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Comcast

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FY2004 Annual Report · Comcast
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1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102-2148 
215.665.1700

www.comcast.com 

CO-AR-2005

 Comcast 2004 Annual Report  

 
 
 
 
A Faster, Richer Internet Experience

At speeds of up to 6 megabits per second,  
Comcast High-Speed Internet is not only faster  
than ever, it’s also more fun. Last year, we  
added 30 new features to our Comcast.net portal,  
including new video mail, gaming and music  
services, helping us to attract a record 1.7 million  
new high-speed Internet subscribers in 2004.

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www.cmcsa.com          www.comcast.com          www.cmcsk.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
There’s No Waiting with ON DEMAND

ON DEMAND is changing the way America watches  
television, enabling customers to choose from thousands  
of hours of programming whenever they wish. Customers 
used ON DEMAND an average of nearly 50 million times  
a month in 2004, helping us to increase customer satisfaction, 
drive new subscriber growth and improve retention.

Catch the Most High-Def Action

Comcast is the clear leader in high-definition (HD) television, 
providing customers with the widest and best choice of  
HD programming available, including local broadcast and 
regional sports networks and ON DEMAND content.  
We also offer high-definition Digital Video Recorders, so  
customers can record their favorite HD shows.

.

Content That Stands Out in a Crowd

Comcast’s cable networks continue to soar, providing  
viewers with unparalleled programming from the worlds  
of entertainment, fashion, golf, outdoor recreation,  
regional sports, videogaming and more. Our investment in 
MGM and launch of a new children’s network will take  
our content offerings to even greater heights in 2005.

Comcast Digital Voice is Ready to Roll

Comcast Digital Voice — our new IP phone service — relies  
on Comcast’s high-speed data network rather than the  
Internet, enabling us to create a new industry standard for 
voice quality, reliability and features. We’ll launch digital  
voice service in 20 markets in 2005, with full deployment 
targeted for the following year.

A National Company, a Local Commitment

Our business is national. But our commitment to our  
customers couldn’t be more grassroots. So we continue  
to increase our local programming, improve our local  
service through our Think Customer First initiative, and  
intensify our local support by investing in the organizations  
and programs that make our communities stronger.

Everywhere you look, Comcast gives customers  
more of what they want, when they want it, in  
every way that matters. 

more choice
Expanding our video and online products with  
new content, applications and services. 

more convenience 
Investing in new technologies to make our  
products and services easier to use than ever. 

more control 
Allowing our customers to choose more of  
the programs they want to watch, when they  
want to watch them. 

more care
Leveraging our local presence to enhance  
customer service and improve the communities  
in which we live and work.

more growth
We’ve grown by becoming a bigger and more important part of our customers’ lives. By expanding  
that relationship with new products and services, we can build on this success for years to come. 

TOTAL REVENUE

PHONE

HIGH-SPEED INTERNET

ADVERTISING

DIGITAL CABLE

ANALOG AND OTHER

$42

$77

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Monthly Revenue per Cable Subscriber

Brian L. Roberts
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

2004 OPER ATING HIGHLIGHTS

•  Increased revenues 10.7% to $20.3 billion. 

•  Generated nearly $2.0 billion of free  

•  Increased operating cash flow (1) 17.6% to  

cash flow.(1) 

$7.5 billion.

•  Added a record 1.7 million new high-speed  

•  Increased consolidated operating income  

Internet subscribers.

48.8% to $2.9 billion.

•  Added 1 million new digital cable subscribers. 

•  Repurchased $1.3 billion of common stock. 

(1) See definitions on page 16.

8

Dear Comcast Shareholders,  
Employees and Friends:

If you want a sneak preview of the future, just step into a Comcast digital home 
anywhere in America.

We are “personalizing” television — empowering our customers to watch what 
they want, when they want it. That’s a choice they made 567 million times last 
year, and we expect to exceed 1 billion ON DEMAND views in 2005. 

We are revolutionizing the high-speed Internet experience — rolling out more 
valuable enhancements to our service in the past year than any other company, 
making Comcast.net the most popular broadband portal in the nation. 

We are launching a world-class, IP-powered phone service — Comcast Digital 
Voice — expanding our suite of products with a communications service that 
will be second to none. 

We are embracing the latest technologies — developing exciting, new integrated 
products  that  will  fundamentally  change  our  customers’  entertainment  and 
communications experience…and we’re just getting started. 

The strategy is working, as we demonstrated in 2004 by surpassing $20 billion 
in  consolidated  revenues  for  the  first  time  in  our  history,  while  generating 
record operating and free cash flows.(1) 

We believe no other company is better positioned to innovate, differentiate 
and lead this rapidly evolving industry. All of this will help us deliver greater 
value to both customers and shareholders for years to come. I’d like to devote 
this year’s shareholders’ letter to explaining the major reasons why.

9

1. Our powerful technology platform gives us a competitive advantage. 

We invested billions of dollars over the past several years to upgrade our infrastructure to full 
two-way capability, providing us with the bandwidth to continuously enhance our services, 

launch exciting new consumer products and integrate new technologies as they emerge. 

  Today, that upgrade is complete and the massive investment is behind 
us. The network we’ve built is robust, scalable and has enormous capacity 
to sustain our growth for years to come. Most importantly, it can handle 
video, data and voice transmissions simultaneously, giving us a powerful 
competitive  advantage  as  these  services  rapidly  converge  within  the 
digital home. 

  This time “convergence” is real — as anyone who attended the 2005 Consumer Electronics 
Show can attest. Comcast is in an enviable position to capitalize on this trend and expand our 
product offerings, while focusing capital investments on revenue-generating opportunities. 

2. We’re driving product differentiation through continuous innovation. 

Led by Steve Burke, Comcast’s Chief Operating Officer, we have already developed a successful 

track record as a “new products company.” In fact, new products have generated the majority 
of our recent growth, helping us drive average revenue per cable customer to more than $77 
per month in 2004, compared with $42 only six years ago. 

  To build on this momentum, Steve and his team are committed to creating products and 
services that go beyond our competitors’ offerings and deliver greater value by giving our 
customers superior choice, convenience and control. 

C OMC AS T HIGH-SPEED INTERNET:  
Strengthening Our No. 1 Position in the U.S. 

We didn’t just make our No. 1 broadband Internet service faster in 2004, 
we  supercharged  its  capabilities  by  adding  30  new  built-for-broadband 
features and services — including video mail, a digital photo suite, a new 
kids’ channel, Games On Demand, expanded music and video downloads, 
and more. 

Customers  love  the  enhancements,  driving  record  new  subscriber  growth 
and satisfaction. More than 90% of customers we surveyed said they would 
recommend Comcast High-Speed Internet to family or friends. 

In January 2005, we once again increased our two residential speed tiers —  
to 4 and 6 megabits per second. And we’ll continue to roll out new features 
throughout the year, including video instant messaging, as we begin to 
converge video, data and voice services across our two-way network.

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Comcast High-Speed Internet Growth
(subscribers in millions, adjusted for acquisitions)

10

  Our high-speed Internet service is a perfect example. To strengthen our position as the 

No. 1  provider  of  broadband  Internet  service  in  the  U.S.,  we  have  added  many  exciting 
features to give our customers the fastest, richest and most personalized high-speed Internet 

experience available. During 2004, these innovations helped us to attract a record 1.7 million 

new high-speed Internet customers, driving a 38.5% increase in revenues from this product 
to $3.1 billion. 

Led  by  market-changing  innovations  like  our  ON  DEMAND  service,  we’re  making  similar 
strides in digital television. During 2004, nearly 1 million new subscribers signed up for Comcast 

Digital Cable, giving  us  nearly  8.7  million digital customers at year-end, or  40% of our total 

subscriber base.

  We’re also winning more high-definition (HD) customers by offering the 
broadest choice of HD programming, including more local broadcast and 
sports channels than our competitors. In early 2005, we surpassed 1 million 
HD  set-top  boxes  in  customers’  homes,  and  the  demand  for  this  service 
continues to accelerate as sales of HDTV sets grow. Digital video recorders 
(DVRs)  are  also  in  high  demand,  with  more  than  180,000  installations 
during the fourth quarter alone.

  This  year  we’ll  make  our  first  big  step  toward  all-digital  television  by  beginning  digital 
simulcasts of our analog channel offerings. This will enable us to provide 100% digital-quality 

pictures across every single channel in our lineup and give us the flexibility to roll out advanced 
new services that meet the needs of different consumers. 

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ON DEMAND Views per Month
(in millions)

ON  DE MAND: 
Targeting 1 Billion Views in 2005

Forget  about  TV  schedules.  With  ON  DEMAND,  Comcast  customers  pick 
the programs they want to watch, when they want to watch them. With 
incredible ease and control.

The innovative service has been an instant hit with Comcast customers — and 
a  powerful  product  differentiator  for  our  digital  cable  offering.  Based  on 
current usage, we expect to exceed 1 billion ON DEMAND views in 2005, as 
we roll this service out to all of our cable systems.

By the end of 2005, Comcast Digital Cable subscribers will be able to choose 
from  up  to  10,000  continuously  updated  television  programs,  movies  and 
shows — most available at no extra charge. This includes a growing library of 
Select On Demand content addressing a wide range of customer interests —  
from aerobics to landscaping.

