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Comcast Corp: Form 10-Q for the period ended Mar 31, 2024

Filed with the SEC on Apr 25, 2024 and accepted by EDGAR at Apr 25, 2024, 19:09 ET.

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Management's discussion and analysis

As filed, 53,865 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

The following discussion is provided as a supplement to, and should be read in conjunction with, the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes (“Notes”) included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Overview

We are a global media and technology company with two primary businesses: Connectivity & Platforms and Content & Experiences. We present the operations of (1) our Connectivity & Platforms business in two segments: Residential Connectivity & Platforms and Business Services Connectivity; and (2) our Content & Experiences business in three segments: Media, Studios and Theme Parks.

Consolidated Operating Results

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions, except per share data) 2024 2023%
Revenue $30,058 $29,691 1.2%
Costs and Expenses:
Programming and production 8,823 9,004 (2.0)
Marketing and promotion 2,018 1,963 2.8
Other operating and administrative 9,857 9,301 6.0
Depreciation 2,175 2,264 (3.9)
Amortization 1,376 1,513 (9.1)
Total costs and expenses 24,248 24,045 0.8
Operating income 5,810 5,646 2.9
Interest expense (1,002) (1,010) (0.7)
Investment and other income (loss), net 298 607 (51.0)
Income before income taxes 5,105 5,243 (2.6)
Income tax expense (1,328) (1,476) (10.1)
Net income 3,777 3,767 0.3
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (79) (67) 18.9
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation $3,857 $3,834 0.6%
Basic earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders $0.97 $0.91 6.9%
Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders $0.97 $0.91 6.5%
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – basic 3,959 4,208 (5.9)%
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding – diluted 3,992 4,227 (5.6)%
Adjusted EBITDA(a) $9,355 $9,415 (0.6)%

(a) Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 22 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 increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily driven by an increase in the Content & Experiences business and in Corporate and Other. Revenue for our segments and other businesses is discussed separately below under the heading “Segment Operating Results.”

Consolidated costs and expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization expense, increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily driven by increases in the Content & Experiences business and in Corporate and Other. Costs and expenses for our segments and our corporate operations and other businesses are discussed separately below under the heading “Segment Operating Results.”

Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily due to decreased amortization of software.

Amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets totaled $569 million and $556 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Amounts primarily relate to customer relationship intangible assets recorded in connection with the Sky transaction in 2018 and the NBCUniversal transaction in 2011.

Consolidated interest expense remained consistent for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily due to interest expense in the prior year associated with our collateralized obligation which was repaid in the fourth quarter of 2023, offset by an increase in average debt outstanding and higher weighted-average interest rates.

Consolidated investment and other income (loss), net decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023.

(in millions)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023
Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net $158 $485
Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net (51) (6)
Other income (loss), net 191 128
Total investment and other income (loss), net $298 $607

The change in equity in net income (losses) of investees, net was primarily due to our investment in Atairos. The income (losses) at Atairos were driven by fair value adjustments on its underlying investments with income (loss) of $195 million and $524 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

The change in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was primarily due to gains on marketable securities in the prior year period and higher losses on nonmarketable securities in the current year period.

The change in other income (loss), net for the three months ended March 31, 2024 primarily resulted from a gain related to an equity method investment in the current year period.

Consolidated income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 reflects an effective income tax rate that differs from the federal statutory rate due to state and foreign income taxes and adjustments associated with uncertain tax positions. The decrease in income tax expense for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily driven by lower domestic income before income taxes.

Consolidated net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests changed for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared with the same period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in losses in our Xumo streaming platform joint venture, partially offset by a decrease in losses at Universal Beijing Resort in the current year period.

Segment Operating Results

Our segment operating results are presented based on how we assess operating performance and internally report financial information. See Note 2 for additional information on our segments.

