Comcast has offered more details about its Xfinity StreamSaver bundle of Apple TV+, Netflix and Peacock, including its starting price of $15 a month.
The bundle, which will become available next week to Xfinity broadband customers, will save customers nearly $100 a year, the media company said.
Dave Watson, CEO of Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast, announced the details during an appearance at a Wall Street conference. Comcast then issued a press release.
The bundle, which was announced by CEO Brian Roberts last week, is one of a series of moves by distributors and media and tech firms looking for traction in streaming. Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery have brought together Hulu, Max and Disney+ into a single bundle and the companies are also teaming with Fox on Venu, a sports-focused bundle launching later this year.
While noteworthy, StreamSaver is more akin to the marketing agreements long offered by telcos like T-Mobile or...
The bundle, which will become available next week to Xfinity broadband customers, will save customers nearly $100 a year, the media company said.
Dave Watson, CEO of Connectivity and Platforms, Comcast, announced the details during an appearance at a Wall Street conference. Comcast then issued a press release.
The bundle, which was announced by CEO Brian Roberts last week, is one of a series of moves by distributors and media and tech firms looking for traction in streaming. Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery have brought together Hulu, Max and Disney+ into a single bundle and the companies are also teaming with Fox on Venu, a sports-focused bundle launching later this year.
While noteworthy, StreamSaver is more akin to the marketing agreements long offered by telcos like T-Mobile or...
- 5/21/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast is making it easier to save with two different ways to bundle some of the most popular streamers.
Last week, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts teased a forthcoming bundle that will offer a “vastly reduced price” to a subscription that includes Apple TV+, Netflix, and Peacock. At the time the only other details that he confirmed were that it would be available exclusively for Xfinity customers and that it would be known as StreamSaver. On Tuesday, while speaking at the Jp Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference, Comcast’s president and CEO of Comcast Cable Dave Watson provided further information on the offer, including the pricing and availability details.
Key Details: Comcast will bundle together Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV+ for Xfinity broadband, cable, and mobile customers. The deal will start at $15 and offer two different subscription options. Customers can also combine the bundle with Comcast’s skinny-bundle live TV streamer Now TV.
Last week, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts teased a forthcoming bundle that will offer a “vastly reduced price” to a subscription that includes Apple TV+, Netflix, and Peacock. At the time the only other details that he confirmed were that it would be available exclusively for Xfinity customers and that it would be known as StreamSaver. On Tuesday, while speaking at the Jp Morgan Global Technology, Media and Communications Conference, Comcast’s president and CEO of Comcast Cable Dave Watson provided further information on the offer, including the pricing and availability details.
Key Details: Comcast will bundle together Peacock, Netflix, and Apple TV+ for Xfinity broadband, cable, and mobile customers. The deal will start at $15 and offer two different subscription options. Customers can also combine the bundle with Comcast’s skinny-bundle live TV streamer Now TV.
- 5/21/2024
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
Comcast, as its legacy cable TV business continues to shrink, has built a new cable-style bundle for the streaming era.
Beginning next week, the cable giant will offer StreamSaver, a package that includes NBCUniversal’s Peacock Premium (with ads), Netflix Basic (with ads) and Apple TV+ for a discounted price, available to TV and broadband customers in its footprint.
As an add-on to Comcast Xfinity TV or broadband, the StreamSaver bundle will cost $15 per month — a discount of at least 35% compared with price of the services purchased separately. In addition, Comcast will offer Netflix and Apple TV+ to its Now TV streaming-only service, which has Peacock and 40 free, ad-supported streaming TV channels, for $30 per month (versus $20/month without them). To get Comcast’s Now TV requires you to subscribe to Xfinity Internet.
Dave Watson, president and CEO of Comcast Cable, announced the details Tuesday at J.P. Morgan’s 2024 Global Technology,...
Beginning next week, the cable giant will offer StreamSaver, a package that includes NBCUniversal’s Peacock Premium (with ads), Netflix Basic (with ads) and Apple TV+ for a discounted price, available to TV and broadband customers in its footprint.
As an add-on to Comcast Xfinity TV or broadband, the StreamSaver bundle will cost $15 per month — a discount of at least 35% compared with price of the services purchased separately. In addition, Comcast will offer Netflix and Apple TV+ to its Now TV streaming-only service, which has Peacock and 40 free, ad-supported streaming TV channels, for $30 per month (versus $20/month without them). To get Comcast’s Now TV requires you to subscribe to Xfinity Internet.
Dave Watson, president and CEO of Comcast Cable, announced the details Tuesday at J.P. Morgan’s 2024 Global Technology,...
- 5/21/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast is joining the streaming bundle trend with a new service called StreamSaver that will offer customers a bundle of Peacock, Netflix and AppleTV+.
The US media giant revealed its plan less than a week after Disney and Warner Bros Discovery announced their plan to launch a streaming bundle of Disney+, Hulu and Max this summer.
Speaking at MoffettNathanson’s Media, Internet and Communications Conference in New York, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said ScreenSaver will be introduced this month and will be available to Comcast broadband, TV and mobile customers.
Without giving specifics, Roberts said the bundle will...
The US media giant revealed its plan less than a week after Disney and Warner Bros Discovery announced their plan to launch a streaming bundle of Disney+, Hulu and Max this summer.
Speaking at MoffettNathanson’s Media, Internet and Communications Conference in New York, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts said ScreenSaver will be introduced this month and will be available to Comcast broadband, TV and mobile customers.
Without giving specifics, Roberts said the bundle will...
- 5/15/2024
- ScreenDaily
Disney bought Hulu from Comcast and recently announced a new streaming bundle featuring Hulu, along with Disney+ and Max. Now Comcast is coming back with a new bundle of their own featuring Peacock, Netflix and AppleTV+.
According to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, the new bundle, called the StreamSaver, will be available to all Comcast broadband and TV customers at a “vastly reduced price to anything in the market today” during his presentation at MoffettNathanson’s 2024 Media, Internet, and Communications Conference.
According to Variety, Roberts explained that the purpose is to “add value to consumers” and at the same time “take some of the dollars out of” other companies’ streaming businesses, he added, while reinforcing Comcast’s broadband service offerings.”
The Comcast StreamSaver bundle is said to be hitting the market ahead of the $2 price increase for Peacock on July 18.
It’s all good news for consumers who want better rates for streaming.
According to Comcast CEO Brian Roberts, the new bundle, called the StreamSaver, will be available to all Comcast broadband and TV customers at a “vastly reduced price to anything in the market today” during his presentation at MoffettNathanson’s 2024 Media, Internet, and Communications Conference.
According to Variety, Roberts explained that the purpose is to “add value to consumers” and at the same time “take some of the dollars out of” other companies’ streaming businesses, he added, while reinforcing Comcast’s broadband service offerings.”
The Comcast StreamSaver bundle is said to be hitting the market ahead of the $2 price increase for Peacock on July 18.
It’s all good news for consumers who want better rates for streaming.
- 5/14/2024
- by Kambrea Pratt
- Pirates & Princesses
An app tile for Comcast’s streaming service Peacock appears on a streaming television device. (Courtesy photo)
Comcast is readying plans to introduce its own subscription streaming TV marketplace called Stream Saver, the company’s chief executive affirmed at an event on Tuesday.
Speaking at the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet and Communications conference on Tuesday, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said Stream Saver will allow customers of Xfinity and Now products to purchase subscriptions to Netflix, Apple TV Plus and Peacock “at a vastly reduced price” compared to what each service costs on its own.
Roberts did not say the three services would be offered through Stream Saver as a bundle, but discussed the forthcoming launch of the marketplace during a segment on subscription bundling — leading many in the media industry to speculate that Comcast was launching a bundle that would offer all three services at one low price.
Neither Roberts nor...
Comcast is readying plans to introduce its own subscription streaming TV marketplace called Stream Saver, the company’s chief executive affirmed at an event on Tuesday.
Speaking at the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet and Communications conference on Tuesday, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said Stream Saver will allow customers of Xfinity and Now products to purchase subscriptions to Netflix, Apple TV Plus and Peacock “at a vastly reduced price” compared to what each service costs on its own.
Roberts did not say the three services would be offered through Stream Saver as a bundle, but discussed the forthcoming launch of the marketplace during a segment on subscription bundling — leading many in the media industry to speculate that Comcast was launching a bundle that would offer all three services at one low price.
Neither Roberts nor...
- 5/14/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
The proposition appears to be a win for all streaming services involved, but the biggest winner in the new bundle is likely audiences.
The bundling dominoes are continuing to fall. First came the announcement that Disney+, Max, and Hulu would become available in a new streaming bundle sometime this summer. This move touched off a round of speculation as to which streamers might decide to team up next. Well, it didn’t take long to find out the answer; on Tuesday, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts teased that his flagship streaming service Peacock would be partnering with Apple TV+ and Netflix as part of a new bundle being offered exclusively to Xfinity internet subscribers. While the complete details have not yet been released about this forthcoming bundle, The Streamable’s experts are taking a look at who stands to benefit most from this new team-up, and who may end up being...
