• Loading stock data...
Thursday, September 18, 2025

Super Bowl, Olympics Power Comcast Through Q1

  • Comcast saw revenue growth in media, driven by the Beijing Winter Olympics and Super Bowl LVI.
  • Peacock subscribers rose four million.
Peacock-NBC-Super-Bowl
Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Comcast got a needed boost from two of the world’s largest sporting events as it fought through challenges in other sectors of its business.

The NBCUniversal owner brought in $31 billion in the first quarter, up 14% year-over-year.

The company generated $1.5 billion from the Beijing Winter Olympics and Super Bowl LVI in Los Angeles, which collectively accounted for 21.6% of NBCUniversal’s media revenue in the quarter.

  • Advertising revenue leapt 59.2% year-over-year, due largely to the two major sports events.
  • The Olympics, which took place over 16 days beginning Feb. 4, brought in $963 million in revenue, while the Super Bowl scored $519 million on Feb. 13.
  • Over 200 million people watched at least one of the events, factoring in the network’s streaming service Peacock. While the Super Bowl had a robust 112 million viewers, the Olympics sagged to its lowest ratings in NBCUniversal’s history broadcasting the Games.

Feather in Their Cap

The two sporting events helped raise Peacock’s subscriber count by around 4 million, boosting its totals to 13 million paying users and 28 million monthly active accounts. The service still lost money in the quarter, however.

The news comes as investors are growing wary of streaming services following Netflix’s first subscriber loss in a decade. Netflix’s stumble not only knocked its own stock price down, but also triggered 4-6% declines in Disney, Roku, Discovery, and Paramount.

Comcast’s stock slid around 6% on Thursday, in part due to slowing growth in its broadband segment.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

MLB, NBC Leaders Say Broadcast TV Still Matters in Streaming Era

The network and league tout the forthcoming rights deal.
Las Vegas Aces

WNBA Playoffs Face ESPN Fall Crunch For Final Time

The games will be spread across three networks next year.
Premier Lacrosse League

‘The Circus Is Coming to Town’: Why Upstart Leagues Start on Tour

In their ambitious plans, a traveling schedule is only temporary.
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - APRIL 19: A detailed view of the MLB Debut patch on the jersey of Patrick Monteverde #44 of the Miami Marlins prior to game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on April 19, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Tiny Jersey Patch at the Center of the MLB Rookie Card..

Autographed cards containing a piece of baseball history have upended the market.

Featured Today

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Could Set More NFL Ratings Records

Fox will nationally televise Sunday afternoon’s matchup.
September 10, 2025

ESPN’s ‘MNF’ Ratings Up 8% As NFL Surges to Strong Start

ESPN posts its second-best Week 1 “Monday Night Football” audience.
Sep 7, 2025; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Buffalo Bills fans react during the fourth quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at Highmark Stadium.
September 9, 2025

As Bills Ascend, Their Next Frontier Lies in Canada

Buffalo and the powerful Canadian entity MLSE come together in a new pact.
opinion
September 9, 2025

The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly from NFL’s Week 1 Broadcasts

Many viewers decried the addition of ads to “NFL RedZone.”

Fever Ratings Fall Without Clark, but Rest of WNBA Game 1s Surge

The Indiana Fever game drew 47% fewer viewers this year.
exclusive
September 16, 2025

ESPN, Fox One Added 1M Sign-Ups in First 10 Days After Launch

The two high-profile streaming services have strong starts with consumers.
Sep 14, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver DeVonta Smith (6) makes a reception defended by Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie (22) during the fourth quarter of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
September 16, 2025

Eagles-Chiefs Super Bowl Rematch Sets Early NFL TV Ratings Mark

Several new milestones are established with the big early-season matchup.
Sponsored

How World Series Champ Dexter Fowler Became a Premier League Team Owner

Dexter Fowler discusses navigating retirement and embracing new roles as an owner & investor.
Greg Olsen
September 16, 2025

Greg Olsen on Tom Brady’s Raiders Role: ‘More Power to Him’

This season, the NFL has relaxed the special Brady broadcasting rules.
Jul 27, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Injured Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) looks on from the bench during the first half of a basketball game against the Chicago Sky at United Center.
September 15, 2025

WNBA Ratings Rise 3% in 2025 Despite Clark’s Absence

Caitlin Clark played in just 13 of 44 regular-season games.
Green Bay Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon (25) breaks up a pass intended for Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown (85) on Thursday, September 11, 2025, at Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers won the game, 27-18.
September 15, 2025

Amazon Shatters Previous Ratings High for 1st NFL Game

“TNF” viewership surges 35% compared to the 2024 season average.
September 15, 2025

Chiefs’ Fall to 0–2 Dims the Spotlight on NFL’s Top TV Draw

The NFL’s most-watched team sinks to a new low since Patrick Mahomes arrived.