Connectivity & Platforms Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change Constant Currency Change(b)
(in millions) 2024 2023%%
Revenue
Residential Connectivity & Platforms $17,868 $17,869 —% (0.8)%
Business Services Connectivity 2,407 2,283 5.4 5.4
Total Connectivity & Platforms revenue $20,275 $20,153 0.6% (0.1)%
Adjusted EBITDA
Residential Connectivity & Platforms $6,852 $6,762 1.3% 1.1%
Business Services Connectivity 1,366 1,332 2.6 2.6
Total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA $8,218 $8,093 1.5% 1.3%
Adjusted EBITDA Margin(a)
Residential Connectivity & Platforms 38.3% 37.8% 50 bps 60 bps
Business Services Connectivity 56.7 58.3 (160) bps (160) bps
Total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA margin 40.5% 40.2% 30 bps 50 bps

(a) Our Adjusted EBITDA 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 and improving overall operating cost management. Change in Adjusted EBITDA margin reflects the year-over-year basis point change.

(b) Constant currency is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 22 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of constant currency amounts.

We continue to focus on growing our higher-margin connectivity businesses while managing overall operating costs. We also continue to invest in our network to support higher-speed broadband offerings and to expand the number of homes and businesses passed. An increasingly competitive environment and continued low domestic household move levels have had negative impacts on our customer relationships additions/(losses). In addition, if funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a monthly discount towards broadband service for eligible low-income households, expires without renewal by Congress during the second quarter of 2024, our residential broadband customer relationships may be negatively impacted. We believe our residential connectivity revenue will increase as a result of growth in average domestic broadband revenue per customer, as well as increases in domestic wireless and international connectivity revenue. At the same time, we expect continued declines in video revenue as a result of domestic customer net losses due to shifting video consumption patterns and the competitive environment, although customer net losses typically mitigate the impact of continued rate increases on programming expenses. We also expect continued declines in other revenue related to declines in wireline voice revenue. We believe our Business Services Connectivity segment will continue to grow by offering competitive services, including to medium-sized and enterprise customers. Global economic conditions and consumer sentiment have in the past, and may continue to, adversely impact demand for our products and services and our results of operations.

Connectivity & Platforms Customer Metrics

(in thousands)

Customer Relationships March 31, 2024 2023 Net Additions / (Losses) Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023
Domestic Residential Connectivity & Platforms customer relationships(a) 31,555 31,826 (94) (34)
International Residential Connectivity & Platforms customer relationships(a) 17,782 18,051 (65) 111
Business Services Connectivity customer relationships(b) 2,634 2,630 (7) 5
Total Connectivity & Platforms customer relationships 51,971 52,507 (166) 82
Domestic Broadband
Residential customers 29,693 29,815 (55) 3
Business customers 2,495 2,508 (10) 2
Total domestic broadband customers 32,188 32,324 (65) 5
Domestic Wireless
Total domestic wireless lines(c) 6,877 5,668 289 355
Domestic Video
Total domestic video customers 13,618 15,528 (487) (614)
Domestic homes and businesses passed(d) 62,729 61,624
Domestic broadband penetration of homes and businesses passed(e) 51.1% 52.3%

(a) Residential Connectivity & Platforms customer relationships generally represent the number of residential customer locations that subscribe to at least one of our services. International Residential Connectivity & Platforms customer relationships represent customers receiving Sky services in the United Kingdom and Italy. Because each of our services includes a variety of product tiers, which may change from time to time, net additions or losses in any one period will reflect a mix of customers at various tiers.

(b) Business Services Connectivity customer metrics are generally counted based on the number of locations receiving services, including locations within our network in the United States, as well as locations outside of our network both in the United States and internationally. Certain arrangements whereby third parties provide connectivity services leveraging our network are also generally counted based on the number of locations served.

(c) Domestic wireless lines represent the number of residential and business customers’ wireless devices. An individual customer relationship may have multiple wireless lines.

