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    COMCAST (CMCSA)

    Q2 2024 Earnings Summary

    Reported on Jan 10, 2025 (Before Market Open)
    Pre-Earnings Price$39.53Last close (Jul 22, 2024)
    Post-Earnings Price$39.41Open (Jul 23, 2024)
    Price Change
    $-0.12(-0.30%)
    • Comcast is rapidly upgrading its network, with mid-splits now reaching 42% of the footprint and expected to be 50% by year-end, paving the way for DOCSIS 4.0 deployment and multi-gig symmetrical speeds. This positions Comcast to capitalize on growing customer data consumption and compete effectively against fiber.
    • Strong wireless growth with 322,000 line additions in the quarter, driven by new pricing plans and multi-line offerings, indicating significant runway ahead in wireless and bundling opportunities with broadband. Wireless penetration is currently at 12%, highlighting potential for further expansion.
    • Strategic investment in Peacock alongside traditional media assets is expected to optimize the Media business, with Peacock's growth offsetting declines in linear businesses. The company is confident that this integrated approach will drive long-term value.
    1. Broadband ACP Impact
      Q: How will the ACP affect broadband subscribers in Q3?
      A: Comcast expects the bulk of the ACP subscriber-related activity, including losses from nonpay churn, to occur in the third quarter. They are focused on retention and have been proactive, helping ACP customers transition to options like Internet Essentials and Xfinity Mobile. Encouragingly, they are not seeing much voluntary churn in this group. The company plans to take a reserve on incremental nonpay activity in Q3 but mentions it's too early to quantify the impact.

    2. Cable Margins Increase
      Q: What were the cable margins this quarter?
      A: The legacy cable margin increased by 110 basis points, reaching 48.4% in the quarter, indicating strong operating improvement.

    3. NBA Content Deal and Financial Returns
      Q: How will the NBA deal affect financial returns and programming?
      A: Comcast views the NBA as premier content that is culturally relevant. They plan to use it to drive acquisition on Peacock and NBC, leveraging the NBA's audience to boost viewership of other content. The NBA content will allow them to rebalance programming, filling nights on NBC and offering exclusive games on Peacock. This strategic move is seen as an excellent piece in their future plans, despite the significant price of the deal.

    4. Parks Segment Outlook
      Q: What is the outlook for the Parks segment?
      A: While confident in the long-term trajectory of the Parks business, especially with Epic Universe opening next year, Comcast acknowledges that attendance challenges are likely to continue until then. Factors such as COVID pull-forward and timing of new attractions have impacted domestic attendance, causing year-on-year pressure that may persist through the end of the year and into next year.

    5. BEAD Program Capital Investment
      Q: Will Comcast invest more capital in the BEAD program?
      A: Comcast is examining the BEAD program on a state-by-state basis and is optimistic about many opportunities. However, they do not expect to exceed the capital intensity levels already outlined. BEAD will be pursued where it makes sense, but within their existing capital intensity framework.

    6. Video and Wireless Trends
      Q: What is driving improvement in video trends, and is wireless growth sustainable?
      A: Video losses are lower than last year, partly due to a smaller rate increase and effective bundling with broadband. The launch of NOW TV has been steady but not yet material. Wireless growth is driven by new pricing plans and promotions, such as buy-one-get-one offers. With 12% penetration, Comcast believes there is significant runway ahead, and they are uniquely positioned in convergence with their ubiquitous offers. The ACP-related prepaid losses at competitors are not significantly boosting their wireless growth at this stage.

    7. Advertising and Upfront Market Trends
      Q: What are the trends in advertising and results from the upfront?
      A: The advertising market remains stable, with only a slight decrease from the first quarter, partly due to less sports content. Comcast feels well-positioned for the second half with events like the Olympics and elections. In the upfront, total volume is in line with last year, as is linear pricing. They secured well over $1 billion in upfront volume for Peacock, showing significant growth over last year. The overall upfront market was solid despite increased competition from new AVOD and SVOD entrants.

    8. Capital Expenditures and Network Upgrades
      Q: What is the outlook on capital intensity and network upgrades like DOCSIS 4.0?
      A: Comcast's capital expenditures are within their existing capital intensity envelope. They have made significant progress on mid-splits, reaching 42% and expecting 50% by year-end. DOCSIS 4.0 deployments are progressing well, with multiple markets underway. They do not foresee additional significant capital-intensive network upgrades, focusing instead on efficient enhancements to support multi-gig symmetrical speeds.

    9. Peacock Break-even Timeline
      Q: When will Peacock reach break-even?
      A: While no specific timeline was provided, Comcast is focused on growing Peacock in conjunction with their media businesses. They expect Peacock's growth to offset declines in linear businesses, aiming to optimize the overall media segment. The NBA deal may affect the trajectory, but they believe investing in Peacock is essential for the future of their media assets.

    Research analysts covering COMCAST.