ToplineApple TV+ will soon become the latest streamer to raise its prices, hiking its streaming plan by $3 a month in its third bump in as many years.The price hike was announced Thursday. (Photo Illustration by Thomas Fuller/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesKey FactsThe subscription price for Apple TV+ will increase from $9.99 per month to $12.99 for customers in the U.S. and select international markets, though it is not clear what other countries are includ ...

ION, ION Mystery, Bounce, Court TV, Court TV Legendary Trials and Scripps News now available to Peacock subscribersCINCINNATI, Aug. 21, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Six national channels owned by The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) – ION, ION Mystery, Bounce, Court TV, Court TV Legendary Trials and Scripps News – are now streaming as part of Peacock's 24/7 channel offering. ION is a leading general entertainment network featuring an expansive programming lineup that includes women's sports, popular off-network s ...

Group 1 - Comcast RISE has provided $160 million in support to 14,500 small businesses nationwide since its launch, now in its fifth year [1][4] - The initiative is part of Project UP, a $1 billion commitment by Comcast to enhance digital opportunities and connectivity [4] - Comcast is awarding 100 new grant packages to entrepreneurs in the Grand Rapids and Muskegon areas, with grants to be awarded in September 2025 [1][2] Group 2 - Each grant package includes a $5,000 monetary grant, technology makeover, creative production, educational resources, and business consultation services [2][9] - Notable grant recipients include Mitch Ermatinger of Speciation Cellars, Michael Hyacinthe of Wimee's World, and Laura Kruisenga of Kennari Consulting [2][3] - Comcast RISE aims to support local entrepreneurs, emphasizing the importance of small businesses in driving community innovation and job creation [5] Group 3 - The initiative also announced grant recipients in four other regions: Boston, Nashville, Seattle, and South Valley, totaling 500 recipients this year [5] - Comcast Business provides advanced technology solutions to small businesses, while Comcast Advertising leads in data and media connections [7]

Alex Sherman: Matt, thank you for joining us a little bit of history today. It's Versant's first ever sports media rights deal announced today, renewing with USGA, tell us a little bit about the deal, and does it differ at all in terms of coverage from what the old deal was, because this is sort of a renewal in the sense that golf is coming to both peacock and the cable networks that used to be NBC Universal and now will be a part of versant. Yeah.So first of all, thank you for having me. It's a great deal ...

UFC Rights Deal & Paramount Plus - Paramount Global secures a 7-year, $7.7 billion rights deal for all UFC matches, including numbered fight nights (approximately 13) and broader fight nights (approximately 30) [2] - The UFC rights deal is valued at $1.1 billion, signaling David Ellison's commitment to the media industry [3] - Paramount Plus aims to increase its subscriber base from 77 million to 90-100 million by leveraging UFC content [4] - CBS's linear TV reach is crucial for the UFC to monetize its content, balancing advertising revenue with Paramount Plus subscriptions [4][5][6] CBS & Streaming Strategy - The strategy for the Ellisons is to leverage linear channels like CBS for profit and reach while investing in streaming properties like Paramount Plus [9][10] - CBS News is considered a separate entity with plans for unbiased transparency [9][10] - CBS maintains major properties like NFL, golf, and 60 Minutes, attracting millions of viewers [11] Potential Mergers & Acquisitions - There is speculation about a potential merger between Warner Bros' studio and streaming aspects with Paramount [13] - Peacock and Max are interesting potential rollup joint venture partners for streaming scale [14][15] - The Ellison's are focused on investing to achieve streaming scale independently [16]

Group 1 - Comcast has appointed Nick Kask as Vice President of Finance and Business Operations for the Big South Region, where he will oversee financial planning, project execution, customer experience, and operational strategy [1][2] - Kask has over 15 years of experience in telecommunications finance and operations, having joined Comcast in 2019 and previously serving as Senior Director of Finance [3][5] - The Big South Region is a key growth area for Comcast, covering states such as Georgia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Tennessee, with a focus on expanding high-speed Internet and technology solutions [4] Group 2 - Comcast aims to strengthen its presence in both established commercial hubs and rural areas, addressing the digital divide and enhancing economic opportunities [4] - The company is making strategic infrastructure investments to support rapid expansion in the region, driven by strong demand for its services [4]