11

 
3. We’re distinguishing our content with unique, cutting-edge programming. 

Comcast owns and operates many of the hottest and most successful cable networks today, 
including  E!  Entertainment  Television,  Style,  The  Golf  Channel,  Outdoor  Life  Network,  G4, 
International Channel Networks and Comcast SportsNet. We’re also a founding investor in TV 
One, a new network aimed at African American viewers. 
  During 2004, these top brands achieved record revenue and cash flow as we continued to 
expand our networks’ original programming, helping us to attract loyal and passionate viewers 
in highly desirable demographic segments. 
  We also enhanced our digital television offering by partnering with Sony Pictures and 
other investors to acquire Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), giving our customers access to a 
rich  library  of  more  than  7,000  movies  and  30,000  classic  TV  shows.  Our  investment  of 
$257 million will enable us to create new networks and expand our ON DEMAND content, 
including a fresh selection of up to 200 movie titles and 100 TV shows every month — at no 
additional charge to our customers. 
  Working  with  the  National  Football  League,  we  created  the  ON  DEMAND  sensation  NFL 
Replay,  which  attracted  more  than  8  million  views  during  the  2004 – 05  NFL  season.  We  also 
expanded our regional sports presence, which now includes regional sports networks and team 
channels in Atlanta, Baltimore/Washington, Central California, Chicago, Dallas and Philadelphia.

  High-quality children’s content also plays a big part in our programming 
strategy.  During  2005,  through  a  partnership  with  HIT  Entertainment, 
PBS  and  Sesame  Workshop,  we  will  introduce  PBS  Kids  Sprout, a  new 
24-hour network and companion ON DEMAND service for preschool kids, 
featuring perennial favorites like “Sesame Street,” “Bob the Builder” and 
many more.

COMCAST DIGI TAL  CA BL E :
Investing to Drive Innovation

Comcast Digital Cable is the hub for a growing number of digital media and 
entertainment  products.  To  help  speed  this  evolution  and  increase  our 
opportunities for product differentiation and growth, we’re investing in new 
technologies and alliances, including:

• A joint venture with Gemstar-TV Guide to develop next-generation 

interactive program guides.

• A partnership with TiVo to provide a best-in-class DVR experience. 

• The co-purchase of Liberate Technologies to develop cable “middleware,” 

accelerating the development of new interactive products.

• Joint ventures with Motorola to develop and license next-generation 

cable technologies.

• An alliance with Microsoft to test new set-top box software in select markets. 

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Comcast Digital Cable Growth
(subscribers in millions, adjusted for acquisitions)

12

4. We’re launching Comcast Digital Voice — a new growth engine. 

We  launched  Comcast  Digital  Voice  in  three  markets  in  late  2004.  By  year-end,  we  will  be 
marketing this service to roughly 15 million homes in 20 markets. And by the end of 2006, we’ll 
be able to deliver the service to approximately 40 million homes across our national footprint. 
We are targeting to achieve a 20% penetration of these homes, or nearly 8 million subscribers, 
within five years, creating a substantial new revenue opportunity. 

  Our goal is to deliver a superior phone service — one that delivers the 
quality, reliability and simplicity of traditional wireline service, plus all of 
the exciting features that an IP-based service makes possible. Over time, 
this  will  include  services  that  integrate  video,  data  and  voice — such  as 
videophone and unified messaging — to continuously differentiate Comcast 
Digital  Voice  and  create  a  unique  digital  communications  experience  in 
the home.

  Comcast has the people and experience to make it happen. We already serve nearly 
1.2  million  circuit-switched  phone  customers.  We  have  an  experienced  staff  of  more  than 
1,000 employees dedicated to voice services. And we have the network management, field 
operations, back-office and customer care teams in place to hit the ground running.

5. We’re reinventing cable advertising for the digital age. 

By simplifying cable advertising buying and making it more targeted than broadcast media, 
Comcast  aims  to  become  the  preferred  choice  of  national  and  local  advertisers.  Last  year, 
revenues from our advertising business grew 15.7% to nearly $1.3 billion, driven by our successful 
regional interconnect strategy and a strong year from political advertising.

T HI NK   CUSTOME R F IRST:
Customer Satisfaction Improves Across the Board

Comcast is managed as a local business, and we’re working to build upon 
that advantage in every way possible. That includes sharpening our marketing 
focus to meet customer needs in different markets and elevating customer 
service to new levels. 

During  2004,  we  took  big  steps  toward  achieving  these  goals  through 
“Think  Customer  First,”  our  comprehensive  program  to  provide  a  better 
customer experience — and maximize customer satisfaction — at every point 
of contact with our company. 

While  we’re  still  in  the  early  innings  of  this  long-term  game  plan,  we’ve 
consistently raised customer satisfaction scores across each of the five key 
metrics  we  measure  each  month — ranging  from  our  product  reliability 
and on-time performance to how well we make every customer feel like a 
valued customer.  

13

  Comcast is leading the drive to create more one-to-one marketing solutions through the 
“personalization” of cable advertising. For example, during 2004, we introduced new Adtag™ 
and Adcopy™ technologies across 18 of our top 25 markets, giving advertisers the ability to 
target specific audiences and customize ads in ways broadcast television can’t match. Longer 
term, we’re working on new concepts to help advertisers tap into the enormous potential of 
our interactive capabilities and our growing ON DEMAND audience.

6. We’re financially strong and have a sustainable growth model. 

Multiple products now drive our growth. During 2004, we demonstrated the strength of that 
business model by increasing revenues by nearly 11%, boosting operating cash flow (1) by nearly 
18% and generating nearly $2 billion of free cash flow (1). We also finished the year with the 
strongest balance sheet and the greatest financial flexibility in our history. 

  By continuing to launch new and enhanced products, we believe we have 
the  potential  to  achieve  double-digit  revenue  and  operating  cash  flow (1) 
growth for years to come, without significant reinvestment in our network 
infrastructure. We expect this will contribute to free cash flow (1) growth of 
35–45% in 2005. 

  We’ll employ this free cash flow in two primary ways: reinvesting in our business to drive 
future growth and returning capital to our shareholders. During 2004, for example, we invested 
approximately  $600  million  to  increase  our  presence  and  drive  product  innovation,  and  our 
outstanding team continues to evaluate new opportunities, such as our strategic partnerships 
with Motorola and TiVo, both announced in March 2005. (See sidebar on page 12.) 

C OMMU N IT Y INVESTMENT:
Strengthening Communities, Enriching Lives

We invest in community programs to make a positive difference in the lives 
of  the  people  who  live  and  work  there.  That  means  getting  personally 
involved and working with local leaders and business partners toward real 
and sustainable change. 

Each year, we invest our time, money and hearts into programs that matter 
most to the people we serve, culminating on Comcast Cares Day. Last year, 
30,000 of our employees and their family members donated more than 180,000 
hours of volunteer service to improve communities from coast to coast.

Our  partnership  with  City  Year,  the  preeminent  national  youth  service 
organization, is another excellent example of our community commitment. 
Since  2002,  Comcast  has  teamed  with  City  Year  to  support  leadership 
training programs that encourage young people to engage in community 
service and develop their skills and potential.

14

  We  also  repurchased  $1.3  billion  in  common  stock  during  2004,  and  we  redeemed  for 
cash several debt issues that were exchangeable into Comcast stock at a cost of $609 million, 
effectively increasing the return of capital to shareholders to nearly $2 billion during the year.

7. We have a world-class team that knows how to win. 

My  father,  Ralph  Roberts,  founded  Comcast  on  the  principles  of  integrity,  teamwork  and 
excellence, establishing a culture that today combines the best practices of the world’s most 
innovative corporations with the entrepreneurial spirit that has been the heartbeat of our 
company from the beginning. As a result, we’ve been able to recruit and develop many of the 
finest talents in our industry and provide them with an environment in which they can thrive. 

  Over  the  past  five  years  alone,  this  outstanding  team  has  helped  us 
lead a complete transformation of our company in which we doubled our 
revenues, integrated one of the largest acquisitions in business history, 
completely  upgraded  our  cable  network,  expanded  our  digital  cable 
business, built the nation’s No. 1 broadband Internet service and laid the 
groundwork for our launch into digital voice communications. 

It could not be a greater honor or pleasure to lead such a dedicated group of individuals, 
and  it’s  because  of  them  that  I  believe  Comcast  will  continue  to  innovate,  differentiate  and 
lead…elevating us to even higher levels of performance. There’s never been a better team — or 
a more exciting time — to make it happen.

Sincerely,

Brian L. Roberts
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
Comcast Corporation

March 30, 2005

THE CLOSER YOU LOOK, THE MORE YOU’LL “C THE DIFFERENCE.” 

The annual report you’re reading is full of facts and figures that demonstrate our business strategy is on the right 
track. But if you really want to evaluate our potential, I’d encourage you to experience our new products and 
customer  service  firsthand,  and  to  keep  track  of  our  progress  at  www.comcast.com.  I  think  you’ll  see  there 
really is a Comcast difference — and it’s getting bigger every day.

15

 
C O M C A S T   C O R P O R AT I O N  is  the  nation’s  leading  provider  of  cable,  entertainment  and  communications 
products and services. With 21.5 million cable customers and 7 million high-speed Internet customers, Comcast 

is principally involved in the development, management and operation of broadband cable networks and in 

the delivery of programming content.

