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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.
MORE NEWS
Sony Pictures to launch immersive Wonderverse entertainment destination
Sony Pictures is set to launch an immersive indoor entertainment park at Oakbrook Center in Chicago in December, featuring escape rooms, interactive exhibits, racing simulators, VR attractions, bumper cars and food and drink.
Tourism think tank explores gender equity and male allyship
At a recent think tank, The Tourism Society hosted a panel overseen by its first female chair, Alison Cryer MBE, to discuss the importance of male allyship in the travel and tourism industry.
Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (MoCAUP) has opened An exhibition which provides a retrospective of the research and practices of MAD Architects.
Timbaland, music producer to the stars, joins forces with Myndstream to co-create music that improves health and wellbeing
Timbaland, Platinum Grammy Award-winning music producer, who's worked with artists such as Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Madonna, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Drake, has announced a partnership with health and wellbeing music provider, Myndstream.
+ More news   
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Job location: Snowdonia, North Wales , United Kingdom
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COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Red Raion

Founded in 2014, Red Raion is the CGI studio for media-based attractions. [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Taylor Made Designs (TMD) has been supplying the Attractions, Holiday Park, Zoos and Theme Park mark [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [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
Sony Pictures to launch immersive Wonderverse entertainment destination
Sony Pictures is set to launch an immersive indoor entertainment park at Oakbrook Center in Chicago in December, featuring escape rooms, interactive exhibits, racing simulators, VR attractions, bumper cars and food and drink.
Tourism think tank explores gender equity and male allyship
At a recent think tank, The Tourism Society hosted a panel overseen by its first female chair, Alison Cryer MBE, to discuss the importance of male allyship in the travel and tourism industry.
Shenzhen art museum opens exhibition showcasing work of MAD Architects
Shenzhen Museum of Contemporary Art and Urban Planning (MoCAUP) has opened An exhibition which provides a retrospective of the research and practices of MAD Architects.
Timbaland, music producer to the stars, joins forces with Myndstream to co-create music that improves health and wellbeing
Timbaland, Platinum Grammy Award-winning music producer, who's worked with artists such as Jay-Z, Missy Elliott, Madonna, Rihanna, Justin Timberlake and Drake, has announced a partnership with health and wellbeing music provider, Myndstream.
Accenture says AI is bringing on a decade of deconstruction
The rapid advance of technology in all areas of life is putting societies in flux, creating uncertainty and forcing people to reassess their plans for the future, according to a new report from consulting firm Accenture.
Cedar Fair and Six Flags merge – combined company will operate 51 theme parks and resorts
Two iconic theme park operators, Cedar Fair and Six Flags, have confirmed they are merging.
+ More news   
 
COMPANY PROFILES
RMA Ltd

RMA Ltd is a one-stop global company that can design, build and produce from a greenfield site upw [more...]
Red Raion

Founded in 2014, Red Raion is the CGI studio for media-based attractions. [more...]
Taylor Made Designs

Taylor Made Designs (TMD) has been supplying the Attractions, Holiday Park, Zoos and Theme Park mark [more...]
Simworx Ltd

The company was initially established in 1997. Terry Monkton and Andrew Roberts are the key stakeh [more...]
+ More profiles  
CATALOGUE GALLERY
+ More catalogues  
DIRECTORY
+ More directory  
DIARY

 

08-08 May 2024

Hospitality Design Conference

Hotel Melià , Milano , Italy
04-07 Nov 2024

Global Wellness Summit (GWS)

In person, St Andrews, United Kingdom
+ 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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