(d) Connectivity & Platforms domestic homes and businesses are considered passed if we can connect them to our network in the United States without further extending the transmission lines. Homes and businesses passed is an estimate based on the best available information.

(e) Penetration is calculated by dividing the number of domestic customers located within our network by the number of domestic homes and businesses passed.

Three Months Ended March 31, Change Constant Currency Change(a)
2024 2023%%
Average monthly total Connectivity & Platforms revenue per customer relationship $129.84 $128.04 1.4% 0.7%
Average monthly total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship $52.62 $51.42 2.3% 2.1%

(a) Constant currency is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 22 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of constant currency amounts.

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 customers, as well as changes in advertising and other revenue and in foreign currency exchange rates. While revenue from our individual service offerings 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 Adjusted EBITDA margin. We use average monthly Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship to evaluate the profitability of our customer base across our service offerings. We believe both 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.

Connectivity & Platforms — Supplemental Costs and Expenses Information

Connectivity & Platforms supplemental costs and expenses information in the table below is presented on an aggregate basis across the Connectivity & Platforms segments as the segments use certain shared infrastructure, including our network in the United States. Costs and expenses information reported separately for the Residential Connectivity & Platforms and Business Services Connectivity segments include each segment’s direct costs and an allocation of shared costs.

Three Months Ended March 31, Change Constant Currency Change(g)
(in millions) 2024 2023%%
Costs and Expenses
Programming(a) $4,405 $4,600 (4.2)% (5.1)%
Technical and support(b) 1,959 1,830 7.0 6.4
Direct product costs(c) 1,514 1,401 8.1 5.9
Marketing and promotion(d) 1,173 1,202 (2.5) (3.2)
Customer service(e) 709 709 — (0.7)
Other(f) 2,297 2,317 (0.9) (1.7)
Total Connectivity & Platforms costs and expenses $12,058 $12,059 —% (1.0)%

(a) Programming expenses, which represent our most significant operating expense, are the fees we incur to provide video services to our customers, and primarily include fees related to the distribution of television network programming and fees charged for retransmission of the signals from local broadcast television stations. These expenses also include the costs of content on the Sky-branded entertainment television networks, including amortization of licensed content.

(b) Technical and support expenses primarily include costs for labor to complete service call and installation activities; and costs for network operations and satellite transmission, product development, fulfillment and provisioning.

(c) Direct product costs primarily include access fees related to using wireless and broadband networks owned by third parties to deliver our services and costs of products sold, including wireless devices and Sky Glass smart televisions.

(d) Marketing and promotion expenses include the costs associated with attracting new customers and promoting our service offerings.

(e) Customer service expenses include the personnel and other costs associated with customer service and certain selling activities.

(f) Other expenses primarily include administrative personnel costs; franchise and other regulatory fees; fees paid to third parties where we represent the advertising sales efforts; other business support costs, including building and office expenses, taxes and billing costs; and bad debt.

(g) Constant currency is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 22 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of constant currency amounts.

Residential Connectivity & Platforms Segment Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change Constant Currency Change(a)
(in millions) 2024 2023%%
Revenue
Domestic broadband $6,591 $6,343 3.9% 3.9%
Domestic wireless 972 858 13.3 13.3
International connectivity 1,116 897 24.4 19.4
Total residential connectivity 8,679 8,099 7.2 6.7
Video 6,876 7,382 (6.9) (7.7)
Advertising 951 907 4.9 3.5
Other 1,362 1,482 (8.1) (9.0)
Total revenue 17,868 17,869 — (0.8)
Costs and Expenses
Programming 4,405 4,600 (4.2) (5.1)
Other 6,611 6,508 1.6 0.4
Total costs and expenses 11,016 11,108 (0.8) (1.9)
Adjusted EBITDA $6,852 $6,762 1.3% 1.1%

(a) Constant currency is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 22 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of constant currency amounts.

Residential Connectivity & Platforms Segment – Revenue

Domestic broadband revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to an increase in average rates.