The Company’s content networks and investments include E! Entertainment Television, Style Network, The Golf 

Channel, Outdoor Life Network, G4, International Channel Networks, TV One and regional sports and news 

networks. The Company also has a majority ownership in Comcast-Spectacor, whose major holdings include the 

Philadelphia Flyers NHL hockey team, the Philadelphia 76ers NBA basketball team and two large multipurpose 

arenas in Philadelphia.

Financial Highlights
Comcast Corporation and Subsidiaries

(Dollars in millions) 

Revenues  
Operating cash flow 
Depreciation and amortization 
Operating income 
Income (loss) from continuing operations 
Discontinued operations (1) 
Net income 
Cash and short-term investments 
Total assets 
Long-term debt 

2004 

$««20,307 
7,531�

4,623�

2,908�

970�

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970�

2,007�

104,694�

20,093�

2003

$«18,348

6,392

4,438

1,954

(218)

3,458

3,240

4,043

109,159

23,835

(1) In September 2003 we sold our interest in QVC, Inc. to Liberty Media Corporation. QVC is presented as discontinued operations for all periods.

Comprehensive financial reporting is also contained in Comcast’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our Proxy Statement. 
We invite you to refer to those documents for a more detailed discussion of our performance.

We define Operating Cash Flow as operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairment charges, if any, 
related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses from the sale of assets, if any. 

We define Free Cash Flow as Operating Cash Flow less net interest, cash paid for taxes, and capital expenditures. Reconciliation 
of this item appears on page 76.

This report may contain forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve risks 
and uncertainties that could significantly affect actual results from those expressed in any such forward-looking statements. 
Readers are directed to Comcast’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for a description of such risks and uncertainties.

16

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL  REPORT

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and 
  Results of Operations  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . . . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . . .   18

Report of Management   .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    32

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    33

Consolidated Balance Sheet  .  .  .  .  .  .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . .  . .  . .  .    34

Consolidated Statement of Operations   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36

Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   38

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   76

Market for the Registrant’s Common Equity  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . .  . . . .   76

Selected Financial Data  .  .  .  .  .  . .   . .   . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   77

Board of Directors and Corporate Executives  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . .  . . . .   78

Division Executives  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . .  . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  .  .  . . .  .  .  . .  .  .  . .  .   79

Shareholder Information  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . .  . . . . . .   80

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

17

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

OVER VIEW

We are principally involved in the management and operation of broadband communications networks (our cable segment) and in 
the management of programming content that is distributed over national cable television networks (our content segment). In 2004, 
we received over 95% of our revenue from our cable segment, primarily through monthly subscriptions to our video, high-speed 
Internet and phone services, as well as from advertising. Subscribers typically pay us monthly, based on rates and related charges that 
vary according to their chosen level of service and the type of equipment they use. Revenue from our content segment is derived 
from the sale of advertising time and affiliation agreements with cable and satellite television companies. We have several 
competitors  in  each  aspect  of  our  businesses,  including  satellite  providers,  DSL  providers,  telephone  companies  and  broadcast 
networks.

Highlights for the year 2004 include the following:

• Revenue growth of 10.4% in our cable segment compared to the year 2003, driven by continued subscriber growth in our digital 
cable and high-speed Internet services and rate increases in our video services. Our subscriber growth is attributable to new and 
improved products and advanced services in our digital cable and high-speed Internet services. These include video on demand 
(“VOD” or “On Demand”), high-definition television (“HDTV”) programming and digital video recorders (“DVR”s) in our video 
services and a fast and reliable network, enhanced Internet portal, video mail and additional content in our high-speed Internet 
services;

• Operating income before depreciation and amortization growth of 17.6% in our cable segment compared to the year 2003, 

resulting from our revenue growth, efficiencies achieved and volume-related savings based on our size;

• Substantial completion of our cable systems upgrade;

• Investment  in  and  long-term  access  to  technology  platforms  and  national  fiber-optic  networks  that  allow  us  to  control  the 
development, delivery and quality of our digital and advanced services for our video, high-speed Internet and phone services; and

• Repurchases of approximately 46.9 million shares of our Class A Special common stock for aggregate consideration of $1.328 

billion pursuant to our Board authorized repurchase program.

The following discussion provides the details of these highlights and insights into our consolidated financial statements, including 
business developments, critical accounting judgments and estimates used in preparing the financial statements, and discussions of 
our results of operations, liquidity and capital resources.

We  encourage  you  to  read  the  section  entitled  “Risk  Factors”  from  our  Annual  Report  on  Form-10-K,  and  we  incorporate  that  
section by reference into this annual report.

BUSI NESS  D EVE LOPMENTS

We operate our businesses in an increasingly competitive, highly regulated and technologically complex environment. We are the 
largest  video,  broadband  high-speed  Internet  and  cable  phone  service  provider  in  the  United  States.  We  have  substantially 
completed the upgrade of our broadband communications networks, allowing us to provide customers with new and improved 
products and advanced services in our video, high-speed Internet and phone services. We also have expanded the ownership and 
management of our content businesses on national, regional and local levels.

Cable
On November 18, 2002, we completed the acquisition of AT&T Corp.’s broadband business, which we refer to as “Broadband” and 
“the Broadband acquisition.” The Broadband acquisition substantially increased the size of our cable operations and caused significant 
changes in our capital structure, including a substantially higher amount of debt. As a result, direct comparisons of our results of 
operations for periods prior to November 18, 2002, to subsequent periods are not meaningful.

During 2004, we expanded our efforts to acquire and develop technology that will drive product differentiation and new applications 
and extend our nationwide fiber-optic network. We achieved these objectives in 2004 through strategic agreements signed with 
Gemstar-TV  Guide  and  Microsoft,  which  enable  us  to  control  and  develop  the  enhancement  of  the  user  interface  and  the 
functionality of our service offerings, such as our interactive programming guide and our VOD and DVR service. In addition, we and 
Gemstar formed an entity to develop and enhance interactive programming guides. In December 2004, we also announced a 
long-term agreement with Level 3 Communications that is part of the extension of our fiber-optic network. This national network, or 
“backbone,” provides a technically-advanced, nationwide broadband network over which we can deliver new and enhanced services.

Content
On May 10, 2004, we completed the acquisition of TechTV Inc. (“TechTV”) for approximately $300 million in cash. On May 28, 2004, G4 
and TechTV began operating as one network that is available to approximately 47 million cable and satellite homes nationwide as of 
December 31, 2004, and provides video and computer game-related programming.

18

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

On July 28, 2004, we exchanged approximately 120 million shares of Liberty Media Corporation (“Liberty”) Series A common stock 
that we held with Liberty for cash of $547 million, an additional 10.4% interest in E! Entertainment Television (“E! Entertainment”) and 
100% of International Channel Networks, a cultural and heritage-related national cable network that is available to approximately 
10 million cable homes nationwide as of December 31, 2004.

QVC
On September 17, 2003, we completed the sale to Liberty of our approximate 57% interest in QVC, Inc. for approximately $7.7 billion. 
We received from Liberty $4.0 billion of three-year senior unsecured floating rate notes, approximately 218 million shares of Liberty 
Series A common stock valued at $2.339 billion, and cash of $1.35 billion. QVC is presented as a discontinued operation in our 
consolidated financial statements.

Refer to Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our acquisitions and other significant events.

CRI TI CAL  ACCOUNTING  JUDGME NTS   A ND   E ST IMATE S

We believe our judgments and related estimates associated with the valuation and impairment testing of our cable franchise rights 
and the accounting for income taxes and legal contingencies are critical in the preparation of our financial statements. Management 
has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting judgments and estimates with the Audit Committee of our 
Board of Directors, and the Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosures relating to them presented below.

Valuation and Impairment Testing of Cable Franchise Rights
Our cable systems are constructed and operated under non-exclusive franchises granted by state or local governmental authorities 
for varying lengths of time. As of December 31, 2004, we served approximately 4,500 franchise areas in the United States. We have 
concluded that our cable franchise rights have an indefinite useful life since there are no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, 
economic or other factors limiting the period over which these rights will contribute to our cash flows. Accordingly, our cable franchise 
rights  are  not  subject  to  amortization  but  are  assessed  periodically  for  impairment  in  accordance  with  Statement  of  Financial 
Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”).

We have acquired these cable franchise rights either directly from local franchise authorities or through many separate cable system 
acquisitions  that  include  multiple  franchise  territories.  Upon  acquisition,  we  integrate  the  individual  franchise  territories  into  our 
national footprint, typically by incorporating the management of those territories into our existing geographic regions. We control 
the sourcing of content, pricing, marketing and branding, and capital deployment throughout the company as if our cable franchise 
rights were a single asset. Therefore, we have concluded that we operate our cable franchise rights as a single asset within our cable 
segment. From time to time, however, certain cable franchise rights may be separated and sold in units below the cable segment 
level. We have concluded that Emerging Issues Task Force 02-07, “Unit of Accounting for Testing Impairment of Indefinite-Lived 
Intangible Assets,” supports the testing of our cable franchise rights for impairment at a level no higher than where the assets are 
both operated together and essentially inseparable. Upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142 in 2002, we tested our cable franchise rights 
for impairment at the cable segment level. Effective in the first quarter of 2004, we changed the unit of accounting used for testing 
impairment to geographic regions.

