| % | Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with NM.
(a)Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 44 for additional information, including our definition and our use of Adjusted EBITDA, and for a reconciliation from net income attributable to Comcast Corporation to Adjusted EBITDA.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 32 | |
Consolidated Revenue
The following graph illustrates the contributions to the change in consolidated revenue made by our Connectivity & Platforms and Content & Experiences businesses, as well as by Corporate and Other activities, including eliminations.
(a) Graph is presented using a truncated scale.
Revenue for our segments and other businesses is discussed separately below under the heading “Segment Operating Results.”
Consolidated Costs and Expenses
The following graph illustrates the contributions to the change in consolidated costs and expenses, excluding depreciation expense and amortization expense, made by our Connectivity & Platforms and Content & Experiences businesses, as well as by Corporate and Other activities, including adjustments and eliminations.
(a) Graph is presented using a truncated scale.
Costs and expenses for our segments and our corporate operations and other businesses are discussed separately below under the heading “Segment Operating Results.”
Consolidated depreciation and amortization expense increased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to increased amortization of certain acquisition-related intangible assets related to the linear media business, partially offset by a decrease in depreciation of our international property and equipment and a decrease in the amortization of software.
Amortization expense from acquisition-related intangible assets totaled $2.7 billion and $2.3 billion in 2024 and 2023, respectively. Amounts primarily relate to customer relationship intangible assets recorded in connection with the Sky transaction in 2018 and the NBCUniversal transaction in 2011.
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| 33 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Consolidated interest expense increased in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to an increase in average debt outstanding and higher weighted-average interest rates in the current year, partially offset by interest expense in the prior year associated with a collateralized obligation that was repaid in the fourth quarter of 2023.
Consolidated investment and other income (loss), net increased in 2024 compared to 2023.
| | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net | $ | (680) | | $ | 789 | |
| Realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net | (313) | | (130) | |
| Other income (loss), net | 502 | | 592 | |
| Total investment and other income (loss), net | $ | (490) | | $ | 1,252 | |
The change in equity in net income (losses) of investees, net in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to our investment in Atairos. The income (losses) at Atairos were driven by fair value adjustments on its underlying investments with income (loss) of $(474) million and $1.1 billion in 2024 and 2023, respectively.
The change in realized and unrealized gains (losses) on equity securities, net in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to higher losses on nonmarketable securities in the current year.
The change in other income (loss), net in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily resulted from foreign exchange remeasurement.
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Consolidated Income Tax Expense |
Our effective income tax rate in 2024 and 2023 was 15.0% and 26.2%, respectively.
The decrease in income tax expense in 2024 was primarily driven by a tax benefit from an internal corporate reorganization completed in 2024, as well as lower domestic income before income taxes.
See Note 5 for additional information on our income taxes.
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Consolidated Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests |
The changes in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in 2024 compared to 2023 was primarily due to our regional sports networks.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 34 | |
| | |
Segment Operating Results |
Our segment operating results are presented based on how we assess operating performance and internally report financial information. See Note 2 for additional information on our segments.
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Connectivity & Platforms Overview |
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Constant Currency Change(b) | |
| Revenue | | | | | | |
| % | (1.0) | % | |
| 4.8 | | |
| % | (0.3) | % | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | | | | | |
| % | 1.2 | % | |
| 4.0 | | |
| % | 1.7 | % | |
Adjusted EBITDA Margin(a) | | | | | | |
| 80 bps | |
| (50) bps | |
| 80 bps | |
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(a)Our Adjusted EBITDA margin is Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue. We believe this metric is useful particularly as we continue to focus on growing our higher-margin businesses and improving overall operating cost management. The changes reflect the year-over-year basis point changes in the rounded Adjusted EBITDA margins.
(b)Constant currency is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 44 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of constant currency amounts.
We continue to focus on growing our higher-margin connectivity businesses while managing overall operating costs. We also continue to invest in our network to support higher-speed broadband offerings and to expand the number of homes and businesses passed. A competitive environment, which has increased in recent years, has had negative impacts on our customer relationships additions/(losses). In addition, government funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provided a monthly discount towards broadband service for eligible low-income households, expired during the second quarter of 2024, which had a negative impact on our residential domestic broadband customer relationships. We believe our residential connectivity revenue will increase as a result of growth in average domestic broadband revenue per customer, as well as increases in domestic wireless and international connectivity revenue. At the same time, we expect continued declines in video revenue as a result of domestic customer net losses due to shifting video consumption patterns and the competitive environment, although customer net losses typically mitigate the impact of continued rate increases on programming expenses. We also expect continued declines in other revenue related to declines in wireline voice revenue. We believe our Business Services Connectivity segment will continue to grow by offering competitive services, including enterprise solutions.
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| 35 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Connectivity & Platforms Customer Metrics
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| 2023 |
| Customer Relationships | | | | | |
| (212) | |
| (93) | |
| 17 | |
| (288) | |
| Domestic Broadband | | | | | |
| (64) | |
| (2) | |
| (66) | |
| Domestic Wireless | | | | | |
| 1,275 | |
| Domestic Video | | | | | |
| (2,037) | |
Domestic homes and businesses passed(d) | 63,692 | 62,457 | | | |
Domestic broadband penetration of homes and businesses passed(e) | 49.8 | % | 51.5 | % | | | |
(a)Residential Connectivity & Platforms customer relationships generally represent the number of residential customer locations that subscribe to at least one of our services. International Residential Connectivity & Platforms customer relationships represent customers receiving Sky services in the United Kingdom and Italy. Because each of our services includes a variety of product tiers, which may change from time to time, net additions or losses in any one period will reflect a mix of customers at various tiers.
(b)Business Services Connectivity customer metrics are generally counted based on the number of locations receiving services, including locations within our network in the United States, as well as locations outside of our network both in the United States and internationally. Certain arrangements whereby third parties provide connectivity services leveraging our network are also generally counted based on the number of locations served.
(c)Domestic wireless lines represent the number of residential and business customers’ wireless devices. An individual customer relationship may have multiple wireless lines.
(d)Connectivity & Platforms domestic homes and businesses are considered passed if we can connect them to our network in the United States without further extending the transmission lines. Homes and businesses passed is an estimate based on the best available information.
(e)Penetration is calculated by dividing the number of domestic customers located within our network by the number of domestic homes and businesses passed.
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|
Constant Currency Change(a) | |
| % | 0.4 | % | |
| % | 2.5 | % | |
(a)Constant currency is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measure” section on page 44 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of constant currency amounts.
Average monthly total revenue per customer relationship is impacted by rate adjustments and changes in the types and levels of services received by our residential and business customers, as well as changes in advertising and other revenue and in foreign currency exchange rates. While revenue from our individual service offerings is also impacted by changes in the allocation of revenue among services sold in a bundle, the allocation does not impact average monthly total revenue per customer relationship. Each of our services has a different contribution to Adjusted EBITDA margin. We use average monthly Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship to evaluate the profitability of our customer base across our service offerings. We believe both metrics are useful to understand the trends in our business, and average monthly Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship is useful particularly as we continue to focus on growing our higher-margin businesses.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 36 | |
Connectivity & Platforms — Supplemental Costs and Expenses Information
Connectivity & Platforms supplemental costs and expenses information in the table below is presented on an aggregate basis across the Connectivity & Platforms segments as the segments use certain shared infrastructure, including our network in the United States. Costs and expenses information reported separately for the Residential Connectivity & Platforms and Business Services Connectivity segments includes each segment’s direct costs and an allocation of shared costs.
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Constant Currency Change(g) | |
| Costs and Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| % | (7.1) | % | |
| 2.3 | | |
| 6.0 | | |
| 0.6 | | |
| (2.3) | | |
| (0.6) | | |
| % | (1.7) | % | |
(a)Programming expenses, which represent our most significant operating expense, are the fees we incur to provide video services to our customers, and primarily include fees related to the distribution of television network programming and fees charged for retransmission of the signals from local broadcast television stations. These expenses also include the costs of content on the Sky-branded entertainment television networks, including amortization of licensed content.
(b)Technical and support expenses primarily consists of costs for labor to complete service call and installation activities; and costs for network operations and satellite transmission, product development, fulfillment and provisioning.
(c)Direct product costs primarily consists of access fees related to using wireless and broadband networks owned by third parties to deliver our services and costs of products sold, including wireless devices and Sky Glass smart televisions.
(d)Marketing and promotion expenses primarily consists of the costs associated with attracting new customers and promoting our service offerings.
(e)Customer service expenses primarily consists of the personnel and other costs associated with customer service and certain selling activities.
(f)Other expenses primarily consists of administrative personnel costs; franchise and other regulatory fees; fees paid to third parties where we sell advertising on their behalf; bad debt; building and office expenses, taxes and billing costs; and other business, headquarters and support costs necessary to operate the Connectivity & Platforms business.
(g)Constant currency is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 44 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of constant currency amounts.