Domestic wireless revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to an increase in the number of customer lines.

International connectivity revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to increases in broadband revenue resulting from an increase in average rates and in wireless revenue resulting from increases in wireless services and sales of wireless devices. These increases include the positive impact of foreign currency.

Video revenue decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to a decline in the overall number of residential video customers, partially offset by an overall increase in average rates and the positive impact of foreign currency.

Advertising revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily driven by an increase in domestic political advertising, increased revenue from our advanced advertising business and the positive impact of foreign currency, partially offset by lower domestic advertising.

Other revenue decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to a decrease in residential wireline voice revenue driven by a decline in the number of customers.

Residential Connectivity & Platforms Segment – Costs and Expenses

Programming expenses decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to a decline in the number of domestic video subscribers, partially offset by rate increases under our domestic programming contracts and the impact of foreign currency.

Other expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher technical and support expenses, the impact of foreign currency and increased spending on direct product costs, partially offset by decreased spending on marketing and promotion.

Business Services Connectivity Segment Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue $2,407 $2,283 5.4%
Costs and expenses 1,041 952 9.4
Adjusted EBITDA $1,366 $1,332 2.6%

Business services connectivity revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 due to an increase in revenue from small business customers driven by an increase in average rates, and due to an increase in revenue from medium-sized and enterprise customers.

Business services connectivity costs and expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to increases in direct product costs, marketing and promotion expenses, and technical and support expenses.

Content & Experiences Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue
Media $6,371 $6,152 3.6%
Studios 2,743 2,956 (7.2)
Theme Parks 1,979 1,949 1.5
Headquarters and Other 12 19 (36.8)
Eliminations (731) (817) 10.5
Total Content & Experiences revenue $10,374 $10,259 1.1%
Adjusted EBITDA
Media $827 $880 (6.1)%
Studios 244 277 (12.2)
Theme Parks 632 658 (3.9)
Headquarters and Other (243) (232) (4.8)
Eliminations 33 24 36.9
Total Content & Experiences Adjusted EBITDA $1,493 $1,607 (7.1)%

We operate our Media segment as a combined television and streaming business. We expect that the number of subscribers and audience ratings at our linear television networks will continue to decline as a result of the competitive environment and shifting video consumption patterns, which we aim to mitigate over time by continued growth in paid subscribers and advertising revenue at Peacock. We expect to continue to incur significant costs related to content and marketing at Peacock. Revenue and programming expenses are also impacted by the timing of certain sporting events, including the Olympics in the third quarter of 2024. Global economic conditions and consumer sentiment have in the past, and may continue to, adversely impact demand for our products and services and our results of operations.

Our Studios segment generates revenue primarily from third parties and from licensing content to our Media segment. While results of operations for our Studios segment are not impacted, results for our total Content & Experiences business may be impacted as the Studios segment licenses content to the Media segment, including for Peacock, rather than licensing the content to third parties.

We continue to invest significantly in existing and new theme park attractions, hotels and infrastructure, including Epic Universe in Orlando, as well as in new destinations and experiences which we believe will have a positive impact on attendance and guest spending at our theme parks.

Media Segment Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue
Domestic advertising $2,025 $2,025 —%
Domestic distribution 2,906 2,709 7.2
International networks 1,021 1,008 1.3
Other 420 410 2.5
Total revenue 6,371 6,152 3.6
Costs and Expenses
Programming and production 4,140 3,989 3.8
Marketing and promotion 314 305 3.0
Other 1,090 978 11.5
Total costs and expenses 5,545 5,272 5.2
Adjusted EBITDA $827 $880 (6.1)%

19

Media Segment – Revenue

Domestic advertising revenue remained consistent for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to a decrease in revenue at our linear television networks, offset by an increase in revenue at Peacock.

Domestic distribution revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in Peacock paid subscribers, partially offset by a decrease in revenue at our linear television networks. The decrease at our networks was primarily due to a decline in the number of subscribers, partially offset by contractual rate increases.

