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COMCAST CORP - 10-K - : Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
(Edgar Glimpses Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Introduction and Overview
We are a global media and technology company with two primary businesses,
Comcast Cable and NBCUniversal. In 2011, we closed the NBCUniversal transaction
in which we acquired control of the businesses of NBC Universal, Inc. (now named
NBCUniversal Media, LLC ("NBCUniversal")). We present our operations in the
following five reportable business segments: Cable Communications, Cable
Networks, Broadcast Television, Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks. The Cable
Networks, Broadcast Television, Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks segments
comprise the NBCUniversal businesses and are collectively referred to as the
"NBCUniversal segments."
Cable Communications
We are the nation's largest provider of video, high-speed Internet and voice
services ("cable services") to residential customers under the XFINITY brand and
we also provide these services to businesses. As of December 31, 2012, our cable
systems served 22.0 million video customers, 19.4 million high-speed Internet
customers and 10.0 million voice customers and passed more than 53 million homes
and businesses. Our Cable Communications segment generates revenue primarily
from subscriptions to our cable services, which we market individually and in
packages, and from the sale of advertising. In 2012, our Cable Communications
segment generated 63% of our consolidated revenue and more than 80% of our
operating income before depreciation and amortization.
Our cable systems allow us to deliver video, high-speed Internet and voice
services to residential customers and to small and medium-sized businesses. We
offer a broad variety of video services with access to hundreds of channels,
including premium networks, such as HBO, Showtime, Starz and Cinemax,
pay-per-view channels, as well as On Demand, our video-on-demand service, and an
interactive, on-screen program guide. Our video customers may also subscribe to
a higher level of video service, including our HD video and DVR services. Our
video customers also have the ability to use XFINITY.net or our mobile apps for
smartphones and tablets to view certain live television programming and some of
our On Demand content, browse program listings, and, in select markets, schedule
and manage DVR recordings online.
Our high-speed Internet services generally provide Internet access at downstream
speeds of up to 105 Mbps, subject to geographic market availability, and we also
have introduced speeds of up to 305 Mbps in limited markets. Our high-speed
Internet service for business customers also includes a website hosting service
and an interactive tool that allows customers to share, coordinate and store
documents online.
Our voice services provide local and long-distance calling and other features.
These features, as well as additional features such as hosted voice services
using cloud network servers, a business directory listing and the added capacity
for multiple phone lines are made available to our business voice customers. For
our medium-sized business customers, we also offer metro Ethernet network
services and cellular backhaul services.
The majority of our Cable Communications segment revenue is generated from
subscriptions to our cable services. Customers are typically billed in advance
on a monthly basis based on the services and features they receive and the type
of equipment they use. Residential customers may generally discontinue service
at any time, while business customers may only discontinue service in accordance
with the terms of their contracts, which typically have 2 to 5 year terms.
Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K 44
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Our most significant operating cost is the programming expense we incur to
provide content to our video customers. We anticipate that our programming
expenses will continue to increase. We have, and will continue to attempt to,
offset increases in programming expenses through rate increases, the sale of
additional video and other services and through operating efficiencies.
NBCUniversal
NBCUniversal is a leading media and entertainment company that develops,
produces and distributes entertainment, news and information, sports and other
content for global audiences.
Cable Networks
Our Cable Networks segment consists primarily of our national cable
entertainment networks (USA Network, Syfy, E!, Bravo, Oxygen, Style, G4,
Chiller, Cloo and Universal HD); our national cable news and information
networks (CNBC, MSNBC and CNBC World); our national cable sports networks (Golf
Channel and NBC Sports Network); our regional sports and news networks; our
international cable networks (including CNBC Europe, CNBC Asia and our Universal
Networks International portfolio of networks); our cable television production
studio; and our related digital media properties, which are primarily
brand-aligned and other websites. Our Cable Networks segment generates revenue
primarily from the distribution of our cable network programming to multichannel
video providers, the sale of advertising and the licensing of our owned
programming.
Broadcast Television
Our Broadcast Television segment consists primarily of the NBC and Telemundo
broadcast networks, our NBC and Telemundo owned local broadcast television
stations, our broadcast television production operations, and our related
digital media properties, which are primarily brand-aligned websites. Our
Broadcast Television segment generates revenue primarily from the sale of
advertising and the licensing of our owned programming. Our Broadcast Television
segment also generates revenue from the sale of our owned programming,
retransmission of our owned local television stations' signals and fees received
from our affiliated local television stations.
Filmed Entertainment
Our Filmed Entertainment segment produces, acquires, markets and distributes
filmed entertainment worldwide. Our films are produced primarily under the
Universal Pictures, Focus Features and Illumination names. We also develop,
produce and license live stage plays. Our Filmed Entertainment segment generates
revenue primarily from the worldwide distribution of our owned and acquired
films for exhibition in movie theaters, the licensing of our owned and acquired
films, and the sale of our owned and acquired films on standard-definition video
discs and Blu-ray discs (together, "DVDs") and through digital distributors. Our
Filmed Entertainment segment also generates revenue from producing and licensing
live stage plays and distributing filmed entertainment produced by third
parties.
Theme Parks
Our Theme Parks segment consists primarily of our Universal theme parks in
Orlando and Hollywood. We also receive fees from third parties that own and
operate Universal Studios Japan and Universal Studios Singapore for intellectual
property licenses and other services. Our Theme Parks segment generates revenue
primarily from theme park attendance and per capita spending at our Universal
theme parks in Orlando and Hollywood, as well as from licensing and other fees.
Per capita spending includes ticket price and in-park spending on food,
beverages and merchandise.
Other
Our other business interests primarily include Comcast-Spectacor, which owns the
Philadelphia Flyers and the Wells Fargo Center arena in Philadelphia and
operates arena management-related businesses.
45 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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2012 Developments
The following are the more significant developments in our businesses during
2012:
• an increase in consolidated revenue of 12.0% to $62.6 billion and
an increase in consolidated operating income of 13.6% to $12.2
billion
• an increase in Cable Communications segment revenue of 6.4% to
$39.6 billion and an increase in Cable Communications segment
operating income before depreciation and amortization of 6.3% to
$16.3 billion
• an increase in total NBCUniversal revenue to $23.8 billion, which
represents a 12.7% increase on a pro forma basis and includes
$1.4 billion related to our broadcasts of the 2012 London
Olympics and the 2012 Super Bowl, and an increase in total
NBCUniversal operating income before depreciation and
amortization to $4.1 billion, which represents a 9.0% increase on
a pro forma basis
• the completion of SpectrumCo's transaction to sell its advanced
wireless services ("AWS") spectrum licenses to Verizon Wireless
for $3.6 billion, of which our portion of the proceeds was $2.3
billion, and the commencement of sales under our agency
agreements with Verizon Wireless, which provide for, among other
things, the sale of our cable services by Verizon Wireless and
our sale of Verizon Wireless products and services (the
"SpectrumCo transaction")
• the redemption by A&E Television Networks LLC ("A&E Television
Networks") of NBCUniversal's 15.8% equity interest in A&E
Television Networks for $3 billion in cash proceeds (the "A&E
Television Networks transaction")
Recent Developments
On February 12, 2013, we entered into an agreement to acquire GE's 49% common
equity interest in NBCUniversal Holdings for approximately $16.7 billion. In
addition, NBCUniversal agreed to acquire from GE the portion of 30 Rockefeller
Plaza in New York City that NBCUniversal occupies and CNBC's headquarters in
Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey for approximately $1.4 billion. The transactions,
which are subject to customary closing conditions, are expected to close by the
end of March 2013.
The consideration will consist of $11.4 billion of cash on hand; $4 billion of
senior unsecured debt securities issued by a holding company ("HoldCo"), whose
sole asset is its interests in NBCUniversal Holdings; $2 billion of cash funded
through a combination of Comcast's existing credit facility and NBCUniversal's
credit facility, which is expected to be amended, among other things, to
substitute HoldCo as the sole borrower; and $725 million of Holdco preferred
stock. After closing, we will control and consolidate HoldCo and own all of its
capital stock other than the preferred stock. HoldCo's debt securities and
credit facility will be guaranteed by us and the cable holding company
subsidiaries that guarantee our senior indebtedness. The preferred stock will
pay dividends at a fixed rate and can be put to HoldCo for redemption at par on
the later of seven years following the issuance of the preferred stock and three
years following the sale by GE of shares to unaffiliated third parties, and
thereafter, every third anniversary of such date (a "Put Date"). Shares of
preferred stock can be called for redemption by HoldCo at par one year following
each Put Date applicable to such shares.
Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K 46
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Consolidated Operating Results
% Change % Change
Year ended December 31 (in millions) 2012 2011 2010 2011 to 2012 2010 to 2011
Revenue $ 62,570 $ 55,842 $ 37,937 12.0 % 47.2 %
Costs and Expenses:
Programming and production 19,929 16,598 8,537 20.1 94.4
Other operating and administrative 17,857 16,656 12,395 7.2 34.4
Advertising, marketing and promotion 4,807 4,231 2,409 13.6 75.6
Depreciation 6,150 6,040 5,539 1.8 9.0
Amortization 1,648 1,596 1,077 3.3 48.3
Operating income 12,179 10,721 7,980 13.6 34.3
Other income (expense) items, net (570 ) (2,514 ) (1,876 ) (77.3 ) 34.0
Income before income taxes 11,609 8,207 6,104 41.5 34.4
Income tax expense (3,744 ) (3,050 ) (2,436 ) 22.8 25.2
Net income 7,865 5,157 3,668 52.5 40.6
Net (income) loss attributable to
noncontrolling interests (1,662 ) (997 ) (33 ) 66.8 NM
Net income attributable to Comcast
Corporation $ 6,203 $ 4,160 $ 3,635 49.1 % 14.5 %
All percentages are calculated based on actual amounts. Minor differences may
exist due to rounding.
Percentage changes that are considered not meaningful are denoted with NM.
The comparability of our consolidated results of operations was impacted by the
NBCUniversal transaction, which closed on January 28, 2011, and the Universal
City Development Partners, Ltd. ("Universal Orlando") transaction, which closed
on July 1, 2011. The results of operations of NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando
are included in our consolidated financial statements following their respective
acquisition dates.
2012 Consolidated Operating Results by Segment
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Consolidated Revenue
In 2012, our Cable Communications, Broadcast Television and Filmed Entertainment
segments accounted for substantially all of the increase in consolidated
revenue. The increase in consolidated revenue in 2011 was primarily due to the
NBCUniversal transaction and an increase in our Cable Communications segment
revenue. The NBCUniversal contributed businesses accounted for $14.5 billion of
the increase in consolidated revenue in 2011. Revenue for our Cable
Communications and NBCUniversal segments is discussed separately below under the
heading "Segment Operating Results."
47 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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Consolidated Costs and Expenses
In 2012, our Cable Communications, Broadcast Television and Filmed Entertainment
segments accounted for substantially all of the increase in consolidated costs
and expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization (consolidated "operating
costs and expenses"). The increase in consolidated operating costs and expenses
in 2011 was primarily due to the NBCUniversal transaction and the costs
associated with the transaction, as well as an increase in our Cable
Communications segment. The NBCUniversal contributed businesses accounted for
$12.3 billion of the increase in consolidated operating costs and expenses in
2011. Operating costs and expenses for our Cable Communications and NBCUniversal
segments are discussed separately below under the heading "Segment Operating
Results."
Consolidated depreciation and amortization increased slightly in 2012 primarily
due to the impact of consolidating NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando following
the close of each transaction. Consolidated depreciation and amortization
increased in 2011 primarily due to $976 million of depreciation and amortization
associated with the consolidation of NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando
following their respective acquisition dates.
Segment Operating Results
Our segment operating results are presented based on how we assess operating
performance and internally report financial information. We use operating income
(loss) before depreciation and amortization, excluding impairment charges
related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses from the sale of
assets, if any, as the measure of profit or loss for our operating segments.
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. Additionally, it is unaffected by our capital structure or
investment activities. We use this 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.
We believe that this measure 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 may not be directly comparable to similar
measures used by other companies. Because we use operating income (loss) before
depreciation and amortization to measure our segment profit or loss, we
reconcile it to operating income, the most directly comparable financial measure
calculated and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles in the United States ("GAAP") in the business segment footnote to our
consolidated financial statements (see Note 19 to our consolidated financial
statements). This measure should not be considered a substitute for operating
income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Comcast Corporation, net cash
provided by operating activities, or other measures of performance or liquidity
we have reported in accordance with GAAP.
Competition
The results of operations of our reportable business segments may be affected by
competition, as all of our businesses operate in intensely competitive
industries and compete with a growing number of companies that provide a broad
range of communications products and services and entertainment, news and
information content to consumers. Technological changes are further intensifying
and complicating the competitive landscape and consumer behavior. For example,
companies continue to emerge that offer services or devices that enable digital
distribution of movies, television shows and other video programming, and
wireless services and devices continue to evolve. Moreover, newer services that
distribute video programming are also beginning to produce or acquire their own
original content. This competition is further complicated by federal and state
legislative bodies and various regulatory agencies, such as the FCC, which can
adopt laws and policies that provide a favorable operating environment for some
of our existing and potential new competitors. See "Business - Competition" for
additional information.
Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K 48
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Seasonality and Cyclicality
Each of our businesses is subject to seasonal and cyclical variations. In our
Cable Communications segment, our results are impacted by the seasonal nature of
customers receiving our cable services in college and vacation markets. This
generally results in a reduction in net customer additions in the second
calendar quarter and increased net customer additions in the third and fourth
calendar quarters of each year.
Revenue in our Cable Communications, Cable Networks and Broadcast Television
segments is subject to cyclical advertising patterns and changes in viewership
levels. Our U.S. advertising revenue is generally higher in the second and
fourth calendar quarters of each year, due in part to increases in consumer
advertising in the spring and in the period leading up to and including the
holiday season. U.S. advertising revenue is also cyclical, benefiting in
even-numbered years from advertising related to candidates running for political
office and issue-oriented advertising. Our Broadcast Television revenue and
operating costs and expenses also are cyclical as a result of our periodic
broadcasts of the Olympic Games and the Super Bowl. Our advertising revenue
generally increases in the period of these broadcasts from increased demand for
advertising time, and our operating costs and expenses also increase as a result
of our production costs and the amortization of the related rights fees. All of
the revenue and operating costs and expenses associated with our broadcasts of
the 2012 London Olympics and the 2012 Super Bowl are reported in our Broadcast
Television segment.
Revenue in our Filmed Entertainment segment also fluctuates due to the timing of
the release of films in movie theaters and the release of our films on DVD and
through digital distributors. Revenue in our Cable Networks and Broadcast
Television segments also fluctuates depending on the timing of the release of
our programming on television and on DVD. Release dates are determined by
several factors, including competition and the timing of vacation and holiday
periods. As a result, revenue tends to be seasonal, with increases experienced
during the summer months, around holidays and in the fourth calendar quarter of
each year. Revenue in our Cable Networks, Broadcast Television and Filmed
Entertainment segments also fluctuates due to the timing of when our owned
content is made available to licensees.
Revenue in our Theme Parks segment fluctuates with changes in theme park
attendance resulting from the seasonal nature of vacation travel, local
entertainment offerings and seasonal weather variations. Our theme parks
experience peak attendance generally during the summer months when schools are
closed and during early winter and spring holiday periods.
Cable Communications Segment Results of Operations
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49 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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% Change % Change
Year ended December 31 (in millions) 2012 2011 2010 2011 to 2012 2010 to 2011
Revenue
Residential:
Video $ 20,112 $ 19,625 $ 19,363 2.5 % 1.3 %
High-speed Internet 9,544 8,743 7,958 9.2 9.9
Voice 3,557 3,503 3,300 1.5 6.2
Business services 2,404 1,791 1,267 34.2 41.4
Advertising 2,287 2,005 2,020 14.1 (0.8 )
Other 1,700 1,559 1,455 9.1 7.2
Total revenue 39,604 37,226 35,363 6.4 5.3
Operating costs and expenses
Programming 8,386 7,851 7,420 6.8 5.8
Technical labor 2,338 2,318 2,300 0.9 0.8
Customer service 1,961 1,882 1,855 4.2 1.5
Marketing 2,707 2,407 2,155 12.5 11.7
Other 7,957 7,480 7,331 6.4 2.0
Total operating costs and expenses 23,349 21,938 21,061 6.4 4.2
Operating income before depreciation
and amortization $ 16,255 $ 15,288 $ 14,302 6.3 % 6.9 %
Customer Metrics
Total Customers Net Additional Customers
December 31 (in thousands) 2012 2011 2010 2012 2011 2010
Video customers 21,995 22,331 22,790 (336 ) (459 ) (756 )
High-speed Internet customers 19,367 18,144 16,985 1,223 1,159 1,058
Voice customers 9,955 9,342 8,610 613 732 988
Customer data includes residential and business customers.
Cable Communications Segment - Revenue
Our average monthly total revenue per video customer increased to $149 in 2012
from $138 in 2011 and $127 in 2010. The increases in average monthly total
revenue per video customer were primarily due to increases in the number of
residential customers receiving multiple services, rate adjustments, higher
contributions from business services and declines in the total number of video
customers.
Video
Video revenue increased in 2012 and 2011 primarily due to rate adjustments and
additional residential customers receiving higher levels of video service, which
were partially offset by declines in the number of residential video customers
in both years. During 2012 and 2011, the number of video customers decreased by
336,000 and 459,000, respectively. These decreases were primarily due to
competitive pressures in our service areas. We may experience further declines
in the number of residential video customers.