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Residential Connectivity & Platforms Segment Results of Operations |
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|
Constant Currency Change(a) | |
| Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| % | 2.9 | % | |
| 16.6 | | |
| 12.4 | | |
| 5.6 | | |
| (7.2) | | |
| 2.1 | | |
| (10.2) | | |
| (1.0) | | |
| Costs and Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (7.1) | | |
| 0.8 | | |
| (2.3) | | |
| % | 1.2 | % | |
(a)Constant currency is a non-GAAP financial measure. Refer to the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section on page 44 for additional information, including our definition and our use of constant currency, and for a reconciliation of constant currency amounts.
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| 37 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Residential Connectivity & Platforms Segment – Revenue
Domestic broadband revenue primarily consists of revenue from sales of broadband services to residential customers in the United States, including equipment and installation services. Domestic broadband revenue also includes revenue related to Xumo Stream Boxes and commission revenue from the sale of certain DTC streaming services.
Domestic broadband revenue increased in 2024 primarily due to an increase in average rates.
Domestic wireless revenue primarily consists of revenue from sales of wireless services and devices, including handsets, tablets and smart watches, to residential customers in the United States.
Domestic wireless revenue increased in 2024 primarily due to an increase in the number of customer lines and device sales.
International connectivity revenue primarily consists of revenue from sales of broadband services, including equipment and installation services, wireless services and wireless devices to residential customers in the United Kingdom and Italy, as well as commission revenue from the sale of certain third-party DTC streaming services.
International connectivity revenue increased in 2024 primarily due to an increase in broadband revenue resulting from an increase in average rates and an increase in wireless revenue primarily resulting from an increase in the sale of wireless services. This increase includes the positive impact of foreign currency.
Video revenue primarily consists of revenue from sales of video services to residential and business customers across the Connectivity & Platforms markets, including equipment and installation services. Video revenue includes pay-per-view and other transactional revenue and franchise fees, as well as revenue from sales of certain hardware, including Sky Glass smart televisions.
Video revenue decreased in 2024 due to declines in the overall number of video customers, partially offset by an overall increase in average rates.
Advertising revenue primarily consists of revenue from the sale of advertising across our platforms in the Connectivity & Platforms markets, including advertising as part of our distribution agreements with cable networks in the United States, and advertising on Sky-branded entertainment television networks and on our digital properties. Advertising also includes revenue where we enter into representation agreements under which we sell advertising on behalf of third parties and from our advanced advertising businesses.
Advertising revenue increased in 2024 primarily driven by an increase in domestic political advertising, partially offset by lower domestic nonpolitical advertising.
Other revenue primarily consists of revenue in the Connectivity & Platforms markets from sales of wireline voice services to residential customers; our residential security and automation services businesses; the licensing of our technology platforms to other multichannel video providers; the distribution of certain of our Sky-branded entertainment television networks to third-party video service providers; commissions from electronic retailing networks; and certain billing and collection fees.
Other revenue decreased in 2024 primarily due to a decrease in residential wireline voice revenue driven by a decline in the number of customers.
Residential Connectivity & Platforms Segment – Costs and Expenses
Programming expenses decreased in 2024 primarily due to a decline in the number of domestic video subscribers, partially offset by domestic contractual rate increases.
Other expenses increased in 2024 primarily due to an increase in direct product costs, the impact of foreign currency and higher technical and support costs, partially offset by lower severance charges in 2024 compared to severance and other charges in 2023.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 38 | |
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Business Services Connectivity Segment Results of Operations |
Business services connectivity revenue primarily consists of revenue from our service offerings for small business locations in the United States, which include broadband, wireline voice and wireless services, as well as our enterprise solutions offerings, and our business connectivity service offerings in the United Kingdom.
Business services connectivity revenue increased in 2024 primarily due to an increase in revenue from enterprise solutions offerings and from higher rates from small business customers.
Business services connectivity costs and expenses increased in 2024 primarily due to increases in direct product costs, marketing and promotion expenses, and technical and support expenses. Severance charges in 2024 were consistent compared to severance and other charges in 2023.
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Content & Experiences Overview |
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Adjusted EBITDA | | | | |
| % |
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| % |
We operate our Media segment as a combined television and streaming business. We expect that the number of subscribers and audience ratings at our linear television networks will continue to decline as a result of the competitive environment and shifting video consumption patterns, which we aim to mitigate over time by continued growth in paid subscribers and advertising revenue at Peacock. We expect to continue to incur significant costs related to content and marketing at Peacock. Revenue and programming expenses are also impacted by the timing of certain sporting events, including the Olympics in the third quarter of 2024 and our acquisition of NBA rights, which begin in 2025.
Our Studios segment generates revenue primarily from third parties and from licensing content to our Media segment. While results of operations for our Studios segment are not impacted, results for our total Content & Experiences business may be impacted as the Studios segment licenses content to the Media segment, including for Peacock, rather than licensing the content to third parties. The Writers Guild and the SAG work stoppages from May to September 2023 and July to November 2023, respectively, resulted in reduced content licensing revenue at our Studios segment and reduced programming and production costs at both our Studios and Media segments in 2023.
We continue to invest significantly in existing and new theme park attractions, hotels and infrastructure, including Epic Universe in Orlando, which we expect will open in May 2025, as well as in new destinations and experiences, which we believe will have a positive impact on attendance and guest spending at our theme parks.
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| 39 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
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Media Segment Results of Operations |
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| Revenue | | | | |
| % |
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| Costs and Expenses | | | | |
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Media Segment – Revenue
Revenue increased in 2024 primarily due to the Paris Olympics in 2024. Excluding incremental revenue associated with this event, revenue increased in 2024 driven by increases in domestic distribution and international networks revenue.
Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with NM. Domestic advertising revenue primarily consists of revenue generated from sales of advertising on our linear television networks, Peacock and other digital properties operating predominantly in the United States.
Domestic advertising revenue increased in 2024 primarily due to the Paris Olympics in 2024. Excluding incremental revenue associated with this event, domestic advertising revenue remained consistent in 2024 primarily due to a decrease in revenue at our linear television networks, offset by an increase in revenue at Peacock.
Domestic distribution revenue primarily consists of revenue generated from the distribution of our television networks operating predominantly in the United States to traditional and virtual multichannel video providers, and from NBC-affiliated and Telemundo-affiliated local broadcast television stations. Our revenue from distribution agreements is generally based on the number of subscribers receiving the programming on our television networks and a per subscriber fee. Distribution revenue also includes Peacock subscription fees.
Domestic distribution revenue increased in 2024, including the impact of the Paris Olympics in 2024. Excluding incremental revenue associated with this event, domestic distribution revenue increased in 2024 primarily due to an increase in Peacock paid subscribers, partially offset by a decrease in revenue at our linear television networks. The decrease at our networks was primarily due to a decline in the number of subscribers, partially offset by contractual rate increases.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 40 | |
International networks revenue primarily consists of revenue generated by our networks operating predominantly outside the United States, including the Sky Sports networks in the United Kingdom and Italy. This revenue primarily results from the distribution of our television networks to traditional and virtual multichannel video providers and other platforms, as well as sales of advertising. A significant portion of this revenue comes from the Residential Connectivity & Platforms segment.
International networks revenue increased in 2024 primarily due to an increase in revenue associated with the distribution of sports networks and the positive impact of foreign currency.
Other revenue primarily consists of revenue generated from various digital properties and the licensing of our owned content and technology.
* * *
Media segment total revenue included $4.9 billion and $3.4 billion related to Peacock in 2024 and 2023, respectively, including amounts related to the Paris Olympics in 2024. We had 36 million and 31 million paid subscribers of Peacock as of 2024 and 2023, respectively. Peacock paid subscribers represent customers from which we recognize distribution revenue, including both customers that pay us directly and customers receiving the service through arrangements with companies who sell Peacock on our behalf. In these arrangements, paid subscribers are counted based on the terms of the arrangement when the related revenue is recognized. As a result, certain customers are counted when they activate their account, while other customers are counted when the Peacock service is made available to them as part of their bundled service offering regardless of whether it is activated.
Media Segment – Costs and Expenses
Programming and production costs primarily consists of the amortization of owned and licensed content, including sports rights, direct production costs, production overhead, on-air talent costs and costs associated with the distribution of our television networks to multichannel video providers.
Programming and production costs increased in 2024 primarily due to costs associated with the Paris Olympics, an increase in other sports programming costs for our domestic television networks, the impact of foreign currency, an increase in entertainment content costs for our television networks, including the impact of the Writers Guild and SAG work stoppages in the prior year, and higher programming costs at Peacock.
Marketing and promotion expenses primarily consists of the costs associated with promoting our television networks, Peacock and other digital properties.
Marketing and promotion expenses increased in 2024 primarily due to increased costs associated with the Paris Olympics, partially offset by lower costs related to marketing for entertainment programming.
Other expenses primarily consists of salaries, employee benefits, rent and other overhead expenses.
Other expenses increased in 2024 primarily due to an increase in costs related to Peacock and higher severance charges in 2024.
* * *
Media segment total costs and expenses included $6.7 billion and $6.1 billion related to Peacock in 2024 and 2023, respectively, including amounts related to the Paris Olympics in 2024.