The bundling dominoes are continuing to fall. First came the announcement that Disney+, Max, and Hulu would become available in a new streaming bundle sometime this summer. This move touched off a round of speculation as to which streamers might decide to team up next. Well, it didn’t take long to find out the answer; on Tuesday, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts teased that his flagship streaming service Peacock would be partnering with Apple TV+ and Netflix as part of a new bundle being offered exclusively to Xfinity internet subscribers. While the complete details have not yet been released about this forthcoming bundle, The Streamable’s experts are taking a look at who stands to benefit most from this new team-up, and who may end up being...
- 5/14/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
As streamer bundling accelerates, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts said today the company will introduce a combo of Peacock , Netflix and Apple TV+ this month “at a vastly reduced price to anything that is in the market now.”
Speaking at the MoffettNathanson Media conference in NYC, Roberts said the bundle, called StreamSaver, is a way to add value for consumers in a competitive market. It will be available to all broadband customers later this month, he said, and promised more details to come. Comcast is the nation’s largest cable provider.
The move comes the week after Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a a bundled offering featuring Disney+, Hulu and Max to launch this summer. That move will create the first cross-company partnership for any of the top-tier services.
That streamers would do well combining services had been mused about for years and is starting to ramp up in a big way.
Speaking at the MoffettNathanson Media conference in NYC, Roberts said the bundle, called StreamSaver, is a way to add value for consumers in a competitive market. It will be available to all broadband customers later this month, he said, and promised more details to come. Comcast is the nation’s largest cable provider.
The move comes the week after Disney and Warner Bros. Discovery announced a a bundled offering featuring Disney+, Hulu and Max to launch this summer. That move will create the first cross-company partnership for any of the top-tier services.
That streamers would do well combining services had been mused about for years and is starting to ramp up in a big way.
- 5/14/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has unveiled plans for StreamSaver, an upcoming streaming product bundle that packages Peacock, Netflix and Apple TV+ that will be available to all Comcast broadband, TV and mobile subscribers.
“Those three products will come at a vastly reduced price to anything in the market today and will be available to all our customers,” Roberts told the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference during a session that was webcast on Tuesday.
Comcast, which also owns NBCUniversal, has answered cord-cutting and an increasing streaming video space with Now TV, a streaming TV bundle at the low end of the market, and Xfinity TV at the higher end. But the onset of rebundling streaming products has increasingly taken hold in the pay TV business as major studios look to wring profits from their streaming platforms.
On Tuesday, Roberts talked up StreamSaver as an affordable streaming bundle that will underpin growth...
“Those three products will come at a vastly reduced price to anything in the market today and will be available to all our customers,” Roberts told the MoffettNathanson Media, Internet & Communications Conference during a session that was webcast on Tuesday.
Comcast, which also owns NBCUniversal, has answered cord-cutting and an increasing streaming video space with Now TV, a streaming TV bundle at the low end of the market, and Xfinity TV at the higher end. But the onset of rebundling streaming products has increasingly taken hold in the pay TV business as major studios look to wring profits from their streaming platforms.
On Tuesday, Roberts talked up StreamSaver as an affordable streaming bundle that will underpin growth...
- 5/14/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
StreamSaver will be introduced in the coming days and will provide a discount on the three streamers for all Xfinity internet subscribers.
Bundling is in the air across the streaming industry as of late. In addition to the benchmark discount streaming package the Disney Bundle — which offers different combinations of Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu — Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery are working on a forthcoming joint venture that will bundle all of their sports rights into a single streaming service, and last week, it was announced that Max will bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. Not to be outdone, at the MoffettNathan Media, Internet & Communications Conference, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts let slip that in the coming days, his company will announce a new bundle that will unite NBCUniversal’s Peacock with Netflix and Apple TV+.
Key Details: Later this month, Comcast will introduce a new streaming bundle for Xfinity internet customers.
Bundling is in the air across the streaming industry as of late. In addition to the benchmark discount streaming package the Disney Bundle — which offers different combinations of Disney+, ESPN+, and Hulu — Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery are working on a forthcoming joint venture that will bundle all of their sports rights into a single streaming service, and last week, it was announced that Max will bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. Not to be outdone, at the MoffettNathan Media, Internet & Communications Conference, Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts let slip that in the coming days, his company will announce a new bundle that will unite NBCUniversal’s Peacock with Netflix and Apple TV+.
Key Details: Later this month, Comcast will introduce a new streaming bundle for Xfinity internet customers.
- 5/14/2024
- by Matt Tamanini
- The Streamable
Get ready for the next cable-like streaming bundle: Comcast later this month will launch a three-way bundle — with Peacock, Netflix and Apple TV+ — offered at a deep discount, Comcast chief Brian Roberts said.
Dubbed StreamSaver, the bundle will be available to all Comcast broadband and TV customers, Roberts said, speaking Tuesday at MoffettNathanson’s 2024 Media, Internet and Communications Conference in New York.
The three streaming services, Peacock, Netflix and Apple TV+, will “come at a vastly reduced price to anything in the market today,” Roberts said, although he didn’t reveal any pricing details. “And that’s an everyday pricing, not an introductory pricing.” The goal is to “add value to consumers” and at the same time “take some of the dollars out of” other companies’ streaming businesses, Roberts added, while reinforcing Comcast’s broadband service offerings.
“We’ve been bundling video successfully and creatively for 60 years, and so this...
Dubbed StreamSaver, the bundle will be available to all Comcast broadband and TV customers, Roberts said, speaking Tuesday at MoffettNathanson’s 2024 Media, Internet and Communications Conference in New York.
The three streaming services, Peacock, Netflix and Apple TV+, will “come at a vastly reduced price to anything in the market today,” Roberts said, although he didn’t reveal any pricing details. “And that’s an everyday pricing, not an introductory pricing.” The goal is to “add value to consumers” and at the same time “take some of the dollars out of” other companies’ streaming businesses, Roberts added, while reinforcing Comcast’s broadband service offerings.
“We’ve been bundling video successfully and creatively for 60 years, and so this...
- 5/14/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
The search is triggered by a clause in Disney and Comcast’s contract for the sale of Comcast’s 33% stake in Hulu.
Those who have been following the saga of Hulu’s ownership will likely remember the discordant public rhetoric between Disney and Comcast regarding the purchase of Comcast’s 33% stake in the streamer. Way back in 2019, when Disney acquired the bulk of Fox’s entertainment assets, it also agreed to buy Comcast’s portion of Hulu by 2024, and the two sides agreed to a minimum valuation of $27.5 billion for the service to serve as the base for an eventual sale price. The two companies finally put away their sharp words and agreed to a step-by-step sale process in November 2023, but that process has now hit a snag. An exclusive report from Reuters says that the two sides are seeking a third banker to help arrive at a final valuation for the streamer,...
Those who have been following the saga of Hulu’s ownership will likely remember the discordant public rhetoric between Disney and Comcast regarding the purchase of Comcast’s 33% stake in the streamer. Way back in 2019, when Disney acquired the bulk of Fox’s entertainment assets, it also agreed to buy Comcast’s portion of Hulu by 2024, and the two sides agreed to a minimum valuation of $27.5 billion for the service to serve as the base for an eventual sale price. The two companies finally put away their sharp words and agreed to a step-by-step sale process in November 2023, but that process has now hit a snag. An exclusive report from Reuters says that the two sides are seeking a third banker to help arrive at a final valuation for the streamer,...
- 5/7/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
What now?
The Skydance Media deal for National Amusements appears to be dead, with the company declining to extend its exclusive negotiating window, and sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that controlling shareholder Shari Redstone is cool on the $26 billion offer from Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management — a deal that would lead to the breakup of the empire her father built. While it is possible that Paramount’s independent board committee believes that regulatory concerns presented by the Apollo-Sony offer can be overlooked and recommends that deal, it looks like an increasingly challenged proposition.
For the foreseeable future, it appears, the company is in the hands of the three-man committee made up of CBS chief George Cheeks, Paramount Pictures’ Brian Robbins and Chris McCarthy, head of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. Paramount stock dropped 7 percent to $12.89 at the close in the wake of the news.
The Skydance Media deal for National Amusements appears to be dead, with the company declining to extend its exclusive negotiating window, and sources tell The Hollywood Reporter that controlling shareholder Shari Redstone is cool on the $26 billion offer from Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management — a deal that would lead to the breakup of the empire her father built. While it is possible that Paramount’s independent board committee believes that regulatory concerns presented by the Apollo-Sony offer can be overlooked and recommends that deal, it looks like an increasingly challenged proposition.
