Despite Shows Failing, Low Ratings & A Late Night Fiasco, NBC Made A Huge Profit?!? - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Brian Damage · 07-19-2010, 08:46 PM

Stronger-than-expected upfront advertising sales at NBC and double-digit ad sales gains at its local stations helped boost NBC Universal's operating profits in the second quarter by 13% to $607 million.
"Overall, this was a pretty solid quarter for NBC Universal," Keith Sherin, CFO of NBC U parent General Electric told analysts on an earnings call Friday. Revenues were up 5% to $3.7 billion in the quarter.

NBC ratings were down year-over-year in the quarter, but Sherin said executives were happy with NBC's hit show "America's Got Talent." Ad sales at the network were up 18% in the quarter, in large part because of the ability to charge higher rates, said Sherin. Ad sales at the local stations jumped by 25%, versus gains of 15% in the first quarter.

GE executives are pleased by how the regulatory review of the NBC U's proposed joint venture with Comcast is going, Sherin said, and particularly encouraged by winning recent European Union approval for the combination. GE executives offered few other details about the merger, which may be a precursor to GE's exit from the media business.

In addition to revenues at cable business channel CNBC being up 9% in the quarter, solid box office results for "Get Him to the Greek" and "Despicable Me" helped drive NBC U's financials.

http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...verttv&ref=ssp

Mr. Television · 07-19-2010, 08:50 PM

Outside of Chuck, NBC is a mess. I guess Zucker should be named executive of the year.

catlover79 · 07-19-2010, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clint Eastwood Fan

Outside of Chuck, NBC is a mess. I guess Zucker should be named executive of the year.

Knowing how screwed up the country is, he probably will be!!!

Brian Damage · 07-19-2010, 08:57 PM

If NBC can make a profit from failing, I can only imagine what the more successful networks are making. lol

catlover79 · 07-19-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Damage

If NBC can make a profit from failing, I can only imagine what the more successful networks are making. lol

I'd like to know that myself.

Marvo301 · 07-19-2010, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

I'd like to know that myself.

I'd like a cut!! After all, all those hours I've spent watching their programs should count for something!!

catlover79 · 07-19-2010, 09:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I'd like a cut!! After all, all those hours I've spent watching their programs should count for something!!

Yeah!! You should get compensated for pain and suffering!!

Marvo301 · 07-19-2010, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Yeah!! You should get compensated for pain and suffering!!

Ezactly!!!

(Have you ever considered being a lawyer?)

catlover79 · 07-19-2010, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

Ezactly!!!

(Have you ever considered being a lawyer?)

Maybe I should - or I could play an ADA on one of the trillion L&O spinoffs out there.

Marvo301 · 07-19-2010, 11:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catlover79

Maybe I should - or I could play an ADA on one of the trillion L&O spinoffs out there.

I'm sure they will get around to doing Law&Order Cleveland sooner or later! And you would be perfect to plat an ADA!

factsoflife · 07-19-2010, 11:44 PM

One reason NBC-Universal is making a profit is from the high revenue of their popular cable networks like Bravo, Oxygen, USA, Syfy and other networks. In fact they have been getting better ratings than NBC all-together.

Sterling Holobyte · 07-20-2010, 12:17 AM

Smells like a bailout to me.

catlover79 · 07-20-2010, 12:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marvo301

I'm sure they will get around to doing Law&Order Cleveland sooner or later! And you would be perfect to plat an ADA!

Hey, I'm looking for work, so if they want to cast me on L&O: Cleveland - I AM SO THERE!!!

browneyes106 · 07-20-2010, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by factsoflife

One reason NBC-Universal is making a profit is from the high revenue of their popular cable networks like Bravo, Oxygen, USA, Syfy and other networks. In fact they have been getting better ratings than NBC all-together.