We assess the recoverability of our cable franchise rights annually or more frequently whenever events or changes in circumstances 
indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. We estimate the fair value of our cable franchise rights primarily based on 
multiples  of  operating  income  before  depreciation  and  amortization  generated  by  the  underlying  assets,  discounted  cash  flow 
analyses, analyses of current market transactions, and profitability information, including estimated future operating results, trends or 
other determinants of fair value. If the value of our cable franchise rights determined by these evaluations is less than its carrying 
amount, an impairment charge would be recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the 
assets. Future adverse changes in market conditions or in the operating results of the related business may indicate an inability to 
recover the carrying value of the assets, thereby possibly requiring a future impairment charge.

The carrying amount of cable franchise rights related to some of our historical cable systems is significantly less than their current 
estimated fair value largely because we acquired many of these rights directly from local franchise authorities rather than through 
separate  cable  system  acquisitions.  Conversely,  the  carrying  amount  of  cable  franchise  rights  for  our  more  recent  cable  system 
acquisitions  has  not  been  significantly  reduced  through  amortization  (and  has  not  been  reduced  at  all  for  acquisitions  made 
subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 142). Nevertheless, testing for impairment at a level higher than the individual franchise 
agreement or cable system level reduces the likelihood of a future impairment charge related to our cable franchise rights.

Income Taxes
Our provision for income taxes is based on our current period income, changes in deferred income tax assets and liabilities, income 
tax  rates,  and  tax  planning  opportunities  available  in  the  jurisdictions  in  which  we  operate.  From  time  to  time,  we  engage  in 
transactions in which the tax consequences may be subject to some uncertainty. Examples of such transactions include business 

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

19

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

acquisitions and disposals, including like-kind exchanges, issues related to consideration paid or received in connection with 
acquisitions, and certain financing transactions. Significant judgment is required in assessing and estimating the tax consequences of 
these transactions. We prepare and file tax returns based on our interpretation of tax laws and regulations and record estimates 
based on these judgments and interpretations.

In the normal course of business, our tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may 
result in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing authorities, and we record a liability when we believe that it is probable 
that we will be assessed. We adjust our estimates periodically because of ongoing examinations by and settlements with the various 
taxing authorities, as well as changes in tax laws, regulations and precedent. The financial statement effects of income tax 
uncertainties that arise in connection with business combinations and those associated with entities acquired in business combina-
tions are discussed in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. The consolidated tax provision of any given year includes 
adjustments to prior year income tax provisions that are considered appropriate and any related estimated interest. We believe that 
adequate accruals have been made for income taxes. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts determined upon 
ultimate resolution, individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated finan-
cial position but could possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations or cash flow of any one period.

Legal Contingencies
We are subject to legal, regulatory and other proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business and, in certain 
cases,  those  that  we  assume  from  an  acquired  entity  in  a  business  combination.  We  record  an  estimated  liability  for  those 
proceedings and claims arising in the ordinary course of business based upon the probable and reasonably estimable criteria 
contained in SFAS No. 5, “Accounting for Contingencies.” For those litigation contingencies assumed in a business combination 
subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 142, we record a liability based on estimated fair value when such fair value is determinable. 
We review outstanding claims with internal as well as external counsel to assess probability and estimates of loss. The risk of loss is 
reassessed as new information becomes available and liabilities are adjusted, as appropriate. The actual cost of resolving a claim may 
be substantially different from the amount of the liability recorded.

Significant and Subjective Estimates
The following discussion and analysis of our results of operations and financial condition is based upon our consolidated financial 
statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. 
The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, 
revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and contingent liabilities. We base our judgments on historical 
experience and on various other assumptions that we believe are reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the 
basis for making estimates about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual 
results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our accounting policies with respect to these and 
other items.

RESULTS  OF  CONTINUING  O PER AT IONS

Consolidated Operating Results

Revenues
Consolidated revenues for the years 2004 and 2003 increased $1.959 billion and $10.246 billion, respectively, from the previous year. 
Of these increases, $1.824 billion and $10.142 billion, respectively, relate to our cable segment and $159 million and $107 million, 
respectively, relate to our content segment, which are both discussed separately below. The remaining changes primarily relate to our 
other business activities, primarily Comcast-Spectacor.

Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
Consolidated  operating,  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  for  the  years  2004  and  2003  increased  $820  million  and 
$6.690 billion, respectively, from the previous year. Of these increases, $703 million and $6.590 billion, respectively, relate to our cable 
segment and $108 million and $63 million, respectively, relate to our content segment, both of which are discussed separately below. 
The remaining increases relate to our other business activities, primarily Comcast-Spectacor and corporate activities.

Depreciation
The changes in depreciation expense for the years 2004 and 2003 are primarily attributable to our cable segment. The increase in our 
cable segment for the year 2004 compared to the previous year is principally due to the higher level of depreciation associated with 
capital expenditures related to our cable systems upgrade. The increase in our cable segment for the year 2003 compared to the 
previous year is principally due to the effects of the Broadband acquisition, as well as our increased level of capital expenditures.

20

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Amortization
The changes in amortization expense for the years 2004 and 2003 are primarily attributable to our cable segment. The decrease in our 
cable segment for the year 2004 compared to the previous year relates to decreases in the amortization of our franchise-related 
customer relationship intangible assets. As a result of the Broadband acquisition, we recorded approximately $3.4 billion of franchise-
related customer relationship intangible assets, which we are amortizing over their average estimated useful life of approximately four 
years. In the fourth quarter of 2003, we reduced the value of these intangible assets because we obtained updated valuation reports, 
which resulted in lower amortization expense. This decrease was partially offset by amortization associated with intangibles acquired 
in the Gemstar transaction. This decrease was also offset by our content segment, principally associated with intangibles acquired in 
the TechTV and Liberty exchange transactions. (See Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements for further discussion about 
these transactions). The increase in our cable segment for the year 2003 compared to the previous year relates principally to the 
effects of the Broadband acquisition.

2003 to 2002 Historical Comparisons
On November 18, 2002, we completed the acquisition of AT&T Corp.’s broadband business, which we refer to as “Broadband” and 
“the Broadband Acquisition.” The Broadband acquisition substantially increased the size of our cable operations and caused 
significant changes in our capital structure, including a substantially higher amount of debt. As a result, direct comparisons of our 
consolidated results of operations for periods prior to November 18, 2002, to subsequent periods are not meaningful. Please refer to 
our 2003 to 2002 historical and pro forma cable segment discussion below.

Segment Operating Results
Operating income before depreciation and amortization is the primary basis we use to measure the operational strength and 
performance  of  our  segments.  Operating  income  before  depreciation  and  amortization  is  defined  as  operating  income  before 
depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, if any, related to fixed and intangible assets, and gains or losses from the sale of 
assets, if any. As such, it eliminates the significant level of non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the 
capital intensive nature of our businesses and from intangible assets recognized in business combinations, and it is unaffected by our 
capital structure or investment activities. Our management and Board of Directors use this measure in evaluating our consolidated 
operating performance and the operating performance of all of our operating segments. This metric is used to allocate resources and 
capital to our operating segments and is a significant component of our annual incentive compensation programs. We believe that 
this measure is also useful to investors as it is one of the bases for comparing our operating performance with other companies in our 
industries, although our measure may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies. Because we use 
operating income before depreciation and amortization as the measure of our segment profit or loss, we reconcile it to operating 
income, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with Generally Accepted Account-
ing Principles (“GAAP”), in the business segment footnote to our consolidated financial statements. This measure should not be 
considered a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), net cash provided by operating activities or other measures of 
performance or liquidity reported in accordance with GAAP.

All percentages are calculated based on actual amounts. Minor differences may exist due to rounding.

Cable Segment

2004 to 2003 Historical Comparisons
The following table presents our cable segment operating results (dollars in millions):

Increase/(Decrease)

Video 
High-speed Internet 
Phone 
Advertising sales 
Other 
Franchise fees 

  Revenues 
Operating expenses 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 

2004 

2003 

$ 

$12,892�

$12,096�

$«««796�

3,124�

701�

1,287�

666�

646�

19,316�

7,170�

4,675�

2,255�

801�

1,112�

620�

608�

17,492�

6,762�

4,380�

869�

(100)�

175�

46�

38�

1,824�

408�

295�

Operating income before depreciation and amortization 

$««7,471�

$� 6,350�

$1,121�

%

6.6%

38.5

(12.5)

15.7

7.4

6.3

10.4

6.0

6.7

17.6%

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

21

 
     
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following tables present our subscriber and monthly average revenue statistics on both a historical and a pro forma basis. The pro 
forma adjustments reflect the addition of approximately 72,000 video subscribers acquired in various small acquisitions during the 
years presented as though the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2003. The impact of these acquisitions on our segment oper-
ating results was not material (subscribers in thousands).

Video subscribers 
High-speed Internet subscribers 
Phone subscribers 

Monthly average video revenue per video subscriber 
Monthly average high-speed Internet revenue per high-speed 
  Internet subscriber 
Monthly average phone revenue per phone subscriber 

Historical December 31, 

Pro Forma December 31,

2004 
21,548 
6,992�

1,223�

2003 

21,468�

5,284�

1,267�

2004 

21,548�

6,992�

1,223�

2003

21,540

5,285

1,267

Historical 
Years Ended December 31, 

Pro Forma
Years Ended December 31,

2004 

2003 

2004 

2003

$49.87�

$47.11�

$49.89�

$47.01

$42.41�

$46.89�

$42.08�

$49.33�

$42.41�

$46.90�

$42.20

$49.33

Revenues.  Video  revenue  consists  of  our  basic,  expanded  basic,  premium,  pay-per-view  and  digital  cable  services,  as  well  as 
equipment rentals. The increase in video revenue from 2003 to 2004 is attributable to subscriber growth in our digital video service 
and rate increases. During 2004, we added approximately 990,000 digital subscribers. The growth in our digital cable subscribers was 
driven by an increase in consumer demand for new digital services and features, such as VOD, DVRs and HDTV programming, and 
enhancements in digital service packages. We expect continued growth in our video revenue.