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| 41 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
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Studios Segment Results of Operations |
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Studios Segment – Revenue
Content licensing revenue primarily relates to the licensing of our owned film and television content in the United States and internationally to television networks and DTC streaming service providers, as well as through video on demand services provided by multichannel video providers and other service providers.
Content licensing revenue decreased in 2024 primarily due to the timing of when content was made available by our film studios, partially offset by the timing of when content was made available by our television studios under licensing agreements, including the impact of the Writers Guild and SAG work stoppages in the prior year.
Theatrical revenue primarily relates to the worldwide distribution of our produced and acquired films for exhibition in movie theaters.
Theatrical revenue decreased in 2024 primarily due to higher revenue from releases in our 2023 slate, including The Super Mario Bros. Movie, Oppenheimer and Fast X, compared to revenue from releases in our 2024 slate, including Despicable Me 4, Wicked, and Kung Fu Panda 4.
Other revenue primarily consists of the sale of physical and digital home entertainment products, as well as the production and licensing of live stage plays and the distribution of content produced by third parties.
Studios Segment – Costs and Expenses
Programming and production costs primarily consists of the amortization of capitalized film and television production and acquisition costs; residuals and participations expenses; and distribution expenses.
Programming and production costs decreased in 2024 primarily due to lower costs associated with theatrical releases, partially offset by higher costs associated with content licensing sales, including the impact of the Writers Guild and SAG work stoppages in the prior year.
Marketing and promotion expenses primarily consists of expenses associated with advertising for our theatrical releases.
Marketing and promotion expenses decreased in 2024 primarily due to decreased spending on current year and upcoming theatrical film releases.
Other expenses include salaries, employee benefits, rent and other overhead expenses.
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Theme Parks Segment Results of Operations |
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 42 | |
Theme parks segment revenue primarily relates to guest spending at our theme parks, including ticket sales and in-park spending, and to our consumer products business.
Theme park segment revenue decreased in 2024 primarily due to decreases at our domestic theme parks primarily driven by decreased park attendance, as well as the negative impact of foreign currency at our international theme parks.
Theme parks segment costs and expenses primarily consists of theme park operations, including repairs and maintenance and related administrative expenses; food, beverage and merchandise costs; labor costs; and sales and marketing costs.
Theme parks segment costs and expenses increased in 2024 primarily due to higher costs associated with park operations and preopening costs for Epic Universe, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency. We expect to incur additional preopening costs for Epic Universe ahead of the expected opening in May 2025.
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Content & Experiences Headquarters, Other and Eliminations |
Headquarters and Other Results of Operations
Headquarters and Other expenses primarily consists of overhead, personnel and other costs necessary to operate the Content & Experiences business. Expenses decreased in 2024 primarily due to higher severance charges in 2023.
Eliminations
Amounts represent eliminations of transactions between segments in our Content & Experiences business, the most significant being content licensing between the Studios and Media segments, which are affected by the timing of recognition of content licenses.
Eliminations increase or decrease to the extent that additional content is made available to our other segments within the Content & Experiences business. Refer to Note 2 for additional information on transactions between our segments.
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Corporate, Other and Eliminations |
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Corporate and Other Results of Operations |
Corporate and Other primarily consists of overhead and personnel costs; Sky-branded video services and television networks in Germany; Comcast Spectacor, which owns the Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center arena in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; and Xumo, our consolidated streaming platform joint venture.
Corporate and Other revenue increased in 2024 reflecting higher revenue across each of our other businesses.
Corporate and Other costs and expenses increased in 2024 primarily due to increases related to corporate functions and increased marketing associated with the Paris Olympics, partially offset by lower costs related to Sky operations in Germany, including charges related to entertainment content and the impact of the timing of recognition of costs in the prior year as a result of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. We will have expanded German broadcast rights to Bundesliga beginning with the 2025/2026 season, which will result in an increase in programming and production costs.
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| 43 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with NM.
Amounts represent eliminations of transactions between our Connectivity & Platforms, Content & Experiences and other businesses, the most significant being distribution of television network programming between the Media and Residential Connectivity & Platforms segments. Eliminations of transactions between segments within Content & Experiences are presented separately. Amounts are affected by the periodic broadcast of the Olympic Games, including the Paris Olympics in 2024. Refer to Note 2 for additional information on transactions between our segments.
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Non-GAAP Financial Measures |
Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is the primary basis used to measure the operational strength and performance of our businesses as well as to assist in the evaluation of underlying trends in our businesses. This measure eliminates the significant level of noncash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of certain of our businesses and from intangible assets recognized in business combinations. It is also unaffected by our capital and tax structures, and by our investment activities, including the results of entities that we do not consolidate, as our management excludes these results when evaluating our operating performance. Our management and Board of Directors use this financial measure to evaluate our consolidated operating performance and the operating performance of our operating segments and to allocate resources and capital to our operating segments. It is also a significant performance measure in our annual incentive compensation programs. Additionally, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA is useful to investors because it is one of the bases for comparing our operating performance with that of other companies in our industries, although our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income attributable to Comcast Corporation before net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, income tax expense, investment and other income (loss), net, interest expense, depreciation and amortization expense, and other operating gains and losses (such as impairment charges related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses on the sale of long-lived assets), if any. From time to time, we may exclude from Adjusted EBITDA the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges (such as significant legal settlements) that affect the period-to-period comparability of our operating performance.
We reconcile consolidated Adjusted EBITDA to net income attributable to Comcast Corporation. This measure should not be considered a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Comcast Corporation, or net cash provided by operating activities that we have reported in accordance with GAAP.
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Reconciliation from Net Income Attributable to Comcast Corporation to Adjusted EBITDA |
| Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | $ | 16,192 | | $ | 15,388 | |
| Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | (315) | | (282) | |
Income tax expense | 2,796 | | 5,371 | |
| Interest expense | 4,134 | | 4,087 | |
| Investment and other (income) loss, net | 490 | | (1,252) | |
| Depreciation | 8,729 | | 8,854 | |
| Amortization | 6,072 | | 5,482 | |
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Adjustments(a) | (30) | | (16) | |
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| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 38,069 | | $ | 37,633 | |
(a)Amounts represent the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges that are excluded from Adjusted EBITDA, including costs associated with the Spin-off and costs related to our investment portfolio.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 44 | |
Constant Currency
Constant currency and constant currency growth rates are non-GAAP financial measures that present our results of operations excluding the estimated effects of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations. Certain of our businesses, including Connectivity & Platforms, have operations outside the United States that are conducted in local currencies. As a result, the comparability of the financial results reported in U.S. dollars is affected by changes in foreign currency exchange rates. In our Connectivity & Platforms business, we use constant currency and constant currency growth rates to evaluate the underlying performance of the businesses, and we believe they are helpful for investors because such measures present operating results on a comparable basis year over year to allow the evaluation of their underlying performance.
Constant currency and constant currency growth rates are calculated by comparing the results for each comparable prior year period adjusted to reflect the average exchange rates from each current year period presented rather than the actual exchange rates that were in effect during the respective periods.
Reconciliation of Connectivity & Platforms Constant Currency
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| 2023 |
| Year ended December 31 (in millions) | As Reported | Effects of Foreign Currency | Constant Currency Amounts |
| Revenue | | | |
| Residential Connectivity & Platforms | $ | 71,946 | $ | 355 | $ | 72,301 |
| Business Services Connectivity | 9,255 | 1 | 9,256 |
| Total Connectivity & Platforms revenue | $ | 81,201 | $ | 356 | $ | 81,557 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | | | |
| Residential Connectivity & Platforms | $ | 26,948 | $ | 60 | $ | 27,008 |
| Business Services Connectivity | 5,291 | (1) | 5,291 |
| Total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 32,239 | $ | 60 | $ | 32,299 |
| Adjusted EBITDA Margin | | | |
| Residential Connectivity & Platforms | 37.5 | % | (10) bps | 37.4 | % |
| Business Services Connectivity | 57.2 | | — bps | 57.2 | |
| Total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA margin | 39.7 | % | (10) bps | 39.6 | % |
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| As Reported | Effects of Foreign Currency | Constant Currency Amounts |
| Average monthly total Connectivity & Platforms revenue per customer relationship | $ | 129.43 | | $ | 0.57 | | $ | 130.00 | |
| Average monthly total Connectivity & Platforms Adjusted EBITDA per customer relationship | $ | 51.39 | | $ | 0.09 | | $ | 51.48 | |
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| | 2023 |
| (in millions) | As Reported | Effects of Foreign Currency | Constant Currency Amounts |
| Costs and Expenses | | | |
| Programming | $ | 18,067 | | $ | 100 | | $ | 18,167 | |
| Technical and support | 7,416 | | 27 | | 7,443 | |
| Direct product costs | 6,146 | | 84 | | 6,230 | |
| Marketing and promotion | 4,720 | | 22 | | 4,741 | |
| Customer service | 2,783 | | 11 | | 2,795 | |
| Other | 9,830 | | 53 | | 9,883 | |
| Total Connectivity & Platforms costs and expenses | $ | 48,962 | | $ | 297 | | $ | 49,259 | |
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| 45 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Reconciliation of Residential Connectivity & Platforms Constant Currency
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| Effects of Foreign Currency | | Constant Currency Amounts | | | |
| Revenue | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 25,489 | | | $ | — | | | $ | 25,489 | | | | |
| | — | | | 3,664 | | | | |
| | 112 | | | 4,319 | | | | |
| | 112 | | | 33,472 | | | | |
| | 169 | | | 28,966 | | | | |
| | 35 | | | 4,004 | | | | |
| | 39 | | | 5,859 | | | | |
| | 355 | | | 72,301 | | | | |
| Costs and Expenses | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 100 | | | 18,167 | | | | |
| | 195 | | | 27,126 | | | | |
| | 295 | | | 45,293 | | | | |
| 26,948 | | | $ | 60 | | | $ | 27,008 | | | | |
Other Adjustments
From time to time, we present adjusted information, such as revenue, to exclude the impact of certain events, gains, losses or other charges. This adjusted information is a non-GAAP financial measure. We believe, among other things, that the adjusted information may help investors evaluate our ongoing operations and can assist in making meaningful period-over-period comparisons.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources |
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| Year ended December 31 (in billions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Cash provided by operating activities | $ | 27.7 | | $ | 28.5 | |
| Cash used in investing activities | $ | (15.7) | | $ | (7.2) | |
| Cash used in financing activities | $ | (10.9) | | $ | (19.9) | |
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| December 31 (in billions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 7.3 | | $ | 6.2 | |
Debt | $ | 99.1 | | $ | 97.1 | |
Our businesses generate significant cash flows from operating activities. We believe that we will be able to continue to meet our current and long-term liquidity and capital requirements, including fixed charges, through our cash flows from operating activities; existing cash, cash equivalents and investments; available borrowings under our existing credit facility; and our ability to obtain future external financing. Refer to the “Contractual Obligations” discussion below for additional information regarding our cash requirements. We anticipate that we will continue to use a substantial portion of our cash flows from operating activities in repaying our debt obligations, funding our capital expenditures and cash paid for intangible assets, investing in business opportunities, and returning capital to shareholders.