As of December 31, 2012, 41% of the homes and businesses in the areas we serve
subscribed to our video services, compared to 43% and 44% as of December 31,
2011 and 2010, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, 11.5 million customers
subscribed to at least one of our HD video or DVR services, compared to
10.9 million customers and 10.1 million customers as of December 31, 2011 and
2010, respectively.
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High-Speed Internet
As of December 31, 2012, 36% of the homes and businesses in the areas we serve
subscribed to our high-speed Internet services, compared to 35% and 33% as of
December 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively. High-speed Internet revenue increased
in 2012 and 2011 primarily due to increases in the number of residential
customers, rate adjustments and additional customers receiving higher levels of
service.
Voice
As of December 31, 2012, 19% of the homes and businesses in the areas we serve
subscribed to our voice services, compared to 18% and 17% as of December 31,
2011 and 2010, respectively. Voice revenue increased in 2012 and 2011 primarily
due to increases in the number of residential customers receiving multiple
services, while rates have remained relatively flat.
Business Services
Our business services revenue is generated primarily from the Internet, voice
and video services we offer to small and medium-sized business customers, and
from the sale to medium-sized businesses of our metro Ethernet network services.
We also provide cellular backhaul services to mobile network operators, which
help our customers manage continued growth in demand for network bandwidth.
Business services revenue increased in 2012 and 2011 primarily due to increases
in the number of business customers, and our expansion of services to
medium-sized business customers, including metro Ethernet network and cellular
backhaul services.
Advertising
As part of our distribution agreements with cable networks, we generally receive
an allocation of scheduled advertising time on cable networks that we may sell
to local, regional and national advertisers. In most cases, the available
advertising time is sold by our sales force. In some cases, we work with
representation firms as an extension of our sales force to sell a portion of the
advertising time allocated to us. We also coordinate the advertising sales
efforts of other multichannel video providers in some markets. In addition, we
generate revenue from the sale of advertising online and on our On Demand
service.
Advertising revenue is affected by the strength of the local advertising market
and general economic conditions. Advertising revenue increased in 2012 due to
increases in political advertising revenue and improvements in the local and
regional advertising markets, primarily driven by increased spending from
automotive customers. Advertising revenue declined slightly in 2011 due to lower
political advertising.
Other
We receive revenue related to cable franchise and other regulatory fees, our
digital media center, commissions from electronic retailing networks, and fees
from other services. Cable franchise and regulatory fees represent the fees
required to be paid to federal, state and local authorities that we pass through
to our customers. Under the terms of our cable franchise agreements, we are
generally required to pay to the franchising authority an amount based on our
gross video revenue. The changes in franchise and other regulatory fees
collected from our cable services customers are generally due to changes in the
revenue on which the fees apply.
Cable Communications Segment - Operating Costs and Expenses
We continue to focus on controlling the growth of expenses. Our operating
margin, which is our operating income before depreciation and amortization as a
percentage of revenue, for 2012, 2011 and 2010 was 41.0%, 41.1% and 40.4%,
respectively.
51 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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Programming Expenses
Programming expenses, our largest operating expense, are the fees we pay to
license the programming we distribute to our video customers. These expenses are
affected by the programming license fees charged by cable networks and fees for
retransmission of local broadcast television stations' signals and by the number
of video customers we serve and the amount of content we provide. Programming
expenses increased in 2012 and 2011 primarily due to increases in programming
license fees and fees incurred to secure rights for additional programming for
our customers.
We anticipate that our programming expenses will continue to increase as we
provide additional content to our video customers, including in HD and On
Demand; as we deliver this content through an increasing number of platforms,
such as online and through our mobile apps for smartphones and tablets; and as
the fees charged to us increase. Programming expenses will also increase to the
extent we improve the rate in which the number of our residential video
customers decrease. We believe that adding more content and delivering it on
various platforms will assist in attracting and retaining video customers.
Technical Labor Expenses
Technical labor expenses include the internal and external labor costs to
complete service call and installation activities, as well as network
operations, fulfillment and provisioning costs. These expenses remained
relatively flat in 2012 and 2011 primarily due to an increase in customer
self-installation activities.
Customer Service Expenses
Customer service expenses include the personnel and other costs associated with
handling customer sales and service activity. Customer service expenses
increased in 2012 primarily due to increases in labor costs associated with
higher levels of customer service activity. Customer service expenses remained
relatively flat in 2011.
Marketing Expenses
Marketing expenses increased in 2012 and 2011 primarily due to increases in
spending associated with the continued expansion of business services to
medium-sized businesses and costs associated with branding and competitive
marketing, as well as increases in direct sales efforts.
Other Costs and Expenses
Other operating costs and expenses include franchise fees, pole rentals, plant
maintenance, vehicle-related costs, advertising and representation fees, and
expenses associated with business services. These expenses increased in 2012
primarily due to increases in activity related to business services, advertising
and network operations, and increases in franchise and other regulatory fees.
These expenses increased in 2011 primarily due to the continued expansion of
business services and other service enhancement initiatives.
NBCUniversal Segments Overview
The discussion below compares the NBCUniversal segments' actual results for 2012
to the pro forma combined results for 2011 and 2010. Management believes
reviewing our operating results by combining actual and pro forma results for
the NBCUniversal segments for 2011 and 2010 is more useful in identifying trends
in, or reaching conclusions regarding, the overall operating performance of
these segments in 2012. The pro forma amounts presented in the tables below
include adjustments as if the NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando transactions
had each occurred on January 1, 2010. The pro forma data was also adjusted for
the effects of acquisition accounting and the elimination of costs and expenses
directly related to the transactions but does not include adjustments for costs
related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or
may be achieved by the combined businesses. Pro forma amounts are not
necessarily
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indicative of what our results would have been had we operated the NBCUniversal
contributed businesses or Universal Orlando since January 1, 2010, nor of our
future results.
2012 NBCUniversal Segments Operating Results
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The operating results of the NBCUniversal segments for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are
presented in the table below.
2012 2011 2010
Pro Forma Pro Forma
Actual Actual(a) Pro Forma(b) Combined(c) Actual(a) Pro Forma(b) Combined(c)
Comcast % Change % Change
Year Ended Year Ended NBCUniversal Year Ended Content NBCUniversal Year Ended 2011 2010
(in millions) December 31 December 31 Businesses December 31 Business Businesses December 31 to 2012 to 2011
Revenue
Cable Networks $ 8,773 $ 8,108 $ 388 $ 8,496 $ 2,719 $ 4,960 $ 7,679 3.3 % 10.6 %
Broadcast Television 8,154 5,935 464 6,399 - 6,888 6,888 27.4 (7.1 )
Filmed Entertainment 5,159 4,239 353 4,592 - 4,576 4,576 12.4 0.3
Theme Parks 2,085 1,874 115 1,989 - 1,600 1,600 4.8 24.3
Headquarters, other and eliminations (359 ) (896 ) 544 (352 ) - (369 ) (369 ) (2.1 ) 4.8
Total revenue $ 23,812 $ 19,260 $ 1,864 $ 21,124 $ 2,719 $ 17,655 $ 20,374 12.7 % 3.7 %
Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization
Cable Networks $ 3,292 $ 3,185 $ 152 $ 3,337 $ 732 $ 2,434 $ 3,166 (1.3 )% 5.4 %
Broadcast Television 369 138 (15 ) 123 - 118 118 199.2 4.7
Filmed Entertainment 79 27 (3 ) 24 - 230 230 234.2 (89.7 )
Theme Parks 953 830 37 867 - 591 591 9.9 46.6
Headquarters, other and eliminations (586 ) (718 ) 136 (582 ) - (421 ) (421 ) (0.6 ) (38.1 )
Total operating income before depreciation and amortization $ 4,107 $ 3,462 $ 307 $ 3,769 $ 732 $ 2,952 $ 3,684 9.0 % 2.3 %
(a) Actual amounts for our reportable segments include the results of operations
for the businesses we contributed as part of the NBCUniversal transaction
("Comcast Content Business") for 2011 and 2010, and the results of
operations for the NBCUniversal acquired
53 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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businesses and Universal Orlando for the period January 29, 2011 through
December 31, 2011. Headquarters, other and eliminations includes the
elimination of the results of operations for Universal Orlando for the period
January 29, 2011 through June 30, 2011 in order to reconcile to our
consolidated financial statements because Universal Orlando was recorded as an
equity method investment during that period.
(b) Pro forma amounts include the results of operations for the NBCUniversal
acquired businesses and Universal Orlando for the period January 1, 2011
through January 28, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010. These
amounts also include pro forma adjustments as if the NBCUniversal and
Universal Orlando transactions had occurred on January 1, 2010, including
the effects of acquisition accounting and the elimination of operating costs
and expenses directly related to the transactions, but do not include
adjustments for costs related to integration activities, cost savings or
synergies that have been or may be achieved by the combined businesses. Pro
forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of what the results would have
been had we operated the businesses since January 1, 2010. In 2011 and 2010,
total pro forma adjustments increased operating income before depreciation
and amortization by $7 million and $36 million, respectively.