The increase in high-speed Internet revenue from 2003 to 2004 is primarily due to the addition of approximately 1,708,000 high-speed 
Internet subscribers in 2004. The growth in high-speed Internet subscribers reflects increased consumer demand for the faster and 
more reliable Internet service provided over our cable networks. We expect continued growth in our high-speed Internet revenue.

The decrease in phone revenue from 2003 to 2004 is primarily a result of our focus on operating efficiencies to drive profitability in the 
phone business rather than focusing on subscriber growth. As a result, during 2004, our phone subscribers decreased by approxi-
mately 44,000 subscribers.

The increase in advertising sales revenue from 2003 to 2004 is primarily due to the effects of growth in regional/national advertising as a 
result of the continued success of our regional interconnects, a stronger local advertising market and an increase in political 
advertising. We expect continued growth in our advertising sales revenue.

Other revenue includes installation revenues, revenue from our regional sports and news networks, guide revenues, commissions 
from electronic retailing, revenue from commercial data services and revenue from other service offerings.

The increase in franchise fees collected from our cable subscribers from 2003 to 2004 is primarily attributable to the increase in our 
revenues upon which the fees apply.

Operating Expenses. Programming expenses represent our single largest operating expense and are fees paid to license program-
ming from cable networks that we distribute, package and sell to our video subscribers. Programming expenses are impacted by 
changes in programming rates, the number of subscribers and the programming packages offered to subscribers. In 2004, 
programming costs increased $240 million to $4.149 billion, or 6.1%, from 2003. We anticipate our programming expenses will 
increase in the future primarily as a result of increased costs to purchase programming and as additional programming is provided to 
our subscribers. We anticipate that these increases will be mitigated, to some extent, by additional volume discounts.

Other operating expenses increased $168 million, or 5.9%, from 2003, primarily driven by increases in personnel associated with 
the growth in our high-speed Internet and digital cable services.

Selling,  General  and  Administrative  Expenses.  Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased  $295  million  from  2003, 
primarily driven by increases in marketing costs and the administrative costs associated with growth in our business.

2003 to 2002 Historical Comparisons
The following discussion of our cable segment operating results first presents a comparison of the 2003 and 2002 periods on a 
historical  basis,  which  only  includes  the  Broadband  results  subsequent  to  November  18,  2002.  In  order  to  provide  additional 

22

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

information relating to our cable segment operating results, we also present a comparison of 2003 actual results to 2002 results on a 
pro forma basis.

(Dollars in millions) 

Video 
High-speed Internet 
Phone 
Advertising sales 
Other 
Franchise fees 

  Revenues 
Operating expenses 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 

2003 

2002 

$ 

$12,096�

$5,516�

$««6,580�

Increase

2,255�

801�

1,112�

620�

608�

17,492�

6,762�

4,380�

715�

127�

474�

275�

243�

7,350�

2,685�

1,867�

1,540�

674�

638�

345�

365�

10,142�

4,077�

2,513�

Operating income before depreciation and amortization 

$««6,350�

$2,798�

$««3,552�

%

119.3%

215.4

530.7

134.6

125.5

150.2

138.0

151.8

134.6

126.9%

Revenues.  Video revenues increased $6.580 billion from 2002 to 2003, of which $6.286 billion is attributable to the effects of the 
Broadband acquisition and $294 million relates to changes in rates and subscriber growth in our historical operations, driven 
principally by growth in digital subscribers. During 2003, we added approximately 1,033,000 digital subscribers.

The increase in high-speed Internet revenue from 2002 to 2003 is primarily due to the effects of the Broadband acquisition and 
growth in high-speed Internet subscribers. During 2003, we added approximately 1,692,000 high-speed Internet subscribers.

The  increases  in  phone,  advertising  sales  and  other  revenue  from  2002  to  2003  are  primarily  attributable  to  the  effects  of  the 
Broadband acquisition. Our historical operations prior to the Broadband acquisition did not contain significant phone revenue.

The increase in franchise fees collected from our cable subscribers from 2002 to 2003 is primarily attributable to the increase in our 
revenues upon which the fees apply.

Operating  Expenses.  Programming  expenses  increased  $2.271  billion  to  $3.909  billion  from  2002  to  2003,  primarily  due  to  the 
effects of the Broadband acquisition. The increase in other operating expenses from 2002 to 2003 is primarily attributable to the 
effects of the Broadband acquisition, the effects of an increase in labor costs and other volume-related expenses, and, to a lesser 
extent, the effects of high-speed Internet subscriber growth.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.  The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses from 2002 to 2003 is 
primarily attributable to the effects of the Broadband acquisition.

2003 to 2002 Pro Forma Comparisons
Management uses pro forma data to evaluate performance when significant acquisitions or dispositions occur. Historical data reflects 
results of acquired businesses only after the acquisition dates, while pro forma data enhances comparability of financial information 
between periods by adjusting the data as if the acquisitions (or dispositions) occurred at the beginning of the prior year. Our pro 
forma data is only adjusted for the timing of acquisitions and does not include adjustments for costs related to integration activities, 
cost savings or synergies that have or may be achieved by the combined businesses. In the opinion of management, this information 
is not indicative of what our results would have been had we operated Broadband since January 1, 2002, nor is it indicative of our 
future results. The following table presents our cable segment operating results for 2002 on a pro forma basis and a reconciliation to 
historical and pro forma data (dollars in millions):

2003 

Pro Forma   Preacquisition 
Broadband 

2002 

As Reported 

$ 

2003 to 2002
Increase/(Decrease)

Video 
High-speed Internet 
Phone 
Advertising sales 
Other 
Franchise fees 

  Revenues 
Operating expenses 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 

$12,096�

$11,460�

$5,944�

$5,516�

$«««636�

2,255�

801�

1,112�

620�

608�

17,492�

6,762�

4,380�

1,486�

818�

1,036�

667�

570�

16,037�

6,756�

4,812�

771�

691�

562�

392�

327�

8,687�

4,071�

2,945�

715�

127�

474�

275�

243�

7,350�

2,685�

1,867�

769�

(17)�

76�

(47)�

38�

1,455�

6�

(432)�

Operating income before depreciation and amortization�

$««6,350�

$««4,469�

$1,671�

$2,798�

$1,881�

42.1%

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

23

%

5.5%

51.7

(2.2)

7.4

(7.2)

6.8

9.1

(0.0)

(9.0)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following tables present our subscriber and monthly average revenue statistics on a pro forma basis as though acquisitions 
during these years occurred on January 1, 2002 (subscribers in thousands).

Video subscribers 
High-speed Internet subscribers�
Phone subscribers�

Monthly average video revenue per video subscriber�
Monthly average high-speed Internet revenue per high-speed
  Internet subscriber�
Monthly average phone revenue per phone subscriber�

December 31,

2003 

2002 

Increase/(Decrease)

21,468�

5,284�

1,267�

21,327�

3,620�

1,438�

«««141�

1,664�

÷(171)�

0.7%

45.9%

(11.9%

Years Ended
December 31,

2003 

2002 

Increase/(Decrease)

$47.15�

$44.54�

$«2.61�

5.9%

$42.44�

$48.90�

$41.81�

$54.35�

$«0.63�

$(5.45)�

1.5%

(10.0%

)

)

Revenues. The increase in video revenue from 2002 to 2003 is primarily due to increases in monthly average revenue per video 
subscriber as a result of rate increases in our traditional video service, growth in digital subscribers, and repricing and repackaging of 
the digital and premium channel services in the Broadband systems. During 2003, we added approximately 1,033,000 digital 
subscribers.

The increase in high-speed Internet revenue from 2002 to 2003 is primarily due to the addition in 2003 of approximately 1,692,000 
high-speed Internet subscribers and is also due to the effects of an increase in monthly average revenue per subscriber.

The decrease in phone revenue from 2002 to 2003 is primarily a result of our focusing on operating efficiencies to drive profitability in 
the  phone  business,  rather  than  focusing  on  subscriber  growth.  As  a  result,  during  2003,  our  phone  subscribers  decreased  by 
approximately 171,000 subscribers.

The increase in advertising sales revenue from 2002 to 2003 is primarily due to the effects of growth in regional/national advertising as 
a result of the continued success of our regional interconnects, offset by reduced growth in a soft local advertising market.

Other revenue includes revenue from our regional sports programming networks, installation revenues, guide revenues, commissions 
from electronic retailing and reduced revenue from other service offerings.

The increase in franchise fees collected from our cable subscribers from 2002 to 2003 is primarily attributable to the increase in our 
revenues upon which the fees apply.

Operating  Expenses.  Programming  expenses  increased  $87  million  to  $3.909  billion,  or  2.3%,  in  2003  compared  to  2002, 
primarily because we were able to negotiate reductions in programming rates, principally in premium channels, during 2003.

Other  operating  expenses  decreased  $81  million  in  2003  from  2002,  primarily  due  to  the  effects  of  cost  reductions  in  the 
integration of the Broadband systems.