We entered into a new revolving credit facility in May 2024 (see Note 6). We maintain significant availability under our revolving credit facility and our commercial paper program to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. Our commercial paper program generally provides a lower-cost source of borrowing to fund our short-term working capital requirements. As of December 31, 2024, amounts available under our revolving credit facility, net of amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program and outstanding letters of credit and bank guarantees, totaled $11.8 billion.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 46 | |
We are subject to customary covenants and restrictions set forth in agreements related to debt issued at Comcast and certain of our subsidiaries, including the indentures governing our public debt securities and the credit agreement governing the Comcast revolving credit facility. Our revolving credit facility contains a financial covenant pertaining to leverage, which is the ratio of debt to EBITDA, as defined in the agreement. Compliance with this financial covenant is tested on a quarterly basis. As of December 31, 2024, we met this financial covenant, and we expect to remain in compliance with this financial covenant and other covenants related to our debt.
Operating Activities
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Components of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities |
| Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Operating income | $ | 23,297 | | $ | 23,314 | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 14,802 | | 14,336 | |
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| Noncash share-based compensation | 1,288 | | 1,241 | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities | (1,559) | | (2,055) | |
| Payments of interest | (3,657) | | (3,711) | |
| Payments of income taxes | (7,096) | | (5,107) | |
| Proceeds from investments and other | 597 | | 483 | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 27,673 | | $ | 28,501 | |
The variance in changes in operating assets and liabilities in 2024 was primarily related to the timing of amortization and related payments for our film and television costs, including the timing of sports, which was partially offset by reduced spending in the prior year due to the work stoppages.
The decrease in payments of interest in 2024 was primarily due to the payments of interest in the prior year associated with our collateralized obligation which was repaid in the fourth quarter of 2023, partially offset by increased debt balances following debt issuances in the current year and higher weighted-average interest rates.
Payments of income taxes increased in 2024 and included higher payments in the current year related to the 2023 tax year, primarily driven by the taxable gain recognized on our investment in Hulu. Payments of income taxes in 2024 were favorably impacted by the timing of transferable tax credit purchases, as payments for certain tax credits used in 2024 will be made in 2025. Additionally, we expect to receive a federal income tax refund in 2025 as a result of carrying back a capital loss created primarily as part of a 2024 internal corporate reorganization to offset capital gains recognized in our federal income tax returns for 2021 through 2023 (see Note 5).
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased in 2024 primarily due to net proceeds received as an advance on the sale of our interest in Hulu in the prior year (see Note 7), partially offset by decreased cash paid for intangible assets related to software development in the current year and decreased purchases of investments.
We expect to receive additional proceeds for the sale of our interest in Hulu following the finalization of the third-party appraisal process, at which time we will recognize the sale of our interest. See Note 7.
In September 2023, we entered into an agreement with T-Mobile to sell certain of our spectrum licenses. The agreement provides us with a right to remove certain licenses from the transaction, which will result in total cash consideration between $1.2 billion and $3.3 billion. The sale is expected to close in 2028 subject to various conditions and approvals.
Capital Expenditures
Capital expenditures remained consistent in 2024 compared to 2023. Spending on theme park attractions increased in 2024, and included costs associated with the construction of Epic Universe. 2023 expenditures included the acquisition of land for potential theme park expansion opportunities. The costs associated with the construction of Universal Beijing Resort are presented separately in our consolidated statements of cash flows. See Note 7.
Our most significant capital expenditures are within the Connectivity & Platforms business, and we expect that this will continue in the future. Connectivity & Platforms’ capital expenditures remained consistent in 2024 compared to 2023 primarily due to increased spending on line extensions and support capital, offset by decreased spending on customer premise equipment and scalable infrastructure. The table below summarizes the capital expenditures we incurred in our segments in the Connectivity & Platforms business in 2024 and 2023.
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| 47 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
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| Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Customer premise equipment | $ | 2,013 | | $ | 2,234 | |
| Scalable infrastructure | 3,024 | | 3,161 | |
| Line extensions | 2,691 | | 2,333 | |
| Support capital | 557 | | 514 | |
| Total | $ | 8,286 | | $ | 8,241 | |
We expect our capital expenditures in 2025 will continue to be focused on investments in the Connectivity & Platforms business in scalable infrastructure as we increase capacity and continue to execute our plans to upgrade our network to deliver multigigabit symmetrical speeds, in line extensions for the expansion of homes and businesses passed, and in the continued deployment of wireless gateways. In addition, we expect to continue investment in existing and new attractions at our Universal theme parks, including Epic Universe. Capital expenditures for subsequent years will depend on numerous factors, including competition, changes in technology, regulatory changes, the timing and rate of deployment of new services, the capacity required for existing services, the timing of new attractions at our theme parks and potential acquisitions.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities decreased in 2024 primarily due to repayment of a collateralized obligation in the prior year (see Note 7), a decrease in repurchases of common stock under our share repurchase program and employee plans, lower repurchases and repayments of debt in the current year, repayments of short-term borrowings, net in the prior year and higher proceeds from borrowings in the current year.
In September 2024, we issued €1.8 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate euro senior notes maturing in 2032 and 2036 and entered into a corresponding cross-currency swap, effectively converting the debt to an aggregate U.S. dollar principal amount of $2.0 billion with a weighted-average interest rate of 4.72%. We also issued £750 million ($1.0 billion using exchange rates on the date of issuance) principal amount of fixed rate sterling senior notes maturing in 2040 with an interest rate of 5.25%. The net proceeds from this issuance were intended for working capital and general corporate purposes, including the early redemption of $725 million of our outstanding 5.25% Notes due 2025, which was completed in October 2024, and the repayment of certain of our other outstanding debt with near-term maturities. In May 2024, we issued $3.3 billion aggregate principal amount of fixed-rate senior notes, which have maturities ranging between 2029 and 2054 and a weighted-average interest rate of 5.38%. The net proceeds from this issuance were used for the repayment of our outstanding commercial paper, and for working capital and general corporate purposes.
In 2024, we made debt repayments of $3.6 billion, including $1.9 billion principal amount of notes due at maturity and $750 million of 5.250% Notes due 2025, $391 million of 3.950% Notes due 2025, $256 million of 3.375% Notes due 2025, and $104 million of 3.150% Notes due 2026.
We have made, and may from time to time in the future make, optional repayments on our debt obligations, which may include repurchases or exchanges of our outstanding public notes and debentures, depending on various factors, such as market conditions. Any such repurchases may be effected through privately negotiated transactions, market transactions, tender offers, redemptions or otherwise. In particular, we may repurchase varying amounts of our outstanding public notes and debentures with short to medium term maturities through privately negotiated or market transactions. See Notes 6 and 7 for additional information on our financing activities.
Share Repurchases and Dividends
In the second quarter of 2021, we restarted our share repurchase program, which had been paused since the beginning of 2019. In January 2024, our Board of Directors terminated our existing program and approved a new share repurchase program authorization of $15 billion effective as of January 26, 2024, which had no expiration date. In 2024, we repurchased a total of 212 million shares of our Class A common stock for $8.6 billion under our authorization programs. We did not purchase any shares outside of these programs. As of December 31, 2024, we had $7.0 billion remaining under the authorization, and in January 2025, our Board of Directors terminated the existing program and approved a new share repurchase program authorization of $15 billion, which has no expiration date. We expect to repurchase additional shares of our Class A common stock under this new authorization in the open market or in private transactions, subject to market and other conditions.