For the foreseeable future, it appears, the company is in the hands of the three-man committee made up of CBS chief George Cheeks, Paramount Pictures’ Brian Robbins and Chris McCarthy, head of Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks. Paramount stock dropped 7 percent to $12.89 at the close in the wake of the news.
- 5/4/2024
- by Kim Masters and Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Word cropped up about a potential team-up of Paramount+ and Peacock in February, but Paramount CEO Bob Bakish neglected to inform his superiors about the talks.
Consumers who follow the streaming world were surprised earlier this year by news that Paramount had engaged with NBCUniversal regarding a potential team-up of their streaming services Paramount+ and Peacock. Speculation became rampant about what a deal could look like, and what it would mean for the future of an industry that will almost certainly need to experience some consolidation to survive moving forward. But, a new report from The Wall Street Journal explains why those discussions never went any further, and how they could have contributed to the anticipated ouster of Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish.
Key Details: Several possible combinations of Paramount+ and Peacock were discussed by executives of both companies. Bakish did not keep Paramount’s board of directors or controlling...
Consumers who follow the streaming world were surprised earlier this year by news that Paramount had engaged with NBCUniversal regarding a potential team-up of their streaming services Paramount+ and Peacock. Speculation became rampant about what a deal could look like, and what it would mean for the future of an industry that will almost certainly need to experience some consolidation to survive moving forward. But, a new report from The Wall Street Journal explains why those discussions never went any further, and how they could have contributed to the anticipated ouster of Paramount Global CEO Bob Bakish.
Key Details: Several possible combinations of Paramount+ and Peacock were discussed by executives of both companies. Bakish did not keep Paramount’s board of directors or controlling...
- 4/29/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Brian Roberts. (Photo courtesy Comcast)
Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts saw his salary increase 11 percent in 2023, bringing home $35.5 million in combined cash and stock options, according to a document filed with financial regulators this week.
In a proxy statement sent to shareholders and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, Comcast said Roberts earned a base salary of $2.5 million, with the rest of his compensation based on stock awards and options, along with $8.6 million in inactive plan compensation.
By comparison, Roberts earned $32.1 million in 2022 and $34 million in 2021.
In January, Comcast said it earned $121.57 billion in overall revenue during 2023, up just 0.1 percent from the $121.43 billion the company brought in the prior year.
Like other pay television providers, Comcast has experienced an erosion of its core pay television product, Xfinity TV, as consumers shift toward cheaper streaming options. The trend of “cord-cutting” along with programming investments in...
Comcast Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts saw his salary increase 11 percent in 2023, bringing home $35.5 million in combined cash and stock options, according to a document filed with financial regulators this week.
In a proxy statement sent to shareholders and filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, Comcast said Roberts earned a base salary of $2.5 million, with the rest of his compensation based on stock awards and options, along with $8.6 million in inactive plan compensation.
By comparison, Roberts earned $32.1 million in 2022 and $34 million in 2021.
In January, Comcast said it earned $121.57 billion in overall revenue during 2023, up just 0.1 percent from the $121.43 billion the company brought in the prior year.
Like other pay television providers, Comcast has experienced an erosion of its core pay television product, Xfinity TV, as consumers shift toward cheaper streaming options. The trend of “cord-cutting” along with programming investments in...
- 4/26/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
Comcast said chairman and chief executive Brian Roberts’ pay package for 2023 totaled $35.47 million, up from $32 million the year before. It included a $2.5 million base salary, stock awards valued at about $15 million, $9.2 million in option awards and $8.55 million in what’s called non-equity incentive plan compensation – like a cash bonus.
Proxies list the salaries of a company’s top five highest paid executives. They generally come out in the spring ahead of annual shareholder meetings.
Mike Cavanagh, Comcast president and Roberts’ no. 2, had a package worth $29.6 million, a drop from $40.5 million in 2022.
Proxy season, as it’s called, is drawing to a close with the last few in the media sector out today.
Earlier Friday, Liberty Media said CEO Greg Maffei was granted a package worth $28.7 million last year. And Kristin Dolan, who stepped into the CEO role at AMC Networks in February of 2023, had a package of $14.5 million for the year.
Proxies list the salaries of a company’s top five highest paid executives. They generally come out in the spring ahead of annual shareholder meetings.
Mike Cavanagh, Comcast president and Roberts’ no. 2, had a package worth $29.6 million, a drop from $40.5 million in 2022.
Proxy season, as it’s called, is drawing to a close with the last few in the media sector out today.
Earlier Friday, Liberty Media said CEO Greg Maffei was granted a package worth $28.7 million last year. And Kristin Dolan, who stepped into the CEO role at AMC Networks in February of 2023, had a package of $14.5 million for the year.
- 4/26/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Brian Roberts, chairman and CEO of Comcast, had a compensation package worth $35.47 million in 2023, as he saw his pay rise 11% from the year prior.
Roberts, who oversees the cable giant and NBCUniversal, last year had a salary of $2.5 million, stock awards worth $15 million, stock options worth $9.2 million and a $8.55 million cash incentive bonus. In 2022, his compensation totaled about $32.1 million.
Comcast’s stock price rose 26% in 2023. Shares are down 12% year to date in 2024. The company reported $121.6 billion in revenue for 2023 (up 0.1%) and net income of $15.1 billion (versus $4.9 billion in 2022).
“Mr. Roberts provided invaluable long-term vision and stability as he continued to lead the execution of our company’s strategy worldwide, especially in light of the headwinds of an uncertain macroeconomic environment and regulatory and competitive challenges,” Comcast said in its proxy statement filed Friday with the SEC. “Mr. Roberts sets the tone for our businesses to execute at the highest level...
Roberts, who oversees the cable giant and NBCUniversal, last year had a salary of $2.5 million, stock awards worth $15 million, stock options worth $9.2 million and a $8.55 million cash incentive bonus. In 2022, his compensation totaled about $32.1 million.
Comcast’s stock price rose 26% in 2023. Shares are down 12% year to date in 2024. The company reported $121.6 billion in revenue for 2023 (up 0.1%) and net income of $15.1 billion (versus $4.9 billion in 2022).
“Mr. Roberts provided invaluable long-term vision and stability as he continued to lead the execution of our company’s strategy worldwide, especially in light of the headwinds of an uncertain macroeconomic environment and regulatory and competitive challenges,” Comcast said in its proxy statement filed Friday with the SEC. “Mr. Roberts sets the tone for our businesses to execute at the highest level...
- 4/26/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts’ Pay Rises to $35.5M, President Michael Cavanagh’s Drops to $29.6M in 2023
NBCUniversal owner Comcast has disclosed higher 2023 compensation packages for chairman and CEO Brian Roberts and president Michael Cavanagh, along with pay details for other top executives.
Comcast’s proxy statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, a day after the company’s first-quarter 2024 earnings report, showed that Roberts’ pay hit $35.5 million in 2023, up 11 percent compared with $32.1 million in 2022. He had made $34 million in 2021, $32.7 million in 2020 and $36.4 million in 2019.
Cavanagh’s compensation package was worth $29.6 million last year, down 27 percent from $40.5 million in 2022 when he had served as chief financial officer until being promoted to president in October 2022, which brought him a pay boost. Jason Armstrong then took over as CFO in early 2023.
Cavanagh saw increases across most compensation categories, but his options awards for 2023 amounted to $7.0 million, compared with $21.1 million in 2022 when he was elevated.
Robert’s salary remained at $2.5 million in 2023, but his stock awards rose from $13.4 million in 2022 to $15.0 million,...
Comcast’s proxy statement, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on Friday, a day after the company’s first-quarter 2024 earnings report, showed that Roberts’ pay hit $35.5 million in 2023, up 11 percent compared with $32.1 million in 2022. He had made $34 million in 2021, $32.7 million in 2020 and $36.4 million in 2019.
Cavanagh’s compensation package was worth $29.6 million last year, down 27 percent from $40.5 million in 2022 when he had served as chief financial officer until being promoted to president in October 2022, which brought him a pay boost. Jason Armstrong then took over as CFO in early 2023.
Cavanagh saw increases across most compensation categories, but his options awards for 2023 amounted to $7.0 million, compared with $21.1 million in 2022 when he was elevated.
Robert’s salary remained at $2.5 million in 2023, but his stock awards rose from $13.4 million in 2022 to $15.0 million,...
- 4/26/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Peacock, the streaming service of Comcast’s entertainment unit NBCUniversal, grew its first-quarter revenue and narrowed its loss to $639 million from $704 million in the year-ago period, and $825 million in the fourth quarter of 2023, despite higher programming costs. The streamer ended March with 34 million paying subscribers, compared with a year-end 2023 figure of 31 million, the company also said on Thursday.