(c) Pro forma combined amounts represent our pro forma results of operations as
if the NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando transactions had occurred on
January 1, 2010 but are not necessarily indicative of what the results would
have been had we operated the businesses since January 1, 2010.
Cable Networks Segment Actual and Pro Forma Results of Operations
2012 2011 2010
Pro Forma Pro Forma
Actual Actual(a) Pro Forma(b) Combined(c) Actual(a) Pro Forma(b) Combined(c)
For the
Period
January 1 Comcast % Change % Change
Year Ended Year Ended through Year Ended Content NBCUniversal Year Ended 2011 2010
(in millions) December 31 December 31 January 28 December 31 Business
Businesses December 31 to 2012 to 2011
Revenue
Distribution $ 4,604 $ 4,210 $188 $ 4,398 $ 1,599 $ 2,366 $ 3,965 4.7 % 10.9 %
Advertising 3,423 3,189 162 3,351 914 2,170 3,084 2.2 8.7
Content licensing and other 746 709 38 747 206 424 630 (0.2 ) 18.7
Total revenue 8,773 8,108 388 8,496 2,719 4,960 7,679 3.3 10.6
Operating costs and expenses 5,481 4,923 236 5,159 1,987 2,526 4,513 6.2 14.3
Operating income before depreciation and amortization $ 3,292
$ 3,185 $152 $3,337 $732 $ 2,434 $3,166 (1.3 )% 5.4 %
(a) Actual amounts include the results of operations for the Comcast Content
Business for 2011 and 2010 and the results of operations for the
NBCUniversal acquired businesses for the period January 29, 2011 through
December 31, 2011.
(b) Pro forma amounts include the results of operations for the NBCUniversal
acquired businesses for the period January 1, 2011 through January 28, 2011
and for the year ended December 31, 2010. These amounts also include pro
forma adjustments as if the NBCUniversal transaction had occurred on
January 1, 2010, including the effects of acquisition accounting and the
elimination of operating costs and expenses directly related to the transaction, but do not include adjustments for costs related to integration
activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by
the combined businesses. Pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of
what the results would have been had we operated the businesses since
January 1, 2010.
(c) Pro forma combined amounts represent our pro forma results of operations as
if the NBCUniversal transaction had occurred on January 1, 2010 but are not
necessarily indicative of what the results would have been had we operated
the businesses since January 1, 2010.
Cable Networks Segment - Revenue
Distribution
Distribution revenue is generated from distribution agreements with multichannel
video providers and is affected by the number of subscribers receiving our cable
networks and the fees we charge per subscriber.
Distribution revenue increased in 2012 primarily due to contractual rate
increases. Pro forma combined distribution revenue increased in 2011 primarily
due to contractual rate increases and increases in the number of subscribers to
our cable networks.
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In both 2012 and 2011, 13% of our Cable Networks segment actual revenue and pro
forma combined revenue was generated from our Cable Communications segment.
These amounts are eliminated in our consolidated financial statements but are
included in the amounts presented above.
Advertising
Advertising revenue is generated from the sale of advertising time on our cable
networks and related digital media properties. Our advertising revenue is
generally based on audience ratings, the value of our viewer demographics to
advertisers, and the number of advertising units we can place in our cable
networks' programming schedules. Advertising revenue is affected by the strength
of the national advertising market, general economic conditions and the success
of our programming.
Advertising revenue increased in 2012 primarily due to increases in the price
and volume of advertising units sold, which were substantially offset by
declines in audience ratings at certain of our cable networks. Pro forma
combined advertising revenue increased in 2011 primarily due to an increase in
the price of advertising units sold.
Content Licensing and Other
We also generate other revenue primarily from the licensing of our owned
programming to various distribution platforms, including cable and broadcast
networks and to digital distributors, such as Netflix.
Content licensing and other revenue remained flat in 2012. Pro forma combined
content licensing and other revenue increased in 2011 primarily due to increases
in the licensing of our owned content from our cable production studio.
Cable Networks Segment - Operating Costs and Expenses
Our Cable Networks segment operating costs and expenses consist of programming
and production expenses, advertising and marketing expenses, and other operating
and administrative expenses. Programming and production expenses include the
amortization of owned and acquired programming, sports rights, direct production
costs, residual and participation payments, production overhead, costs
associated with the distribution of our programming to third-party networks and
other distribution platforms, and on-air talent costs. Advertising and marketing
expenses primarily consist of the costs incurred in promoting our cable networks
and costs associated with digital media. Other operating and administrative
costs and expenses include salaries, employee benefits, rent and other overhead
expenses.
Operating costs and expenses increased in 2012 primarily due to higher
programming and production expenses that resulted from an increase in sports
programming rights costs, as well as from our continuing investment in original
programming. Pro forma combined operating costs and expenses increased in 2011
primarily due to higher programming and production expenses associated with an
increase in original programming.
55 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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Broadcast Television Segment Actual and Pro Forma Results of Operations
2012 2011 2010
Pro Forma
Actual Actual(a) Pro Forma(b) Combined(c) Pro Forma(b)
For the Period For the Period
January 29 January 1
Year Ended through through Year Ended Year Ended % Change % Change
(in millions) December 31 December 31 January 28 December 31 December 31 2011 to 2012 2010 to 2011
Revenue
Advertising $ 5,842 $ 3,941 $315 $ 4,256 $ 4,813 37.2 % (11.6 )%
Content licensing 1,474 1,509 111 1,620 1,315 (9.1 ) 23.2
Other 838 485 38 523 760 60.4 (31.2 )
Total revenue 8,154 5,935 464 6,399 6,888 27.4 (7.1 )
Operating costs and expenses 7,785 5,797 479 6,276 6,770 24.0 (7.3 )
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization $ 369 $ 138 $(15) $123 $118 199.2 % 4.7 %
(a) Actual amounts include the results of operations for the NBCUniversal
acquired businesses for the period January 29, 2011 through December 31,
2011.
(b) Pro forma amounts include the results of operations for the NBCUniversal
acquired businesses for the period January 1, 2011 through January 28, 2011
and for the year ended December 31, 2010. These amounts also include pro
forma adjustments as if the NBCUniversal transaction had occurred on
January 1, 2010, including the effects of acquisition accounting and the
elimination of operating costs and expenses directly related to the transaction, but do not include adjustments for costs related to integration
activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by
the combined businesses. Pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of
what the results would have been had we operated the businesses since
January 1, 2010.
(c) Pro forma combined amounts represent our pro forma results of operations as
if the NBCUniversal transaction had occurred on January 1, 2010 but are not
necessarily indicative of what the results would have been had we operated
the businesses since January 1, 2010.
Broadcast Television Segment - Revenue
Advertising
Advertising revenue is generated from the sale of advertising time on our
broadcast networks, owned local television stations and related digital media
properties. Our advertising revenue is generally based on audience ratings, the
value of our viewer demographics to advertisers, and the number of advertising
units we can place in our broadcast networks' and owned local television
stations' programming schedules. Advertising revenue is affected by the strength
of the national and local advertising markets, general economic conditions and
the success of our programming.
Advertising revenue increased in 2012 primarily due to $1.2 billion of
advertising revenue associated with our broadcasts of the 2012 London Olympics
and the 2012 Super Bowl. Excluding the impact of these events, advertising
revenue increased 9% in 2012 primarily due to an increase in the price and
volume of advertising units sold, which included the impact of higher political
advertising. Pro forma combined advertising revenue decreased in 2011 primarily
due to $601 million of advertising revenue recognized in 2010 related to the
2010 Vancouver Olympics. Excluding the impact of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics,
pro forma combined advertising revenue increased slightly in 2011 primarily due
to an increase in the price of advertising units sold, substantially offset by
the decline in audience ratings in our primetime schedule.
Content Licensing
Content licensing revenue is generated from the licensing of our owned
programming in the United States and internationally, including to cable and
broadcast networks and digital distributors, such as Netflix. The
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production and distribution costs related to our owned programming generally
exceed the revenue generated from the initial network license. The subsequent
licensing of our owned television programming following the initial network
license is critical to the financial success of a television series.
Content licensing revenue decreased in 2012 and increased in 2011 primarily due
to the impact of licensing agreements for our prior season and library content
that were entered into in 2011.
Other
We also generate revenue from the sale of our owned programming on DVDs and
through digital distributors, such as iTunes, and from fees for retransmission
consent of our owned local broadcast television stations and associated fees
received from our affiliated local television stations. The sale of our owned
programming is driven primarily by the popularity of our broadcast networks and
programming series and, therefore, fluctuates based on consumer spending and
acceptance. Other revenue also includes distribution revenue associated with our
periodic broadcasts of the Olympic Games.
Other revenue increased in 2012 primarily due to $266 million of distribution
revenue from multichannel video providers associated with our broadcast of the
2012 London Olympics. Pro forma combined other revenue decreased in 2011
primarily due to the absence of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics and a decline in DVD
sales.
