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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
Therme appoints UK CEO as £250m Therme Manchester gets planning approval
Therme Group has received planning permission to build the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort, Therme Manchester, after a four-year journey.
Pocket Planet attraction to bring 'immersive miniverse' on London's famous Oxford Street
White Crane Lake visitor centre in Yingtan, China glows like a shining lantern on a lake
A newly opened visitor centre at White Crane Lake in Yingtan, China, has been designed to look like a shining lantern within a forest.
New designs unveiled for Therme Canada Ontario Place and Therme Manchester
Therme Canada has released a newly evolved project design for its West Island of Ontario Place destination. The facility will deliver Therme Group's signature year-round family-friendly destination attraction concept alongside four more acres of public parkland.
+ More news   
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Job location: Around Nottingham + hybrid working , United Kingdom
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COMPANY PROFILES
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Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
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We lead the world in incredible museum, exhibition, and attraction design. We work across the herita [more...]
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QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
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TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. Our product portfolio includes all different [more...]
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VIDEO GALLERY

Red Raion - Testimonial Richard Needham - SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment
Last July 7th, Red Raion took part in the opening event of FICO Eataly World, the Italian theme park dedicated to food - the only one worldwide! Find out more...
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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
Therme appoints UK CEO as £250m Therme Manchester gets planning approval
Therme Group has received planning permission to build the UK’s first city-based wellbeing resort, Therme Manchester, after a four-year journey.
Pocket Planet attraction to bring 'immersive miniverse' on London's famous Oxford Street
White Crane Lake visitor centre in Yingtan, China glows like a shining lantern on a lake
A newly opened visitor centre at White Crane Lake in Yingtan, China, has been designed to look like a shining lantern within a forest.
New designs unveiled for Therme Canada Ontario Place and Therme Manchester
Therme Canada has released a newly evolved project design for its West Island of Ontario Place destination. The facility will deliver Therme Group's signature year-round family-friendly destination attraction concept alongside four more acres of public parkland.
Construction work to begin on Universal Resort Beijing's second phase 'by 2025'
Construction work on the second phase of the Universal Resort Beijing is set to begin by 2025.
Surf Park Summit programme and speaker line up confirmed
The speakers have been confirmed for this year's Surf Park Summit - the global event dedicated exclusively to the surf park industry.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
Sally Corporation

Our services include: Dark ride design & build; Redevelopment of existing attractions; High-quality [more...]
Mather & Co

We lead the world in incredible museum, exhibition, and attraction design. We work across the herita [more...]
QubicaAMF UK

QubicaAMF is the largest and most innovative bowling equipment provider with 600 employees worldwi [more...]
TechnoAlpin

TechnoAlpin is the world leader for snowmaking systems. Our product portfolio includes all different [more...]
+ More profiles  
VIDEO GALLERY

Red Raion - Testimonial Richard Needham - SimEx-Iwerks Entertainment
Last July 7th, Red Raion took part in the opening event of FICO Eataly World, the Italian theme park dedicated to food - the only one worldwide! Find out more...
More videos:
+ More videos  

CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

05-05 Oct 2023

VAC 2023

QEII Conference Centre, London, United Kingdom
24-26 Oct 2023

ASEAN Pool & Spa Expo

IMPACT Exhibition Centre, Thailand
+ More diary  
 


ADVERTISE . CONTACT US

Leisure Media
Tel: +44 (0)1462 431385

©Cybertrek 2023

ABOUT LEISURE MEDIA
LEISURE MEDIA MAGAZINES
LEISURE MEDIA HANDBOOKS
LEISURE MEDIA WEBSITES
LEISURE MEDIA PRODUCT SEARCH
ATTRACTIONS MANAGEMENT NEWS
ATTRACTIONS HANDBOOK
PRINT SUBSCRIPTIONS
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