Comcast topped each income and revenue estimates within the fourth quarter because it misplaced fewer broadband subscribers than anticipated, and it raised its dividend 7%, the corporate stated Thursday.

This is how Comcast carried out, in contrast with estimates from analysts surveyed by LSEG, previously often called Refinitiv.

• Earnings per share: 84 cents adjusted vs. 79 cents anticipated
• Income: $31.25 billion vs. $30.51 billion anticipated

For the quarter ended Dec. 31, web revenue rose 7.8% to $3.26 billion, or 81 cents a share, in contrast with $3.02 billion, or 70 cents a share, a yr earlier. Income elevated 2.3% in contrast with the prior-year interval. Adjusted earnings earlier than curiosity, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) was flat yr over yr at about $8 billion.

“For the third consecutive yr, we generated the very best income, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EPS in our firm’s historical past,” Comcast Chief Government Officer Brian Roberts stated in an announcement. “We additionally reported the very best adjusted EBITDA on file at Theme Parks; have been the #1 studio in worldwide field workplace for the primary time since 2015; and maintained Peacock’s place because the quickest rising streamer within the U.S.”

Comcast elevated its dividend by 8 cents, or 7%, to $1.24 per share on an annualized foundation for 2024. It is the sixteenth consecutive yr the corporate has raised its dividend. Comcast additionally authorised a brand new share repurchase program authorization with no expiration date for $15 billion, efficient as of Friday.

Free money circulation within the fourth quarter was $1.7 billion and $13 billion for the yr.

Comcast misplaced 34,000 home broadband subscribers — lower than the common analyst estimate of about 62,000 as compiled by StreetAccount. Regardless of the losses, home broadband income rose 3.7% to $6.4 billion. Common income per person jumped 3.9% as prospects related extra gadgets and spent extra for increased Web speeds.

Comcast added 310,000 wi-fi subscribers, trailing the common analyst forecast of about 342,000 gained. The corporate misplaced 389,000 video subscribers — a narrower loss than the common analyst estimate of practically 458,000.

Theme parks adjusted EBITDA rose 11.6% to $872 million, which trailed analyst estimates of roughly $897 million. The determine nonetheless broke a quarterly file for Comcast.

NBCUniversal’s flagship streaming service, Peacock, added 3 million subscribers as income elevated 51% to $1.03 billion, marking the primary time Peacock has topped $1 billion or extra in 1 / 4. Peacock misplaced an adjusted $825 million within the quarter, narrowing its loss from $978 million in the identical interval a yr prior. Peacock ended the quarter with 31 million subscribers.

Total media income rose 3.1% to almost $7 billion, however adjusted EBITDA fell 50% to $108 million attributable to elevated sports activities programming prices and better programming prices at Peacock. The rise in sports activities prices mirrored increased media rights for NFL programming, the Premier League and the Large 10.

Home promoting income decreased 6.9% yr over yr to $2.64 billion, though gross sales would have elevated 2.7% within the quarter with the exclusion of final yr’s World Cup promoting.

Theatrical income rose 59% within the quarter primarily based largely on the efficiency of 4 movies: “5 Nights at Freddy’s,” “Trolls Band Collectively,” “The Exorcist: Believer” and “Migration.” Common ranked first in world field workplace in 2023 for the primary time since 2015 and produced three of the highest 5 films: “The Tremendous Mario Bros. Film,” “Oppenheimer” and “Quick X.”

Disclosure: Comcast owns NBCUniversal, the guardian firm of CNBC.