In 2024, our Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends of $0.31 per share, including our fourth quarter dividend payable in January 2025 and we made dividend payments of $4.8 billion. In January 2025, our Board of Directors approved a 6.5% increase in our dividend to $1.32 per share on an annualized basis and approved our first quarter dividend of $0.33 per share, to be paid in April 2025. We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends, although each dividend is subject to approval by our Board of Directors.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 48 | |
The chart below summarizes share repurchases and dividend payments. In addition, we paid $463 million and $291 million in 2024 and 2023, respectively, related to employee taxes associated with the administration of our share-based compensation plans and excise taxes related to share repurchases. Our share repurchases have more than offset dilution that resulted from issuing our Class A common stock in connection with our share-based compensation plans in those years, thereby having the effect of reducing the total number of our Class A common stock outstanding.
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Share Repurchases Under Share Repurchase Program Authorization and Dividends Paid and Weighted-Average Number of Common Shares Outstanding - Diluted |
($ in billions and shares in millions) |
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our most significant contractual obligations as of December 31, 2024:
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As of December 31, 2024 (in billions) | Total | Within the next 12 months | Beyond the next 12 months |
Debt obligations(a) | $ | 105.1 | | $ | 4.9 | | $ | 100.2 | |
| Programming and production obligations | 96.2 | | 17.2 | | 79.0 | |
(a) Amounts represent the face value of debt and exclude interest payments. Our largest contractual obligations relate to our outstanding debt. As of December 31, 2024, our debt had a weighted-average time to maturity of approximately 16 years. Including the effects of our derivative financial instruments, as of December 31, 2024, our debt had a weighted-average interest rate based on the stated coupons of 3.7% and the percentage of our debt obligations that were fixed-rate debt was 98%. We typically fund and expect to continue to be able to fund debt maturities and interest payments with cash flows generated in our operations; existing cash, cash equivalents and investments; or proceeds from additional external financing. See Note 6 and Item 7A for additional information on our debt.
We also have significant contractual obligations associated with our programming and production expenses. We have multiyear agreements for television and/or streaming rights of sporting events, such as for the NBA, the NFL, the Olympics and the English Premier League, which represent the substantial majority of our programming and production obligations. Connectivity & Platforms’ programming expenses related to the distribution of third-party television networks are generally acquired under multiyear distribution agreements with fees based on the number of subscribers receiving the television network programming and a per subscriber fee. The amounts included in the table above relate to minimum guaranteed commitments for these distribution agreements or fixed fees, and as a result, we expect the total fees to be paid under these arrangements to be significantly higher than the amounts included above. We have funded and expect to continue to be able to fund our programming and production obligations with the cash generated from our operations. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 37% of cash payments related to our programming and production obligations are due after five years, of which the vast majority related to multiyear sports rights agreements. See Note 4 for additional information on programming and production costs.
Our other contractual obligations relate primarily to operating leases (see Note 14) and other arrangements recorded in our consolidated balance sheets and/or disclosed in the notes to our financial statements, including benefit plan obligations (see Note 10), liabilities for uncertain tax positions (see Note 5), our remaining unfunded capital commitment to Atairos (see Note 7) and a contractual obligation related to an interest held by a third party in the revenue of certain theme parks (see Note 14).
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| 49 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Guarantee Structure
Our debt is primarily issued at Comcast, although we also have debt at certain of our subsidiaries as a result of acquisitions and other issuances. A substantial amount of this debt is subject to guarantees by Comcast and by certain subsidiaries that we have put in place to simplify our capital structure. We believe this guarantee structure provides liquidity benefits to debt investors and helps to simplify credit analysis with respect to relative value considerations of guaranteed subsidiary debt.
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Debt and Guarantee Structure | | |
| December 31 (in billions) | 2024 | 2023 |
| Debt Subject to Cross-Guarantees | | |
| Comcast | $ | 94.6 | | $ | 91.9 | |
NBCUniversal(a) | 1.6 | | 1.6 | |
Comcast Cable(a) | 0.9 | | 0.9 | |
| 97.1 | | 94.4 | |
| Debt Subject to One-Way Guarantees | | |
| Sky | 3.0 | | 3.6 | |
Other(a) | 0.1 | | 0.1 | |
| 3.1 | | 3.8 | |
| Debt Not Guaranteed | | |
Universal Beijing Resort(b) | 3.4 | | 3.5 | |
| Other | 1.4 | | 1.5 | |
| 4.8 | | 5.0 | |
Debt issuance costs, premiums, discounts, fair value adjustments for acquisition accounting and hedged positions, net | (6.0) | | (6.1) | |
| Total debt | $ | 99.1 | | $ | 97.1 | |
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(a)NBCUniversal Media, LLC (“NBCUniversal”), Comcast Cable Communications, LLC (“Comcast Cable”) and Comcast Holdings Corporation (“Comcast Holdings”), which is included within other debt subject to one-way guarantees, are each consolidated subsidiaries subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the SEC. The guarantee structures and related disclosures in this section, together with Exhibit 22, satisfy these reporting obligations.
(b)Universal Beijing Resort debt financing is secured by the assets of Universal Beijing Resort and the equity interests of the investors. See Note 7 for additional information.
Cross-Guarantees
Comcast, NBCUniversal and Comcast Cable (the “Guarantors”) fully and unconditionally, jointly and severally, guarantee each other’s debt securities. NBCUniversal and Comcast Cable also guarantee other borrowings of Comcast, including its revolving credit facility. These guarantees rank equally with all other general unsecured and unsubordinated obligations of the respective Guarantors. However, the obligations of the Guarantors under the guarantees are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of their respective non-guarantor subsidiaries. The obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the maximum amount that would not render such Guarantor’s obligations subject to avoidance under applicable fraudulent conveyance provisions of U.S. and non-U.S. law. Each Guarantor’s obligations will remain in effect until all amounts payable with respect to the guaranteed securities have been paid in full. However, a guarantee by NBCUniversal or Comcast Cable of Comcast’s debt securities, or by NBCUniversal of Comcast Cable’s debt securities, will terminate upon a disposition of such Guarantor entity or all or substantially all of its assets.
The Guarantors are each holding companies that principally hold investments in, borrow from and lend to non-guarantor subsidiary operating companies; issue and service third-party debt obligations; repurchase shares and pay dividends; and engage in certain corporate and headquarters activities. The Guarantors are generally dependent on non-guarantor subsidiary operating companies to fund these activities.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the combined Guarantors have noncurrent notes payable to non-guarantor subsidiaries of $88 billion and $136 billion, respectively, and noncurrent notes receivable from non-guarantor subsidiaries of $14 billion and $18 billion, respectively. This financial information is that of the Guarantors presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances between the Guarantors eliminated. The combined financial information excludes financial information of non-guarantor subsidiaries. The underlying net assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries are significantly in excess of the Guarantor obligations. Excluding investments in non-guarantor subsidiaries, external debt and the noncurrent notes payable and receivable with non-guarantor subsidiaries, the Guarantors do not have material assets, liabilities or results of operations.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 50 | |
One-Way Guarantees
Comcast provides full and unconditional guarantees of certain debt issued by Sky Limited (“Sky”), including all of its senior notes, and other consolidated subsidiaries not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the SEC.
Comcast also provides a full and unconditional guarantee of $138 million principal amount of subordinated debt issued by Comcast Holdings. Comcast’s obligations under this guarantee are subordinated and subject, in right of payment, to the prior payment in full of all of Comcast’s senior indebtedness, including debt guaranteed by Comcast on a senior basis, and are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of its non-guarantor subsidiaries (for purposes of this Comcast Holdings discussion, Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal are included within the non-guarantor subsidiary group). Comcast’s obligations as guarantor will remain in effect until all amounts payable with respect to the guaranteed debt have been paid in full. However, the guarantee will terminate upon a disposition of Comcast Holdings or all or substantially all of its assets. Comcast Holdings is a consolidated subsidiary holding company that directly or indirectly holds 100% and approximately 37% of our equity interests in Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, Comcast and Comcast Holdings, the combined issuer and guarantor of the guaranteed subordinated debt, have noncurrent senior notes payable to non-guarantor subsidiaries of $53 billion and $104 billion, respectively, and noncurrent notes receivable from non-guarantor subsidiaries of $10 billion and $14 billion, respectively. This financial information is that of Comcast and Comcast Holdings presented on a combined basis with intercompany balances between Comcast and Comcast Holdings eliminated. The combined financial information excludes financial information of non-guarantor subsidiaries of Comcast and Comcast Holdings. The underlying net assets of the non-guarantor subsidiaries of Comcast and Comcast Holdings are significantly in excess of the obligations of Comcast and Comcast Holdings. Excluding investments in non-guarantor subsidiaries, external debt, and the noncurrent notes payable and receivable with non-guarantor subsidiaries, Comcast and Comcast Holdings do not have material assets, liabilities or results of operations.
