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Revenue | 12 Months Ended
--- | ---
Dec. 31, 2019
Revenue [Line Items] |
Revenue |
Note 3: Revenue
Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Residential: |  |  |  |  |
High-speed internet | $ | 18,752 |  |  | $ | 17,144 |  |  | $ | 15,681 |
Video | 22,270 |  |  | 22,455 |  |  | 22,874 |
Voice | 3,879 |  |  | 3,960 |  |  | 4,090 |
Wireless | 1,167 |  |  | 890 |  |  | 329 |
Business services | 7,795 |  |  | 7,129 |  |  | 6,437 |
Advertising | 2,465 |  |  | 2,795 |  |  | 2,450 |
Other | 1,754 |  |  | 1,660 |  |  | 1,538 |
Total Cable Communications(a)(b) | 58,082 |  |  | 56,033 |  |  | 53,399 |
Distribution | 6,790 |  |  | 6,826 |  |  | 6,081 |
Advertising | 3,478 |  |  | 3,587 |  |  | 3,359 |
Content licensing and other | 1,245 |  |  | 1,360 |  |  | 1,057 |
Total Cable Networks | 11,513 |  |  | 11,773 |  |  | 10,497 |
Advertising | 5,712 |  |  | 7,010 |  |  | 5,654 |
Content licensing | 2,157 |  |  | 2,182 |  |  | 2,114 |
Distribution and other | 2,392 |  |  | 2,247 |  |  | 1,795 |
Total Broadcast Television | 10,261 |  |  | 11,439 |  |  | 9,563 |
Theatrical | 1,469 |  |  | 2,111 |  |  | 2,192 |
Content licensing | 3,045 |  |  | 2,899 |  |  | 2,956 |
Home entertainment | 957 |  |  | 1,048 |  |  | 1,287 |
Other | 1,022 |  |  | 1,094 |  |  | 1,160 |
Total Filmed Entertainment | 6,493 |  |  | 7,152 |  |  | 7,595 |
Total Theme Parks | 5,933 |  |  | 5,683 |  |  | 5,443 |
Headquarters and Other | 83 |  |  | 63 |  |  | 45 |
Eliminations(c) | (316 | ) |  | (349 | ) |  | (307 | )
Total NBCUniversal | 33,967 |  |  | 35,761 |  |  | 32,836 |
Direct-to-consumer | 15,538 |  |  | 3,632 |  |  | — |
Content | 1,432 |  |  | 304 |  |  | — |
Advertising | 2,249 |  |  | 651 |  |  | — |
Total Sky | 19,219 |  |  | 4,587 |  |  | — |
Corporate and Other(b) | 333 |  |  | 513 |  |  | 864 |
Eliminations(c) | (2,659 | ) |  | (2,387 | ) |  | (2,070 | )
Total revenue | $ | 108,942 |  |  | $ | 94,507 |  |  | $ | 85,029 |
(a) | For 2019, 2018 and 2017, 2.6%, 2.6% and 2.8%, respectively, of Cable Communications segment revenue was derived from franchise and other regulatory fees.
(b) | Comcast Cable’s wireless phone service is now presented in the Cable Communications segment. Results were previously presented in Corporate and Other.
(c) | Included in Eliminations are transactions that our segments enter into with one another. See Note 2 for a description of these transactions.
We operate primarily in the United States but also in select international markets. The table below summarizes revenue by geographic location.
Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
United States | $ | 82,952 |  |  | $ | 82,233 |  |  | $ | 77,246 |
Europe | 21,553 |  |  | 7,721 |  |  | 3,190 |
Other | 4,437 |  |  | 4,553 |  |  | 4,593 |
Total revenue | $ | 108,942 |  |  | $ | 94,507 |  |  | $ | 85,029 |
No single customer accounted for a significant amount of revenue in any period presented. Cable Communications Segment Residential Revenue is generated from subscribers to our high-speed internet, video, voice, wireless and security and automation services, which we market individually and as bundled services at a discounted rate in the United States. Revenue from customers that purchase bundled services at a discounted rate is allocated between the separate services based on the respective stand-alone selling prices. The stand-alone selling prices are determined based on the current prices at which we separately sell the services. Significant judgment is used to determine performance obligations that should be accounted for separately and the allocation of revenue when services are combined in a bundle. Revenue related to our security and automation services is reported in other revenue. We recognize revenue as the services are provided on a monthly basis. Subscription rates and related charges vary according to the services and features customers receive. Customers are typically billed in advance and pay on a monthly basis. Installation fees are deferred and recognized as revenue over the period of benefit to the customer, which is less than a year for residential customers. While a portion of our customers are subject to contracts for their services, which are typically 1 to 2 years in length, based on our evaluation of the terms of these contracts, we recognize revenue for these services on a basis that is consistent with our customers that are not subject to contracts. Our services generally involve customer premise equipment, such as set-top boxes, cable modems and wireless gateways. The timing and pattern of recognition for customer premise equipment revenue are consistent with those of our services. We recognize revenue from the sale of wireless handsets at the point of sale. Sales commissions are expensed as incurred, as the related period of benefit is less than a year. Under the terms of cable franchise agreements, we are generally required to pay the cable franchising authority an amount based on gross video revenue. We generally pass these and other similar fees through to our customers and classify these fees in the respective Cable Communications services revenue, with the corresponding costs included in other operating and administrative expenses. Business Services Revenue is generated from subscribers to a variety of our products and services which are offered to businesses. Our service offerings for small business locations primarily include high-speed internet services, as well as voice and video services, that are similar to those provided to residential customers, as well as cloud-based cybersecurity services, wireless backup connectivity, advanced Wi-Fi solutions, video monitoring services and cloud-based services that provide file sharing, online backup and web conferencing, among other features. We also offer Ethernet network services that connect multiple locations and provide higher downstream and upstream speed options to medium-sized customers and larger enterprises, as well as advanced voice services, along with video solutions that serve hotels and other large venues. In addition, we provide cellular backhaul services to mobile network operators to help them manage their network bandwidth. We have expanded our service offerings to include a software-defined networking product for medium-sized and enterprise customers. Larger enterprises may also receive support services related to Wi-Fi networks, router management, network security, business continuity risks and other services. These service offerings are primarily provided to Fortune 1000 companies and other large enterprises with multiple locations both within and outside of our cable distribution footprint, where we have agreements with other companies to use their networks to provide coverage outside of our service areas. We recognize revenue as the services are provided on a monthly basis. Substantially all of our customers are initially under contracts, with terms typically ranging from 2 years for small and medium-sized businesses to up to 5 years for larger enterprises. At any given time, the amount of future revenue to be earned related to fixed pricing under existing agreements is equal to approximately half of our annual business services revenue, of which the substantial majority will be recognized within 2 years. Customers with contracts may only discontinue service in accordance with the terms of their contracts. We receive payments based on a billing schedule established in our contracts, which is typically on a monthly basis. Installation revenue and sales commissions are generally deferred and recognized over the respective contract terms. Advertising Revenue is generated from the sale of advertising and technology, tools and solutions relating to advertising businesses. As part of distribution agreements with cable networks, we generally receive an allocation of scheduled advertising time that we sell to local, regional and national advertisers. In most cases, the available advertising units are sold by our sales force. We also represent the advertising sales efforts of other multichannel video providers in some markets. Since we are acting as the principal in these arrangements, we record the advertising that is sold in advertising revenue and the fees paid to multichannel video providers in other operating and administrative expenses. In some cases, we work with representation firms as an extension of our sales force to sell a portion of the advertising units allocated to us and record the revenue net of agency commissions. In addition, we generate revenue from the sale of advertising on digital platforms. We enter into advertising arrangements with customers and have determined that a contract exists once all terms and conditions are agreed upon, typically when the number of advertising units is specifically identified and the timing of airing is scheduled. Advertisements are generally aired or viewed within one year once all terms and conditions are agreed upon. Revenue from these arrangements is recognized in the period in which advertisements are aired or viewed. Payment terms vary by contract, although terms generally require payment within 30 to 60 days from when advertisements are aired or viewed. In addition, we also provide technology, tools, data-driven services and marketplace solutions to customers in the media industry, which allows advertisers to more effectively engage with their target audiences. Revenue earned in this manner is recognized when services are provided. NBCUniversal Segments Distribution Cable Networks generates revenue from the distribution of our cable network programming to traditional and virtual multichannel video providers. Broadcast Television generates revenue from the fees received under retransmission consent agreements and associated fees received from NBC-affiliated local broadcast television stations. These arrangements are accounted for as licenses of functional intellectual property and revenue is recognized as programming is provided on a monthly basis, generally under multiyear agreements. Monthly fees received under distribution agreements with multichannel video providers are generally based on the number of subscribers. Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although terms generally include payment within 60 days. Advertising Cable Networks and Broadcast Television generate revenue from the sale of advertising on our cable and broadcast networks, our owned local broadcast television stations and various digital properties. We enter into advertising arrangements with customers and have determined that a contract exists once all terms and conditions are agreed upon, typically when the number of advertising units is specifically identified and the timing of airing is scheduled. Advertisements are generally aired or viewed within one year once all terms are agreed upon. Revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period in which advertisements are aired or viewed and payment occurs thereafter, with payment generally required within 30 days. In some instances, we guarantee audience ratings for the advertisements. To the extent there is a shortfall in contracts where the ratings were guaranteed, a portion of the revenue is deferred until the shortfall is settled, typically by providing additional advertising units generally within one year of the original airing. Theatrical Filmed Entertainment generates revenue from the worldwide theatrical release of produced and acquired films for exhibition in movie theaters. Theatrical revenue is affected by the timing, nature and number of films released in movie theaters and their acceptance by audiences. It is also affected by the number of exhibition screens, ticket prices, the percentage of ticket sale retention by the exhibitors and the popularity of competing films at the time when films are released. We recognize revenue as the films are viewed and exhibited in theaters and payment generally occurs within 30 days after exhibition. Content Licensing Cable Networks, Broadcast Television and Filmed Entertainment generate revenue from the licensing of our owned film and television content in the United States and internationally to cable, broadcast and premium networks and subscription video on demand services. Our agreements generally include fixed pricing and span multiple years. For example, following a film’s theatrical release, Filmed Entertainment may license the exhibition rights of a film to different customers over multiple successive distribution windows. We recognize revenue when the content is delivered and available for use by the licensee. When the term of an existing agreement is renewed or extended, we recognize revenue at the later of when the content is available or when the renewal or extension period begins. Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although payments are generally collected over the license term. The amount of future revenue to be earned related to fixed pricing under existing agreements at any given time equals approximately 1 to 2 years of annual Filmed Entertainment content licensing revenue, which is the segment with the largest portion of this future revenue. The majority of this revenue will be recognized within 2 years. This amount may fluctuate from period to period depending on the timing of the releases and the availability of content under existing agreements and may not represent the total revenue expected to be recognized as it does not include revenue from future agreements or from variable pricing or optional purchases under existing agreements. For our agreements that include variable pricing, such as pricing based on the number of subscribers to a subscription video on demand service sold by our customers, we generally recognize revenue as our customers sell to their subscribers. Home Entertainment Filmed Entertainment generates revenue from the sale of our produced and acquired films on standard-definition digital video discs and Blu-ray discs (together, “DVDs”) and through digital distribution services. Cable Networks and Broadcast Television also generate revenue from the sale of owned programming on DVDs and through digital distribution services, which is reported in other revenue. We generally recognize revenue from DVD sales, net of estimated returns and customer incentives, on the date that DVDs are delivered to and made available for sale by retailers. Payment terms generally include payment within 60 to 90 days from delivery to the retailer. Theme Parks Theme Parks generates revenue primarily from guest spending at our Universal theme parks in Orlando, Florida; Hollywood, California; and Osaka, Japan. Guest spending includes ticket sales and in-park spending on food, beverages and merchandise. We recognize revenue from ticket sales when the tickets are used, generally within a year from the date of purchase. For annual passes, we generally recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the period the pass is available to be used. We recognize revenue from in-park spending at the point of sale. Sky Segment Direct-to-Consumer Revenue is generated from subscribers to our video services from both residential and business customers. We also provide high-speed internet, voice and wireless phone services in select countries. Generally, all of our residential customers are initially under contracts, with terms typically ranging from rolling monthly to 2 years, depending on the product and territory, and may only discontinue service in accordance with the terms of their contracts. Subscription rates and related charges vary according to the services and features customers receive and the types of equipment they use. Our video, high-speed internet, voice and wireless phone services generally may be purchased individually or in bundles. We recognize revenue from video, high-speed internet, voice and wireless phone services as the services are provided on a monthly basis. At any given time, the amount of future revenue to be earned related to existing agreements is equal to less than half of our annual direct-to-consumer revenue, which generally will be recognized within 2 years. Content Revenue is generated from the distribution of our television channels on third-party platforms and the licensing of owned and acquired programming to third-party video providers. See the NBCUniversal segment discussion of distribution and content licensing revenue above for accounting policies for these types of arrangements. Advertising Revenue is generated from advertising and sponsorships across our owned television channels and where we represent the sales efforts of third-party channels. We also sell targeted advertising and generate revenue from online and mobile advertising and advertising across our On Demand services. Revenue is recognized when the advertising is aired or viewed. Since we are acting as the principal in the arrangements where we represent the sales efforts of third parties, we record the advertising that is sold in advertising revenue and the fees paid to the third-party channels in other operating and administrative expenses. Consolidated Balance Sheet The following tables summarize our accounts receivable and other balances that are not separately presented in our consolidated balance sheet that relate to the recognition of revenue and collection of the related cash, as well as deferred costs associated with our contracts with customers.
