NBCU Makes Modest Q2 Revenue Gain, Comcast Revs Higher

NBCUniversal broadcast advertising revenue rose moderately in the second quarter.

Higher rates -- offset by audience ratings declines -- pushed total advertising revenue up 2.9% for the period. Many TV network executives have said there has been sharply higher scatter pricing for many months with double-digit-percentage price gains.

Overall, NBCU broadcast TV revenue rose 17.3% to $2.1 billion as a result of higher licensing content revenue, distribution agreements and advertising. Content licensing revenue grew just under 60%, with distribution revenues 35% higher.

Cable networks revenue grew 4.7% to $2.6 billion from improved distribution revenue (up 6%) and content licensing (growing 13%). NBCU says cable advertising revenue was “stable,” due to higher ratings offset by lower ratings.

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NBCU’s filmed entertainment sank 40% from lower theatrical and home entertainment revenue. Theatrical revenue was up against strong second-quarter 2015 results, which included “Furious 7” and “Jurassic World.”

Home entertainment revenue declined 25.1% from many releases in the second quarter of 2015, including “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

Other film segments' businesses showed growth, with movie ticketing site Fandango 24% higher and content licensing improving 63%.

NBCU theme parks grew 47% to $1.1 billion, with higher spending at parks and the Hollywood’s park’s “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter.”

Overall, Comcast Corp. revenue grew 2.8% to $19.3 billion, with net income down 4% to $2.1 billion.

The company’s core cable TV video business witnessed subscribers down 4,000 versus a 69,000 loss in the second quarter 2015, now totaling 22.4 million. Its high-speed broadband business added 220,000, now totaling 24 million.

Video revenue was up 2.8% to $5.6 billion, with broadband revenue 8.6% higher and voice revenue slipping 1.1% to $893 million. Comcast local advertising revenue grew 3.5% to $597 million.

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