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Critical Accounting Estimates |
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenue and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and contingent liabilities. We base our judgments on our historical experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making estimates about the carrying value of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
We believe our estimates associated with the valuation and impairment testing of goodwill and cable franchise rights and the accounting for film and television costs are critical in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed the related disclosures below. See also Notes 4 and 9.
Valuation and Impairment Testing of Goodwill and Cable Franchise Rights
We assess the recoverability of our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, including cable franchise rights, annually as of July 1, or more frequently whenever events or substantive changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. The assessment of recoverability may first consider qualitative factors to determine whether the existence of events or circumstances leads to a determination that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit or an indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than its carrying amount. A quantitative assessment is performed if the qualitative assessment results in a more-likely-than-not determination or if a qualitative assessment is not performed. In connection with our impairment assessment process, from time to time, we perform quantitative assessments of our reporting units and cable franchise rights in order to support our qualitative assessments.
Goodwill
Goodwill results from business combinations and represents the excess amount of the consideration paid over the identifiable assets and liabilities recorded in the acquisition. We test goodwill for impairment at the reporting unit level.
When performing a quantitative assessment, we estimate the fair values of our reporting units primarily based on a discounted cash flow analysis that involves significant judgment, including market participant estimates of future cash flows expected to be generated by the business and the selection of discount rates. When performing this analysis, we also consider multiples of earnings from comparable public companies and recent market transactions.
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| 51 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
We performed qualitative assessments in 2024 for goodwill in our Residential Connectivity & Platforms, Business Services Connectivity, Studios and Theme Parks segments in connection with our annual impairment testing. These analyses considered the results of previous quantitative assessments, and also considered various factors that would affect the estimated fair value of these reporting units in our qualitative assessments, including changes in projected future cash flows, recent market transactions and overall macroeconomic conditions, discount rates, and changes in our market capitalization. Based on these assessments, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the estimated fair values of our reporting units were substantially higher than their carrying values and that the performance of a quantitative impairment test was not required. We performed a quantitative assessment in 2024 for goodwill in our Media segment. Based on this assessment, the estimated fair value of the Media reporting unit substantially exceeded its carrying value and no impairment was required.
Changes in market conditions, laws and regulations, and key assumptions made in future quantitative assessments, such as expected cash flows, competitive factors, discount rates, and value indications from market transactions, including the proposed Spin-off of businesses within our Media segment, could negatively impact the results of future impairment testing and could result in the recognition of an impairment charge.
Cable Franchise Rights
Our cable franchise rights assets result from agreements we have with state and local governments that allow us to construct and operate a cable business within a specified geographic area. The value of a franchise is derived from the economic benefits we receive from the right to solicit new customers and to market additional services in a particular service area. The amounts we record for cable franchise rights are primarily a result of cable system acquisitions. Typically when we acquire a cable system, the most significant asset we record is the value of the cable franchise rights.
When performing a quantitative assessment, we estimate the fair values of our cable franchise rights primarily based on a discounted cash flow analysis that involves significant judgment, including the estimate of future cash flows and the selection of discount rates.
In 2024, we performed a qualitative assessment of our cable franchise rights. At the time of our previous quantitative assessment in 2022, which was pursuant to our practice of performing quantitative assessments of cable franchise rights approximately once every four years, the estimated fair values of our franchise rights substantially exceeded their carrying values. We also considered various factors that would affect the estimated fair values of our cable franchise rights in our qualitative assessment, including changes in our projected future cash flows, recent market transactions and overall macroeconomic conditions, discount rates, and changes in our market capitalization. Based on this assessment, we concluded that it was more likely than not that the estimated fair values of our cable franchise rights were substantially higher than the carrying values and that the performance of a quantitative impairment test was not required.
Changes in market conditions, laws and regulations, and key assumptions made in future quantitative assessments, such as expected cash flows, competitive factors, discount rates, and value indications from market transactions, could negatively impact the results of future impairment testing and could result in the recognition of an impairment charge.
Film and Television Content
We capitalize costs for owned film and television content, including direct costs, production overhead, print costs, development costs and interest, as well as acquired libraries. We have determined that the predominant monetization strategy for the substantial majority of our content is on an individual basis. Amortization for owned content predominantly monetized on an individual basis and accrued costs associated with participations and residuals payments are recorded using the individual film forecast computation method, which recognizes the costs in the same ratio as the associated ultimate revenue.
Our estimates of ultimate revenue for films generally include revenue from all sources that are expected to be earned within 10 years from the date of a film’s initial release. These estimates are based on the distribution strategy and historical performance of similar content, as well as factors unique to the content itself. The most sensitive factor affecting our estimate of ultimate revenue for a film intended for theatrical release is the film’s theatrical performance, as subsequent revenue from the licensing and sale of a film has historically exhibited a high correlation to its theatrical performance. Upon a film’s release, our estimates of revenue from succeeding markets, including from content licensing across multiple platforms and home entertainment sales, are revised based on historical relationships and an analysis of current market trends.
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Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 52 | |
With respect to television series or other owned television programming, the most sensitive factor affecting our estimate of ultimate revenue is whether the series can be successfully licensed beyond its initial license window. Initial estimates of ultimate revenue are limited to the amount of revenue attributed to the initial license window. Once it is determined that a television series or other owned television programming can be licensed beyond the initial license window, revenue estimates for these additional windows or platforms, such as U.S. and international syndication, home entertainment, and other distribution platforms, are included in ultimate revenue. Revenue estimates for produced episodes include revenue expected to be earned within 10 years of delivery of the initial episode or, if still in production, 5 years from the delivery of the most recent episode, if later.
We capitalize the costs of licensed content when the license period begins, the content is made available for use and the costs of the licenses are known. Licensed content is amortized as the associated programs are used, incorporating estimated viewing patterns.
Capitalized film and television costs are subject to impairment testing when certain triggering events are identified. The substantial majority of our owned content is evaluated for impairment on an individual title basis. Licensed content that is not part of a film group is tested for impairment primarily on a channel, network or platform basis, with the exception of our broadcast networks and owned local broadcast television stations, which are tested on a daypart basis. Sports rights are accounted for as executory contracts and are not subject to impairment. When performing an impairment assessment, we estimate fair value primarily based on a discounted cash flow analysis that involves significant judgment, including market participant estimates of future cash flows, which are supported by internal forecasts. Impairments of capitalized film and television costs were not material in any of the periods presented.
We recognize the costs of multiyear, live-event sports rights as the rights are utilized over the contract term based on estimated relative value. Estimated relative value is generally based on terms of the contract and the nature of and potential revenue generation of the deliverables within the contract.
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| 53 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Item 7A: Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
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Interest Rate Risk Management |
We maintain a mix of fixed-rate and variable-rate debt and we are exposed to the market risk of adverse changes in interest rates. In order to manage the cost and volatility relating to the interest cost of our outstanding debt, we enter into various interest rate risk management derivative transactions in accordance with our policy.
We monitor our exposure to the risk of adverse changes in interest rates through the use of techniques that include market valuation and sensitivity analyses. We do not engage in any speculative or leveraged derivative transactions.
Our interest rate derivative financial instruments, which primarily include cross-currency swaps and interest rate swaps, represent an integral part of our interest rate risk management program.
The effect of our interest rate derivative financial instruments to our consolidated interest expense was an increase of $49 million in 2024, a decrease of $56 million in 2023 and a decrease of $66 million in 2022. Interest rate derivative financial instruments may have a significant effect on consolidated interest expense in the future.
The table below summarizes by contractual year of maturity the principal amount of our debt, notional amount of our interest rate instruments, effective rates, and fair values subject to interest rate risk maintained by us as of December 31, 2024. We had no variable rate debt outstanding as of December 31, 2024. We estimate interest rates on variable rate swaps using the relevant average implied forward rates through the year of maturity based on the yield curve in effect on December 31, 2024, plus the applicable borrowing margin.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (in billions) | 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 | Thereafter | Total | Estimated Fair Value as of December 31, 2024 |
| Debt | | | | | | | | |
| Fixed-rate debt | $ | 4.9 | | $ | 4.9 | | $ | 5.7 | | $ | 7.0 | | $ | 4.8 | | $ | 77.7 | | $ | 105.1 | | $ | 89.8 | |
Average interest rate(a) | 2.9 | % | 1.7 | % | 3.3 | % | 4.0 | % | 3.7 | % | 3.8 | % | 3.6 | % | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| Fixed-to-Variable Interest Rate Swaps |
Notional amount(b) | $ | — | | $ | 1.3 | | $ | 0.3 | | $ | 1.0 | | $ | — | | $ | — | | $ | 2.5 | | $ | (0.2) | |
| Average pay rate | — | % | 6.5 | % | 6.3 | % | 6.8 | % | — | % | — | % | 6.6 | % | |
| Average receive rate | — | % | 3.3 | % | 3.6 | % | 4.2 | % | — | % | — | % | 3.7 | % | |
| | | | | |
| | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
(a)Includes the effects of our fixed-to-fixed cross-currency swaps, which are discussed further below under the heading “Foreign Exchange Risk Management.”
