Comcast Announces Q3 Results for the Current Financial Year

(eap) US media and entertainment group Comcast Corporation has published its financial results for the third quarter of 2026, which ended on 30 September. Its theme park division, Universal Destinations & Experiences, recorded a 4.4 per cent decline in revenue compared to the same period last year. Between July and September, the company generated just under USD 2.6 billion (approx. EUR 2.29 billion) in revenue from its global theme park business. In 2025, it was USD 7.72 billion (approx. EUR 2.35 billion).

Comcast attributes the decline in revenue from its theme park business primarily to lower income from park admissions, partly reflecting increased promotional activity. At the same time, operating expenses rose by 2.3 per cent to USD 1.82 billion (approx. EUR 1.62 billion). This was mainly due to higher operating costs at the company’s US theme parks, while lower operating expenses at its international locations partially offset the increase. As a result, adjusted EBITDA fell by 17.1 per cent from USD 940 million to USD 780 million (approx. EUR 696 million).

Despite the weaker quarterly results, the group’s management remains confident about the long-term development of its theme park business. Brian L. Roberts and Mike Cavanagh, Co-CEOs of Comcast Corporation, emphasised their confidence in the division’s continued growth potential.

Looking at the first nine months of the current financial year, the theme park business recorded revenue growth of 5.7 per cent to around USD 7.34 billion (approx. EUR 6.55 billion). Comcast attributes this primarily to the opening of the new Universal Epic Universe theme park in Orlando in May 2025. Declining revenue at the international locations partially offset this growth. Adjusted EBITDA for the nine-month period fell by 2.8 per cent to USD 1.94 billion (approx. EUR 1.73 billion).

Across the entire Content & Experiences business, which includes the media and studio operations alongside the theme parks, third-quarter revenue rose by 6.5 per cent to around USD 10.54 billion (approx. EUR 9.4 billion). Adjusted EBITDA increased by 29.3 per cent to USD 1.8 billion (approx. EUR 1.61 billion). A key growth driver was the Media segment, whose revenue performance also benefitted from additional advertising revenue related to the FIFA World Cup.

The group as a whole generated revenue of approximately USD 29.3 billion (approx. EUR 26.15 billion) in the third quarter, representing a decline of 6.1 per cent compared to the previous year. On a comparable pro forma basis, which takes into account the separation of Versant and the sale of Sky’s German operations, however, revenue increased slightly by 0.5 per cent.

Recent developments in Universal’s theme park portfolio include the opening of the “Fast & Furious: Hollywood Drift” roller coaster at Universal Studios Hollywood. According to the company, the new high-speed outdoor roller coaster manufactured by Intamin and reaching a top speed of around 117 km/h is the fastest ride in Universal’s entire theme park portfolio. Read the full story in our latest EAP magazine issue, Sept/Oct 2026. ■