I agree with you on that. Those cable networks are doing pretty good. I don't think NBC's programming isn't completely horrible. Law&Order shows are probably the worst right now. SVU has been dragged out too long and many fans of crime dramas are pretty much turning away from cop/legal shows that are on broadcast TV. After watching The Shield and The Wire the Law&Order are very weak when it comes to writing and acting.

Mr. Television · 07-20-2010, 03:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by browneyes106

I agree with you on that. Those cable networks are doing pretty good. I don't think NBC's programming isn't completely horrible. Law&Order shows are probably the worst right now. SVU has been dragged out too long and many fans of crime dramas are pretty much turning away from cop/legal shows that are on broadcast TV. After watching The Shield and The Wire the Law&Order are very weak when it comes to writing and acting.

I think the problem with broadcast crime shows is that they are all the same. L&O was at one time one of the best shows on TV. It's just been on too long. SVU has been on too long as well. Same for CSI. After awhile they run out of stories. And the networks aren't learning from all the spinoffs. I love NCIS but I hate the spinoff. I like Criminal Minds but I don't think I'll watch the spinoff. If they are going to do a spinoff then they should make the show different from the mother show like they did with NCIS from JAG. I do like how USA's moto is characters matter. I think that's what the networks have to get back to. I have to like the characters in order to like the show.

07-19-2010, 08:46 PM	#1
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	Despite Shows Failing, Low Ratings & A Late Night Fiasco, NBC Made A Huge Profit?!? Stronger-than-expected upfront advertising sales at NBC and double-digit ad sales gains at its local stations helped boost NBC Universal's operating profits in the second quarter by 13% to $607 million. "Overall, this was a pretty solid quarter for NBC Universal," Keith Sherin, CFO of NBC U parent General Electric told analysts on an earnings call Friday. Revenues were up 5% to $3.7 billion in the quarter. NBC ratings were down year-over-year in the quarter, but Sherin said executives were happy with NBC's hit show "America's Got Talent." Ad sales at the network were up 18% in the quarter, in large part because of the ability to charge higher rates, said Sherin. Ad sales at the local stations jumped by 25%, versus gains of 15% in the first quarter. GE executives are pleased by how the regulatory review of the NBC U's proposed joint venture with Comcast is going, Sherin said, and particularly encouraged by winning recent European Union approval for the combination. GE executives offered few other details about the merger, which may be a precursor to GE's exit from the media business. In addition to revenues at cable business channel CNBC being up 9% in the quarter, solid box office results for "Get Him to the Greek" and "Despicable Me" helped drive NBC U's financials. http://www.variety.com/article/VR111...verttv&ref=ssp
	__________________ The Key to the Kingdom of Heaven: John 3:3 *Money Doesn't Buy Happiness...But I'd Rather Cry in My Private Jet*

07-19-2010, 08:50 PM	#2
Mr. Television 22 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,125	Outside of Chuck, NBC is a mess. I guess Zucker should be named executive of the year.
	__________________ Sonny

07-19-2010, 11:44 PM	#11
factsoflife Member Forum Fanatic Join Date: Sep 11, 2000 Posts: 8,741	One reason NBC-Universal is making a profit is from the high revenue of their popular cable networks like Bravo, Oxygen, USA, Syfy and other networks. In fact they have been getting better ratings than NBC all-together.
	__________________ "and to the fans. I was only supposed to be on every other Tuesday. But, thanks to you, I'm here, and I promise! I will try my best never to let you down. I am going back into that studio on Monday, and I'm going to play Erica Kane for all she's worth!"-- Susan Lucci, May 1999 Daytime Emmy Speech.

07-20-2010, 12:17 AM	#12
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	Smells like a bailout to me.
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

07-19-2010, 08:57 PM	#4
Brian Damage I'm Rich Bitch Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 03, 2002 Location: What Ain't No Country I Ever Heard Of...They Speak English in What? Posts: 63,108	If NBC can make a profit from failing, I can only imagine what the more successful networks are making. lol