PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) today reported results for the quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation, said, “This is an exciting and important time in Comcast’s history. To highlight a few of the achievements in our businesses this quarter, Comcast Cable’s EBITDA growth was the fastest in six years, and customer relationship growth accelerated, driven by the best broadband net additions for a third quarter in ten years. At NBCUniversal, our TV businesses continued their strong performance. NBC finished the 52-week season ranked #1 in total viewers for the first time in 16 years and #1 in adults 18-49 for the fifth consecutive season, and is off to a great start in the new season. Our recently completed acquisition of Sky is transformative for our company, helping create a unique global leader in media, technology, television and broadband."

Revenue for Cable Communications increased 3.4% to $13.8 billion in the third quarter of 2018, driven primarily by increases in high-speed internet, business services and advertising revenue. High-speed internet revenue increased 9.6%, driven by an increase in the number of residential high-speed internet customers and rate adjustments. Business services revenue increased 10.6%, primarily driven by increases in the number of customers receiving our small and medium-sized business services offerings. Advertising revenue increased 15.2%, primarily reflecting an increase in political advertising revenue. Excluding political advertising revenue, advertising revenue increased 0.6%. Other revenue increased 1.1%, primarily driven by an increase in revenue from our security and automation services, partially offset by the timing of X1 licensing revenue. Video revenue decreased 2.9%, primarily reflecting a decrease in the number of residential video customers, as well as additional revenue in last year's third quarter associated with a boxing event available on pay-per-view. Voice revenue decreased 3.1%, primarily due to a decrease in the number of residential voice customers.For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Cable revenue increased 3.5% to $41.0 billion compared to 2017, primarily driven by growth in high-speed internet, business services and advertising revenue.Total Customer Relationships

increased by 288,000 to 30.1millionin the third quarter of 2018. Residential customer relationships increased by 258,000 and business customer relationships increased by 30,000. At the end of the third quarter, 68.0% of our residential customers received at least two Xfinity products. Total high-speed internet customer net additions were 363,000, total video customer net losses were 106,000, total voice customer net losses were 35,000 and total security and automation customer net additions were 42,000.

Revenue for NBCUniversal increased 8.1% to $8.6 billion in the third quarter of 2018. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 8.5% to $2.1 billion, primarily reflecting decreases at Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks, partially offset by increases at Cable Networks and Broadcast Television.For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, NBCUniversal revenue increased 9.6% to $26.5 billion compared to 2017. Adjusted EBITDA increased 2.5% to $6.5 billion, primarily reflecting increases at Cable Networks, Broadcast Television and Theme Parks, partially offset by a decline at Filmed Entertainment.

Cable Networks

Cable Networks revenue increased 10.8% to $2.9 billion in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting higher distribution, content licensing and other and advertising revenue. Distribution revenue increased 9.5%, primarily due to contractual rate increases and the timing of contract renewals. Content licensing and other revenue increased 36.1%, due to the timing of content provided under licensing agreements. Advertising revenue increased 4.2%, reflecting higher rates, partially offset by audience ratings declines. Adjusted EBITDA increased 6.9% to $968 million in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by higher programming and production costs.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenue from the Cable Networks segment increased 13.3% to $9.0 billion compared to 2017, reflecting higher distribution, advertising and content licensing and other revenue. Excluding $378 million of revenue generated by the broadcast of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics in the first quarter of 2018, Cable Networks revenue increased 8.5% (see Table 6). Adjusted EBITDA increased 11.3% to $3.4 billion compared to 2017, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by higher programming and production costs due to the broadcast of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

Broadcast Television

Broadcast Television revenue increased 15.4% to $2.5 billion in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting increased advertising, distribution and other and content licensing revenue. Advertising revenue increased 9.2%, primarily driven by higher rates and revenue associated with Telemundo's broadcast of the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM, partially offset by audience ratings declines. Distribution and other revenue increased 23.9%, due to higher retransmission consent fees. Content licensing revenue increased 24.7%, reflecting the timing of content provided under licensing agreements. Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.8% to $321 million in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by increased programming and production costs associated with Telemundo's broadcast of the 2018 FIFA World Cup RussiaTM.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment increased 26.9% to $8.3 billion compared to 2017, reflecting an increase in advertising, distribution and other and content licensing revenue. Excluding $770 million of revenue generated by the broadcast of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics in the first quarter of 2018 and $423 million of revenue generated by the broadcast of Super Bowl LII in the first quarter of 2018, Broadcast Television revenue increased 8.7% (see Table 6). Adjusted EBITDA increased 18.2% to $1.2 billion compared to 2017, reflecting an increase in revenue, partially offset by an increase in programming and production costs, primarily due to increased sports programming costs associated with the broadcasts of the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics and Super Bowl LII.

Filmed Entertainment

Filmed Entertainment revenue increased 3.8% to $1.8 billion in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting increased theatrical and content licensing revenue, partially offset by decreases in home entertainment and other revenue. Theatrical revenue increased 16.7%, reflecting the continued success of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, and the performance of Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again in this year's third quarter. Content licensing revenue increased 8.6%, driven by the timing of when content was made available under licensing agreements. Home Entertainment revenue decreased 13.1%, reflecting the success of several releases in the prior year period, including The Fate of the Furious and Boss Baby. Adjusted EBITDA decreased by 44.2% to $214 million in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting higher operating costs, partially offset by higher revenue.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment decreased 11.7% to $5.2 billion compared to 2017, reflecting lower theatrical, home entertainment and other revenue, partially offset by higher content licensing revenue. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 46.7% to $555 million compared to 2017, reflecting lower revenue, partially offset by lower programming and production costs.

Theme Parks

Theme Parks revenue decreased 1.4% to $1.5 billion in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting an unfavorable impact on attendance as a result of severe weather and natural disasters in Japan. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 6.5% to $725 million in the third quarter of 2018, reflecting lower revenue and an increase in operating expenses.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 4.7% to $4.2 billion compared to 2017, reflecting higher per capita spending. Adjusted EBITDA increased 3.8% to $1.8 billion compared to 2017, due to higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses.

Headquarters, Other and Eliminations

NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations include overhead and eliminations among the NBCUniversal businesses. For the quarter ended September 30, 2018, NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations Adjusted EBITDA loss was $162 million, compared to a loss of $123 million in the third quarter of 2017, which included a favorable tax settlement.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, NBCUniversal Headquarters, Other and Eliminations Adjusted EBITDA loss was $500 million compared to a loss of $544 million in 2017.

In this discussion, we sometimes refer to financial measures that are not presented according to generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (GAAP). Certain of these measures are considered “non-GAAP financial measures” under the SEC regulations; those rules require the supplemental explanations and reconciliations that are in Comcast’s Form 8-K (Quarterly Earnings Release) furnished to the SEC.

About Comcast Corporation

Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company with three primary businesses: Comcast Cable, NBCUniversal, and Sky. Comcast Cable is one of the United States’ largest video, high-speed internet, and phone providers to residential customers under the Xfinity brand, and also provides these services to businesses. It also provides wireless and security and automation services to residential customers under the Xfinity brand. NBCUniversal is global and operates news, entertainment and sports cable networks, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, television production operations, television station groups, Universal Pictures, and Universal Parks and Resorts. Sky is one of Europe's leading media and entertainment companies, connecting customers to a broad range of video content through its pay television services. It also provides communications services, including residential high-speed internet, phone, and wireless services. Sky operates the Sky News broadcast network and sports and entertainment networks, produces original content, and has exclusive content rights. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.