Group 1 - Comcast Corporation is a major media company that owns Universal Studios, Sky, and Peacock, among other brands [1] - The stock experienced a significant increase during the pandemic but is now returning to pre-pandemic levels, currently down nearly 10% [1] Group 2 - The analyst has over 10 years of experience researching various companies across multiple sectors, including commodities and technology [1] - The analyst has transitioned from writing a blog to creating a value investing-focused YouTube channel, covering hundreds of companies [1] - The analyst expresses a particular interest in metals and mining stocks, while also being comfortable with other industries such as consumer discretionary, REITs, and utilities [1]

Core Insights - Comcast reported second-quarter 2025 adjusted earnings of $1.25 per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.84% and reflecting a year-over-year increase of 3.3% [1][9] - Consolidated revenues rose 2.1% year over year to $30.31 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.6% [1][9] Revenue Breakdown - Connectivity & Platforms revenues, accounting for 67.3% of total revenues, increased by 0.7% year over year to $20.39 billion [2] - Within this segment, Residential Connectivity & Platforms revenues slightly decreased by 0.1% year over year to $17.81 billion, while Business Services Connectivity revenues grew by 6.4% year over year to $2.58 billion [2] - Content & Experiences revenues, making up 35% of total revenues, increased by 5.6% year over year to $10.62 billion [3] Subscriber and Customer Metrics - Total Customer Relationships for Connectivity & Platforms decreased by 349,000 to 51.2 million, primarily due to a decline in Residential Connectivity & Platforms customer relationships [3] - Domestic broadband customer net losses were 226,000, while domestic wireless line net additions were 378,000, and domestic video customer net losses were 325,000 [3] Segment Performance - Media revenues within Content & Experiences rose by 1.8% year over year to $6.44 billion, driven by higher international networks and domestic distribution revenues, despite lower domestic advertising revenues [4] - Peacock's paid subscribers increased by 24.2% year over year to 41 million, with revenues jumping 18% to $1.2 billion in the second quarter [4] - Studios revenues rose by 7.9% year over year to $2.43 billion, attributed to higher content licensing and theatrical revenues [5] - Theme Parks revenues increased by 18.9% year over year to $2.35 billion, driven by higher revenues at domestic theme parks, including the successful opening of Epic Universe [5] Operating Performance - Total costs and expenses grew by 5.5% year over year to $24.32 billion [6] - Programming & production costs decreased by 4.8% year over year to $7.58 billion, while marketing and promotional expenses increased by 12.8% year over year to $2.17 billion [6] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 1.1% year over year to $10.28 billion [6] Cash Flow and Capital Management - Comcast generated $7.82 billion in cash from operations, down from $8.29 billion in the previous quarter [11] - Free cash flow was reported at $4.5 billion, a decrease from $5.42 billion in the previous quarter [11] - The company paid dividends totaling $1.2 billion and repurchased 49.3 million shares for $1.7 billion, resulting in a total return of capital to shareholders of $2.9 billion [11] Financial Position - As of June 30, 2025, cash and cash equivalents were $9.69 billion, up from $8.59 billion as of March 31, 2025 [10] - Consolidated total debt increased to $101.53 billion from $99.12 billion as of March 31, 2025 [10]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue increased by 2%, benefiting from core growth drivers in connectivity and content, which collectively represent nearly 60% of total revenue and grew at a high single-digit rate this quarter [20][21] - EBITDA grew by 1% this quarter, adjusted EPS increased by 3% to $1.25, and free cash flow generated was $4.5 billion, with $2.9 billion returned to shareholders, including $1.7 billion in share repurchases [21][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Broadband subscriber losses totaled 226,000 due to competitive pressures and seasonal factors, but early signs of stabilization in Connect activity and voluntary churn were noted [21][22] - Broadband ARPU grew by 3.5%, with a 20% increase in the share of new connects choosing premium gig speeds [22][24] - Business Services revenue increased by 6%, with EBITDA growth of nearly 5%, aided by the acquisition of Nitell [24][25] - Parks revenue increased by 19% due to the successful opening of Epic Universe, although EBITDA growth was limited to 4% due to soft opening costs [27][28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Xfinity Mobile achieved a record quarter with 378,000 new lines added, bringing total lines to 8.5 million and penetration to 14% of the residential broadband base [11][24] - Peacock's revenue grew by over 20% year-over-year, contributing significantly to NBCUniversal's total volume [16][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a go-to-market strategy for broadband, emphasizing pricing transparency and customer experience improvements to build a loyal customer base [5][10] - The successful opening of Epic Universe reflects the company's long-term strategy to expand reach and enter new markets [14][15] - The media segment is leveraging a combination of live sports and entertainment to drive results, with a strong lineup of upcoming events [16][17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the intense competitive