Selling,  General  and  Administrative  Expenses.  Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  decreased  $432  million  in  2003 
from 2002, primarily driven by reductions in headcount and elimination of redundancies in 2003. In addition, the 2002 amounts 
include $425 million of acquisition and employee termination related costs recorded by Broadband.

Content Segment

2004, 2003 and 2002 Historical Comparisons
The following table presents our content segment operating results (dollars in millions):

Revenues�
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses�

Operating income before depreciation and amortization�

2004 

$787�

522�

$265�

2003 

$628�

414�

$214�

2002

$521

351

$170

Our  content  segment  consists  of  the  national  networks  E!  Entertainment  and  Style  Network  (E!  Networks),  The  Golf  Channel, 
Outdoor Life Network, G4 and International Channel Networks.

Revenues. Our content segment revenue increased $159 million and $107 million, or 25.3% and 20.5%, for the years 2004 and 
2003, respectively, compared to the previous year. The increases in 2004 and 2003 revenue reflect increases in distribution and 
advertising revenue for all of the networks and the 2004 acquisitions of TechTV and International Channel Networks.

24

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

Operating,  Selling,  General  and  Administrative  Expenses.  Operating,  selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  increased 
$108  million  and  $63  million,  or  26.1%  and  17.9%,  for  the  years  2004  and  2003,  respectively,  compared  to  the  previous  year. 
Expenses increased in 2004 and 2003 as a result of higher development and marketing expenses for signature events and other 
original  programming  in  all  of  our  networks,  as  well  as  to  the  effects  of  our  acquisitions  of  TechTV  and  International  Channel 
Networks during 2004.

Consolidated Other Income (Expense) Items

2004, 2003 and 2002 Historical Comparisons
Interest Expense. The decrease in interest expense for the year 2004 from 2003 is a result of our debt reduction during 2003 and 
2004 and due to the effects of our interest rate risk management program. This decrease was offset somewhat by the effects of 
the write-off of unamortized debt issue costs to interest expense in connection with the refinancing of our previously existing 
revolving  credit  facilities  and  by  the  early  redemption  of  a  portion  of  the  Comcast  exchangeable  notes.  The  costs  during  2004 
associated with the refinancing and the redemption totaled $38 million and $31 million, respectively. The decrease for 2004 from 
2003  was  also  offset  by  the  effects  of  our  adoption  of  SFAS  No.  150,  “Accounting  for  Certain  Financial  Instruments  with 
Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity” (“SFAS No. 150”), on July 1, 2003. As a result of the adoption of SFAS No. 150, 
interest expense for 2004 and 2003 includes $100 million and $53 million, respectively, of dividends on a subsidiary’s preferred 
stock, which were classified as minority interest prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 150.

The increase in interest expense for 2003 from 2002 is due to our increased amount of debt outstanding in 2003 as a result of the 
Broadband acquisition.

Investment  Income  (Loss),  Net.  Investment  income  (loss),  net  for  the  years  ended  December,  31,  2004,  2003  and  2002  is 
comprised of the following (dollars in millions):

Interest and dividend income 
Gains (losses) on sales and exchanges of investments, net 
Investment impairment charges 
Unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities 
Mark to market adjustments on derivatives related to trading securities 
Mark to market adjustments on derivatives and hedged items 

  Investment income (loss), net 

2004 

$«160�

45�

(16)�

378�

(120)�

25�

2003 

$«166�

28�

(72)�

965�

(818)�

(353)�

2002

$««««««53

(48)

(247)

(1,569)

1,284

(16)

$«472�

$««(84)�

$«««(543)

The  investment  impairment  charges  for  2003  and  2002  relate  principally  to  other  than  temporary  declines  in  our  investment  in 
AT&T.

We have entered into derivative financial instruments that we account for at fair value and which economically hedge the market 
price fluctuations in the common stock of most (as of December 31, 2004) of our investments accounted for as trading securities. 
The  differences  between  the  unrealized  gains  (losses)  on  trading  securities  and  the  mark-to-market  adjustments  on  derivatives 
related to trading securities, as presented in the table above, result from one or more of the following:

• we did not maintain an economic hedge for our entire investment in the security during some portion or for all of the period,

• the security to which the derivative relates changed due to a corporate reorganization of the issuing company to a security 

with a different volatility rate,

• the issuing company paid a new or an increased dividend to the shareholders of the security, or

• the change in the time value component of the derivative value during the period.

The mark-to-market adjustments on derivatives and hedged items consist principally of the fair value adjustments related to the 
derivative  component  of  the  notes  exchangeable  into  Comcast  stock.  We  are  exposed  to  changes  in  the  fair  value  of  this 
derivative  since  the  underlying  shares  of  Comcast  Class  A  Special  common  stock  that  we  hold  in  treasury  are  carried  at  our 
historical cost and not adjusted for changes in fair value. As of December 31, 2004, approximately 8.4 million shares of Comcast 
Class A Special common stock collateralize the outstanding Comcast exchangeable notes.

Equity  in  Net  Losses  of  Affiliates. The increase in equity in net losses of affiliates from 2003 to 2004 results principally from the 
effects of our additional investments and changes in the net income or loss of our equity method investees.

Other  Income.  The  increase  in  other  income  from  2003  to  2004  is  primarily  attributable  to  the  $250  million  reduction  in  the 
estimated fair value liability associated with the AT&T securities litigation recorded as part of the Broadband acquisition and the 
$94 million gain recognized on the sale of our 20% interest in DHC Ventures, LLC (Discovery Health Channel). Refer to Notes 6 

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

25

 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

and 13 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of this settlement and this sale. The increase in other income from 
2002 to 2003 is primarily attributable to lease rental income related to certain assets acquired in the Broadband acquisition.

Income Tax (Expense) Benefit. The changes in income tax (expense) benefit are primarily the result of the effects of changes in 
our income (loss) from continuing operations before taxes and minority interest.

Minority Interest. The decrease in minority interest from 2003 to 2004 is attributable to the effects of our adoption of SFAS 
No.  150  on  July  1,  2003,  upon  which  we  now  record  our  subsidiary  preferred  dividends,  previously  included  within  minority 
interest, to interest expense and, to a lesser extent, to increases in the net losses of some of our less than wholly owned 
consolidated subsidiaries. The increase in minority interest from 2002 to 2003 is attributable to increases in the net income of our 
less  than  wholly-owned  consolidated  subsidiaries  and  to  dividends  recorded  to  minority  interest  related  to  certain  subsidiaries 
acquired in the Broadband acquisition prior to the adoption of SFAS No. 150 on July 1, 2003.

Discontinued  operations.  Income  from  discontinued  operations  decreased  from  2002  to  2003  primarily  as  a  result  of  the  2003 
period’s including the results of QVC through August 31, while the 2002 period includes QVC’s results for the full year. As a result 
of the sale of QVC, we recognized a $3.290 billion gain, net of approximately $2.865 billion of related income taxes.

STOCK  OPTION  ACCOUNTIN G

In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”), which replaces 
SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”) and supercedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting 
for Stock Issued to Employees.” SFAS No. 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee 
stock  options,  to  be  recognized  in  the  financial  statements  based  on  their  fair  values,  beginning  with  the  first  interim  or  annual 
period after June 15, 2005, with early adoption encouraged. In addition, SFAS No. 123R will cause unrecognized expense (based 
on  the  amounts  in  our  pro  forma  footnote  disclosure)  related  to  options  vesting  after  the  date  of  initial  adoption  to  be 
recognized as a charge to results of operations over the remaining vesting period. We are required to adopt SFAS No. 123R in 
our third quarter of 2005, beginning July 1, 2005. Under SFAS No. 123R, we must determine the appropriate fair value model to 
be used for valuing share-based payments, the amortization method for compensation cost and the transition method to be 
used  at  the  date  of  adoption.  The  transition  alternatives  include  prospective  and  retroactive  adoption  methods.  Under  the 
retroactive  methods,  prior  periods  may  be  restated  either  as  of  the  beginning  of  the  year  of  adoption  or  for  all  periods 
presented.  The  prospective  method  requires  that  compensation  expense  be  recorded  for  all  unvested  stock  options  and  share 
awards  at  the  beginning  of  the  first  quarter  of  adoption  of  SFAS  No.  123R,  while  the  retroactive  methods  would  record 
compensation  expense  for  all  unvested  stock  options  and  share  awards  beginning  with  the  first  period  restated.  We  are 
evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 123R and we expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will have a material impact on 
our consolidated results of operations and earnings per share. We have not determined the method of adoption or the effect of 
adopting SFAS No. 123R.

LIQUI DITY  AND  CAPITA L  R ES OU RCE S

During 2004, we continued to strengthen our balance sheet through the repayment and refinancing of debt, and improved our 
liquidity through the sales or exchanges of our investments, which are more fully described below. We believe that we will be 
able to meet our current and long-term liquidity and capital requirements, including fixed charges, through our cash flows from 
operating  activities,  existing  cash,  cash  equivalents  and  investments;  through  available  borrowings  under  our  existing  credit 
facilities; and through our ability to obtain future external financing.

Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations amounted to $5.930 billion for the year ended Decem-
ber 31, 2004, due principally to our operating income before depreciation and amortization, the effects of interest and income 
tax payments, proceeds from sales or exchanges of trading securities, and changes in operating assets and liabilities.

