Positive earnings report for Universal theme parks

Leah Zanolla | Posted: Aug 2, 2012 | Updated: Oct 19, 2014 - 9:25:27 AM

Comcast Corp. is pleased with the second quarter performance of Universal Orlando and its other theme parks. Universal Orlando's revenue went up 3.4 percent to $539 million; operating cash flow is at $235 million, which is up 4.2 percent from last year.

Not surprisingly, Universal Orlando is the most profitable resort for the company, due in large part to the continued popularity of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Islands of Adventure. Universal Studios Hollywood also saw a jump in attendance after the opening of their new star, a Transformers ride. The parks should continue to show strong numbers, as Hollywood will be opening a Wizarding World of their own in the next few years and Orlando may get their own Transformers attraction.

Comcast Vice Chairman and Chief Financial Officer Mike Angelakis said the parks had a "solid quarter." The Orlando Sentinel notes that it's interesting that these numbers were responsible for only one-tenth of the company's $5.5 billion revenue for the time period, but a quarter of the $982 million operating cash flow. In contrast, NBCUniversal's movie studio lost money, with a negative cash flow of $83 million.