and production expenses, primarily reflecting lower sports programming costs associated with the timing of sports rights amortization and the reduction in Sky's broadcast rights to Serie A in Italy.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Adjusted EBITDA for Sky increased 4.4% to $1.9 billion compared to 2020. Excluding the impact of currency, Adjusted EBITDA decreased 4.3%.

Corporate, Other and Eliminations

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other primarily relates to corporate operations and Comcast Spectacor. Revenue for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 was $65 million compared to $44 million in the prior year period. Corporate and Other Adjusted EBITDA loss was $335 million compared to a loss of $264 million in the prior year period.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Corporate and Other revenue was $246 million compared to $204 million in 2020. Corporate and Other Adjusted EBITDA loss was $876 million compared to a loss of $846 million in 2020.

Eliminations

Amounts represent eliminations of transactions between Cable Communications, NBCUniversal, Sky and other businesses. Eliminations of transactions between NBCUniversal segments are presented separately. Revenue eliminations for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 were $871 million compared to $638 million in the prior year period, and Adjusted EBITDA eliminations were a loss of $98 million compared to a benefit of $11 million in the prior year period, reflecting an increase in eliminations associated with the Tokyo Olympics.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 revenue eliminations were $2.3 billion compared to $1.9 billion in 2020, and Adjusted EBITDA eliminations were a loss of $87 million compared to a benefit of $29 million in 2020.

Conference Call and Other Information

Comcast Corporation will host a conference call with the financial community today, October 28, 2021 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET). The conference call and related materials will be broadcast live and posted on our Investor Relations website at www.cmcsa.com. Those parties interested in participating via telephone should dial (833) 618-9487. A replay of the call will be available starting at 12:00 p.m. ET on October 28, 2021, on the Investor Relations website or by telephone. To access the telephone replay, which will be available until Thursday, November 4, 2021 at midnight ET, please dial (855) 859-2056 and enter the conference ID number 4073347.

From time to time, we post information that may be of interest to investors on our website at www.cmcsa.com and on our corporate website, www.comcastcorporation.com. To automatically receive Comcast financial news by email, please visit www.cmcsa.com and subscribe to email alerts.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements that may constitute forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should consider various factors, including the risks and uncertainties we describe in the “Risk Factors” sections of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). We undertake no obligation to update or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether because of new information, future events or otherwise.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In this discussion, we sometimes refer to financial measures that are not presented according to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP). Certain of these measures are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the SEC regulations; those rules require the supplemental explanations and reconciliations that are in Comcast’s Form 8-K (Quarterly Earnings Release) furnished to the SEC.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on broadband, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia.

Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.