International networks revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to the positive impact of foreign currency.

Media segment total revenue included $1.1 billion and $685 million related to Peacock for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We had 34 million and 22 million paid subscribers of Peacock as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Peacock paid subscribers represent customers from which Peacock receives a subscription fee on a retail or wholesale basis. Paid subscribers do not include certain customers that receive Peacock as part of bundled services where Peacock does not receive fees.

Media Segment – Costs and Expenses

Programming and production costs increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher programming costs at Peacock and an increase in domestic sports programming costs for our television networks. This increase was partially offset by a decrease in international sports programming costs driven by the shift of certain European football matches and the related programming expense to the first half of 2023 due to timing of the 2022 FIFA World Cup and a decrease in content costs for our entertainment television networks.

Marketing and promotion expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher costs related to marketing for Peacock.

Other expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to an increase in costs related to Peacock.

Media segment total costs and expenses included $1.7 billion and $1.4 billion related to Peacock for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.

Studios Segment Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue
Content licensing $2,101 $2,344 (10.4)%
Theatrical 330 319 3.4
Other 312 292 6.6
Total revenue 2,743 2,956 (7.2)
Costs and Expenses
Programming and production 1,859 2,101 (11.5)
Marketing and promotion 431 397 8.5
Other 209 180 16.3
Total costs and expenses 2,499 2,678 (6.7)
Adjusted EBITDA $244 $277 (12.2)%

Studios Segment – Revenue

Content licensing revenue decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to the timing of when content was made available by our film studios.

Theatrical revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher revenue from recent releases, including Kung Fu Panda 4 and Migration, compared to revenue from releases in the prior year period, including Puss in Boots: The Last Wish and M3GAN.

Studios Segment – Costs and Expenses

Programming and production costs decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to lower costs associated with content licensing.

Marketing and promotion expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to increased spending on recent and upcoming theatrical film releases in the current year period.

Theme Parks Segment Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue $1,979 $1,949 1.5%
Costs and expenses 1,347 1,291 4.3
Adjusted EBITDA $632 $658 (3.9)%

Theme parks segment revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 driven by an increase at our domestic theme parks in the current year period. International theme parks revenue was consistent with the prior year period as the underlying revenue increases at our theme parks were offset by the negative impact of foreign currency.

Theme parks segment costs and expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher marketing and promotion costs, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency.

Content & Experiences Headquarters, Other and Eliminations

Headquarters and Other Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue $12 $19 (36.8)%
Costs and expenses 255 251 1.7
Adjusted EBITDA $(243) $(232) (4.8)%

Headquarters and Other expenses include overhead, personnel costs and costs associated with corporate initiatives.

Eliminations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue $(731) $(817) (10.5)%
Costs and expenses (765) (841) (9.1)
Adjusted EBITDA $33 $24 (36.9)%

Amounts represent eliminations of transactions between segments in our Content & Experiences business, the most significant being content licensing between the Studios and Media segments, which are affected by the timing of recognition of content licenses.

Eliminations increase or decrease to the extent that additional content is made available to our other segments within the Content & Experiences business. Refer to Note 2 for additional information on transactions between our segments.

Corporate, Other and Eliminations

Corporate and Other Results of Operations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue $767 $707 8.6%
Costs and expenses 1,096 995 10.2
Adjusted EBITDA $(329) $(288) (14.2)%

Corporate and Other primarily includes overhead and personnel costs; Sky branded video services and television networks in Germany; Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Xumo, our consolidated streaming platform joint venture.

Corporate and Other revenue increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 driven by increases across our businesses.

Corporate and Other costs and expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to increases related to corporate functions, Sky and Xumo.

Eliminations

Three Months Ended March 31, Change
(in millions) 2024 2023%
Revenue $(1,358) $(1,427) (4.8)%
Costs and expenses (1,332) (1,430) (6.8)
Adjusted EBITDA $(26) $3 NM

Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with NM.