December 31 (in millions) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Receivables, gross | $ | 11,711 |  |  | $ | 11,456 |
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts | 419 |  |  | 352 |
Receivables, net | $ | 11,292 |  |  | $ | 11,104 |
December 31 (in millions) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Noncurrent receivables (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | $ | 1,337 |  |  | $ | 1,399 |
Contract acquisition and fulfillment costs (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | $ | 1,083 |  |  | $ | 991 |
Noncurrent deferred revenue (included in other noncurrent liabilities) | $ | 618 |  |  | $ | 650 |
In Cable Communications and Sky, we manage credit risk by screening applicants through the use of internal customer information, identification verification tools and credit bureau data, as well as by offering customers the opportunity to establish automatic monthly payments. If a customer’s account is delinquent, various measures are used to collect outstanding amounts, including termination of the customer’s services.
NBCUniversal Media LLC [Member] |
Revenue [Line Items] |
Revenue |
Note 3: Revenue
Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
Distribution | $ | 6,790 |  |  | $ | 6,826 |  |  | $ | 6,081 |
Advertising | 3,478 |  |  | 3,587 |  |  | 3,359 |
Content licensing and other | 1,245 |  |  | 1,360 |  |  | 1,057 |
Total Cable Networks | 11,513 |  |  | 11,773 |  |  | 10,497 |
Advertising | 5,712 |  |  | 7,010 |  |  | 5,654 |
Content licensing | 2,157 |  |  | 2,182 |  |  | 2,114 |
Distribution and other | 2,392 |  |  | 2,247 |  |  | 1,795 |
Total Broadcast Television | 10,261 |  |  | 11,439 |  |  | 9,563 |
Theatrical | 1,469 |  |  | 2,111 |  |  | 2,192 |
Content licensing | 3,045 |  |  | 2,899 |  |  | 2,956 |
Home entertainment | 957 |  |  | 1,048 |  |  | 1,287 |
Other | 1,022 |  |  | 1,094 |  |  | 1,160 |
Total Filmed Entertainment | 6,493 |  |  | 7,152 |  |  | 7,595 |
Total Theme Parks | 5,933 |  |  | 5,683 |  |  | 5,443 |
Headquarters and Other | 142 |  |  | 212 |  |  | 179 |
Eliminations(a) | (321 | ) |  | (364 | ) |  | (327 | )
Total NBCUniversal | $ | 34,021 |  |  | $ | 35,895 |  |  | $ | 32,950 |
(a) | Included in Eliminations are transactions that our segments enter into with one another. See Note 2 for a description of these transactions.
We operate primarily in the United States, but also in select international markets primarily in Europe and Asia. The table below summarizes revenue by geographic location.