landscape in broadband, particularly from fixed wireless and fiber competitors, but expressed confidence in the company's strategic initiatives [38][39] - The company expects healthy broadband ARPU growth over the year, despite potential moderation due to the rollout of new pricing structures [22][58] - Management is optimistic about the long-term growth potential of the media business, particularly with the upcoming NBA season and the integration of Peacock [70][72] Other Important Information - The company anticipates a cash tax benefit of approximately $1 billion annually due to recent tax legislation, which supports infrastructure investments [33][63] - The company is strategically positioned to benefit from the growing demand for broadband and entertainment services, with a focus on innovation and customer experience [34][86] Q&A Session Summary Question: Early reactions to broadband adjustments and competitive landscape - Management noted that the competitive landscape remains intense, with fixed wireless and fiber competitors active, but early results from new pricing strategies are encouraging [38][39] Question: Impact of involuntary disconnects and Project Genesis - A slight uptick in non-pay disconnects was observed, but overall stabilization in Connects and voluntary churn was noted, with network upgrades on track [46][47] Question: Everyday pricing and ARPU growth - Management indicated that while everyday pricing may moderate ARPU growth in the near term, they expect healthy growth in the long run as more customers transition to new packages [53][58] Question: Convergence revenue growth expectations - Convergence revenue growth of 3.7% was reported, with expectations for some pressure in the short term but potential for reacceleration in the future [61][65] Question: M&A interest and strategic partnerships - Management emphasized a disciplined approach to M&A, focusing on smaller acquisitions and strategic partnerships, particularly in business services [89][95]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Consolidated revenue increased by 2%, benefiting from core growth drivers in connectivity and content, which collectively represent nearly 60% of total revenue and grew at a high single-digit rate this quarter [19][20] - EBITDA grew by 1% this quarter, adjusted EPS increased by 3% to $1.25, and free cash flow generated was $4.5 billion, with $2.9 billion returned to shareholders, including $1.7 billion in share repurchases [20][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Broadband subscriber losses totaled 226,000 due to competitive pressures and typical seasonality, but early signs of stabilization in Connect activity and voluntary churn were noted [20][21] - Convergence revenue grew by 3.7%, supported by high teens growth in wireless revenue, with 378,000 new wireless lines added, marking a new high for net additions [21][22] - Parks revenue increased by 19% driven by the successful opening of Epic Universe, while EBITDA growth was limited to 4% due to soft opening costs [26][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The competitive landscape for broadband remains intense, with fixed wireless and fiber competitors actively building out their networks [38] - International parks performed strongly, although Hollywood faced pressure, expected to improve in the coming quarters [27] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a connectivity strategy leveraging its strengths in broadband, WiFi, and convergence, aiming to build a loyal customer base with predictable pricing and improved customer experience [12][21] - The successful opening of Epic Universe reflects the long-term strategy to expand reach and enter new markets, with additional projects in the pipeline [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the changes made in the broadband business, highlighting early positive customer responses to new pricing strategies and service offerings [10][21] - The company anticipates healthy broadband ARPU growth over the year, despite a potential moderation in the near term due to the rollout of new pricing structures [21][56] Other Important Information - The company expects to benefit from recent tax legislation, estimating an average of $1 billion in annual cash tax benefits for the next several years due to infrastructure investments [33][34] - The media segment is positioned for growth with a strong lineup of content and the upcoming NBA season, which is expected to drive subscriber growth for Peacock [70][72] Q&A Session Summary Question: Details on broadband adjustments and competitive landscape - Management acknowledged the intense competitive landscape but noted early positive reactions to new pricing and customer experience initiatives [38][39] Question: Impact of involuntary disconnects and Project Genesis - Slight uptick in non-pay disconnects was observed, but overall network upgrades are on track and competitive positioning remains strong [45][46] Question: Pricing impact on ARPU growth and seasonal trends - Management indicated that while ARPU growth may moderate in the near term due to new pricing, they expect healthy growth in the long run [52][56] Question: Convergence revenue growth expectations - Convergence revenue growth is expected to face some pressure in the short term but is set up for reacceleration in the future as customer bases are repackaged [60][64] Question: M&A interest and strategic partnerships - The company remains open to considering acquisitions but emphasizes a disciplined approach, focusing on organic growth and strategic partnerships, particularly in business services [90][96]