“Peacock paid subscribers increased 55 percent compared to the prior-year period to 34 million, including net additions of 3 million in the first quarter,” Comcast highlighted. “Peacock revenue increased 54 percent to $1.1 billion.”
Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning epic Oppenheimer exclusively started streaming on Peacock on Feb. 16 after its theatrical release in July 2023.
As streaming profits, which have so far been elusive for most industry giants, remain in focus for Wall Street, Peacock previously posted a full-year 2023 loss of $2.75 billion. But Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong earlier this year emphasized that “2023 marked the peak in annual losses at Peacock,...
“Peacock paid subscribers increased 55 percent compared to the prior-year period to 34 million, including net additions of 3 million in the first quarter,” Comcast highlighted. “Peacock revenue increased 54 percent to $1.1 billion.”
Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-winning epic Oppenheimer exclusively started streaming on Peacock on Feb. 16 after its theatrical release in July 2023.
As streaming profits, which have so far been elusive for most industry giants, remain in focus for Wall Street, Peacock previously posted a full-year 2023 loss of $2.75 billion. But Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong earlier this year emphasized that “2023 marked the peak in annual losses at Peacock,...
- 4/25/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Wonya Lucas, a veteran media exec who held the post of CEO for Hallmark Media Networks and TV One, has been appointed to Comcast’s board of directors.
Lucas will serve as an independent director, the media company said in an SEC filing. She has not yet been appointed to serve as a member of any board committee.
The Walt Disney Co.’s recent proxy battle and Paramount Global’s ongoing efforts to swing a complicated M&a transaction have put the issue of board composition under a brighter spotlight than usual. For Comcast, a comparatively stable organization, the appointment of Lucas is not coming at a moment of any larger corporate drama.
The appointment of Lucas is noteworthy given her extensive travels in the media business. Apart from Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts, the Comcast board has been notably lacking in media experience. Its 12 directors instead bring backgrounds from areas like finance,...
Lucas will serve as an independent director, the media company said in an SEC filing. She has not yet been appointed to serve as a member of any board committee.
The Walt Disney Co.’s recent proxy battle and Paramount Global’s ongoing efforts to swing a complicated M&a transaction have put the issue of board composition under a brighter spotlight than usual. For Comcast, a comparatively stable organization, the appointment of Lucas is not coming at a moment of any larger corporate drama.
The appointment of Lucas is noteworthy given her extensive travels in the media business. Apart from Chairman and CEO Brian Roberts, the Comcast board has been notably lacking in media experience. Its 12 directors instead bring backgrounds from areas like finance,...
- 4/15/2024
- by Dade Hayes
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast is adding a familiar name to its corporate board of directors.
The cable giant and NBCUniversal owner is bringing on Wonya Lucas, the former CEO of Hallmark Media and TV One, as a board member. The company disclosed the addition of Lucas in a securities filing, noting that she will be considered an independent director.
Lucas, a veteran TV executive who worked at CNN and The Weather Channel before running TV One and later Hallmark, stepped down as CEO of Hallmark parent company Crown Media Holdings last year. During her tenure at Hallmark, Lucas focused on building more projects with diverse storylines, characters and themes.
She is also the niece of baseball legend Hank Aaron, an experience that she wrote about in a column for The Hollywood Reporter. Lucas also serves as a director for Atlanta Braves Holdings, the owner of the Atlanta Braves, the team with which Aaron spent much of his career.
The cable giant and NBCUniversal owner is bringing on Wonya Lucas, the former CEO of Hallmark Media and TV One, as a board member. The company disclosed the addition of Lucas in a securities filing, noting that she will be considered an independent director.
Lucas, a veteran TV executive who worked at CNN and The Weather Channel before running TV One and later Hallmark, stepped down as CEO of Hallmark parent company Crown Media Holdings last year. During her tenure at Hallmark, Lucas focused on building more projects with diverse storylines, characters and themes.
She is also the niece of baseball legend Hank Aaron, an experience that she wrote about in a column for The Hollywood Reporter. Lucas also serves as a director for Atlanta Braves Holdings, the owner of the Atlanta Braves, the team with which Aaron spent much of his career.
- 4/15/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
One day after Bob Iger faced questions about Disney’s competitive position vs. Universal in the Orlando theme park game, there came more information today about a significant expansion of Walt Disney World.
Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World site portfolio executive, said the company’s Orlando resort is undergoing “probably the largest expansion ever at Magic Kingdom,” according to a piece by CNN.
Dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder,” the project is so named because it will expand the park into a swampy, wooded area behind the current Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at one corner of the property. See photo below.
New: Walt Disney World is currently in the process of filing permits for development work behind Magic Kingdom that will prepare the area for a future expansion expected to be the largest expansion in the park’s history. pic.twitter.com/nGmn78ZkH7
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 4, 2024
Hundgen said the expansion would be on par,...
Michael Hundgen, Walt Disney World site portfolio executive, said the company’s Orlando resort is undergoing “probably the largest expansion ever at Magic Kingdom,” according to a piece by CNN.
Dubbed “Beyond Big Thunder,” the project is so named because it will expand the park into a swampy, wooded area behind the current Big Thunder Mountain Railroad at one corner of the property. See photo below.
New: Walt Disney World is currently in the process of filing permits for development work behind Magic Kingdom that will prepare the area for a future expansion expected to be the largest expansion in the park’s history. pic.twitter.com/nGmn78ZkH7
— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) April 4, 2024
Hundgen said the expansion would be on par,...
- 4/4/2024
- by Tom Tapp
- Deadline Film + TV
Former President Donald Trump has ridiculed the former Republican National Committee (RNC) chair Ronna McDaniel on Truth Social twice after she was terminated by NBC News.
NBC News fired McDaniel as a political analyst just days after hiring her after a revolt among its anchors and staffers at the news division, who asked why a person who supported Trump’s false statements about the 2020 election was hired in the first place.
“Wow,” Trump wrote. “Ronna McDaniel got fired by Fake News NBC. She only lasted two days, and this after McDaniel went out of her way to say what they wanted to hear. It leaves her in a very strange place, it’s called Never Neverland, and it’s not a place you want to be.”
“These Radical Left Lunatics are Crazy, and the top people at NBC Are Weak,” the former president went on to say. “They were Broken and Embarrassed by Low Ratings,...
NBC News fired McDaniel as a political analyst just days after hiring her after a revolt among its anchors and staffers at the news division, who asked why a person who supported Trump’s false statements about the 2020 election was hired in the first place.
“Wow,” Trump wrote. “Ronna McDaniel got fired by Fake News NBC. She only lasted two days, and this after McDaniel went out of her way to say what they wanted to hear. It leaves her in a very strange place, it’s called Never Neverland, and it’s not a place you want to be.”
“These Radical Left Lunatics are Crazy, and the top people at NBC Are Weak,” the former president went on to say. “They were Broken and Embarrassed by Low Ratings,...
- 4/1/2024
- by Alessio Atria
- Uinterview
The Disney family may have given up the reins of its business decades ago, but there is still no shortage of powerful families in media holding sway. Shari Redstone controls Paramount Global, though for how long remains unclear as she considers a sale. The Ochs Sulzbergers still dominate the board of The New York Times. The Murdochs own major stakes in Fox and News Corp. And Brian Roberts and his family lord over Comcast and NBCUniversal.
But, quietly, one of the original New York media families has amassed a multibillion-dollar fortune: the Newhouses. And while the descendants of Samuel Irving Newhouse Sr. don’t exert as much direct power over the majority of their holdings (for the most part, they lean on the professional CEOs at the companies in which they invest), their reach is vast.
In addition to owning Condé Nast, they’re the largest outside shareholders in Warner Bros....
But, quietly, one of the original New York media families has amassed a multibillion-dollar fortune: the Newhouses. And while the descendants of Samuel Irving Newhouse Sr. don’t exert as much direct power over the majority of their holdings (for the most part, they lean on the professional CEOs at the companies in which they invest), their reach is vast.
In addition to owning Condé Nast, they’re the largest outside shareholders in Warner Bros....
- 3/29/2024
- by Alex Weprin
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Tuesday was not a good day for Ronna McDaniel — or, is it Ronna Romney McDaniel again, as she now admits the 2020 election was not stolen? She went from a high-profile gig on NBC to no gig and no agent, as CAA also dropped her.
It was also a bad day for NBC News Group chairman Cesar Conde, who found it necessary to “personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down.” Conde didn’t exactly fall on his sword by himself; he mentioned in his letter to staff that this was “a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team.” But he acknowledged that the buck stopped with him.
At least McDaniel is getting a payout. So, no harm, no foul, right? Well, not exactly. This was hardly the simple loss of a job, as the fallout at NBC has made it impossible for her to...
