• by Wayne Friedman , 4 hours ago

NBCUniversal's domestic advertising was up 15% in the third quarter to $1.8 billion due to the higher ad sales at its Spanish-language network Telemundo’s airing FIFA World Cup and streamer Peacock.

Taking out World Cup results, NBCU was essentially flat -- up 0.3%. 

Peacock's ad business was up 23% to $586 million versus the same period a year ago.  The NBC streamer now represents 33% of all NBCUniversal advertising sales. 

“Peacock’s growth is clearly improving NBCU’s digital position, but we continue to view much of the shift toward streaming as a transfer from linear television rather than incremental growth,” says media analysis group, Madison & Wall.

Total Peacock revenue (subscription and advertising) was up 34% to $1.8 billion.

For the second consecutive quarter it witnessed profitability, now at $261 million in cash flow (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).

Paid subscribers at Peacock increased by 17% year-over-year to 48 million.

Telemundo took in $224 million from the World Cup, benefiting not only from strong viewing but also with the newly instituted “hydration” breaks, which added ad inventory.

Overall media business at the company -- including networks, streamers and TV stations -- was up 13% to $5.4 billion.

Domestic distribution -- including TV station carriage fees and Peacock subscription fees --  grew 22% to $2.1 billion.

Political advertising was 23% higher to $586 million in the third quarter. Local cable TV advertising grew 3.1% to  $918 million, due to political advertising and higher “advanced advertising”.

NBCUniversal theatrical business was up 80% to $1.13 billion -- much of its revenue coming from “The Odyssey” and “Minions & Monsters.” The company says Universal Studios exceeded $5 billion in global box-office results so far  -- the first studio to do this.

NBCUniversal theme parks business witnessed a 4.4% drop in revenues to $2.6 billion due to lower park admissions.