Comcast Corp (CMCSA) SEC Quarterly Report (10-Q) for Q3 2017

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017

OR

For the Transition Period from                      to 

Commission File Number	Exact Name of Registrant; State of Incorporation; Address and Telephone Number of Principal Executive Offices	I.R.S. Employer Identification No.
001-32871	COMCAST CORPORATION	27-0000798
	PENNSYLVANIA One Comcast Center Philadelphia, PA 19103-2838 (215) 286-1700
001-36438	NBCUNIVERSAL MEDIA, LLC	14-1682529
	DELAWARE 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112-0015 (212) 664-4444

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding twelve months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark whether the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of stock, as of the latest practical date:

As of September 30, 2017 , there were 4,664,327,455 shares of Comcast Corporation Class A common stock and 9,444,375 shares of Comcast Corporation Class B common stock outstanding.

Not applicable for NBCUniversal Media, LLC.

NBCUniversal Media, LLC meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.

Explanatory Note

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is a combined report being filed separately by Comcast Corporation ("Comcast") and NBCUniversal Media, LLC ("NBCUniversal"). Comcast owns all of the common equity interests in NBCUniversal, and NBCUniversal meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing its information within this Form 10-Q with the reduced disclosure format. Each of Comcast and NBCUniversal is filing on its own behalf the information contained in this report that relates to itself, and neither company makes any representation as to information relating to the other company. Where information or an explanation is provided that is substantially the same for each company, such information or explanation has been combined in this report. Where information or an explanation is not substantially the same for each company, separate information and explanation has been provided. In addition, separate condensed consolidated financial statements for each company, along with notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements, are included in this report. Unless indicated otherwise, throughout this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we refer to Comcast and its consolidated subsidiaries, including NBCUniversal and its consolidated subsidiaries, as "we," "us" and "our;" Comcast Cable Communications, LLC and its consolidated subsidiaries as "Comcast Cable;" Comcast Holdings Corporation as "Comcast Holdings;" NBCUniversal, LLC as "NBCUniversal Holdings;" and NBCUniversal Enterprise, Inc. as "NBCUniversal Enterprise."

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q is for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 . This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q modifies and supersedes documents filed before it. The Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") allows us to "incorporate by reference" information that we file with it, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you directly to those documents. Information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. In addition, information that we file with the SEC in the future will automatically update and supersede information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

You should carefully review the information contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and particularly consider any risk factors set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in other reports or documents that we file from time to time with the SEC. In this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, we state our beliefs of future events and of our future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify these so-called "forward-looking statements" by words such as "may," "will," "should," "expects," "believes," "estimates," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these words, and other comparable words. You should be aware that these statements are only our predictions. In evaluating these statements, you should consider various factors, including the risks outlined below and in other reports we file with the SEC. Actual events or our actual results could differ materially from our forward-looking statements as a result of any such factors, which could adversely affect our businesses, results of operations or financial condition. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

Our businesses may be affected by, among other things, the following:

Comcast Corporation

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Equity

(Unaudited)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Basis of Presentation

We have prepared these unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements based on SEC rules that permit reduced disclosure for interim periods. These financial statements include all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of our consolidated results of operations, financial condition and cash flows for the periods shown, including normal, recurring accruals and other items. The consolidated results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year.

The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"). For a more complete discussion of our accounting policies and certain other information, refer to our consolidated financial statements included in our 2016 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Stock Split

On January 24, 2017, our Board of Directors approved a two -for-one stock split in the form of a 100% stock dividend that was distributed on February 17, 2017 to shareholders of record as of February 8, 2017. The stock split was in the form of one additional share for every share held and was payable in shares of Class A common stock on the existing Class A common stock and Class B common stock. All share-based data, including the number of shares outstanding and per share amounts, have been adjusted to reflect the stock split for all periods presented.

Reclassifications

Reclassifications have been made to our condensed consolidated financial statements for the prior year periods to conform to classifications used in 2017 .

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") updated the accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The updated accounting guidance provides a single, contract-based revenue recognition model to help improve financial reporting by providing clearer guidance on when an entity should recognize revenue and by reducing the number of standards to which an entity has to refer. The updated accounting guidance is effective for us as of January 1, 2018.

We have substantially completed the review of our revenue arrangements and do not currently expect that the adoption of the new standard will have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations. Upon adoption, we anticipate implementing certain changes in the presentation of revenue and expenses, including changes related to the allocation of revenue among the cable services included in a bundle that our residential customers purchase at a discount. We also expect that the new standard will impact the timing of recognition for (1) our Cable Communications segment's installation revenue and commission expenses, which will be recognized as revenue and costs over a period of time instead of immediately, and (2) our Cable Networks, Broadcast Television and Filmed Entertainment segments' content licensing revenue associated with renewals or extensions of existing program licensing agreements, which will be recognized as revenue when the licensed content becomes available under the renewal or extension instead of when the agreement is renewed or extended. In addition, the updated guidance requires additional disclosures regarding the nature, timing and uncertainty of our revenue transactions. We intend to adopt the provisions of the guidance using the full retrospective method, under which we will adjust any prior periods presented to reflect the updated guidance.

Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities

In January 2016, the FASB updated the accounting guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The updated accounting guidance, among other things, requires that all nonconsolidated equity investments, except those accounted for under the equity method, be measured at fair value and that the changes in fair value be recognized in net income. The updated guidance is effective for us as of January 1, 2018. The updated accounting guidance requires a cumulative effect adjustment to beginning retained earnings in the year the guidance is adopted with certain exceptions. If we had adopted the provisions of the updated guidance as of January 1, 2017 for our equity investments classified as available-for-sale securities, primarily our investment in Snap Inc. (see Note 6), net income attributable to Comcast Corporation would have decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 by $63 million and $47 million , respectively. We are currently in the process of determining the impact that the updated accounting guidance will have on our cost method investments.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB updated the accounting guidance related to leases. The updated accounting guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability on the balance sheet for all leases with the exception of short-term leases. The asset and liability are initially measured based on the present value of committed lease payments. For a lessee, the recognition, measurement and presentation of expenses and cash flows arising from a lease do not significantly change from previous guidance. For a lessor, the accounting applied is also largely unchanged from previous guidance. The updated guidance is effective for us as of January 1, 2019 and early adoption is permitted. The updated accounting guidance must be adopted using a modified retrospective approach for leases that exist or are entered into after the beginning of the earliest comparative period in the financial statements. We are currently in the process of determining the impact that the updated accounting guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements.

Share-Based Compensation

In March 2016, the FASB updated the accounting guidance that affects several aspects of the accounting for share-based compensation. The most significant change for us relates to the presentation of the income and withholding tax consequences of share-based compensation in our consolidated financial statements. Among the changes, the updated guidance requires that the excess income tax benefits or deficiencies that arise when the tax consequences of share-based compensation differ from amounts previously recognized in the statement of income be recognized as income tax benefit or expense in the statement of income rather than as additional paid-in capital in the balance sheet. The guidance also states that excess income tax benefits should not be presented separately from other income taxes in the statement of cash flows and, thus, should be classified as an operating activity rather than a financing activity as they were under the prior guidance. In addition, the updated guidance requires that, when an employer withholds shares upon exercise of options or the vesting of restricted stock for the purpose of meeting withholding tax requirements, the cash paid for withholding taxes be classified as a financing activity and we include these amounts in the caption "repurchases of common stock under repurchase program and employee plans" in our consolidated statement of cash flows. We previously recorded these amounts as operating activities.

We adopted the updated guidance as of January 1, 2017 and, as required, we prospectively adopted the provisions that relate to the recognition of the excess income tax benefits or deficiencies in our condensed consolidated statement of income. The excess tax benefits resulted in a decrease to income tax expense of $49 million and $247 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. In addition, the excess tax benefits resulted in an increase to diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders of $0.01 and $0.04 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , respectively. As required by the updated guidance, the prior year periods in our condensed consolidated statement of income were not adjusted as a result of these provisions.

In addition, we retrospectively adopted the provisions of this guidance related to changes to the statement of cash flows for all periods presented. This resulted in increases to net cash provided by operating activities and decreases to net cash provided by (used in) financing activities of $644 million and $492 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

Computation of Diluted EPS

Diluted earnings per common share attributable to Comcast Corporation shareholders ("diluted EPS") considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities using the treasury stock method. Our potentially dilutive securities include potential common shares related to our stock options and our restricted share units ("RSUs"). The amount of potential common shares related to our share-based compensation plans that were excluded from diluted EPS because their effect would have been antidilutive was not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .

FCC Spectrum Auction

On April 13, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission announced the results of its spectrum auction. In the auction, NBCUniversal relinquished its spectrum rights in the New York, Philadelphia and Chicago designated market areas ("DMAs") where NBC and Telemundo had overlapping spectrum. NBCUniversal received proceeds of $482 million in July 2017, which were recorded in other investing activities in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. NBCUniversal recognized a pretax gain of $337 million in other operating gains for the three months ended September 30, 2017 in our condensed consolidated statement of income. NBC and Telemundo stations will share broadcast signals in these DMAs. In connection with the auction, we also acquired the rights to $1.7 billion of spectrum, which were recorded to other intangible assets, net in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. We had previously made a deposit of $1.8 billion to participate in the auction in the third quarter of 2016 and received a refund for amounts in excess of the purchase price in the second quarter of 2017.