It was also a bad day for NBC News Group chairman Cesar Conde, who found it necessary to “personally apologize to our team members who felt we let them down.” Conde didn’t exactly fall on his sword by himself; he mentioned in his letter to staff that this was “a collective recommendation by some members of our leadership team.” But he acknowledged that the buck stopped with him.
At least McDaniel is getting a payout. So, no harm, no foul, right? Well, not exactly. This was hardly the simple loss of a job, as the fallout at NBC has made it impossible for her to...
- 3/27/2024
- by Kim Masters
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fritz Wepper, a German actor with a prolific TV career in his native country but known to American audiences for his funny and heartfelt performance as a German Jew is Bob Fosse’s Oscar-winning 1972 hit musical Cabaret, died Monday at a hospice facility in Munich. He was 82.
His death was announced by wife Susanne Kellermann to German newspaper Bild. Kellerman said Wepper passed away peacefully following a long illness.
A familiar presence in Germany from his role as the crime-solving Detective Sergeant Harry Klein in the long-running series Derrick (1974-98), Wepper made a lasting impression on international audiences with his performance as the charming, if insecure, aspiring gigolo Fritz Wendel of Cabaret.
In the film starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey, Wepper’s Fritz befriended Minnelli’s Sally Bowles and York’s Brian Roberts, while longing for the beautiful and wealthy Jewish heiress Natalia Landauer (Marisa Berenson). Secretly Jewish himself,...
His death was announced by wife Susanne Kellermann to German newspaper Bild. Kellerman said Wepper passed away peacefully following a long illness.
A familiar presence in Germany from his role as the crime-solving Detective Sergeant Harry Klein in the long-running series Derrick (1974-98), Wepper made a lasting impression on international audiences with his performance as the charming, if insecure, aspiring gigolo Fritz Wendel of Cabaret.
In the film starring Liza Minnelli, Michael York and Joel Grey, Wepper’s Fritz befriended Minnelli’s Sally Bowles and York’s Brian Roberts, while longing for the beautiful and wealthy Jewish heiress Natalia Landauer (Marisa Berenson). Secretly Jewish himself,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Greg Evans
- Deadline Film + TV
Oscar week is finally here! Ask anyone who has been in the thick of awards season and they’ll likely let out a huge sigh followed by exasperated admission that this has been one of the most hectic runs in recent memory. The condensed calendar, forced by last year’s dual strikes, could translate to more lively bashes, however, as there’s light at the end of the tunnel with Sunday’s Oscars. That can only mean that champagne is currently popping at A-list bashes across Los Angeles, and The Hollywood Reporter is on the scene everywhere from Vanity Fair and Elton John to MPTF’s Night Before. See below for the roundup of all the red carpet action.
Vanity Fair
Editor in chief Radhika Jones hosted a milestone 30th anniversary party at a custom designed structure that connects the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with Beverly Hills City Hall.
Vanity Fair
Editor in chief Radhika Jones hosted a milestone 30th anniversary party at a custom designed structure that connects the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts with Beverly Hills City Hall.
- 3/7/2024
- by Kirsten Chuba and Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Comcast CFO Jason Armstrong touted the momentum of NBCUniversal’s streaming service Peacock, thanks to the likes of Christopher Nolan’s Oscar-nominated Oppenheimer, as well as such series as Ted and The Traitors, and the benefits of having a combined offering of entertainment and sports content during an appearance at an investor conference in San Francisco on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Tmt Conference in a session that was webcast, he was asked about the recently unveiled sports streaming joint venture of Walt Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox Corp. “We’ve seen a lot of value in having sports and entertainment in one portfolio,” Armstrong responded. “Because as important as sports is, and it’s super important as an acquisition driver, it ends up being about 10 percent of our overall usage … but what are people sticking around for and doing in between sports is between our pay-one original library,...
Speaking at the Morgan Stanley Tmt Conference in a session that was webcast, he was asked about the recently unveiled sports streaming joint venture of Walt Disney, Warner Bros. Discovery and Fox Corp. “We’ve seen a lot of value in having sports and entertainment in one portfolio,” Armstrong responded. “Because as important as sports is, and it’s super important as an acquisition driver, it ends up being about 10 percent of our overall usage … but what are people sticking around for and doing in between sports is between our pay-one original library,...
- 3/6/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive, Updated with Leviss’ lawyers’ statement: If you thought the blast radius from Vanderpump Rules‘ infamous “Scandoval” was contained, think again. In a blistering lawsuit filed Thursday in Los Angeles, Rachel Leviss is taking Tom Sandoval and Ariana Madix to court for claims of revenge porn, eavesdropping, invasion of privacy and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
And she’s pretty clear why.
“‘Scandoval’ captured the public’s attention in a massive way, went completely viral, and injected new life into Vanderpump Rules,” declares the jury trial-seeking complaint filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court (read it here). “It also caused mayhem in Leviss’s life, culminating in months-long in-patient treatment at a mental health facility and her departure from the show. Fomented by Bravo and Evolution in conjunction with the cast, Leviss was subjected to a public skewering with little precedent and became, without exaggeration, one of the most hated women in America.
And she’s pretty clear why.
“‘Scandoval’ captured the public’s attention in a massive way, went completely viral, and injected new life into Vanderpump Rules,” declares the jury trial-seeking complaint filed today in Los Angeles Superior Court (read it here). “It also caused mayhem in Leviss’s life, culminating in months-long in-patient treatment at a mental health facility and her departure from the show. Fomented by Bravo and Evolution in conjunction with the cast, Leviss was subjected to a public skewering with little precedent and became, without exaggeration, one of the most hated women in America.
- 2/29/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Could Paramount+ and NBCUniversal’s Peacock join forces to take on the streaming sector’s bigger guns? Maybe — but while Paramount Global and Comcast, NBCU’s parent, recently discussed the possibility of uniting the services in some kind of a partnership or joint venture, there’s no imminent deal expected.
Talks between Comcast and Paramount Global were first reported Friday by the Wall Street Journal. Sources confirmed early discussions between the two, whose respective subscription-streaming platforms are significantly smaller than Netflix and Disney+. But those haven’t progressed beyond the spit-balling stage.
Reps for Paramount Global and Comcast declined to comment.
The two companies already are Jv partners for European streaming service SkyShowtime. Established in 2021, it’s designed as a streaming service for both Comcast and Paramount Global that targets European markets that weren’t already being served by Peacock or Paramount+.
Word of the talks about a possible Paramount...
Talks between Comcast and Paramount Global were first reported Friday by the Wall Street Journal. Sources confirmed early discussions between the two, whose respective subscription-streaming platforms are significantly smaller than Netflix and Disney+. But those haven’t progressed beyond the spit-balling stage.
Reps for Paramount Global and Comcast declined to comment.
The two companies already are Jv partners for European streaming service SkyShowtime. Established in 2021, it’s designed as a streaming service for both Comcast and Paramount Global that targets European markets that weren’t already being served by Peacock or Paramount+.
Word of the talks about a possible Paramount...
- 2/16/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast hosted about 300 at its Philadelphia headquarters Tuesday to highlight the technology side of its business, one that’s less covered than entertainment but sets it apart from media rivals, and gives its content an attractive home.
The vibe at the first Comcast Converge was a bit upfront-ish, hosted by SNL’s Keenan Thompson for a New York contingent that’s not part of Comcast’s footprint including financial analysts, press and partners. “Technology has definitely changed how people watch [SNL],” said Thompson. “Fans will still come up to me and say they saw me on TV last night. But just as many folks say, ‘I saw you on YouTube,’ or ‘I loved you on Instagram.’ Or ‘You were very funny on Black-ish. I tell them that it’s not me, it’s Anthony Anderson, and at least they can Google ‘Who is Anthony Anderson’.”
There were Gritty jokes and Wawa jokes,...
The vibe at the first Comcast Converge was a bit upfront-ish, hosted by SNL’s Keenan Thompson for a New York contingent that’s not part of Comcast’s footprint including financial analysts, press and partners. “Technology has definitely changed how people watch [SNL],” said Thompson. “Fans will still come up to me and say they saw me on TV last night. But just as many folks say, ‘I saw you on YouTube,’ or ‘I loved you on Instagram.’ Or ‘You were very funny on Black-ish. I tell them that it’s not me, it’s Anthony Anderson, and at least they can Google ‘Who is Anthony Anderson’.”
There were Gritty jokes and Wawa jokes,...
- 2/14/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Disney’s profit blew away forecasts although revenue fell a bit short in a key, and solid, earnings report that the company hopes will set the stage for more robust growth.
Revenue was flat at $23.5 billion for Disney’s fiscal first quarter ended in December. Diluted Eps (excluding some items) was $1.22, up 23% from the year before.
Streaming losses narrowed by $300 million from the prior quarter and will be profitable in the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2024 (ending in September). Disney had previously promised profits sometime this year but a confirmation was very welcome.