Broadcast Television Segment - Operating Costs and Expenses
Our Broadcast Television segment operating costs and expenses consist of
programming and production expenses, advertising and marketing expenses, and
other operating and administrative expenses. Programming and production expenses
relate to content originating on our broadcast networks and owned local
broadcast television stations and include the amortization of owned and acquired
programming costs, sports rights, direct production costs, residual and
participation payments, production overhead, costs associated with the
distribution of our programming to third-party networks and other distribution
platforms and on-air talent costs. Advertising and marketing expenses consist
primarily of the costs associated with promoting our owned television
programming, as well as the marketing of DVDs and costs associated with digital
media. Other operating and administrative expenses include salaries, employee
benefits, rent and other overhead expenses.
Operating costs and expenses increased in 2012 primarily due to the increase in
programming rights and production costs of $1.3 billion associated with our
broadcast of the 2012 London Olympics and the 2012 Super Bowl. Excluding the
impact of these events, operating costs and expenses increased 3% in 2012,
primarily due to higher programming and production costs associated with our
continued investment in original programming. Pro forma combined operating costs
and expenses decreased in 2011 primarily due to $1 billion of programming and
production expenses recognized in 2010 associated with the 2010 Vancouver
Olympics. Excluding the impact of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, operating costs
and expenses increased in 2011 primarily due to higher programming and
production expenses associated with a greater number of original primetime
series in 2011.
57 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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Filmed Entertainment Segment Actual and Pro Forma Results of Operations
2012 2011 2010
Pro Forma
Actual Actual(a) Pro Forma(b) Combined(c) Pro Forma(b)
For the Period For the Period
January 29 January 1
Year Ended through through Year Ended Year Ended % Change % Change
(in millions) December 31 December 31 January 28 December 31 December 31 2011 to 2012 2010 to 2011
Revenue
Theatrical $ 1,390 $ 983 $ 58 $ 1,041 $ 900 33.5 % 15.6 %
Content licensing 1,540 1,234 171 1,405 1,336 9.7 5.2
Home entertainment 1,834 1,559 96 1,655 1,732 10.8 (4.4 )
Other 395 463 28 491 608 (19.6 ) (19.3 )
Total revenue 5,159 4,239 353 4,592 4,576 12.4 0.3
Operating costs and expenses 5,080 4,212 356 4,568 4,346 11.2 5.1
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization $ 79 $ 27 $ (3 ) $ 24 $ 230 234.2 % (89.7 )%
(a) Actual amounts include the results of operations for the NBCUniversal
acquired businesses for the period January 29, 2011 through December 31,
2011.
(b) Pro forma amounts include the results of operations for the NBCUniversal
acquired businesses for the period January 1, 2011 through January 28, 2011
and for the year ended December 31, 2010. These amounts also include pro
forma adjustments as if the NBCUniversal transaction had occurred on
January 1, 2010, including the effects of acquisition accounting and the
elimination of operating costs and expenses directly related to the transaction, but do not include adjustments for costs related to integration
activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by
the combined businesses. Pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of
what the results would have been had we operated the businesses since
January 1, 2010.
(c) Pro forma combined amounts represent our pro forma results of operations as
if the NBCUniversal transaction had occurred on January 1, 2010 but are not
necessarily indicative of what the results would have been had we operated
the businesses since January 1, 2010.
Filmed Entertainment Segment - Revenue
Theatrical
Theatrical revenue is generated from the worldwide theatrical release of our
owned and acquired films for exhibition in movie theaters and is significantly
affected by the timing of each release and the number of films we distribute, as
well as their acceptance by consumers. Release dates are determined by several
factors, including production schedules, vacation and holiday periods, and the
timing of competitive releases. Theatrical revenue is also affected by the
number of exhibition screens, ticket prices, the percentage of ticket sale
retention by the exhibitors and the popularity of competing films at the time
our films are released. The success of a film in movie theaters is a significant
factor in determining the revenue a film is likely to generate in succeeding
distribution platforms.
Theatrical revenue increased in 2012 primarily due to the strong performance of
our 2012 releases, which included Ted, Dr. Seuss' The Lorax and The Bourne
Legacy. Pro forma combined theatrical revenue increased in 2011 primarily due to
an increase in the number of theatrical releases in our 2011 slate compared to
2010 and the strong performance of our 2011 releases of Fast Five and
Bridesmaids.
Content Licensing
Content licensing revenue is generated primarily from the licensing of our owned
and acquired films to cable, broadcast and premium networks, as well as to
digital distributors, such as Netflix.
Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K 58
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Content licensing revenue increased in 2012 primarily due to a higher volume of
our owned and acquired films made available to licensees in 2012, as well as an
increase in licensing of our content to digital distributors. Pro forma combined
content licensing revenue increased in 2011 primarily due to the timing of when
our owned and acquired films were made available to licensees.
Home Entertainment
Home entertainment revenue is generated from the sale of our owned and acquired
films on DVDs to retail stores, rental kiosks and subscription by mail services,
and through digital distributors, such as iTunes. Home entertainment revenue is
significantly affected by the timing and number of our releases and their
acceptance by consumers. Release dates are determined by several factors,
including the timing of the exhibition of a film in movie theaters, holiday
periods and the timing of competitive releases.
Home entertainment revenue increased in 2012 primarily due to an increased
number of, and improved performance of, our 2012 releases compared to our 2011
releases. Pro forma combined home entertainment revenue decreased in 2011
primarily due to the overall decline in the DVD market and fewer titles released
in 2011.
The DVD market continues to experience declines due to the impact of weak
economic conditions, the maturation of the standard-definition DVD format,
piracy, and increasing shifts in consumers toward subscription rental services,
discount rental kiosks and digital distributors, which generate less revenue per
transaction than DVD sales.
Other
We also generate revenue from producing and licensing live stage plays and
distributing filmed entertainment produced by third parties. Other revenue
decreased in 2012 and pro forma combined other revenue decreased in 2011
primarily due to lower revenue generated from our stage plays as a result of
fewer productions.
Filmed Entertainment Segment - Operating Costs and Expenses
Our Filmed Entertainment segment operating costs and expenses consist primarily
of production expenses, advertising and marketing expenses, and other operating
and administrative expenses. Production expenses include the amortization of
capitalized film production and acquisition costs, residual and participation
payments, and distribution expenses. Residual payments represent amounts payable
to certain of our employees, including freelance and temporary employees, who
are represented by labor unions or guilds and are based on post-theatrical
revenue. Participation payments are primarily based on film performance and
represent contingent consideration payable to creative talent and other parties
involved in the production of a film. Advertising and marketing expenses consist
primarily of expenses associated with theatrical prints and advertising and the
marketing of DVDs. Other operating and administrative expenses include salaries,
employee benefits, rent and other overhead expenses.
We incur significant marketing expenses before and throughout the release of a
film in movie theaters. As a result, we typically incur losses on a film prior
to and during the film's exhibition in movie theaters and may not realize
profits, if any, until the film generates home entertainment and content
licensing revenue. The costs of producing and marketing films have generally
increased in recent years and may continue to increase in the future,
particularly if competition within the filmed entertainment industry continues
to intensify.
Operating costs and expenses increased in 2012 primarily due to higher
amortization of film costs associated with the higher cost of our 2012 slate, as
well as an increase in marketing costs associated with our 2012 theatrical and
DVD releases. These costs were partially offset by lower costs generated from
our stage plays as a result of fewer productions. Pro forma combined operating
costs and expenses increased in 2011 primarily due to an increase in marketing
expenses associated with promoting our 2011 theatrical releases.
59 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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Theme Parks Segment Actual and Pro Forma Results of Operations
2012 2011 2010
Pro Forma
Actual Actual(a) Pro Forma(b) Combined(c) Pro Forma(b)
For the Period For the Period
January 29 January 1
Year Ended through through Year Ended Year Ended % Change % Change
(in millions) December 31 December 31 January 28 December 31 December 31 2011 to 2012 2010 to 2011
Revenue $ 2,085 $ 1,874 $ 115 $ 1,989 $ 1,600 4.8 % 24.3 %
Operating costs and expenses 1,132 1,044 78 1,122 1,009 0.9 11.2Operating income before depreciation and amortization $ 953
$ 830 $ 37 $ 867 $ 591 9.9 % 46.6 %
(a) Actual amounts include the results of operations for the NBCUniversal
acquired businesses and Universal Orlando for the period January 29, 2011 through December 31, 2011. The results of operations for Universal Orlando
for the period January 29, 2011 through June 30, 2011 are eliminated from
our consolidated results because Universal Orlando was recorded as an equity
method investment during that period.
(b) Pro forma amounts include the results of operations for the NBCUniversal
acquired businesses and Universal Orlando for the period January 1, 2011
through January 28, 2011 and for the year ended December 31, 2010. These
amounts also include pro forma adjustments as if the NBCUniversal and
Universal Orlando transactions had occurred on January 1, 2010, including
the effects of acquisition accounting and the elimination of operating costs
and expenses directly related to the transactions, but do not include
adjustments for costs related to integration activities, cost savings or
synergies that have been or may be achieved by the combined businesses. Pro
forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of what the results would have
been had we operated the businesses since January 1, 2010.