Amounts represent eliminations of transactions between our Connectivity & Platforms, Content & Experiences and other businesses, the most significant being distribution of television network programming between the Media and Residential Connectivity & Platforms segments. Eliminations of transactions between segments within Content & Experiences are presented separately. Refer to Note 2 for additional information on 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, 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 (loss), net income (loss), net income (loss) 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

(in millions)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation $3,857 $3,834
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests (79) (67)
Income tax expense 1,328 1,476
Interest expense 1,002 1,010
Investment and other (income) loss, net (298) (607)
Depreciation 2,175 2,264
Amortization 1,376 1,513
Adjustments(a) (6) (8)
Adjusted EBITDA $9,355 $9,415

(a) Amounts represent the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges that are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, including costs related to our investment portfolio.

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 Connectivity & Platforms, 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 Connectivity & Platforms business, we use constant currency and constant currency growth rates to evaluate the underlying performance of the businesses, and we believe they are helpful for investors because such measures present operating results on a comparable basis year over year to allow the evaluation of their underlying performance.

Constant currency and constant currency growth rates are calculated by comparing the results for each comparable prior year period adjusted to reflect the average exchange rates from each current year period presented rather than the actual exchange rates that were in effect during the respective periods.

Reconciliation of Connectivity & Platforms Constant Currency

(in millions)

Revenue Three months ended March 31, 2023 As Reported Effects of Foreign Currency Constant Currency Amounts
Residential Connectivity & Platforms $17,869 $135 $18,004
Business Services Connectivity 2,283 1 2,284
Total Connectivity & Platforms revenue $20,153 $134 $20,287
Adjusted EBITDA
Residential Connectivity & Platforms $6,762 $18 $6,780
Business Services Connectivity 1,332 — 1,332
Total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA $8,093 $18 $8,111
Adjusted EBITDA Margin
Residential Connectivity & Platforms 37.8% (10) bps 37.7%
Business Services Connectivity 58.3 — bps 58.3
Total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA margin 40.2% (20) bps 40.0%
Three months ended March 31, 2023 As Reported Effects of Foreign Currency Constant Currency Amounts
Average monthly total Connectivity & Platforms revenue per customer relationship $128.04 $0.85 $128.89
Average monthly total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship $51.42 $0.11 $51.53

23

(in millions)

Costs and Expenses Three months ended March 31, 2023 As Reported Effects of Foreign Currency Constant Currency Amounts
Programming $4,600 $42 $4,642
Technical and support 1,830 10 1,841
Direct product costs 1,401 29 1,430
Marketing and promotion 1,202 11 1,212
Customer service 709 5 714
Other 2,317 21 2,338
Total Connectivity & Platforms costs and expenses $12,059 $117 $12,176

Reconciliation of Residential Connectivity & Platforms Constant Currency

(in millions)

Revenue Three months ended March 31, 2023 As Reported Effects of Foreign Currency Constant Currency Amounts
Domestic broadband $6,343 $— $6,343
Domestic wireless 858 — 858
International connectivity 897 38 935
Total residential connectivity 8,099 37 8,136
Video 7,382 69 7,451
Advertising 907 12 919
Other 1,482 15 1,497
Total revenue 17,869 135 18,004
Costs and Expenses
Programming 4,600 42 4,642
Other 6,508 75 6,583
Total costs and expenses 11,108 116 11,224
Adjusted EBITDA $6,762 $18 $6,780

Other Adjustments

From time to time, we present adjusted information, such as revenue, to exclude the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges. This adjusted information is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe, among other things, that the adjusted information may help investors evaluate our ongoing operations and can assist in making meaningful period-over-period comparisons.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

(in billions)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023
Cash provided by operating activities $7.8 $7.2
Cash used in investing activities $(3.5) $(3.4)
Cash used in financing activities $(4.0) $(3.1)

(in billions)

March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Cash and cash equivalents $6.5 $6.2
Debt $96.6 $97.1

24

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 facility; and our ability to obtain future external financing. We anticipate that we will continue to use a substantial portion of our cash flows from operating activities in repaying our debt obligations, funding our capital expenditures and cash paid for intangible assets, investing in business opportunities, and returning capital to shareholders.

