Cable TV
Comcast Q1-2015 revenue up 2.6%, operating income up 9%
BENGALURU: Comcast Corporation reported 2.6 per cent growth in consolidated revenue in Q1-2015 (quarter ended 31 March, 2015, current quarter) to $17853 million as compared to the $17408 million in the corresponding year ago quarter. Comcast consolidated operating income increased nine per cent in Q1-2015 to $3890 million from $3568 million in Q1-2014.
The company’s Cable Communications, Filmed Entertainment and Theme Parks segments reported growth in revenue, while Cable Networks Broadcast Television and NBU Universal segments reported a y-o-y fall in revenue.
Comcast chairman and CEO Brian L Roberts said, “We are off to a great start in 2015, with 7.6 per cent operating cash flow growth and record quarterly free cash flow. Cable had a terrific quarter, once again reflecting strong results in high-speed Internet and business services. We have made progress in transforming the customer experience while delivering improved products and innovations faster than ever before. At NBC Universal, we had another excellent quarter, led by Super Bowl XLIX, which was the most-watched television program of all time, along with the tremendous box office success of Fifty Shades of Grey, and the exceptional performance of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley in Orlando. We begin 2015 with great momentum and remain confident that we are well positioned with an impressive portfolio of complementary businesses to continue our strong performance and drive shareholder value.”
Segment Results
Cable Communications
The company’s largest segment by revenue, Cable Communications reported 6.3 per cent revenue growth in Q1-2015 to $11430 million as compared to the $10757 million in Q1-2014, led by 21.5 per cent growth by its Business Services segment. Within the Cable Communications segment, revenue from Video grew three per cent to $5331 million in Q1-2015 from $5178 million in Q1-2015; High-speed Internet grew 10.7 per cent to $3044 million from $2750 million in Q1-2014; Revenue from Voice declined 1.5 per cent to $906 million from $920 million in Q1-2014; Business services revenue increased 21.5 per cent to $1114 million in Q1-2015 from $917 million in Q1-2014; Advertising Revenue fell 0.6 per cent to $504 million from $507 million in Q1-2014; Revenue from ‘Other’ grew 9.5 per cent to $531 million from $485 million in the corresponding year ago quarter.
NBC Universal
Revenue for NBC Universal decreased four per cent to $6604 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to $6876 million in the first quarter of 2014. Excluding $376 million of revenue generated by the broadcast of the NFL’s Super Bowl in the first quarter of 2015 and $1100 million of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in the first quarter of 2014, revenue increased 7.9 per cent. Operating Cash Flow increased 14.0 per cent to $1494 million compared to $1311 million in Q1-2014, driven by strong results at Theme Parks and Broadcast Television.
Cable Networks
For the first quarter of 2015, revenue from the Cable Networks segment decreased 5.9 per cent to $2359 million as compared to $2505 million in Q1-2015. Excluding $257 million of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in Q1-2014, revenue increased 4.9 per cent, reflecting a 4.8 per cent increase in distribution revenue and a 4.3 per cent increase in advertising revenue. Excluding a benefit from a reduction in deferred advertising revenue, advertising growth would have been stable as audience ratings declines were offset by higher prices and volume. Operating cash flow increased 0.3 per cent to $898 million compared to $895 million in Q1-2014, reflecting lower programming and production costs due to the broadcast of the Sochi Olympics in the first quarter of 2014, partially offset by lower revenue.
Broadcast Television
For the first quarter of 2015, revenue from the Broadcast Television segment decreased 14.2 per cent to $2248 million compared to $2621 million in Q1-2014. Excluding $376 million of revenue generated by the NFL’s Super Bowl in Q1-2015, as well as $846 million of revenue generated by the Sochi Olympics in Q1-2014, revenue increased 5.5 per cent, driven by a 5.5 per cent increase in advertising revenue, as well as higher retransmission consent fees. Operating cash flow increased 48.9 per cent to $182 million compared to $122 million in Q1-2014, reflecting lower programming and production costs due to the broadcast of the Sochi Olympics in Q1-2014 and a profitable Super Bowl, partially offset by lower revenue.
Filmed Entertainment
For Q1-2015, revenue from the Filmed Entertainment segment increased seven per cent to $1446 million compared to the $1351 million in Q1-2014, reflecting higher content licensing and home entertainment revenue, partially offset by lower theatrical revenue. Operating cash flow increased 1.7 per cent to $293 million compared to $288 million in Q1-2014, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by increased marketing expenses ahead of the release of Furious 7 early in the second quarter.
Theme Parks
For Q1-2015, revenue from the Theme Parks segment increased 33.7 per cent to $651 million compared to $487 million in the first quarter of 2014, reflecting higher guest attendance and per capita spending, driven by the continued success of Orlando’s The Wizarding World of Harry Potter – Diagon Alley. First quarter operating cash flow increased 54.6 per cent to $263 million compared to $170 million in the same period last year, reflecting higher revenue, partially offset by an increase in operating costs to support the new attractions.
Cable TV
Hathway Cable appoints Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as CEO
Leadership change comes as cable TV faces shrinking subscriber base and modest earnings pressure
MUMBAI: Hathway Cable and Datacom has tapped industry veteran Gurjeev Singh Kapoor as chief executive officer, marking a leadership pivot at a time when India’s cable television business is under mounting strain.
Kapoor will take over from Tavinderjit Singh Panesar, who is set to retire in August after a long innings with the company. Panesar, chief executive since 2023, has held multiple leadership roles at Hathway, including his latest stint beginning in 2022.
Kapoor brings more than three decades of experience in media and entertainment. He most recently led distribution at The Walt Disney Company’s Star India business, now part of JioStar. His career spans television distribution and affiliate partnerships, with stints at Sony Pictures Networks India, Discovery Communications and Zee Entertainment.
Panesar, with over three decades in the industry, has worked across strategic planning, distribution and business development in media, broadcasting and manufacturing. His past associations include ESPN Star Sports, Star India, Apollo Tyres and JK Industries.
The transition lands as the cable sector grapples with structural disruption. Traditional operators are losing ground to streaming platforms, while telecom and broadband players tighten the squeeze with bundled offerings.
An EY report estimates India’s pay-TV base could shrink by a further 30 to 40 million households by 2030, taking the total down to 71 to 81 million. The slide follows a loss of nearly 40 million homes between 2018 and 2024, a contraction that has already wiped out more than 37,000 jobs in the local cable operator ecosystem.
Hathway’s numbers reflect the strain. The company reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 93 crore for FY25, down from Rs 99 crore a year earlier. Revenue inched up to Rs 2,040 crore from Rs 1,981 crore. As of December 2025, it had about 4.7 million cable TV subscribers and roughly 1.02 million broadband users.
Kapoor steps in with a familiar brief but a shrinking playbook. In a market where viewers are cutting cords faster than companies can reinvent them, the new chief executive inherits a business fighting to stay plugged in.