During 2004, we made cash payments for interest totaling $1.898 billion. We anticipate that, for the foreseeable future, our cash 
paid for interest will decline modestly as average debt balances decline but will remain significant. During 2004, we made cash 
payments  for  income  taxes  totaling  $205  million,  primarily  as  a  result  of  state  income  taxes  associated  with  our  net  income. 
Offsetting  the  cash  payments  were  federal  income  tax  refunds  received  during  2004  of  approximately  $591  million.  We 
anticipate that our income tax payments will increase as our income increases and certain tax audits are settled.

Also contributing to the increase in our cash flow from operating activities was $680 million of proceeds received on the sale or 
exchange  of  our  trading  securities,  including  $547  million  received  in  connection  with  the  Liberty  exchange  transaction  in 
July  2004  and  $128  million  received  in  connection  with  our  sale  of  3  million  shares  of  Liberty  International  common  stock  in 

26

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

December 2004. Although the presentation of these proceeds within cash provided by operating activities is in accordance with 
generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  these  amounts  are  not  indicative  of  our  recurring  operations,  but  result  from  sales  of 
investments.

During  2004,  the  net  change  in  our  operating  assets  and  liabilities  was  $331  million.  The  changes  in  operating  assets  and 
liabilities are primarily a result of $515 million in cash payments for liabilities recorded associated with the Broadband acquisition.

Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations was $2.516 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004, and 
consists principally of our net repayments of debt of $1.293 billion and repurchases of common stock of $1.324 billion. During the 
year ended December 31, 2004, our debt repayments and borrowings consisted of the following:

Repayments

• $867 million under senior and medium-term notes,

• $700 million under revolving credit facilities,

• $609 million of Comcast exchangeable debt and

• $147 million under capital leases and other debt instruments.

Borrowings

• $700 million under revolving credit facilities,

• $320 million, net under our commercial paper program and

• $10 million under other debt instruments.

We have made, and may, from time to time in the future, make optional repayments on our debt obligations, which may include 
open  market  repurchases  of  our  outstanding  public  notes  and  debentures,  depending  on  various  factors,  such  as  market 
conditions.

Commercial  Paper  Program.  In  June  2004,  we  entered  into  a  commercial  paper  program  to  provide  a  lower-cost  borrowing 
source of liquidity to fund our short-term working capital requirements. The program allows for a maximum of $2.25 billion of 
commercial paper to be issued at any one time. Our revolving bank credit facility supports this program. As of December 31, 
2004, amounts outstanding under the program totaled $320 million with a weighted average interest rate of 2.68%.

Available Borrowings Under Credit Facilities. We have traditionally maintained significant availability under our lines of credit 
to meet our short-term liquidity requirements. In January 2004, we refinanced three of our existing revolving credit facilities with 
a new $4.5 billion, five-year revolving bank credit facility due January 2009. The interest rate for borrowings under this revolver is 
LIBOR  plus  0.625%  based  on  our  current  credit  ratings.  We  have  four  lines  of  credit  aggregating  $4.872  billion  and,  as  of 
December 31, 2004, amounts available under our lines of credit totaled $4.062 billion.

The Cross-Guarantee Structure. We and a number of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold substantially all of our cable 
assets  have  unconditionally  guaranteed  each  other’s  debt  securities  and  indebtedness  for  borrowed  money,  including  amounts 
outstanding under the $4.5 billion bank credit facility. As of December 31, 2004, $20.223 billion of our debt was included in the 
cross-guarantee structure.

Comcast  Holdings  Corporation,  our  immediate  predecessor  and  now  a  subsidiary,  is  not  a  guarantor  and  none  of  its  debt  is 
guaranteed under the cross-guarantee structure. As of December 31, 2004, $950 million of our debt was outstanding at Comcast 
Holdings.

Debt Covenants. We and our cable subsidiaries that have provided guarantees are subject to the covenants and restrictions 
set forth in the indentures governing our public debt securities and in the credit agreement governing our bank credit facilities. 
We and the guarantors are in compliance with the covenants and we believe that neither the covenants nor the restrictions in our 
indentures or loan documents will limit our ability to operate our business or raise additional capital. The two financial covenants 
in  our  bank  credit  facility  are  tested  on  an  ongoing  basis  and  measure  our  leverage  and  interest  coverage.  We  have  significant 
headroom  under  these  financial  covenants.  Future  compliance  with  these  financial  covenants  is  not  dependent  on  further  debt 
reduction or on improved operating results.

Exchangeable  Notes.  We  have  outstanding  notes  exchangeable  into  the  common  stock  of  Cablevision  Class  A  common  stock, 
Microsoft common stock, Vodafone ADRs and Comcast Class A Special common stock (together, the “Exchangeable Notes”). At 
maturity the Exchangeable Notes are mandatorily redeemable at our option into (i) a number of shares of common stock or 
ADRs equal to the underlying shares multiplied by an exchange ratio (as defined), or (ii) its cash equivalent. The maturity value of 

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

27

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

the Exchangeable Notes varies based upon the fair market value of the security to which it is indexed. The Exchangeable Notes 
are collateralized by our investments in Cablevision, Microsoft and Vodafone, respectively. The Comcast exchangeable notes are 
collateralized by our Class A Special common stock held in treasury. We have settled and intend in the future to settle all of the 
Comcast exchangeable notes using cash.

During 2004 and 2003, we settled an aggregate of $847 million face amount and $638 million face amount, respectively, of our 
obligations  relating  to  our  notes  exchangeable  into  Comcast  stock  by  delivering  cash  to  the  counterparty  upon  maturity  of  the 
instruments, and the equity collar agreements related to the underlying shares expired or were settled. During 2004 and 2003, 
we settled $2.359 billion face amount and $1.213 billion face amount, respectively, of our obligations relating to our Exchangeable 
Notes by delivering the underlying shares of common stock to the counterparty upon maturity of the investments.

As  of  December  31,  2004,  our  debt  includes  an  aggregate  of  $1.699  billion  of  Exchangeable  Notes,  including  $1.645  billion 
within  current  portion  of  long-term  debt.  As  of  December  31,  2004,  the  securities  we  hold  collateralizing  the  Exchangeable 
Notes were sufficient to substantially satisfy the debt obligations associated with the outstanding Exchangeable Notes.

Stock Repurchases. During 2004, under our Board-authorized, $2 billion share repurchase program, we repurchased 46.9 million 
shares of our Class A Special common stock for $1.328 billion. We expect such repurchases to continue from time to time in the 
open market or in private transactions, subject to market conditions.

Refer to Notes 8 and 10 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our financing activities.

Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations was $4.512 billion for the year ended December 31, 2004, and 
consists primarily of capital expenditures of $3.660 billion, additions to intangible and other noncurrent assets of $628 million 
and the acquisition of TechTV for approximately $300 million.

Capital Expenditures. Our most significant recurring investing activity has been and is expected to continue to be capital expendi-
tures. The following table illustrates the capital expenditures we incurred in our cable segment during 2004 and expect to incur in 
2005 (dollars in millions):

Deployment of cable modems, digital converters, and new service offerings 
Upgrading of cable systems 
Recurring capital projects 

Total cable segment capital expenditures�

2004 

2005

$2,106�

$2,300

902�

614�

200

500

$3,622�

$3,000

The amount of our capital expenditures for 2005 and for subsequent years will depend on numerous factors, some of which are 
beyond our control, including competition, changes in technology and the timing and rate of deployment of new services.

Additions  to  Intangibles.  Additions  to  intangibles  during  2004  primarily  relate  to  our  investment  in  a  $250  million  long-term 
strategic license agreement with Gemstar, multiple dwelling unit contracts of approximately $133 million and other licenses and 
software intangibles of approximately $168 million.

Investments. Proceeds from sales, settlements and restructurings of investments totaled $228 million during 2004, related to 
the  sales  of  our  non-strategic  investments,  including  our  20%  interest  in  DHC  Ventures,  LLC  (Discovery  Health  Channel)  for 
approximately $149 million. We consider investments that we determine to be non-strategic, highly-valued, or both to be a 
source  of  liquidity.  We  consider  our  investment  in  $1.5  billion  in  Time  Warner  common-equivalent  preferred  stock  to  be  an 
anticipated source of liquidity.

We do not have any significant contractual funding commitments with respect to any of our investments.

Refer  to  Notes  6  and  7  to  our  consolidated  financial  statements  for  a  discussion  of  our  investments  and  our  intangible 
assets, respectively.

OFF-BALANCE  SHEET  A RR ANGEME NTS

We do not have any significant off-balance sheet arrangements that are reasonably likely to have a current or future effect on our 
financial condition, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures or capital resources.

28

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

CONTR ACTUAL  OBLIGATIONS

Our  unconditional  contractual  obligations  as  of  December  31,  2004,  which  consist  primarily  of  our  debt  obligations,  and  the 
effect such obligations are expected to have on our liquidity and cash flow in future periods, are summarized in the following 
table (dollars in millions):

Contractual Obligations 

Total 

Year 1 

Years 2 – 3 

Years 4 – 5 

More than
 5 years

Payments Due by Period

Debt obligations, excluding Exchangeable Notes (1) 
Exchangeable Notes 
Capital lease obligations 
Operating lease obligations 
Purchase obligations (2) 
Other long-term liabilities reflected on the balance sheet:
  Acquisition related obligations (3) 
  Other long-term obligations (4) 

Total 

$21,820�

1,699�

73�

987�

7,214�

509�

3,693�

$1,835�

1,645�

19�

190�

2,222�

294�

238�

$2,390�

$2,844�

$14,751

54�

38�

295�

1,774�

172�

312�

—�

9�

203�

1,159�

32�

140�

—

7

299

2,059

11

3,003

$35,995�

�$6,443�

$5,035�

$4,387�

$20,130

Refer to Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our long-term debt. Refer to Note 13 to our consolidated 
financial statements for a discussion of our operating lease and purchase obligations. Refer to Note 5 to our consolidated financial 
statements for a discussion of our acquisition-related obligations.