Related: Streaming Pay-tv Service Fubo, After Its Stock Tumbles 23%, Blasts New Disney-Fox-wbd Sports Bundle: “Every Consumer In America Should Be Concerned”
Financials were accompanied by a flurry of news: on a standalone streaming ESPN, on an animated Moana sequel, an investment in and partnership with Epic Games, and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film heading to Disney+ with five new songs.
Revenue was flat at $23.5 billion for Disney’s fiscal first quarter ended in December. Diluted Eps (excluding some items) was $1.22, up 23% from the year before.
Streaming losses narrowed by $300 million from the prior quarter and will be profitable in the fourth quarter of its fiscal 2024 (ending in September). Disney had previously promised profits sometime this year but a confirmation was very welcome.
Related: Streaming Pay-tv Service Fubo, After Its Stock Tumbles 23%, Blasts New Disney-Fox-wbd Sports Bundle: “Every Consumer In America Should Be Concerned”
Financials were accompanied by a flurry of news: on a standalone streaming ESPN, on an animated Moana sequel, an investment in and partnership with Epic Games, and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour film heading to Disney+ with five new songs.
- 2/7/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Universal Orlando has shared the first official look and details of its highly anticipated new theme park, Universal Epic Universe, that the company expects to be a game changer.
Set to open in 2025, the park “invites guests to explore vibrant worlds filled with extraordinary adventures that go beyond their wildest imaginations,” Universal Orlando said in a blog post today. Specifically, five immersive worlds with 50 dining, shopping and entertainment experiences.
The lands are set within “the breathtaking gardens in the heart of Epic Universe” and start with Celestial Park, the first world visitors encounter, that serves as a portal the to the other four — The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; and Dark Universe. Enough for a weeklong vacation destination, Universal is betting.
Brian Roberts, CEO of NBCUniversal parent Comcast, was pretty ecstatic about Universal’s fourth theme...
Set to open in 2025, the park “invites guests to explore vibrant worlds filled with extraordinary adventures that go beyond their wildest imaginations,” Universal Orlando said in a blog post today. Specifically, five immersive worlds with 50 dining, shopping and entertainment experiences.
The lands are set within “the breathtaking gardens in the heart of Epic Universe” and start with Celestial Park, the first world visitors encounter, that serves as a portal the to the other four — The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Ministry of Magic; Super Nintendo World; How To Train Your Dragon – Isle of Berk; and Dark Universe. Enough for a weeklong vacation destination, Universal is betting.
Brian Roberts, CEO of NBCUniversal parent Comcast, was pretty ecstatic about Universal’s fourth theme...
- 1/30/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Warner Bros. Discovery probably won’t see a transformative M&a deal this year — and given negative trends in its TV and streaming businesses, Wells Fargo analysts issued a downgrade on the media conglomerate’s stock.
Wells Fargo on Monday downgraded its rating on Wbd stock from Equal Weight from Overweight and trimmed its price target from $16 to $12 per share. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery dropped as much as 3.5% before closing Monday at $10.49/share, down 1.2% on the day.
Among the factors for the downgrade: The Wells Fargo team is less favorable on the chance of a big merger or acquisition involving Warner Bros. Discovery transpiring in 2024, amid speculation of potential deals. The Wall Street firm has “pushed the prospect” of Comcast merging with Wbd, but the analyst team led by Steven Cahall noted that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts last week downplayed the need to pursue a major deal. The analysts added,...
Wells Fargo on Monday downgraded its rating on Wbd stock from Equal Weight from Overweight and trimmed its price target from $16 to $12 per share. Shares of Warner Bros. Discovery dropped as much as 3.5% before closing Monday at $10.49/share, down 1.2% on the day.
Among the factors for the downgrade: The Wells Fargo team is less favorable on the chance of a big merger or acquisition involving Warner Bros. Discovery transpiring in 2024, amid speculation of potential deals. The Wall Street firm has “pushed the prospect” of Comcast merging with Wbd, but the analyst team led by Steven Cahall noted that Comcast CEO Brian Roberts last week downplayed the need to pursue a major deal. The analysts added,...
- 1/29/2024
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
Comcast may have lost 34,000 broadband subscribers in the fourth quarter and 66,000 for the full year 2024 as per its latest earnings report on Thursday, but Wall Street was happy to look past that thanks to the loss coming in below estimates and management’s M&a commentary.
Given its history of big acquisitions, including the likes of NBCUniversal, cable giant AT&T Broadband and European pay-tv powerhouse Sky, the Street tends to be jittery about Comcast’s possible involvement in major M&a, which costs not only money but also time to deliver financial returns and demonstrate strategic benefits. Some investors and analysts have expressed concern that the company could shell out big bucks to expand its entertainment operations by buying TV networks and other challenged businesses.
No surprise then that amid recent M&a chatter, including talk that Comcast could look for a merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd) or Paramount Global,...
Given its history of big acquisitions, including the likes of NBCUniversal, cable giant AT&T Broadband and European pay-tv powerhouse Sky, the Street tends to be jittery about Comcast’s possible involvement in major M&a, which costs not only money but also time to deliver financial returns and demonstrate strategic benefits. Some investors and analysts have expressed concern that the company could shell out big bucks to expand its entertainment operations by buying TV networks and other challenged businesses.
No surprise then that amid recent M&a chatter, including talk that Comcast could look for a merger with Warner Bros. Discovery (Wbd) or Paramount Global,...
- 1/26/2024
- by Georg Szalai
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Boosted by its live programming, Peacock paid subscribers grew nearly 50% year-on-year as three million net adds propelled the subscriber count to 31m in Q4 2023, Comcast announced on Thursday.
The platform, which Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts described as “the fastest growing streamer in the US”, generated $1bn in quarterly revenue for the first time, climbing 57% year-on-year.
The streaming service became the first to show a live NFL play-off game and the January 13 Wild Card contest between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs – whose tight end Travis Kelce is dating Taylor Swift and therefore brings added interest – recorded the biggest...
The platform, which Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts described as “the fastest growing streamer in the US”, generated $1bn in quarterly revenue for the first time, climbing 57% year-on-year.
The streaming service became the first to show a live NFL play-off game and the January 13 Wild Card contest between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs – whose tight end Travis Kelce is dating Taylor Swift and therefore brings added interest – recorded the biggest...
- 1/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Boosted by its live programming, Peacock paid subscribers grew nearly 50% year-on-year as three million net adds propelled the subscriber count to 31m in Q4 2023, Comcast announced on Thursday.
The platform, which Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts described as “the fastest growing streamer in the US”, generated $1bn in quarterly revenue for the first time, climbing 57% year-on-year.
The streaming service became the first to show a live NFL play-off game and the January 13 Wild Card contest between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs – whose tight end Travis Kelce is dating Taylor Swift and therefore brings added interest – recorded the biggest...
The platform, which Comcast chairman and CEO Brian Roberts described as “the fastest growing streamer in the US”, generated $1bn in quarterly revenue for the first time, climbing 57% year-on-year.
The streaming service became the first to show a live NFL play-off game and the January 13 Wild Card contest between Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs – whose tight end Travis Kelce is dating Taylor Swift and therefore brings added interest – recorded the biggest...
- 1/26/2024
- ScreenDaily
Comcast execs did some more crowing about Peacock’s landmark AFC Wild Card game this month and said it drove paid signups to the streaming service. They declined to specify how many new customers came aboard but said they’re focused on retaining those — and all — subscribers and scaling up the streamer, which passed $1 billion in revenue and hit 31 million subscribers last quarter.
Losses of $845 million were narrowed, and peaked in 2023, but, in any case, the company isn’t stressing about that or about content spending — a bit of different playbook from other traditional media companies who have been pushing profitability over sub growth for the past year and a half. Comcast is bigger, more diversified and has the strongest balance sheet of the group. It has a massive “connectivity” business with cable, broadband and wireless.
Related: Peacock Restructures Marketing Operation, Resulting In Layoffs
That’s driven speculation the company...
Losses of $845 million were narrowed, and peaked in 2023, but, in any case, the company isn’t stressing about that or about content spending — a bit of different playbook from other traditional media companies who have been pushing profitability over sub growth for the past year and a half. Comcast is bigger, more diversified and has the strongest balance sheet of the group. It has a massive “connectivity” business with cable, broadband and wireless.
Related: Peacock Restructures Marketing Operation, Resulting In Layoffs
That’s driven speculation the company...
- 1/25/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Brian Roberts poured water on speculation that his media company will merge with Warner Bros. Discovery.
As mergers and acquisitions talk continues to dominate the media sector, Comcast CEO and chairman Brian Roberts has discounted deal speculation surrounding NBCUniversal.
“While there may be speculation what we could do next, I’d like you to hear it directly from me. I love the company we have. So the bar continues to be even higher for us to do anything other than the plan you heard today,” Roberts told financial analysts during a morning call after Comcast announced its fourth quarter earnings.