Year ended December 31 (in millions) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |  |  | 2017 |
United States | $ | 27,002 |  |  | $ | 28,309 |  |  | $ | 25,303 |
Foreign | 7,019 |  |  | 7,586 |  |  | 7,647 |
Total revenue | $ | 34,021 |  |  | $ | 35,895 |  |  | $ | 32,950 |
Distribution Cable Networks generates revenue from the distribution of our cable network programming to traditional and virtual multichannel video providers. Broadcast Television generates revenue from the fees received under retransmission consent agreements and associated fees received from NBC-affiliated local broadcast television stations. These arrangements are accounted for as licenses of functional intellectual property and revenue is recognized as programming is provided on a monthly basis, generally under multiyear agreements. Monthly fees received under distribution agreements with multichannel video providers are generally based on the number of subscribers. Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although terms generally include payment within 60 days. Advertising Cable Networks and Broadcast Television generate revenue from the sale of advertising on our cable and broadcast networks, our owned local broadcast television stations and various digital properties. We enter into advertising arrangements with customers and have determined that a contract exists once all terms and conditions are agreed upon, typically when the number of advertising units is specifically identified and the timing of airing is scheduled. Advertisements are generally aired or viewed within one year once all terms are agreed upon. Revenue is recognized, net of agency commissions, in the period in which advertisements are aired or viewed and payment occurs thereafter, with payment generally required within 30 days. In some instances, we guarantee audience ratings for the advertisements. To the extent there is a shortfall in contracts where the ratings were guaranteed, a portion of the revenue is deferred until the shortfall is settled, typically by providing additional advertising units generally within one year of the original airing. Theatrical Filmed Entertainment generates revenue from the worldwide theatrical release of produced and acquired films for exhibition in movie theaters. Theatrical revenue is affected by the timing, nature and number of films released in movie theaters and their acceptance by audiences. It is also affected by the number of exhibition screens, ticket prices, the percentage of ticket sale retention by the exhibitors and the popularity of competing films at the time when films are released. We recognize revenue as the films are viewed and exhibited in theaters and payment generally occurs within 30 days after exhibition. Content Licensing Cable Networks, Broadcast Television and Filmed Entertainment generate revenue from the licensing of our owned film and television content in the United States and internationally to cable, broadcast and premium networks and subscription video on demand services. Our agreements generally include fixed pricing and span multiple years. For example, following a film’s theatrical release, Filmed Entertainment may license the exhibition rights of a film to different customers over multiple successive distribution windows. We recognize revenue when the content is delivered and available for use by the licensee. When the term of an existing agreement is renewed or extended, we recognize revenue at the later of when the content is available or when the renewal or extension period begins. Payment terms and conditions vary by contract type, although payments are generally collected over the license term. The amount of future revenue to be earned related to fixed pricing under existing agreements at any given time equals approximately 1 to 2 years of annual Filmed Entertainment content licensing revenue, which is the segment with the largest portion of this future revenue. The majority of this revenue will be recognized within 2 years. This amount may fluctuate from period to period depending on the timing of the releases and the availability of content under existing agreements and may not represent the total revenue expected to be recognized as it does not include revenue from future agreements or from variable pricing or optional purchases under existing agreements. For our agreements that include variable pricing, such as pricing based on the number of subscribers to a subscription video on demand service sold by our customers, we generally recognize revenue as our customers sell to their subscribers. Home Entertainment Filmed Entertainment generates revenue from the sale of our produced and acquired films on standard-definition digital video discs and Blu-ray discs (together, “DVDs”) and through digital distribution services. Cable Networks and Broadcast Television also generate revenue from the sale of owned programming on DVDs and through digital distribution services, which is reported in other revenue. We generally recognize revenue from DVD sales, net of estimated returns and customer incentives, on the date that DVDs are delivered to and made available for sale by retailers. Payment terms generally include payment within 60 to 90 days from delivery to the retailer. Theme Parks Theme Parks generates revenue primarily from guest spending at our Universal theme parks in Orlando, Florida; Hollywood, California; and Osaka, Japan. Guest spending includes ticket sales and in-park spending on food, beverages and merchandise. We recognize revenue from ticket sales when the tickets are used, generally within a year from the date of purchase. For annual passes, we generally recognize revenue on a straight-line basis over the period the pass is available to be used. We recognize revenue from in-park spending at the point of sale. Consolidated Balance Sheet The following tables summarize our accounts receivable and other balances that are not separately presented in our consolidated balance sheet that relate to the recognition of revenue and collection of the related cash.
December 31 (in millions) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Receivables, gross | $ | 7,336 |  |  | $ | 7,392 |
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts | 100 |  |  | 99 |
Receivables, net | $ | 7,236 |  |  | $ | 7,293 |
December 31 (in millions) | 2019 |  |  | 2018 |
Noncurrent receivables (included in other noncurrent assets, net) | $ | 1,146 |  |  | $ | 1,180 |
Noncurrent deferred revenue (included in other noncurrent liabilities) | $ | 394 |  |  | $ | 481 |

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