(b)Notional amounts are used to calculate the interest to be paid or received and do not represent our exposure to credit loss. The estimated fair value approximates the amount of payments to be made or proceeds to be received to settle the outstanding contracts, excluding accrued interest.
See Notes 1 and 6 for additional information.
| | | | | | | | |
Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 54 | |
| | |
Foreign Exchange Risk Management |
We have significant operations in a number of countries outside the United States, and certain of our operations are conducted in foreign currencies. The value of these currencies, primarily including the British pound, euro, Japanese yen and Chinese yuan, fluctuates relative to the U.S. dollar. These changes could adversely affect the U.S. dollar equivalent value of our non-U.S. dollar operations, which could negatively affect our business, financial condition or results of operations in a given period or in specific territories.
As part of our overall strategy to manage the level of exposure to the risk of foreign exchange rate fluctuations, we enter into derivative financial instruments related to a significant portion of our foreign currency exposure for transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the transacting entity. We use cross-currency swaps as fair value and cash flow hedges for certain debt obligations denominated in a currency other than the functional currency of the issuer. Cross-currency swaps effectively convert foreign currency denominated debt to debt denominated in the functional currency, which hedge currency exchange risks associated with foreign currency denominated debt. We also enter into foreign currency forward contracts that change in value as currency exchange rates fluctuate to protect the functional currency equivalent value of non-functional currency denominated assets, liabilities, commitments, and forecasted non-functional currency revenue and expenses. In accordance with our policy, we hedge forecasted foreign currency transactions for periods generally not to exceed 30 months. Certain of these derivatives are designated as fair value hedges, including foreign currency forwards designated as fair value hedges on our foreign currency intercompany loans receivable.
We are also exposed to foreign exchange risk on the consolidation of our foreign operations. We have foreign currency denominated debt and cross-currency swaps designated as hedges of our net investments in certain of these subsidiaries.
See Note 6 for additional information.
We have analyzed our foreign currency exposure related to our foreign operations as of December 31, 2024, including our hedging contracts, to identify assets and liabilities denominated in a currency other than their functional currency. For those assets and liabilities, we then evaluated the effect of a hypothetical 10% shift in currency exchange rates, inclusive of the effects of derivatives. The results of our analysis indicate that such a shift in exchange rates would not have a material impact on our 2024 net income attributable to Comcast Corporation.
| | |
Counterparty Credit Risk Management |
We manage the credit risks associated with our derivative financial instruments through diversification and the evaluation and monitoring of the creditworthiness of counterparties. Although we may be exposed to losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties, we do not expect such losses, if any, to be significant. We have agreements with certain counterparties that include collateral provisions. These provisions require a party with an aggregate unrealized loss position in excess of certain thresholds to post cash collateral for the amount in excess of the threshold. The threshold levels in our collateral agreements are based on our and the counterparty’s credit ratings. As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, we were not required to post collateral under the terms of these agreements, nor did we hold any collateral under the terms of these agreements.
| | | | | | | | |
| 55 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Item 8: Comcast Corporation Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
| | | | | | | | |
Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 56 | |
Management’s Report on Financial Statements
Our management is responsible for the preparation, integrity and fair presentation of information in the consolidated financial statements, including estimates and judgments. The consolidated financial statements presented in this report have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Our management believes the consolidated financial statements and other financial information included in this report fairly present, in all material respects, the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented in this report. The consolidated financial statements have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting. Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
•Pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of our assets.
•Provide reasonable assurance that our transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of our financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and that our receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our directors.
•Provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting may vary over time. Our system contains self-monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they are identified.
Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, our management concluded that the system of internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2024. The effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included herein.
Audit Committee Oversight
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised solely of independent directors, has oversight responsibility for our financial reporting process and the audits of the consolidated financial statements and internal control over financial reporting. The Audit Committee meets regularly with management and with our internal auditors and independent registered public accounting firm (collectively, the “auditors”) to review matters related to the quality and integrity of our financial reporting, internal control over financial reporting (including compliance matters related to our Code of Conduct), and the nature, extent, and results of internal and external audits. Our auditors have full and free access and report directly to the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors approved, that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in this Form 10-K.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| /s/ BRIAN L. ROBERTS | | /s/ JASON S. ARMSTRONG | | /s/ DANIEL C. MURDOCK |
| Brian L. Roberts | | Jason S. Armstrong | | Daniel C. Murdock |
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer | | Chief Financial Officer | | Executive Vice President, Chief
Accounting Officer and Controller |
| | | | | | | | |
| 57 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Shareholders and Board of Directors of
Comcast Corporation
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Comcast Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, cash flows, and changes in equity for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “financial statements”). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also, in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures to respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue - Refer to Note 3 to the financial statements.
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s Residential Connectivity & Platforms segment generates revenue from customers that subscribe to broadband and wireless connectivity services, video services and wireline voice services. These services are offered to customers individually and as bundled services at a discounted rate.
| | | | | | | | |
Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 58 | |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The processing and recording of revenue are reliant upon multiple information technology (IT) systems.
Given the volume of data and the number of IT systems, subjective auditor judgment was involved in evaluating the sufficiency of audit evidence over revenue recognition for bundled services within the Residential Connectivity & Platforms segment, including the involvement of professionals with expertise in IT to identify, test, and evaluate the Company’s systems and automated controls used in processing revenue transactions.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the judgments necessary to determine the appropriate recognition and processing of revenue included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls in the revenue recognition processes, including those in place to (a) establish revenue recognition accounting policies for bundled services, (b) record revenue, including any related discounts, in accordance with the established accounting policies, and (c) reconcile the various systems to the Company’s general ledger.
•With the assistance of our IT specialists, we:
◦Identified the relevant systems and databases used to process revenue transactions and tested the relevant IT controls over each of those systems and databases.
◦Performed testing of automated business controls over revenue from domestic residential and business customers.
•We tested the allocation of revenue for bundled services by selecting a sample of subscriber invoices, evaluating management’s determination of the transaction price and the distinct performance obligations, and recalculating the allocation of transaction price to each performance obligation based on the respective stand-alone selling prices.
•We tested the accuracy and completeness of the subscriber information used in our audit procedures by selecting a sample of the subscribers, and for those selections agreeing the selected subscriber information to supporting documentation.
•We developed expectations of revenue at a disaggregated level based on historical transaction prices, changes in stand-alone selling prices and current year volumes. We also developed an expectation of aggregate domestic residential revenue from subscribers based on cash received during the year. We compared those estimates to revenue recognized by the Company.
Goodwill - Refer to Note 9 to the financial statements.
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s evaluation of goodwill for impairment is performed at the reporting unit level. To determine its reporting units, the Company evaluates the components one level below the segment level and aggregates the components if they have similar economic characteristics. The Company performed a quantitative assessment of goodwill for the Media reporting unit, which involved a comparison of the fair value of the Media reporting unit to its carrying value.
The Company used the discounted cash flow model to estimate fair value, which requires management to make significant judgments related to discount rates and forecasts of expected cash flows. Changes in these assumptions could have a significant impact on either the fair value, the amount of any goodwill impairment charge, or both.
The goodwill balance was $58 billion as of December 31, 2024, of which $20 billion was allocated to the Media reporting unit. Based on the quantitative assessment, the estimated fair value of the Media reporting unit exceeded its carrying value and no impairment was recognized.
We identified the goodwill impairment assessment of the Media reporting unit as a critical audit matter because of the significant judgments made by management to estimate the fair value of the Media reporting unit. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort, when performing audit procedures to evaluate management’s conclusion related to the aggregation of components into a single reporting unit and the reasonableness of management’s estimates and assumptions related to the selection of the discount rate, revenue growth rate and Adjusted EBITDA margin included in future expected cash flows for the Media reporting unit.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures to evaluate the determination of the reporting unit as well as the discount rate, revenue growth rate and Adjusted EBITDA margin included in future expected cash flows used by management to estimate the fair value of the Media reporting unit included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s goodwill impairment evaluation, including those over (a) the accounting policies regarding identification of the unit of account for goodwill and (b) the determination of the fair value of Media, such as controls related to management’s selection of the discount rate and forecasts of future expected cash flows.
•With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the (1) valuation methodology and (2) discount rate, including testing the source information underlying the determination of the discount rate, testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculation, and developing a range of independent estimates and comparing those to the discount rate selected by management.
•We evaluated management’s ability to accurately forecast future revenue and Adjusted EBITDA margin by comparing prior year forecasts to actual results in the respective years.
| | | | | | | | |
| 59 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
•We evaluated the reasonableness of management’s current forecasts of future revenue and Adjusted EBITDA margin by comparing such forecasts to historical results and to forecasted information included in Company press releases as well as in analyst and industry reports of the Company and companies in its peer group.
Income Taxes - Refer to Note 5 to the financial statements.