(c) Pro forma combined amounts represent our pro forma results of operations as
if the NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando transactions had occurred on
January 1, 2010 but are not necessarily indicative of what the results would
have been had we operated the businesses since January 1, 2010.
Theme Parks Segment - Revenue
Our Theme Parks segment revenue is generated primarily from theme park
attendance and per capita spending at our Universal theme parks in Orlando and
Hollywood, as well as from licensing and other fees.
Attendance at our theme parks and per capita spending depend heavily on the
general environment for travel and tourism, including consumer spending on
travel and other recreational activities. License and other fees relate
primarily to our agreements with third parties that operate the Universal
Studios Japan and the Universal Studios Singapore theme parks to license the
Universal Studios brand name and other intellectual property.
Theme Parks segment revenue and pro forma combined revenue increased in 2012 and
2011 primarily due to higher guest attendance and increases in per capita
spending at our Universal theme parks. The increases in 2012 were primarily
driven by the Transformers attraction in Hollywood, which opened in May 2012,
and the increases in 2011 were attributable to the strong performance of The
Wizarding World of Harry Potter™ attraction in Orlando.
Theme Parks Segment - Operating Costs and Expenses
Our Theme Parks segment operating costs and expenses consist primarily 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 operating costs and expenses increased slightly in 2012
primarily due to additional costs associated with the increases in attendance
and per capita spending at our Universal theme parks and
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incremental marketing costs associated with the Transformers attraction in
Hollywood. Theme Parks segment pro forma combined operating costs and expenses
increased in 2011 primarily due to additional costs associated with increases in
attendance and per capita spending at our Universal theme parks.
Headquarters, Other and Eliminations
Headquarters and Other operating costs and expenses incurred by our NBCUniversal
businesses include overhead, personnel costs and corporate initiatives, as well
as expenses related to the NBCUniversal transaction in 2011. Operating costs and
expenses remained flat in 2012 primarily due to higher technology and
administrative costs offset by the impact of transaction-related costs
associated with the NBCUniversal transaction, including severance and other
compensation-related costs, in 2011. Pro forma combined operating costs and
expenses increased in 2011 primarily due to these costs.
Eliminations include the results of operations for Universal Orlando for the
period January 29, 2011 through June 30, 2011. Our Theme Parks segment included
the results of operations of Universal Orlando for this period because these
amounts had been reflected in our segment performance measure. These amounts
were not included when we measured total NBCUniversal and our consolidated
results of operations because we recorded Universal Orlando as an equity method
investment for the period January 29, 2011 through June 30, 2011.
Consolidated Other Income (Expense) Items, Net
Year ended December 31 (in millions) 2012 2011 2010
Interest expense $ (2,521 ) $ (2,505 ) $ (2,156 )
Investment income (loss), net 219 159 288
Equity in net income (losses) of investees, net 959 (35 ) (141 )
Other income (expense), net 773 (133 ) 133
Total $ (570 ) $ (2,514 ) $ (1,876 )
Interest Expense
Interest expense remained flat in 2012. Interest expense increased in 2011
primarily due to the effects of the NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando
transactions and the consolidation of their outstanding debt obligations.
Investment Income (Loss), Net
The components of investment income (loss), net for 2012, 2011 and 2010 are
presented in a table in Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements. We have
entered into derivative financial instruments that we account for at fair value
and that economically hedge the market price fluctuations in the common stock of
substantially all of our investments accounted for as trading securities and
available-for-sale securities. The differences between the unrealized gains or
losses on securities underlying prepaid forward sale agreements and the mark to
market adjustments on the derivative component of prepaid forward sale
agreements result from one or more of the following:
• there were unusual changes in the derivative valuation
assumptions such as interest rates, volatility and dividend
policy
• the magnitude of the difference between the market price of the
underlying security to which the derivative relates and the
strike price of the derivative
• the change in the time value component of the derivative value
during the period
• the security to which the derivative relates changed due to a
corporate reorganization of the issuing company to a security
with a different volatility rate
61 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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Equity in Net Income (Losses) of Investees, Net
The change in equity in net income (losses) of investees, net in 2012 was
primarily due to income of $876 million related to the SpectrumCo transaction.
See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.
The change in equity in net income (losses) of investees, net in 2011 was
primarily due to the acquisition of NBCUniversal and its equity method
investments, offset by losses related to our investment in Clearwire LLC.
Other Income (Expense), Net
The change in other income (expense), net in 2012 was primarily due to a $1
billion gain related to the A&E Television Networks transaction. See Note 6 to
our consolidated financial statements for additional information. Other income
(expense), net in 2012 and 2011 included $186 million and $57 million,
respectively, of expenses related to fair value adjustments to contractual
obligations that involve financial interests held by third parties in certain of
our businesses. The change in other income (expense), net in 2011 also included
the impact of the absence of income in 2011 associated with the sale of one of
our equity method investments and income related to the resolution of a
contingency of an acquired company, which were each recorded in 2010.
Consolidated Income Tax Expense
Our effective income tax rate in 2012, 2011 and 2010 was 32.3%, 37.2% and 39.9%,
respectively. Income tax expense reflects an effective income tax rate that
differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due the state income taxes,
uncertain tax positions, and in 2012 and 2011, due to the partnership structure
of NBCUniversal, and foreign income taxes. Our effective income tax rate is
impacted by NBCUniversal's partnership structure in that our income tax expense
includes taxes on only 51% of NBCUniversal's pretax income. In 2012, our
effective income tax rate decreased due to proportionately higher pretax income
at NBCUniversal, which included NBCUniversal's gain on the sale of its equity
interest in A&E Television Networks. In addition, our 2012 income tax expense
decreased by $109 million and our 2011 income tax expense increased by $137
million due to certain changes in state tax laws that became effective in 2012
and 2011, respectively. Our income tax expense in the future may continue to be
impacted by changes in NBCUniversal pretax income, adjustments to uncertain tax
positions and related interest and changes in tax laws. We expect our 2013
annual effective tax rate to be in the range of 35% to 40%, absent changes in
tax laws or significant changes in uncertain tax positions.
Consolidated Net (Income) Loss Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
GE's 49% common equity interest in NBCUniversal Holdings is recorded as a
redeemable noncontrolling interest in our consolidated financial statements due
to the redemption provisions outlined in Note 4 to our consolidated financial
statements. Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests includes
GE's allocated share of the earnings of NBCUniversal Holdings and NBCUniversal.
The increase in net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests in
2012 was primarily due to GE's allocated share of the increase in earnings of
NBCUniversal during the current year. The increase in net (income) loss
attributable to noncontrolling interests in 2011 was primarily due to the
NBCUniversal transaction.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
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, as well as the
acquisition of GE's 49% common equity interest in NBCUniversal, through our cash
flows from operating activities, existing cash, cash equivalents and
investments, available borrowings under our existing credit facilities, and our
ability to obtain future external financing. We anticipate that we will continue
to use a sub-
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stantial portion of our cash flows to meet our debt repayment obligations, to
fund our capital expenditures, to invest in business opportunities, to return
capital to shareholders and to fund the acquisition of GE's 49% common equity
interest in NBCUniversal.
As of December 31, 2012, we held $11 billion of cash and cash equivalents, of
which $5.9 billion was attributable to NBCUniversal. We also maintain
significant availability under our lines of credit and our commercial paper
programs to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. In June 2012, Comcast
and Comcast Cable Communications, LLC entered into a new $6.25 billion revolving
credit facility due June 2017 with a syndicate of banks, which may be used for
general corporate purposes. The new credit facility replaced our prior $6.8
billion credit facility that was terminated in connection with the execution of
the new credit facility. The interest rate on the new credit facility consists
of a base rate plus a borrowing margin that is determined based on Comcast's
credit rating. As of December 31, 2012, the borrowing margin for borrowings
based on the London Interbank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") was 1.125%. The terms of
the new credit facility's financial covenants and guarantees are substantially
the same as those under the prior credit facility. As of December 31, 2012,
amounts available under the new credit facility and NBCUniversal's credit
facility, net of amounts outstanding under our commercial paper programs and
undrawn letters of credit, was $5.8 billion and $1.4 billion, respectively.
We and our Cable Communications subsidiaries that have provided guarantees are
subject to the covenants and restrictions set forth in the indentures governing
Comcast's public debt securities and in the credit agreements governing
Comcast's and Comcast Cable Communications' credit facilities (see Note 22 to
our consolidated financial statements). NBCUniversal is subject to the covenants
and restrictions set forth in the indentures governing its public debt
securities and in the credit agreement governing its credit facility. We test
for compliance with the covenants for each of our credit facilities on an
ongoing basis. The only financial covenant in each of our credit facilities
pertains to leverage, which is the ratio of debt to operating income before
depreciation and amortization. As of December 31, 2012, we and NBCUniversal each
met this financial covenant by a significant margin. Neither we nor NBCUniversal
expect to have to reduce debt or improve operating results in order to continue
to comply with this financial covenant.
