Comcast Corp - CMCSA STOCK NEWS

Comcast Corporation (NASDAQ: CMCSA) has announced an 8% increase in its annual dividend, raising it by $0.08 to $1.08 per share. This reflects the company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value, with the quarterly dividend set at $0.27 per share, payable on April 27, 2022. Additionally, the Board of Directors has authorized a significant $10 billion increase in its share repurchase program, effective from January 1, 2022, aiming to further boost shareholder returns.

Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) reported record financial performance for 2021, achieving highest annual revenue, adjusted EBITDA, EPS, and free cash flow. Revenue grew 12.4% to $116.4 billion, with net income up 34.4% to $14.2 billion. Adjusted EPS increased 23.8% to $3.23, while adjusted EBITDA rose 12.6% to $34.7 billion. The company announced a dividend increase of 8% for 2022, marking the 14th consecutive year of dividend growth. Significant gains were noted in broadband and wireless customer additions, despite losses in video and voice segments. Comcast emphasized its commitment to network capacity and high-quality streaming content.

Comcast Business has partnered with Nokia to enhance its enterprise connectivity portfolio by introducing 5G private wireless networks. This partnership aims to support connected ecosystems and improve organizational operations, specifically at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, set for launch in Q1 2022. The deployment will enhance fan experience and provide critical operational data. The solution offers high-speed, reliable connectivity while addressing the unique needs of various organizations.

Comcast has partnered with Team Gleason to enhance technology solutions for individuals with physical and speech disabilities, particularly those with ALS. This collaboration will focus on improving the Xfinity Adaptive Remote, first launched in 2019, which allows users to control their home entertainment via assistive tech. The latest update introduces customizable buttons for enhanced usability. This initiative aims to increase accessibility and independence for users, leveraging feedback from individuals with disabilities and expert networks.

Comcast has successfully tested a prototype 10G modem using DOCSIS 4.0 technology, achieving upload and download speeds faster than 4 Gbps. This milestone, part of Comcast's 10G initiative, demonstrates the potential to deliver multigigabit speeds to millions of homes. The test highlights the capabilities of Broadcom's Full Duplex DOCSIS 4.0 system-on-chip modem and further solidifies Comcast's commitment to enhancing network reliability and performance. As the company prepares for future developments, customers can expect increased speed and lower latency.

On January 13, 2022, ViacomCBS and Comcast Cable announced a multi-year distribution agreement, enhancing content access for Xfinity customers. The deal includes renewed carriage of ViacomCBS networks such as CBS, BET, Sports Network, and others, along with ViacomCBS' streaming services like Paramount+, Pluto TV, and SHOWTIME OTT. Comcast also expands rights to BET+. ViacomCBS aims to serve millions more viewers through this partnership, which fortifies their longstanding collaboration.

FreeWheel has appointed Mark McKee as General Manager, effective immediately. McKee, previously the U.S. Chief Revenue Officer, will now oversee all operational aspects of FreeWheel's business, including sales, product, and engineering. He succeeds Dave Clark, who left after leading the company since 2017. McKee aims to drive innovation and enhance the marketplace exchange between media buyers and sellers. Under his leadership, FreeWheel plans to expand its business strategy and meet evolving client needs in the competitive television advertising sector.

Comcast has launched its next generation xFi Advanced Gateway, featuring WiFi 6E technology, designed to deliver a superior broadband experience. With faster, more reliable wireless connections, this gateway supports three WiFi bands—2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz—offering 3X more bandwidth than previous models. Customers will benefit from multigigabit speeds, ultra-low lag times, and compatibility with IoT devices for smart homes. The rollout will begin soon for subscribers of Gigabit Internet or the xFi Complete package.

Comcast Corporation (CMCSA) will host a conference call on January 27, 2022, at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its financial results for Q4 and full year 2021. A press release containing these results will be issued earlier that morning. The call can be accessed via Comcast's Investor Relations website or by dialing (833) 618-9487. A replay will be available after 12:00 p.m. ET on the same day, lasting until February 3, 2022.