We maintain significant availability under our revolving credit facility and our commercial paper program to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. Our commercial paper program generally provides a lower-cost source of borrowing to fund our short-term working capital requirements. As of March 31, 2024, amounts available under our revolving credit facility, net of amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program and outstanding letters of credit and bank guarantees, totaled $11.0 billion.

Operating Activities

Components of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

(in millions)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 2023
Operating income $5,810 $5,646
Depreciation and amortization 3,551 3,777
Noncash share-based compensation 373 359
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (940) (1,731)
Payments of interest (731) (766)
Payments of income taxes (349) (148)
Proceeds from investments and other 134 91
Net cash provided by operating activities $7,848 $7,228

The variance in changes in operating assets and liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily related to the timing of amortization and related payments for our film and television costs and decreases in receivables and inventory.

The increase in payments of income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 was primarily due to higher payments of state and foreign income taxes in the current year period. Income tax payments related to the sale of our investment in Hulu will primarily be made in 2024.

Investing Activities

Net cash used in investing activities increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to increased purchases of short-term investments and decreased proceeds from the maturity of short-term investments in the current year period. This increase was partially offset by decreased cash paid for intangible assets related to software development and decreased capital expenditures. Capital expenditures decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily reflecting decreased spending on customer premise equipment, scalable infrastructure and support capital, partially offset by increased spending on line extensions by the Connectivity & Platforms businesses.

In the fourth quarter of 2023, we exercised our put right requiring Disney to purchase our interest in Hulu and received $8.6 billion, representing $9.2 billion for our share of Hulu’s minimum equity value presented as an advance on the sale of our investment in our condensed consolidated balance sheet, less $557 million for our share of prior capital calls. We expect to receive additional proceeds for the sale of our interest in Hulu in 2024 following the final determination of Hulu’s fair value pursuant to a third-party appraisal process, at which time we will recognize the sale of our interest.

Financing Activities

Net cash used in financing activities increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in 2023 primarily due to higher proceeds from borrowings in the prior year period and increases in repurchases of common stock and repurchases and repayments of debt in the current year period. This increase was partially offset by repayments of short-term borrowings in the prior year period.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, we repurchased $267 million principal amount of our debt, including $132 million of 3.375% Notes due 2025, $97 million of 3.950% Notes due 2025 and $25 million of 5.250% Notes due 2025.

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. Any such repurchases may be effected through privately negotiated transactions, market transactions, tender offers, redemptions or otherwise. In particular, we may repurchase varying amounts of our outstanding public notes and debentures with short to medium term maturities through privately negotiated or market transactions. See Notes 5 and 7 for additional information on our financing activities.

Share Repurchases and Dividends

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we repurchased a total of 56 million shares of our Class A common stock for $2.4 billion. In January 2024, our Board of Directors terminated the existing share repurchase program authorization and approved a new share repurchase program authorization of $15.0 billion, which has no expiration date. As of March 31, 2024, we had $13.2 billion remaining under the authorization. We expect to repurchase additional shares of our Class A common stock under this new authorization in the open market or in private transactions, subject to market and other conditions.

In addition, we paid $256 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024 related to employee taxes associated with the administration of our share-based compensation plans.

In January 2024, our Board of Directors approved a 6.9% increase in our dividend to $1.24 per share on an annualized basis and approved our first quarter dividend of $0.31 per share, which was paid in April 2024. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we paid dividends of $1.2 billion. We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends, although each dividend is subject to approval by our Board of Directors.