Receivables Monetization
NBCUniversal monetizes certain of its accounts receivable under programs with a
syndicate of banks. The effects of NBCUniversal's monetization transactions are
a component of net cash provided by operating activities in our consolidated
statement of cash flows. See Note 17 to our consolidated financial statements
for additional information.
Operating Activities
Components of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities
Year ended December 31 (in millions) 2012 2011 2010
Operating income $ 12,179 $ 10,721 $ 7,980
Depreciation and amortization 7,798 7,636 6,616
Operating income before depreciation and amortization 19,977 18,357 14,596
Noncash share-based compensation 371 344 300
Changes in operating assets and liabilities (418 ) (603 ) (20 )
Cash basis operating income 19,930 18,098 14,876
Payments of interest (2,314 ) (2,441 ) (1,983 )
Payments of income taxes (2,841 ) (1,626 ) (1,864 )
Proceeds from investments and other 213 360 154
Excess tax benefits under share-based compensation (134 ) (46 ) (4 )
Net cash provided by operating activities $ 14,854 $ 14,345 $ 11,179
63 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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The changes in operating assets and liabilities in 2012, compared to the changes
in 2011, were primarily related to a decrease in film and television costs,
partially offset by the settlement in 2012 of a $237 million liability
associated with the unfavorable Olympic contract that had been recorded through
the application of acquisition accounting in 2011, as well as the timing of
other operating items, including accounts receivable and accounts payable
related to trade creditors. The changes in operating assets and liabilities in
2011, compared to the changes in 2010, were primarily related to the timing of
payments of operating items and payroll, and an increase in film and television
costs.
The decrease in interest payments in 2012 was primarily due to the repayment and
redemption of certain of our debt obligations. The increase in interest payments
in 2011 was primarily due to an increase in our outstanding debt as a result of
the NBCUniversal transaction.
The increase in income tax payments in 2012 was primarily due to increases in
taxable income, which resulted in higher federal tax payments made in 2012, and
the lower net benefit in 2012 of the economic stimulus legislation. The decrease
in income tax payments in 2011 was primarily due to the net income tax benefit
in 2011 of the 2010 economic stimulus legislation.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities in 2012 consisted primarily of cash paid
for capital expenditures, cash paid for intangible assets and the purchase of
investments, substantially offset by proceeds from sales of businesses and
investments and return of capital from investees. Net cash used in investing
activities in 2011 and 2010 consisted primarily of capital expenditures and, in
2011, the acquisitions of NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando.
Capital Expenditures
Our most significant recurring investing activity has been capital expenditures
in our Cable Communications segment, and we expect that this will continue in
the future. The table below summarizes the capital expenditures we incurred in
our Cable Communications segment in 2012, 2011 and 2010.
Year ended December 31 (in millions) 2012 2011 2010
Cable distribution system $ 1,720 $ 1,715 $ 1,553
Customer premises equipment 2,678 2,594 2,864
Other equipment 462 420 370
Buildings and building improvements 57 77 66
Land 4 - -
Total $ 4,921 $ 4,806 $ 4,853
Cable Communications capital expenditures increased in 2012 primarily due to an
increase in equipment purchases and increased investment in business services
and network capacity. Cable Communications capital expenditures decreased
slightly in 2011 primarily due to fewer equipment purchases and improved
equipment pricing, partially offset by increased investment in business services
and network capacity.
Capital expenditures in our NBCUniversal segments increased 75.7% to
$763 million in 2012 primarily due to increased investment at our Universal
theme parks and increased investment in technical infrastructure to support our
cable networks and broadcast television operations. Capital expenditures in our
NBCUniversal segments were not significant in 2011.
Capital expenditures for 2013 and for subsequent years will depend on numerous
factors, including acquisitions, competition, changes in technology, regulatory
changes, and the timing and rate of deployment of new services and capacity for
existing services. In addition, we have invested and expect to continue to
invest in existing and new attractions at our Universal theme parks.
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Cash Paid for Intangible Assets
In 2012, cash paid for intangible assets consisted primarily of software. In
2011, cash paid for intangible assets consisted primarily of software, as well
as payments associated with the acquisition of intellectual property rights for
use in our theme parks. Cash paid for intangible assets was not significant in
2010.
Acquisitions
Our 2012 acquisitions were not significant. In 2011, we closed the NBCUniversal
transaction and NBCUniversal acquired the remaining 50% equity interest in
Universal Orlando that it did not already own. Our 2010 acquisitions were not
significant. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional
information on our acquisitions.
Proceeds from Sales of Businesses and Investments
In 2012, proceeds from sales of businesses and investments consisted primarily
of the A&E Television Networks transaction. Following the close of the A&E
Television Networks transaction, NBCUniversal no longer receives dividends from
A&E Television Networks. In 2012 and 2011, NBCUniversal received $129 million
and $196 million, respectively, in dividends from A&E Television Networks, which
were included in net cash provided by operating activities. In 2011, proceeds
from sales of businesses and investments consisted primarily of the sale of the
Philadelphia 76ers, NBCUniversal's sale of a Spanish-language local television
station and the sale of other investments. Proceeds from sales of businesses and
investments were not significant in 2010.
Return of Capital from Investees
In 2012, return of capital from investees consisted primarily of distributions
received from the SpectrumCo transaction. Our return of capital from investees
in 2011 and 2010 was not significant.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities consisted primarily of repurchases of our
common stock, repayments of debt, dividend payments, repayments of our
short-term borrowings and NBCUniversal's distributions to GE, offset by proceeds
from borrowings and issuances of common stock. Distributions in 2012 to GE, as
NBCUniversal's noncontrolling member, represented tax distributions and included
$211 million related to the A&E Television Networks transaction. Proceeds from
borrowings fluctuate from year to year based on the amounts paid to fund
acquisitions and debt repayments.
During 2012, we issued $4.5 billion aggregate principal amount of debt, of which
$2.0 billion was issued by NBCUniversal. During 2012, we repaid $781 million
aggregate principal amount of our debt outstanding at maturity and we redeemed
$2.1 billion aggregate principal amount of our debt outstanding prior to
maturity.
In January 2013, we issued $750 million aggregate principal amount of 2.850%
senior notes due 2023, $1.7 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.250% senior
notes due 2033 and $500 million aggregate principal amount of 4.500% senior
notes due 2043.
We have made, and may from time to time in the future make, optional repayments
on our debt obligations, which may include repurchases of our outstanding public
notes and debentures, depending on various factors, such as market conditions.
See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion of
our financing activities, including details of our debt repayments and
borrowings.
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Share Repurchases and Dividends
In February 2012, our Board of Directors approved a $6.5 billion share
repurchase authorization, which does not have an expiration date. Under this
authorization, we may repurchase shares in the open market or in private
transactions. In 2012, we repurchased 96 million shares of our Class A Special
common stock for $3.0 billion. We expect to repurchase $2 billion of shares
during 2013, subject to market conditions.
Our Board of Directors declared quarterly dividends totaling $1.7 billion in
2012. We paid dividends of $1.6 billion in 2012. In February 2013, our Board of
Directors approved a 20% increase in our dividend to $0.78 per share on an
annualized basis and approved our first quarter dividend of $0.195 per share to
be paid in April 2013. We expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends,
although each dividend is subject to approval by our Board of Directors.
The table below sets forth information on our share repurchases and dividends
paid in 2012, 2011 and 2010.
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Contractual Obligations
The table below presents our future contractual obligations as of December 31,
2012 by period in which the payments are due.
Payment Due by Period
(in millions) Total Year 1 Years 2-3 Years 4-5 More than 5
Debt obligations(a) $ 40,345 $ 2,363 $ 5,375 $ 5,352 $ 27,255
Capital lease obligations 113 13 21 16 63
Operating lease obligations 3,217 497 819 683 1,218
Purchase obligations(b) 39,020 7,410 8,242 6,738 16,630
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the
balance sheet(c) 10,545 1,882 3,670 822 4,171
Total(d) $ 93,240 $ 12,165 $ 18,127 $ 13,611 $ 49,337
Refer to Note 9 (long-term debt) and Note 18 (commitments and contingencies) to
our consolidated financial statements.
(a) Excludes interest payments.
