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China worth US$1bn a year to Universal, says Comcast CEO
POSTED 27 Oct 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Brian Roberts see China as having great potential for Comcast and Universal Credit: Comcast
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has called China a “very, very big opportunity” for NBCUniversal’s theme park division, making a prediction that the company will generate US$1bn (€1.16bn, £886m) in operating cash flow once its Chinese venture opens its doors to the public.

Universal – owned by Comcast – is currently developing its US$7.4bn (€6.65bn, £6bn) Universal Beijing, which it broke ground on last year. Due to open in 2020, the development will include in its first phase a theme park, the world’s first Universal-themed resort hotel and a retail entertainment complex – all to be completed within five years.

Speaking during Comcast’s Q3 earnings call, Roberts said that Universal’s growth in China had been notable in recent years across multiple parts of its business.

“We think China is a very, very big opportunity for our company,” he said. “Five years ago, we made virtually no money there. This year, we'll make a couple hundred million dollars of operating cash flow – primarily in film, some on demand services and in consumer products.

“We're spending a lot of time and attention getting a park in Beijing open where the visitation and tourist numbers are just phenomenal.

“Universal will be the only major US theme park in that area of China. When the park opens, it's not unrealistic to assume we're going to make well over US$1bn in operating cash flow.”

For its third quarter, revenue at Universal theme parks increased 7.7 per cent to US$1.55bn (€1.33bn, £1.18bn), with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increasing 9.8 per cent to US$775m (€667.6m, £591.5m). Roberts attributed this to Universal’s strong IP lineup, the launch of Volcano Bay and its acquisition of Universal Studios Japan.

“This performance included strong results from Universal Studios Japan where the recently opened Minion Park attraction drove continued growth, a perfect example of leveraging our IP across businesses,” he said. “Japan is having a record year highlighting what a terrific deal it has been for us since our initial investment in the park two years ago.”

For the nine months ended 30 September, revenue from the Universal’s theme parks increased 10.6 per cent year-on-year to US$4bn (€3.44bn, £3.05bn), reflecting higher attendance and per capita spending. In the same period, adjusted EBITDA increased 11.2 per cent to US$1.7bn (€1.46bn, £1.3bn), reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses, including costs to support new attractions.
RELATED STORIES
  Tom Mehrmann joins Universal as president and general manager of Beijing resort


Former Ocean Park CEO Tom Mehrmann will play a lead role in the development of the CN¥50bn (US$7.4bn, €6.65bn, £6bn) Universal Beijing, after being named president and general manager for the upcoming theme park and resort.
  New attractions help Universal theme parks to surge in revenues


NBCUniversal's theme park division experienced record revenue growth in Q2 thanks to its investment in new attractions.
  Universal theme parks continue to impress for Comcast in Q1 earnings report


Universal’s theme parks continue to act a growth driver for parent company Comcast, after the company recorded revenue increases of 9 per cent to US$1.1bn (€1bn, £853m) in the first quarter of 2017.
  Merlin could pull plug on Shrek’s Adventure roll out


It’s almost a year since Universal’s parent company Comcast acquired DreamWorks, and now Merlin Entertainments boss Nick Varney has to decide what to do with its Shrek’s Adventure midway.
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Jobs    News   Products   Magazine
NEWS
China worth US$1bn a year to Universal, says Comcast CEO
POSTED 27 Oct 2017 . BY Tom Anstey
Brian Roberts see China as having great potential for Comcast and Universal Credit: Comcast
Comcast CEO Brian Roberts has called China a “very, very big opportunity” for NBCUniversal’s theme park division, making a prediction that the company will generate US$1bn (€1.16bn, £886m) in operating cash flow once its Chinese venture opens its doors to the public.

Universal – owned by Comcast – is currently developing its US$7.4bn (€6.65bn, £6bn) Universal Beijing, which it broke ground on last year. Due to open in 2020, the development will include in its first phase a theme park, the world’s first Universal-themed resort hotel and a retail entertainment complex – all to be completed within five years.

Speaking during Comcast’s Q3 earnings call, Roberts said that Universal’s growth in China had been notable in recent years across multiple parts of its business.

“We think China is a very, very big opportunity for our company,” he said. “Five years ago, we made virtually no money there. This year, we'll make a couple hundred million dollars of operating cash flow – primarily in film, some on demand services and in consumer products.