Universal Studios Japan

On April 6, 2017, we acquired the remaining interests in Universal Studios Japan that we did not already own for $2.3 billion . The acquisition was funded through cash on hand and borrowings under our commercial paper program. Because we maintained control of Universal Studios Japan, the difference between the consideration transferred and the recorded value of the noncontrolling interests, as well as the related tax and accumulated other comprehensive income impacts, were recorded to additional paid-in capital.

DreamWorks Animation

On August 22, 2016, we acquired all of the outstanding stock of DreamWorks Animation for $3.8 billion . DreamWorks Animation ' s stockholders received $41 in cash for each share of DreamWorks Animation common stock. DreamWorks Animation creates animated feature films, television series and specials, live entertainment, and related consumer products. The results of operations for DreamWorks Animation are reported in our Filmed Entertainment segment following the acquisition date.

Allocation of Purchase Price

The transaction was accounted for under the acquisition method of accounting and, accordingly, the assets and liabilities are to be recorded at their fair market values as of the acquisition date. We recorded the acquired assets and liabilities of DreamWorks Animation at their estimated fair values based on valuation analyses. In valuing acquired assets and liabilities, fair value estimates were primarily based on Level 3 inputs, including future expected cash flows, market rate assumptions and discount rates. The fair value of the assumed debt was primarily based on quoted market values. The fair value of the liability related to a tax receivable agreement that DreamWorks Animation had previously entered into with one of its former stockholders (the "tax receivable agreement") was based on the contractual settlement provisions in the agreement. Further, we recorded deferred income taxes based on the tax basis of the acquired net assets and the valuation allowances based on the expected use of net operating loss carryforwards. The goodwill is not deductible for tax purposes. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , we updated the allocation of purchase price for DreamWorks Animation based on final valuation analyses, which primarily resulted in increases

to noncontrolling interests, intangible assets and goodwill and decreases to working capital and deferred income tax assets. The changes did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

The table below presents the allocation of the purchase price to the assets and liabilities of DreamWorks Animation.

The tax receivable agreement was settled immediately following the acquisition and the payment was recorded as an operating activity in our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows in the third quarter of 2016. We also repaid all of the assumed debt of DreamWorks Animation in the third quarter of 2016.

Revenue and net income attributable to the acquisition of DreamWorks Animation were not material for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 .

Fair Value Method

Snap

In March 2017, we acquired an interest in Snap Inc. for $500 million as part of its initial public offering , which we have classified as an available-for-sale security. Snap is a camera company whose primary product is Snapchat, a camera app that was created to help people communicate through short videos and images.

Equity Method

Atairos

For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 , we made cash capital contributions totaling $994 million to Atairos Group, Inc., which included amounts accrued as of December 31, 2016. Atairos follows investment company accounting and records its investments at their fair values each reporting period with the net gains or losses reflected in its statement of income. We recognize our share of these gains and losses in equity in net income (losses) of investees, net. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 , our share of Atairos income was $7 million and $106 million , respectively. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , our share of Atairos losses was $9 million and $36 million , respectively.

In July 2017, we sold a business to a company owned by Atairos and received as consideration an investment in that company, which we account for as an equity method investment. In connection with the sale of the business, we recognized a pretax gain of $105 million in other operating gains for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

The Weather Channel

In January 2016, following a legal restructuring at The Weather Channel, we and the other investors sold the entity holding The Weather Channel's product and technology businesses to IBM. Following the close of the transaction, we continue to hold an investment in The Weather Channel cable network through a new holding company. As a result of the sale of our investment, we recognized a pretax gain of $108 million in other income (expense), net for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 .

Cost Method

AirTouch

We hold two series of preferred stock of Verizon Americas, Inc., formerly known as AirTouch Communications, Inc. ("AirTouch"), a subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc., which are redeemable in April 2020. As of September 30, 2017 , the estimated fair value of the AirTouch preferred stock was $1.7 billion . The estimated fair value of the associated liability related to the redeemable subsidiary preferred shares issued by one of our consolidated subsidiaries was $1.8 billion . The estimated fair values are based on Level 2 inputs that use pricing models whose inputs are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

As of September 30, 2017 , our debt had a carrying value of $65.0 billion and an estimated fair value of $71.7 billion . The estimated fair value of our publicly traded debt was primarily based on Level 1 inputs that use quoted market values for the debt. The estimated fair value of debt for which there are no quoted market prices was based on Level 2 inputs that use interest rates available to us for debt with similar terms and remaining maturities.

Debt Borrowings and Repayments

In August 2017, we issued $ 1.65 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.15% senior notes due 2028 and $850 million aggregate principal amount of 4.00% senior notes due 2047. In June 2017, NBCUniversal Enterprise issued $ 1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of senior floating rate notes due 2021. In March 2017, we issued $1.005 billion aggregate principal amount of 4.45% senior notes due 2047. In January 2017, we issued $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.00% senior notes due 2024 and $1.25 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.30% senior notes due 2027.