Speculation over a potential NBCUniversal-Paramount Global merger was raised when Comcast unveiled an agreement to form the SkyShowtime joint venture with Paramount in more than 20 European markets to roll out a joint streaming service.
More recently, M&a chatter has turned to Comcast looking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery and merge it with Universal Studios.
As mergers and acquisitions talk continues to dominate the media sector, Comcast CEO and chairman Brian Roberts has discounted deal speculation surrounding NBCUniversal.
“While there may be speculation what we could do next, I’d like you to hear it directly from me. I love the company we have. So the bar continues to be even higher for us to do anything other than the plan you heard today,” Roberts told financial analysts during a morning call after Comcast announced its fourth quarter earnings.
Speculation over a potential NBCUniversal-Paramount Global merger was raised when Comcast unveiled an agreement to form the SkyShowtime joint venture with Paramount in more than 20 European markets to roll out a joint streaming service.
More recently, M&a chatter has turned to Comcast looking to buy Warner Bros. Discovery and merge it with Universal Studios.
- 1/25/2024
- by Etan Vlessing
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
An app tile for Comcast’s streaming service Peacock appears on a streaming television device. (Courtesy photo)
Comcast said its core broadband and television businesses lost customers during the fourth quarter of the year, only partially offset by more adoption of its wireless and streaming television products.
On Thursday, Comcast said it Xfinity TV service lost 389,000 subscribers during Q4 2023, with the company seeing around 14.1 million customers paying for Xfinity TV by the end of the year, down from 16.142 million TV accounts in Q4 2022.
On the broadband side, Comcast lost 31,000 residential Xfinity Internet customers and another 3,000 Xfinity Internet business customers during Q4 2023, ending the year with just north of 32.25 million total broadband Internet accounts.
Total customer relationships shrank by 183,000 accounts to around 52.1 million subscribers, which includes customers of Comcast-owned Sky television in parts of Europe and subscribers of the streaming service Now TV.
At the same time, Comcast saw gains in...
Comcast said its core broadband and television businesses lost customers during the fourth quarter of the year, only partially offset by more adoption of its wireless and streaming television products.
On Thursday, Comcast said it Xfinity TV service lost 389,000 subscribers during Q4 2023, with the company seeing around 14.1 million customers paying for Xfinity TV by the end of the year, down from 16.142 million TV accounts in Q4 2022.
On the broadband side, Comcast lost 31,000 residential Xfinity Internet customers and another 3,000 Xfinity Internet business customers during Q4 2023, ending the year with just north of 32.25 million total broadband Internet accounts.
Total customer relationships shrank by 183,000 accounts to around 52.1 million subscribers, which includes customers of Comcast-owned Sky television in parts of Europe and subscribers of the streaming service Now TV.
At the same time, Comcast saw gains in...
- 1/25/2024
- by Matthew Keys
- The Desk
Comcast saw fourth-quarter net income of close to $3.3 billion as revenue passed $31 billion, up, respectively, 7.8% and 2.3%, with the numbers released Thursday beating Wall Street forecasts. Peacock hit some milestones, studio profit surged and theme parks continue strong.
Free cash flow was $1.7 billion vs $1.3 billion.
The media giant lost video and broadband customers, but added wireless subscribers.
The stock is up 2.4% in pre-market trading as the company boosted its dividend and announced a big $15 billion stock-repurchase program.
Peacock added 3 million subscribers from Q3 to hit 31 million subs – up nearly 50% from the year earlier. Streaming revenue rose 57% year-on-year to pass $1 billion. The streamer lost $825 million, narrowed from $978 million the year earlier. The Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Miami Dolphins was a record breaker for Peacock earlier this month. The AFC Wild Card game was streamed exclusively on Peacock for most of the U.S.
Also last quarter, Comcast got an initial...
Free cash flow was $1.7 billion vs $1.3 billion.
The media giant lost video and broadband customers, but added wireless subscribers.
The stock is up 2.4% in pre-market trading as the company boosted its dividend and announced a big $15 billion stock-repurchase program.
Peacock added 3 million subscribers from Q3 to hit 31 million subs – up nearly 50% from the year earlier. Streaming revenue rose 57% year-on-year to pass $1 billion. The streamer lost $825 million, narrowed from $978 million the year earlier. The Kansas City Chiefs’ win over the Miami Dolphins was a record breaker for Peacock earlier this month. The AFC Wild Card game was streamed exclusively on Peacock for most of the U.S.
Also last quarter, Comcast got an initial...
- 1/25/2024
- by Jill Goldsmith
- Deadline Film + TV
Comcast saw fourth-quarter profit surge by 7.8% as the cable giant increased the number of businesses using its communications services, its Peacock streaming hub added 3 million subscribers and its theme parks saw robust activity.
“Our unique and complementary capabilities will enable us to capitalize on the many opportunities ahead,” said Brian Roberts, the company’s chairman. Comcast is, like its rivals, navigating in a difficult period for media companies as one-time TV viewers migrate to streaming video, reducing interest in traditional linear entertainment services and traditional cable.
The Philadelphia owner of NBCUniversal said net income rose 7.8% to $3.26 billion, or 81 cents a share, compared with $3.02 billion, or 70 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue increased 2.3% compared with the prior-year period.
The company eked out positive results despite losing 389,000 video subscribers and seeing a 6.9% decline in U.S. advertising at NBCUniversal.
Investors may be encouraged by performance at Peacock, where losses narrowed to $825 million in the quarter,...
“Our unique and complementary capabilities will enable us to capitalize on the many opportunities ahead,” said Brian Roberts, the company’s chairman. Comcast is, like its rivals, navigating in a difficult period for media companies as one-time TV viewers migrate to streaming video, reducing interest in traditional linear entertainment services and traditional cable.
The Philadelphia owner of NBCUniversal said net income rose 7.8% to $3.26 billion, or 81 cents a share, compared with $3.02 billion, or 70 cents a share, a year earlier. Revenue increased 2.3% compared with the prior-year period.
The company eked out positive results despite losing 389,000 video subscribers and seeing a 6.9% decline in U.S. advertising at NBCUniversal.
Investors may be encouraged by performance at Peacock, where losses narrowed to $825 million in the quarter,...
- 1/25/2024
- by Brian Steinberg
- Variety Film + TV
For some artists, the duties and demands of awards attention can be a lifelong dream come true. For others, it’s a slog. Or worse. Christopher Nolan may fall in the latter category, based on what his Oppenheimer star Robert Downey Jr. said from the stage on Thursday night in Park City during the Sundance Film Festival’s opening night gala.
“During this wildly social season, in the wake of resounding global reaction to the Oppenheimer phenomenon, Chris and I shared a vulnerable moment of existential query. He placed his hand on my shoulder, got a little misty and whispered, ‘I’m beginning to wonder, is it possible: Death by schmoozing?’ Adulation, congratulations, celebration, being thanked and honored is as desirable to him as being tarred, feathered and pilloried.”
If that’s true, Nolan didn’t show it nor did he flinch during his time inside the DeJoria Center in nearby Kamas,...
“During this wildly social season, in the wake of resounding global reaction to the Oppenheimer phenomenon, Chris and I shared a vulnerable moment of existential query. He placed his hand on my shoulder, got a little misty and whispered, ‘I’m beginning to wonder, is it possible: Death by schmoozing?’ Adulation, congratulations, celebration, being thanked and honored is as desirable to him as being tarred, feathered and pilloried.”
If that’s true, Nolan didn’t show it nor did he flinch during his time inside the DeJoria Center in nearby Kamas,...
- 1/19/2024
- by Chris Gardner
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Christopher Nolan is like “a timber wolf,” said Robert Downey Jr., Nolan’s star in “Oppenheimer.” And in a funny yet sincere speech in which Downey teased and feted Nolan at Sundance’s opening night awards gala, he hailed Nolan “as independent a voice as ever existed in cinema while telling stories that remind us of the interdependency of the human experience.”
“Now that last line was so searingly sophisticated, I’m just going to let it hang there for a second,” Downey joked. “Damn, that just came to me!”
Downey said Nolan can accomplish this because his partner Emma Thomas “blocks for him,” challenges him, and reinforces his every decision. And in presenting Nolan Sundance’s first-ever Trailblazer Award on January 18, the first night of the 40th edition of the festival in Park City, he was in awe that he could deliver a film ahead of schedule and under...
“Now that last line was so searingly sophisticated, I’m just going to let it hang there for a second,” Downey joked. “Damn, that just came to me!”
Downey said Nolan can accomplish this because his partner Emma Thomas “blocks for him,” challenges him, and reinforces his every decision. And in presenting Nolan Sundance’s first-ever Trailblazer Award on January 18, the first night of the 40th edition of the festival in Park City, he was in awe that he could deliver a film ahead of schedule and under...
