NBCUniversal’s theme parks division generated $2.3 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter of last year, parent company Comcast has reported.
Comcast said revenue for its international and US theme parks increased by 12.2 percent compared to the previous quarter. Domestic growth was driven by the new Super Nintendo World at Universal Studios Hollywood. It was, however, partially offset by lower revenue at Universal Orlando.
Additionally, Comcast has reported the highest adjusted EBITDA on record for its theme parks business.
“These strong results were again driven by growth at our international parks, especially as Osaka continues to benefit from strong demand from Super Nintendo World driving higher attendance and per-cap spending relative to both last year and pre-pandemic levels,” said Jason Armstrong, chief financial officer of Comcast, in an earnings call.
“In Hollywood, we also continued to benefit from the positive consumer reaction to Super Nintendo World, which opened earlier in 2023, driving strong attendance and growth in per-caps and resulting in Hollywood’s best fourth-quarter EBITDA in its history.”
During the call, Comcast CEO Brian Roberts discussed Universal Orlando’s upcoming fourth gate, Epic Universe.
Epic Universe is “completely original”
“It’s completely original,” he said. “It maybe the most exciting project I’ve seen since we bought NBCUniversal. I think it’s the first new entire theme park in decades in the US, and we’re so excited, we’re taking the board of directors to see the construction in the next couple of weeks, which is something we haven’t ever done before.”
As well as Epic Universe, Universal is building Universal Kids Resort in Frisco, Texas, and opening and a permanent horror experience at Area15 in Las Vegas.
The company also has a “big vision” for a proposed theme park in Bedfordshire, UK after purchasing 480 acres of land in Stewartby.
Images courtesy of NBCUniversal