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company completed an internal corporate reorganization which resulted in a federal net capital loss of $9.1 billion, which can be carried back three years. Given capital gains recognized in prior federal income tax returns, the Company recognized an income tax benefit and a corresponding refund receivable of $1.9 billion.
We identified the accounting for the tax benefit as a critical audit matter due to the significant judgment required to (1) determine whether the tax position’s technical merits are more-likely-than-not to be sustained and (2) measure the amount of the tax benefit that qualifies for recognition. Auditing the Company’s accounting for this position required a high degree of auditor judgment, specialized knowledge, and involvement of our tax specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our audit procedures related to the tax benefit associated with the internal corporate reorganization included the following, among others:
•We tested the effectiveness of controls over management’s determination of the tax position and the measurement of the tax benefit.
•With the assistance of our tax specialists, we:
◦Evaluated management’s memoranda and third-party opinions used by management to support its position and the related accounting impacts. We assessed the consistency of management’s position with our interpretation of the relevant laws and regulations.
◦Assessed management’s methods and assumptions used in calculating the capital loss and measuring the tax benefit.
◦Recalculated the tax basis of the entities included in the calculation of the capital loss by comparing the amounts to supporting evidence and evaluating the appropriateness of management’s assumptions used to determine the tax basis.
/s/
January 31, 2025
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 1963.
| | | | | | | | |
Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 60 | |
Comcast Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Income
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31 (in millions, except per share data) | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Revenue | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| Costs and Expenses: | | | | | |
| Programming and production | | | | | | | | |
| Marketing and promotion | | | | | | | | |
| Other operating and administrative | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation | | | | | | | | |
| Amortization | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Goodwill and long-lived asset impairments | | | | | | | | |
| Total costs and expenses | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Investment and other income (loss), net | () | | | | | | () | |
| Income before income taxes | | | | | | | | |
| Income tax expense | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Net income | | | | | | | | |
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Net income attributable to Comcast Corporation | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| Basic earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| | |
| | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
| | | | | | | | |
| 61 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Comcast Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Net income | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (expense) benefit: | | | | | |
Currency translation adjustments, net of deferred taxes of $(), $() and $ | () | | | | | | () | |
| Cash flow hedges: | | | | | |
Deferred gains (losses), net of deferred taxes of $(), $ and $() | | | | | | | | |
Realized (gains) losses reclassified to net income, net of deferred taxes of $(), $ and $() | () | | | () | | | () | |
Employee benefit obligations and other, net of deferred taxes of $(), $() and $() | | | | | | | | |
Other comprehensive income (loss) | () | | | | | | () | |
| Comprehensive income (loss) | | | | | | | | |
| Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Less: Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Comprehensive income attributable to Comcast Corporation | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
| | | | | | | | |
Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 62 | |
Comcast Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 |
| Operating Activities | | | | | |
| Net income | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | | | | | | | | |
| Goodwill and long-lived asset impairments | | | | | | | | |
| Share-based compensation | | | | | | | | |
| Noncash interest expense (income), net | | | | | | | | |
| Net (gain) loss on investment activity and other | | | | () | | | | |
| Deferred income taxes | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and divestitures: | | | | | |
| Current and noncurrent receivables, net | | | | () | | | () | |
| Film and television costs, net | | | | () | | | () | |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors | () | | | () | | | | |
| Other operating assets and liabilities | () | | | | | | () | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | | | | | | | | |
| Investing Activities | | | | | |
| Capital expenditures | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Cash paid for intangible assets | () | | | () | | | () | |
| | |
| Construction of Universal Beijing Resort | () | | | () | | | () | |
| | |
| | |
| Proceeds from sales of businesses and investments | | | | | | | | |
Advance on sale of investment | | | | | | | | |
| Purchases of investments | () | | | () | | | () | |
| | |
| Other | () | | | | | | | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Financing Activities | | | | | |
| Proceeds from (repayments of) short-term borrowings, net | | | | () | | | | |
| Proceeds from borrowings | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| Repurchases and repayments of debt | () | | | () | | | () | |
Repayment of collateralized obligation | | | | () | | | | |
| Repurchases of common stock under repurchase program and employee plans | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Dividends paid | () | | | () | | | () | |
| | |
| | |
| | |
| Other | | | | | | | | |
| Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities | () | | | () | | | () | |
| Impact of foreign currency on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | () | | | | | | () | |
| Increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | | | | | | | () | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of year | | | | | | | | |
| Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
| | | | | | | | |
| 63 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Comcast Corporation
Consolidated Balance Sheets
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| December 31 (in millions, except share data) | 2024 | | 2023 |
| Assets | | | |
| Current Assets: | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | | | $ | | |
| Receivables, net | | | | | |
|
|
| Other current assets | | | | | |
| Total current assets | | | | | |
| Film and television costs | | | | | |
| Investments | | | | | |
| Property and equipment, net | | | | | |
| Goodwill | | | | | |
| Franchise rights | | | | | |
| Other intangible assets, net | | | | | |
| Other noncurrent assets, net | | | | | |
| Total assets | $ | | | | $ | | |
| Liabilities and Equity | | | |
| Current Liabilities: | | | |
| Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors | $ | | | | $ | | |
| Deferred revenue | | | | | |
| Accrued expenses and other current liabilities | | | | | |
| Current portion of debt | | | | | |
Advance on sale of investment | | | | | |
|
| Total current liabilities | | | | | |
| Noncurrent portion of debt | | | | | |
| Deferred income taxes | | | | | |
| Other noncurrent liabilities | | | | | |
| Commitments and contingencies | | | |
| Redeemable noncontrolling interests | | | | | |
| Equity: | | | |
Preferred stock—authorized, shares; issued, | | | | | |
Class A common stock, $ par value—authorized, shares; issued, and ; outstanding, and | | | | | |
Class B common stock, $ par value—authorized, shares; issued and outstanding, | | | | | |
| Additional paid-in capital | | | | | |
| Retained earnings | | | | | |
Treasury stock, Class A common shares | () | | | () | |
| Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) | () | | | () | |
| Total Comcast Corporation shareholders’ equity | | | | | |
| Noncontrolling interests | | | | | |
| Total equity | | | | | |
| Total liabilities and equity | $ | | | | $ | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
| | | | | | | | |
Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 64 | |
Comcast Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Equity
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (in millions, except per share data) | 2024 | | 2023 | | 2022 | | | | |
| Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net | () | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
| Other | | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, end of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Class A Common Stock | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Repurchases of common stock under repurchase program and employee plans | () | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
| Balance, end of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Class B Common Stock | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Balance, beginning and end of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Additional Paid-In Capital | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| Share-based compensation | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Repurchases of common stock under repurchase program and employee plans | () | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
| Issuances of common stock under employee plans | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Other | | | | () | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, end of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Retained Earnings | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
Repurchases of common stock under repurchase program and employee plans | () | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
| Dividends declared | () | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
| Other | | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
| Net income | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, end of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Treasury Stock at Cost | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, beginning and end of year | $ | () | | | $ | () | | | $ | () | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | () | | | $ | () | | | $ | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | () | | | | | | () | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, end of year | $ | () | | | $ | () | | | $ | () | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | |
| Noncontrolling Interests | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance, beginning of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| Other comprehensive income (loss) | () | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
Contributions from (distributions to) noncontrolling interests, net | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Other | | | | | | | () | | | | | |
| Net income (loss) | () | | | () | | | () | | | | | |
| Balance, end of year | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| Total equity | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
| Cash dividends declared per common share | $ | | | | $ | | | | $ | | | | | | |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
| | | | | | | | |
| 65 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
Comcast Corporation
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
In November 2024, we announced our intention to create SpinCo, a new independent publicly traded company comprised of select domestic cable television networks along with complementary digital assets through a tax-free spin-off. We are targeting to complete the Spin-off by the end of 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including obtaining final approval from our Board of Directors, satisfactory completion of SpinCo financings, receipt of tax opinions and receipt of any regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that a separation transaction will occur, or, if one does, of its terms or timing. The consolidated financial statements and related notes do not reflect the proposed Spin-off.
Reclassifications
Accounting Policies
Information on other accounting policies and methods that we use in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements are included, where applicable, in their respective footnotes that follow. Below is a discussion of accounting policies and methods used in our consolidated financial statements that are not presented within other footnotes.
Advertising Expenses
Fair Value Measurements
| | | | | | | | |
Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K | 66 | |
segments: Residential Connectivity & Platforms, Business Services Connectivity, Media, Studios and Theme Parks. Our segments align to our primary business operations and how our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, the chief operating decision maker, reviews our operating results. See Note 3 for a description of the various products and services within each segment.Our segments generally report transactions with one another as if they were stand-alone businesses in accordance with GAAP, and these transactions are eliminated in consolidation. When multiple segments enter into transactions to provide products and services to third parties, revenue is generally allocated to our segments based on relative value. Transactions between our segments generally include intercompany profit consistent with third-party transactions. The Residential Connectivity & Platforms and the Business Services Connectivity segments use certain shared infrastructure, including our network in the United States, and each segment is presented with its direct costs and an allocation of shared costs, as well as revenue from its customers.
| | | | | | | | |
| 67 | Comcast 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K |
| $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | $ | | | | | |
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