- 1/19/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
“It’s a quarter of a century later, and I’m still f*cking being discovered by Sundance,” beamed Christopher Nolan tonight at the Sundance Film Festival Opening Night Gala as he received the inaugural Trailblazer award.
“At what point do I move onto bigger things?” the acclaimed Oppenheimer filmmaker cracked.
The wrap-up remark was made as Nolan told the story about how Comcast Universal boss Brian Roberts shared the filmmaker and his producer wife Emma Thomas post Oppenheimer‘s immediate greenlight how he caught their movie Memento by chance at Sundance during a ski trip back in 2001 with the father and the impact it had on him.
Nolan says that Thomas and he were “caught in a moment of reflection.”
Earlier in the evening, Oppenheimer star and Nolan pal Robert Downey Jr. also had the crowd roaring with a plethora of anecdotes about the filmmaker. The Avengers actor told...
“At what point do I move onto bigger things?” the acclaimed Oppenheimer filmmaker cracked.
The wrap-up remark was made as Nolan told the story about how Comcast Universal boss Brian Roberts shared the filmmaker and his producer wife Emma Thomas post Oppenheimer‘s immediate greenlight how he caught their movie Memento by chance at Sundance during a ski trip back in 2001 with the father and the impact it had on him.
Nolan says that Thomas and he were “caught in a moment of reflection.”
Earlier in the evening, Oppenheimer star and Nolan pal Robert Downey Jr. also had the crowd roaring with a plethora of anecdotes about the filmmaker. The Avengers actor told...
- 1/19/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
According to NBC, the game averaged 23 million viewers, even if some fans were disgruntled about having to watch the game on Peacock.
There’s no denying the offering of a playoff game exclusively on a streaming platform was a gamble for the NFL. But that gamble appears to have paid off, as NBCUniversal is announcing that Saturday’s Wild Card game between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs drew more viewers than any other livestreamed event in the history of the United States, averaging 23 million total viewers across platforms.
The game reached 27.6 million viewers overall, according to Nielsen. The announcement also says the game accounted for 30% of total internet traffic while it was on. The game was only available on linear television in the Miami and Kansas City TV markets. Sign Up $5.99+ / month peacocktv.com Touchdown Peacock!
Peacock’s announcement of ratings success with its exclusive Wild Card game...
There’s no denying the offering of a playoff game exclusively on a streaming platform was a gamble for the NFL. But that gamble appears to have paid off, as NBCUniversal is announcing that Saturday’s Wild Card game between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs drew more viewers than any other livestreamed event in the history of the United States, averaging 23 million total viewers across platforms.
The game reached 27.6 million viewers overall, according to Nielsen. The announcement also says the game accounted for 30% of total internet traffic while it was on. The game was only available on linear television in the Miami and Kansas City TV markets. Sign Up $5.99+ / month peacocktv.com Touchdown Peacock!
Peacock’s announcement of ratings success with its exclusive Wild Card game...
- 1/15/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Turns out plenty of people were able to figure out where to find Peacock in time for Saturday night’s NFL playoff game.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 26-7 win over the Miami Dolphins in the wild card round averaged 23 million viewers on Peacock, local NBC affiliates in the teams’ home markets and on the NFL+ mobile app, according to custom fast national data from Nielsen. Per NBC Sports, the game is the most streamed live event in U.S. history and accounted for 30 percent of Internet traffic while it streamed.
The streaming-exclusive game (plus local markets) actually built on NBC’s over-the-air telecast of a wild card game in the same primetime window last year — despite a lot of grumbling beforehand that viewers wouldn’t be able to access the game on Peacock, which has about 30 million paid subscribers. Last year’s game, between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers,...
The Kansas City Chiefs’ 26-7 win over the Miami Dolphins in the wild card round averaged 23 million viewers on Peacock, local NBC affiliates in the teams’ home markets and on the NFL+ mobile app, according to custom fast national data from Nielsen. Per NBC Sports, the game is the most streamed live event in U.S. history and accounted for 30 percent of Internet traffic while it streamed.
The streaming-exclusive game (plus local markets) actually built on NBC’s over-the-air telecast of a wild card game in the same primetime window last year — despite a lot of grumbling beforehand that viewers wouldn’t be able to access the game on Peacock, which has about 30 million paid subscribers. Last year’s game, between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Los Angeles Chargers,...
- 1/15/2024
- by Rick Porter
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Former President Donald Trump’s attacks on the media are central to his image, but he’s once again calling on the federal government to take action against NBCUniversal for its MSNBC criticism of him.
In a late night post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump complained that MSNBC “uses Free government approved airwaves, and yet it is nothing but a 24 hour hit job” on him and “the Republican party for the purposes of Election Interference.”
He also attacked Brian Roberts, the CEO of NBCU parent Comcast, as a “slimeball who has been able to get away from these constant attacks for years.”
“It’s the world’s biggest political contribution to the Radical Left Democrats who, by the way, are destroying our Country. Our so-called ‘government’ should come down hard on them and make them pay for their illegal political activity. Much more to come, watch!”
A...
In a late night post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump complained that MSNBC “uses Free government approved airwaves, and yet it is nothing but a 24 hour hit job” on him and “the Republican party for the purposes of Election Interference.”
He also attacked Brian Roberts, the CEO of NBCU parent Comcast, as a “slimeball who has been able to get away from these constant attacks for years.”
“It’s the world’s biggest political contribution to the Radical Left Democrats who, by the way, are destroying our Country. Our so-called ‘government’ should come down hard on them and make them pay for their illegal political activity. Much more to come, watch!”
A...
- 11/29/2023
- by Ted Johnson
- Deadline Film + TV
Audiences should expect a big bid from NBCUniversal when the NBA’s rights come up for sale, but what are some other ways it could spend its new cash?
Comcast is about to become several billion dollars richer. The company has agreed on a final sale process with Disney for the 33% of Hulu that Comcast owns which will net the TV and broadband provider at least $8.6 billion, with a possibility remaining that the deal could be worth more in the end.
NBCUniversal is expected to be a major player for a package of NBA games in the next round of broadcasting contract negotiations for that league. Reports from this summer indicate Comcast CEO Brian Roberts may have interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery. The cash could also be infused into Peacock to help Comcast push the service toward profitability. Sign Up $5.99+ / month peacocktv.com Is the NBA Comcast’s Top Target?...
Comcast is about to become several billion dollars richer. The company has agreed on a final sale process with Disney for the 33% of Hulu that Comcast owns which will net the TV and broadband provider at least $8.6 billion, with a possibility remaining that the deal could be worth more in the end.
NBCUniversal is expected to be a major player for a package of NBA games in the next round of broadcasting contract negotiations for that league. Reports from this summer indicate Comcast CEO Brian Roberts may have interest in acquiring Warner Bros. Discovery. The cash could also be infused into Peacock to help Comcast push the service toward profitability. Sign Up $5.99+ / month peacocktv.com Is the NBA Comcast’s Top Target?...
- 11/2/2023
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
Disney is on the cusp of becoming the 100% owner of Hulu.
The media conglomerate announced that it expects to pay $8.61 billion to Comcast to acquire the cable operator’s 33% stake in Hulu following Comcast’s Nov. 1 exercise of its right under the put/call arrangement between the two companies. Disney owns the other two-thirds stake in Hulu.
“The acquisition of Comcast’s stake in Hulu at fair market value will further Disney’s streaming objectives,” Disney said in a statement Wednesday.
Under the terms of the sale arrangement, by Dec. 1, Disney said, it anticipates that it will pay Comcast approximately $8.61 billion, representing NBCUniversal’s one-third stake of the $27.5 billion guaranteed floor value for Hulu that was set when the companies entered into their agreement in 2019 minus the anticipated outstanding capital call contributions payable by NBCU to Disney of approximately $567 million.
But the deal is not officially done — and $8.61 billion might...
The media conglomerate announced that it expects to pay $8.61 billion to Comcast to acquire the cable operator’s 33% stake in Hulu following Comcast’s Nov. 1 exercise of its right under the put/call arrangement between the two companies. Disney owns the other two-thirds stake in Hulu.
“The acquisition of Comcast’s stake in Hulu at fair market value will further Disney’s streaming objectives,” Disney said in a statement Wednesday.
Under the terms of the sale arrangement, by Dec. 1, Disney said, it anticipates that it will pay Comcast approximately $8.61 billion, representing NBCUniversal’s one-third stake of the $27.5 billion guaranteed floor value for Hulu that was set when the companies entered into their agreement in 2019 minus the anticipated outstanding capital call contributions payable by NBCU to Disney of approximately $567 million.
But the deal is not officially done — and $8.61 billion might...
- 11/1/2023
- by Todd Spangler
- Variety Film + TV
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