Executives Predict Comcast to Sell NBCUniversal by 2026
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Dec 18 2025
0mins
Source: Newsfilter
- M&A Predictions: Several executives predict that Comcast will sell NBCUniversal by 2026, as CEO Brian Roberts may have to accept a sale to remain competitive despite his desire to retain the business.
- Media Asset Consolidation: An executive suggested that Apple might acquire NBCUniversal to bolster its media presence, especially with Warner Bros. out of the picture, marking a significant strategic move for Apple.
- NFL Media Rights Negotiations: Executives anticipate that the NFL will extend contracts with current media partners in 2026 to prevent competitors from acquiring live game rights, which could have a profound impact on traditional media companies.
- Future Outlook: With the NFL accelerating media rights discussions, MLB and NHL may also pull forward their negotiations to maximize media rights value, potentially reshaping the sports media landscape in the coming years.
Get Free Real-Time Notifications for Any Stock
Monitor tickers like CMCSA with instant alerts to capture every critical market movement.
Sign up for free to build your custom watchlist and receive professional-grade stock notifications.
Analyst Views on CMCSA
Wall Street analysts forecast CMCSA stock price to rise over the next 12 months. According to Wall Street analysts, the average 1-year price target for CMCSA is 33.45 USD with a low forecast of 23.00 USD and a high forecast of 53.00 USD. However, analyst price targets are subjective and often lag stock prices, so investors should focus on the objective reasons behind analyst rating changes, which better reflect the company's fundamentals.
22 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
12 Hold
3 Sell
Hold
Current: 28.410
Low
23.00
Averages
33.45
High
53.00
Current: 28.410
Low
23.00
Averages
33.45
High
53.00
About CMCSA
Comcast Corporation is a global media and technology company. The Company delivers broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produces, distributes, and streams entertainment, sports, and news through brands, including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and brings theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. The Company operates through two primary businesses: Connectivity & Platforms and Content & Experiences. The Connectivity & Platforms business includes two segments: Residential Connectivity & Platforms, and Business Services. Its Connectivity and Content & Experiences business include three segments: Media, Studios and Theme Parks. Sky provides connectivity services to customers across Europe through Sky Broadband, Sky Mobile, and Sky Business. Sky Business extends broadband services and purpose-built products to businesses in Europe.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Comcast Reports Mixed Q4 Results Amid Streaming Gains
- Revenue Performance: Comcast reported Q4 revenue of $32.31 billion, slightly missing analyst expectations of $32.36 billion, despite a year-over-year growth of 1.2%, indicating strong performance in wireless and streaming sectors.
- Subscriber Losses: The company lost 181,000 broadband and 245,000 video subscribers, reflecting competitive pressure from telecom rivals, which negatively impacts its market share.
- Streaming Growth: Peacock's streaming service saw a 23% year-over-year revenue increase to $1.6 billion, with paid subscribers rising 22% to 44 million, showcasing robust growth in content and advertising revenue.
- Capital Returns: Comcast generated $4.37 billion in free cash flow during the quarter and repurchased 53.6 million shares, resulting in a total capital return of $2.7 billion, demonstrating a balance between ongoing investments and shareholder returns.
Continue Reading
Netflix Considers All-Cash Bid for Warner Bros. Discovery
- Acquisition Dynamics: Netflix is reportedly considering an all-cash bid for Warner Bros. Discovery, although the board's resistance to Paramount's offer complicates negotiations, potentially impacting Netflix's market position.
- Market Reaction: Warner Bros. Discovery's spin-off, Versant, has a market cap of $4.8 billion post-IPO, with shares dropping from $45 to $33, indicating market concerns about its future value, which may influence Netflix's acquisition strategy.
- Financial Risks: Netflix's acquisition approach could involve up to $60 billion in debt, and while it generates $7-8 billion in free cash flow annually, high leverage may restrict future investment flexibility and affect shareholder confidence.
- Competitive Pressure: Amid intensifying competition in the streaming industry, Netflix faces threats from platforms like YouTube; if the acquisition fails, it could weaken its market share and growth potential.
Continue Reading