In May 2017, we repaid at maturity $550 million aggregate principal amount of 8.875% senior notes due 2017. In January 2017, we repaid at maturity $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 6.50% senior notes due 2017.

In May 2017, Universal Studios Japan entered into ¥450 billion ( $3.9 billion at issuance) of new term loans with a final maturity of March 2022. We used the proceeds from these borrowings to repay in full $3.3 billion of Universal Studios Japan's existing yen-denominated term loans and a portion of amounts outstanding under our commercial paper program.

Revolving Credit Facilities

As of September 30, 2017 , amounts available under our consolidated revolving credit facilities, net of amounts outstanding under our commercial paper programs and outstanding letters of credit, totaled $8.3 billion , which included $1.5 billion available under NBCUniversal Enterprise's revolving credit facility.

Commercial Paper Programs

In June 2017, we increased the Comcast and NBCUniversal Enterprise commercial paper programs to $7.0 billion and $1.5 billion , respectively, to coincide with the borrowing capacities under the Comcast and NBCUniversal Enterprise revolving credit facilities.

As of September 30, 2017 , Comcast and NBCUniversal Enterprise had no commercial paper outstanding.

Senior Notes Exchange

In October 2017, we and NBCUniversal announced and settled a private debt exchange transaction. We issued $ 2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of new 3.969% senior notes due 2047, $ 2.0 billion aggregate principal amount of new 3.999% senior notes due 2049, and $ 1.5 billion aggregate principal amount of new 4.049% senior notes due 2052 in exchange for $3.9 billion aggregate principal amount of certain series of outstanding senior notes issued by Comcast and NBCUniversal. The new notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by NBCUniversal and Comcast Cable Communications, LLC.

Our share-based compensation plans consist primarily of awards of RSUs and stock options to certain employees and directors as part of our approach to long-term incentive compensation. Additionally, through our employee stock purchase plans, employees are able to purchase shares of our common stock at a discount through payroll deductions.

In March 2017, we granted 10.6 million RSUs and 39.1 million stock options related to our annual management awards. The weighted-average fair values associated with these grants were $37.42 per RSU and $7.01 per stock option.

As of September 30, 2017 , we had unrecognized pretax compensation expense of $886 million and $451 million related to nonvested RSUs and nonvested stock options, respectively.

Receivables

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities

Cash Payments for Interest and Income Taxes

Noncash Investing and Financing Activities

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 :

Redeemable Subsidiary Preferred Stock

As of September 30, 2017 , the fair value of the NBCUniversal Enterprise redeemable subsidiary preferred stock was $756 million . The estimated fair value is based on Level 2 inputs that use pricing models whose inputs are derived primarily from or corroborated by observable market data through correlation or other means for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.

Contingencies

We were a defendant in a lawsuit filed in December 2011 by Sprint Communications Company L.P. ("Sprint") in the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. Sprint's initial complaint alleged that Comcast Digital Voice and XFINITY Voice infringe twelve Sprint patents covering various aspects of a telecommunications system. In March 2015, Sprint withdrew its allegations of infringement for two of the patents. In December 2016, the Court granted summary judgment for us with respect to non-infringement on one of the patents and granted summary judgment for Sprint on one of the patents as to infringement with respect to some but not all of our accused telecommunications systems but not as to the patent's validity. In January 2017, the Court entered judgment in favor of us on Sprint's claims for infringement of two of the patents. In March 2017, Sprint indicated that it would not proceed to trial on three of the patents. Trial with respect to the four remaining patents, including the patent for which the Court granted partial summary judgment to Sprint, was set to begin on October 23, 2017. On October 16, 2017, the parties entered into a settlement agreement which dismisses all claims and resolves the parties' disputes asserted in the matters described above, as well as in all other outstanding patent litigation matters between the parties, for a payment to Sprint and certain contractual rights. In connection therewith, we recorded a charge of $250 million in the third quarter of 2017.

We also are a defendant in several unrelated lawsuits claiming infringement of various patents relating to various aspects of our businesses. In certain of these cases, other industry participants are also defendants, and also in certain of these cases, we expect that any potential liability would be in part or in whole the responsibility of our equipment and technology vendors under applicable contractual indemnification provisions. In addition, we are subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. While the amount of ultimate liability with respect to such actions is not expected to materially affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial position, any litigation resulting from any such legal proceedings or claims could be time-consuming and injure our reputation.

We present our operations in five reportable business segments:

We use Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate the profitability of our operating segments and the components of net income attributable to Comcast Corporation below Adjusted EBITDA are not separately evaluated. Our financial data by business segment is presented in the tables below.