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)

Debt Subject to Cross-Guarantees March 31, 2024 December 31, 2023
Comcast $91.5 $91.9
NBCUniversal(a) 1.6 1.6
Comcast Cable(a) 0.9 0.9
94.0 94.4
Debt Subject to One-Way Guarantees
Sky 3.6 3.6
Other(a) 0.1 0.1
3.7 3.8
Debt Not Guaranteed
Universal Beijing Resort(b) 3.5 3.5
Other 1.4 1.5
4.9 5.0
Debt issuance costs, premiums, discounts, fair value adjustments for acquisition accounting and hedged positions, net (6.1) (6.1)
Total debt $96.6 $97.1

(a) NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBCUniversal”), Comcast Cable Communications, LLC (“Comcast Cable”) and Comcast Holdings Corporation (“Comcast Holdings”), which is 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 6 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 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the combined Guarantors have noncurrent notes payable to non-guarantor subsidiaries of $138 billion and $136 billion, respectively, and noncurrent notes receivable from non-guarantor subsidiaries of $18 billion for both periods. 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 Limited (“Sky”), including all of its senior notes, and other consolidated subsidiaries not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the SEC.

Comcast also provides a full and unconditional guarantee of $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 March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Comcast and Comcast Holdings, the combined issuer and guarantor of the guaranteed subordinated debt, have noncurrent senior notes payable to non-guarantor subsidiaries of $106 billion and $104 billion, respectively, and noncurrent notes receivable from non-guarantor subsidiaries of $14 billion for both periods. 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 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.

For a more complete discussion of the accounting 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 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Market risk

As filed, 177 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

We have evaluated the information required under this item that was disclosed in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and there have been no material changes to this information.

Controls and procedures

As filed, 909 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

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.

Risk factors

As filed, 129 characters, with its headings, lists and tables. Extracted from the main document; charts and exhibits are in the original on sec.gov.

There have been no material changes from the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Figures reported in this filing

Standardized line items from the XBRL in this filing, for the period ended 2024-03-31. Comparative periods it repeats are left out.

Figures reported in this filing
Line itemPeriodValueXBRL concept
Revenue3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$30.06bnus-gaap:RevenueFromContractWithCustomerExcludingAssessedTax
Operating income3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$5.81bnus-gaap:OperatingIncomeLoss
Interest expense3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$1.00bnus-gaap:InterestExpense
Income tax3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$1.33bnus-gaap:IncomeTaxExpenseBenefit
Net income3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$3.86bnus-gaap:NetIncomeLoss
Diluted EPS3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$0.97us-gaap:EarningsPerShareDiluted
Basic EPS3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$0.97us-gaap:EarningsPerShareBasic
Diluted shares (weighted)3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-313,992,000,000 sharesus-gaap:WeightedAverageNumberOfDilutedSharesOutstanding
Operating cash flow3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$7.85bnus-gaap:NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities
Capital expenditure3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$2.63bnus-gaap:PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment
Dividends paid3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$1.19bnus-gaap:PaymentsOfDividends
Share repurchases3 months2024-01-01 to 2024-03-31$2.66bnus-gaap:PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock
Cash and equivalentsAt period end2024-03-31$6.51bnus-gaap:CashAndCashEquivalentsAtCarryingValue
Current assetsAt period end2024-03-31$23.98bnus-gaap:AssetsCurrent
Total assetsAt period end2024-03-31$263.60bnus-gaap:Assets
Current liabilitiesAt period end2024-03-31$40.32bnus-gaap:LiabilitiesCurrent
Current portion of debtAt period end2024-03-31$2.50bnus-gaap:DebtCurrent
Shareholders' equityAt period end2024-03-31$82.55bnus-gaap:StockholdersEquity

Source: SEC EDGAR, the filing index for accession 0001166691-24-000031. Last ingested by Listed: Oct 24, 2026, 15:06 ET. Listed shows no prices and gives no investment advice.