“We're spending a lot of time and attention getting a park in Beijing open where the visitation and tourist numbers are just phenomenal.

“Universal will be the only major US theme park in that area of China. When the park opens, it's not unrealistic to assume we're going to make well over US$1bn in operating cash flow.”

For its third quarter, revenue at Universal theme parks increased 7.7 per cent to US$1.55bn (€1.33bn, £1.18bn), with earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increasing 9.8 per cent to US$775m (€667.6m, £591.5m). Roberts attributed this to Universal’s strong IP lineup, the launch of Volcano Bay and its acquisition of Universal Studios Japan.

“This performance included strong results from Universal Studios Japan where the recently opened Minion Park attraction drove continued growth, a perfect example of leveraging our IP across businesses,” he said. “Japan is having a record year highlighting what a terrific deal it has been for us since our initial investment in the park two years ago.”

For the nine months ended 30 September, revenue from the Universal’s theme parks increased 10.6 per cent year-on-year to US$4bn (€3.44bn, £3.05bn), reflecting higher attendance and per capita spending. In the same period, adjusted EBITDA increased 11.2 per cent to US$1.7bn (€1.46bn, £1.3bn), reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating expenses, including costs to support new attractions.
RELATED STORIES
Tom Mehrmann joins Universal as president and general manager of Beijing resort


Former Ocean Park CEO Tom Mehrmann will play a lead role in the development of the CN¥50bn (US$7.4bn, €6.65bn, £6bn) Universal Beijing, after being named president and general manager for the upcoming theme park and resort.
New attractions help Universal theme parks to surge in revenues


NBCUniversal's theme park division experienced record revenue growth in Q2 thanks to its investment in new attractions.
Universal theme parks continue to impress for Comcast in Q1 earnings report


Universal’s theme parks continue to act a growth driver for parent company Comcast, after the company recorded revenue increases of 9 per cent to US$1.1bn (€1bn, £853m) in the first quarter of 2017.
Merlin could pull plug on Shrek’s Adventure roll out


It’s almost a year since Universal’s parent company Comcast acquired DreamWorks, and now Merlin Entertainments boss Nick Varney has to decide what to do with its Shrek’s Adventure midway.
MORE NEWS
Number of visits to UK attractions are bouncing back says ALVA
Visitor numbers at the UK’s leading attractions have bounced strongly, getting to 78 per cent of pre-pandemic numbers.
World's first Play-Doh attractions to be built in Saudi Arabia by Thinkwell and Seven
Saudi Entertainment Ventures (Seven) has revealed plans to develop and operate the world’s first Play-Doh attractions in Saudi Arabia.
Elev8Fun to expand FEC portfolio - will feature Triotech rides
A new family entertainment centre will open in Tampa, Florida, US, this month (March 2023).
Opening date of US$1bn George Lucas museum set for 2025
A US$1bn museum funded by legendary director, George Lucas, will look to become the world's first to focus exclusively on storytelling through images.
Florida governor strips Disney of special tax district status
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COMPANY PROFILES
FORREC Ltd

We create guest experiences others don’t, masterplan like no one else can, and give the world’s bi [more...]
IDEATTACK

IDEATTACK is a full-service planning and design company with headquarters in Los Angeles. [more...]
TechnoAlpin

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. Our product portfolio includes all different [more...]
ProSlide Technology, Inc.

A former national ski team racer, ProSlide® CEO Rick Hunter’s goal has been to integrate the smoot [more...]
+ More profiles  
VIDEO GALLERY

Red Raion - Keynote | Moby Dick - Friends to the rescue!
It’s extremely important for us to show you the process behind every content we produce. Each of our titles stems from deep research, focused on giving you the kinds of content that best fit your venues and target audience. Find out more...
More videos:
ProSlide's all-in-one waterplay entertainment center – Proslide Tech Inc
Testimonial Richard Needham - SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment – Red Raion
+ More videos  

CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

10-12 May 2023

Asia Pool & Spa Expo

China Import & Export Fair Complex, China
24-27 Oct 2023

Synergy - The Retreat Show

Palmaïa, The House of Aia, Playacar, Playa del Carmen, Mexico
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
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