(b) Purchase obligations consist of agreements to purchase goods and services
that are legally binding on us and specify all significant terms, including
fixed or minimum quantities to be purchased and price provisions. Our
purchase obligations related to our Cable Communications segment include
programming contracts with cable networks and local broadcast television
stations, contracts with customer premises equipment manufacturers,
communication vendors and multichannel video providers for which we provide
advertising sales representation, and other contracts entered into in the
normal course of business. Cable Communications programming contracts in the
table above include amounts payable under fixed or minimum guaranteed
commitments and do not represent the total fees that are expected to be paid
under programming contracts, which we expect to be higher because these
contracts are generally based on the number of subscribers receiving the
programming. Our purchase obligations related to our NBCUniversal segments
consist primarily
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of the commitments to acquire film and television programming, including U.S.
television rights to future Olympic Games through 2020, Sunday Night Football
on NBC through the 2022-23 season, including the Super Bowl in 2015, 2018 and
2021, NHL games through the 2020-21 season, Spanish-language U.S. television
rights to FIFA World Cup games through 2022, U.S television rights to English
Premier League soccer games through the 2015-16 season and certain PGA TOUR
golf events through 2021, as well as obligations under various creative talent
and employment agreements, including obligations to actors, producers,
television personalities and executives, and various other television
commitments. Purchase obligations do not include contracts with immaterial
future commitments.
(c) Other long-term obligations consist primarily of prepaid forward sale
agreements of equity securities we hold; subsidiary preferred shares;
deferred compensation obligations; pension, postretirement and postemployment benefit obligations; the contingent consideration obligation
related to the NBCUniversal transaction; and certain contractual obligations
acquired in connection with the NBCUniversal and Universal Orlando
transactions. These contractual obligations involve financial interests held
by third parties in certain NBCUniversal businesses and are based on a
percentage of future revenue of the specified businesses. One of these
contractual obligations provides the third party with the option, beginning
in 2017, to require NBCUniversal to purchase the interest for cash in an
amount equal to the fair value of the estimated future payments. Reserves
for uncertain tax positions of $1.6 billion are not included in the table
above because it is uncertain if and when these reserves will become
payable. Payments of $1.8 billion of participations and residuals are also
not included in the table above because we cannot make a reliable estimate
of the period in which these obligations will be settled.
(d) Total contractual obligations are made up of the following components.
(in millions)
Liabilities recorded on the balance sheet $ 52,032
Commitments not recorded on the balance sheet 41,208
Total $ 93,240
GE Redemption Rights
Under the terms of the operating agreement of NBCUniversal Holdings, during the
six month period beginning July 28, 2014, GE has the right to cause NBCUniversal
Holdings to redeem, in cash, half of GE's interest in NBCUniversal Holdings, and
during the six month period beginning January 28, 2018, GE has the right to
cause NBCUniversal Holdings to redeem GE's remaining interest, if any. If GE
exercises its first redemption right, we have the immediate right to purchase
the remainder of GE's interest. Subject to various limitations, we are committed
to fund up to $2.875 billion in cash or our common stock for each of the two
redemptions (up to an aggregate of $5.75 billion) to the extent NBCUniversal
Holdings cannot fund the redemptions, with amounts not used in the first
redemption to be available for the second redemption. None of these amounts are
included in the table above. See Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements
for additional information.
On February 12, 2013, we entered into an agreement to acquire GE's 49% common
equity interest in NBCUniversal Holdings. See Note 21 to our consolidated
financial statements for additional information.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
As of December 31, 2012, we did not have any material off-balance sheet
arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on
our financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures
or capital resources.
Critical Accounting Judgments and 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 values
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 judgments and related estimates associated with the valuation and
impairment testing of our cable franchise rights, the accounting for film and
television costs, and the accounting for income taxes are
67 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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critical in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements. Management
has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting
judgments and estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors, and
the Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosures relating to them, which are
presented below. See Notes 8, 5 and 15 to our consolidated financial statements,
respectively, for a discussion of our accounting policies with respect to these
items.
Valuation and Impairment Testing of Cable Franchise Rights
Our largest asset, our cable franchise rights, results 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 new services, such as advanced video services and high-speed
Internet and voice 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. Often these cable system
acquisitions include multiple franchise areas. We currently serve approximately
6,400 franchise areas in the United States.
We have concluded that our cable franchise rights have an indefinite useful life
since there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or
other factors which limit the period over which these rights will contribute to
our cash flows. Accordingly, we do not amortize our cable franchise rights but
assess the carrying value of our cable franchise rights annually, or more
frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the
carrying amount may exceed the fair value ("impairment testing"). When
performing a quantitative assessment, we estimate the fair value of our cable
franchise rights primarily based on a discounted cash flow analysis that
involves significant judgment. When analyzing the fair values indicated under
the discounted cash flow models, we also consider multiples of operating income
before depreciation and amortization generated by the underlying assets, current
market transactions and profitability information.
If we were to determine that the value of our cable franchise rights was less
than the carrying amount, we would recognize an impairment charge for the
difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the
assets. For purposes of our impairment testing, we have grouped the recorded
values of our various cable franchise rights into our Cable Communications
divisions or units of account. We evaluate the unit of account periodically to
ensure our impairment testing is performed at an appropriate level.
Since the adoption of the accounting guidance related to goodwill and intangible
assets in 2002, we have not recorded any significant impairment charges to cable
franchise rights as a result of our impairment testing. A future change in the
unit of account could result in the recognition of an impairment charge.
We could also record impairment charges in the future if there are changes in
long-term market conditions, in expected future operating results, or in federal
or state regulations that prevent us from recovering the carrying value of these
cable franchise rights. Assumptions made about increased competition and
economic conditions could also impact the valuations used in future annual
impairment testing and result in a reduction of fair values from those
determined in the July 1, 2012 annual impairment testing. The table below
illustrates the impairment related to our Cable Communications divisions that
would have occurred had the hypothetical reductions in fair value existed at the
time of our last annual impairment testing.
Percent Hypothetical Reduction in Fair Value and Related Impairment
(in millions) 10% 15% 20% 25%
Northeast Division $ - $ - $ (402 ) $ (1,842 )
Central Division - - - -
West Division - - - -
Total $ - $ - $ (402 ) $ (1,842 )
Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K 68
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Film and Television Costs
We capitalize film and television production costs, including direct costs,
production overhead, print costs, development costs and interest. We amortize
capitalized film and television production costs, including acquired libraries,
and accrue costs associated with participation and residual payments to
programming and production expense. We generally record the amortization and the
accrued costs using the film forecast computation method, which amortizes such
costs using the ratio of the current period's actual revenue to estimated total
remaining gross revenue from all sources ("ultimate revenue"). Estimates of
ultimate revenue have a significant impact on how quickly capitalized costs are
amortized and, therefore, are updated regularly.
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 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 home entertainment and other
distribution platforms, are revised based on historical relationships and an
analysis of current market trends.
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. Initial
estimates of ultimate revenue are limited to the amount of revenue contracted
for each episode under the initial license. Once it is determined that a series
can be licensed in subsequent platforms, revenue estimates for these platforms,
such as U.S. and international syndication, home entertainment, and other
distribution platforms, are included in ultimate revenue. In the case of
television series and owned television programming, 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, five years from the
delivery of the most recent episode, if later.
Capitalized film and television costs, as well as stage play production costs,
are subject to impairment testing when certain triggering events are identified.
If the fair value of a production falls below its unamortized cost, we would
record an adjustment for the amount by which the unamortized capitalized costs
exceed the production's fair value. The fair value assessment is generally based
on estimated future discounted cash flows, which are supported by our internal
forecasts. Adjustments to capitalized film and stage play production costs of
$161 million and $57 million were recorded in 2012 and 2011, respectively.
Income Taxes
We base our provision for income taxes on our current period income, changes in
our deferred income tax assets and liabilities, income tax rates, changes in
estimates of our uncertain tax positions, and tax planning opportunities
available in the jurisdictions in which we operate. We prepare and file tax
returns based on our interpretation of tax laws and regulations, and we record
estimates based on these judgments and interpretations.
From time to time, we engage in transactions in which the tax consequences may
be subject to uncertainty. In these cases, we evaluate our tax positions using
the recognition threshold and the measurement attribute in accordance with the
accounting guidance related to uncertain tax positions. Examples of these
transactions include business acquisitions and disposals, including
consideration paid or received in connection with these transactions, and
certain financing transactions. Significant judgment is required in assessing
and estimating the tax consequences of these transactions. We determine whether
it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained on examination,
including the resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based
on the technical merits of the position. In evaluating whether a tax position
has met the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, we presume that the
position will be examined by the appropriate
69 Comcast 2012 Annual Report on Form 10-K
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taxing authority that has full knowledge of all relevant information. A tax
position that meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold is measured
to determine the amount of benefit to be recognized in our financial
statements. The tax position is measured at the largest amount of benefit that
has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized when the position is
ultimately resolved.
We adjust our estimates periodically to reflect changes in circumstances in
ongoing examinations by and settlements with the various taxing authorities, as
well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. We believe that adequate
accruals have been made for income taxes. When uncertain tax positions are
ultimately resolved, either individually or in the aggregate, differences
between our estimated amounts and the actual amounts are not expected to have a
material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position but could
possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations or cash flow for
any one period. As of December 31, 2012, our uncertain tax positions and related
accrued interest were $1.6 billion and $721 million, respectively.
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