(1) Excludes interest payments.
(2) Purchase obligations consist of agreements to purchase goods and services that are enforceable and legally binding on us and that specify all significant terms, 
including  fixed  or  minimum  quantities  to  be  purchased,  price  provisions  and  timing  of  the  transaction.  Our  purchase  obligations  include  payments  under  the 
employment agreements that we, through Comcast Spectacor, have with both players and coaches of our professional sports teams that are guaranteed regardless 
of employee injury or termination. Some of these agreements may be covered by disability insurance if certain conditions are met. Also included are payments 
under license agreements that our programming networks have entered into for programs and sporting events that will be available for telecast subsequent to 
December 31, 2004. Also included are the minimum guaranteed payments under programming contracts that our cable segment enters into for the purchase 
of programming from cable network providers. We have also included commitments to purchase cable related equipment. We did not include contracts with 
immaterial future commitments.

(3) Acquisition-related obligations consist primarily of costs related to terminating employees, costs relating to exiting contractual obligations, and other assumed contractual 

obligations of the acquired entity.

(4) Other long-term obligations consist principally of our prepaid forward transactions on equity securities we hold, subsidiary preferred shares, deferred compensation 

obligations, pension, post-retirement and post-employment benefit obligations, and program rights payable under license agreements.

Affiliation Agreements
Our content subsidiaries enter into multi-year affiliation agreements with various cable and satellite television system operators 
for carriage of their respective programming. In connection with these affiliation agreements, we, at times, have paid a fee to the 
cable or satellite television operator for the initial or renewal agreement based upon the number of subscribers. During 2005, we 
expect  to  incur  fees  of  approximately  $25  million  related  to  these  affiliation  agreements,  excluding  amounts  applicable  to  our 
cable systems.

INTER EST  RATE  R I SK   M ANAGEME NT

We are exposed to the market risk of adverse changes in interest rates. In order to manage the cost and volatility relating to our 
interest cost of our outstanding debt, we maintain a mix of fixed and variable rate debt and enter into various interest rate risk 
management derivative transactions pursuant to our policies.

We monitor our interest rate risk exposures using techniques including market value and sensitivity analyses. We do not hold or 
issue any derivative financial instruments for speculative purposes and are not a party to leveraged instruments.

We  manage  the  credit  risks  associated  with  our  derivative  financial  instruments  through  the  evaluation  and  monitoring  of  the 
creditworthiness  of  the  counterparties.  Although  we  may  be  exposed  to  losses  in  the  event  of  nonperformance  by  the 
counterparties, we do not expect such losses, if any, to be significant.

These derivative financial instruments, which can include swaps, rate locks, caps and collars, represent an integral part of our 
interest rate risk management program. During 2004, we decreased our interest expense by approximately $66 million through 

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

29

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

this  program.  Our  derivative  financial  instruments  did  not  have  a  significant  effect  on  interest  expense  for  the  years  ended 
December 31, 2003 and 2002. However, interest rate risk management instruments may have a significant effect on our interest 
expense in the future.

The  table  set  forth  below  summarizes  the  fair  values  and  contract  terms  of  financial  instruments  subject  to  interest  rate  risk 
maintained by us as of December 31, 2004 (dollars in millions):

2005 

2006 

2007 

2008 

2009 

Thereafter 

Fair Value at
  December 31,
 2004

Total 

Debt
Fixed Rate 
  Average Interest Rate 
Variable Rate 
  Average Interest Rate 
Interest Rate Instruments
Variable to Fixed Swaps (notional amounts) 
  Average Pay Rate 
  Average Receive Rate 
Fixed to Variable Swaps (notional amounts) 
  Average Pay Rate 
  Average Receive Rate 

$2,547�

$1,690�

7.4%�

7.4%�

$«««952�

$«««««««7�

3.8%�

3.9%�

$«««488�

«««««—�

7.6%�

3.5%�

—�

—�

«««««—�

$«««400�

—�

—�

6.7%�

6.4%�

$725�

8.2%�

$««61�

4.5%�

««—�

—�

—�

««—�

—�

—�

$1,486�

$1,015�

$14,756�

$22,219�

$25,086

7.2%�

7.3%�

7.8%�

7.7%�

$«««««10�

$«««343�

«««««««—�

$««1,373�

$««1,373

4.5%�

5.0%�

—�

4.2%�

«««««—�

«««««—�

«««««««—�

$«««««488�

$«««««««««8

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

7.6%�

3.5%�

$«««600�

$«««750�

$««2,150�

$««3,900�

$«««««««««9

7.0%�

6.2%�

6.8%�

6.9%�

5.6%�

6.0%�

6.1%

6.3%

The  notional  amounts  of  interest  rate  instruments,  as  presented  in  the  table  above,  are  used  to  measure  interest  to  be  paid  or 
received  and  do  not  represent  the  amount  of  exposure  to  credit  loss.  The  estimated  fair  value  approximates  the  proceeds 
necessary  to  settle  the  outstanding  contracts.  We  estimate  interest  rates  on  variable  debt  using  the  average  implied  forward 
London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) rates for the year of maturity based on the yield curve in effect at December 31, 2004, 
plus the borrowing margin in effect for each credit facility at December 31, 2004. We estimate the floating rates on our swaps 
using the average implied forward LIBOR rates for the year of maturity based on the yield curve in effect at December 31, 2004.

Excluding the effects of interest rate risk management instruments, 5.8% of our total debt as of December 31, 2004, was at 
variable rates, compared to 8.2% at December 31, 2003.

As  a  matter  of  practice,  we  typically  do  not  structure  our  financial  contracts  to  include  credit  ratings-based  triggers  that  could 
affect our liquidity. In the ordinary course of business, some of our swaps could be subject to termination provisions if we do not 
maintain investment-grade credit ratings. As of December 31, 2004, the estimated fair value of the proceeds to be received 
related to those swaps was immaterial. The amount due or to be received upon termination, if any, would be based upon the fair 
value of those outstanding contracts at that time.

EQU ITY  PRICE   R ISK  MA NA GEMEN T

We are exposed to the market risk of changes in the equity prices of some of our investments accounted for as trading securities. 
We enter into various derivative transactions pursuant to our policies to manage the volatility relating to these exposures.

We  monitor  our  equity  price  risk  exposures  to  ensure  that  the  instruments  are  matched  with  the  underlying  assets  or  liabilities, 
reduce our risks relating to equity prices, and through market value and sensitivity analyses, maintain a high correlation to the risk 
inherent in the hedged item.

We use the following derivative financial instruments, which we account for at fair value, to limit our exposure to and benefits 
from price fluctuations in the common stock of some of our investments accounted for as trading securities:

• Cashless collar agreements (“equity collars”);

• Prepaid forward sales agreements (“prepaid forward sales”);

• Indexed debt instruments (“exchangeable notes”).

Except as described in Results of Continuing Operations — Investment Income (Loss), Net on page 25, the changes in the fair 
value of our investments accounted for as trading securities were substantially offset by the changes in the fair values of the 
equity collars and the derivative components of the exchangeable notes and the prepaid forward sales.

Refer to Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of our accounting policies with respect to derivative financial 
instruments and to Notes 6 and 8 to our consolidated financial statements for discussions of our derivative financial instruments.

30

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

ACCUMULATED  OTHER   C OM PREH ENS IV E  INC OME  (L OS S)

The  components  of  accumulated  other  comprehensive  income  (loss)  primarily  are  unrealized  losses  on  our  rate  locks,  offset  by 
unrealized gains and losses on available for sale securities. Changes to these components account for the change in accumulated 
other comprehensive income (loss) from December 31, 2003, to December 31, 2004. Refer to Notes 6 and 8 to our consolidated 
financial statements for more information about these components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

We believe that our operations are not materially affected by inflation.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

31

Report of Management

Management’s Report on Financial Statements
Our  management  is  responsible  for  the  preparation,  integrity  and  fair  presentation  of  information  in  our  consolidated  financial 
statements,  including  estimates  and  judgments.  The  consolidated  financial  statements  presented  in  this  report  have  been 
prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Our management believes 
the consolidated financial statements and other financial information included in this report fairly present, in all material respects, 
our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented in this report. The consolidated 
financial statements have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in 
their report, which is included herein.

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining an adequate system of internal control over financial reporting. 
Our system of internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of 
financial reporting and the preparation of  financial statements for external  purposes  in accordance with accounting principles 
generally accepted in the United States of America.

Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:

• pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions 

of our assets;

• provide  reasonable  assurance  that  our  transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  our  financial  state-
ments in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and that our receipts and 
expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and our directors; and

• provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our 

assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, a system of internal control over financial reporting can provide only reasonable assurance and 
may not prevent or detect misstatements. Further, because of changes in conditions, effectiveness of internal controls over financial 
reporting may vary over time. Our system contains self monitoring mechanisms, and actions are taken to correct deficiencies as they 
are identified.

Our management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the system of internal control over financial reporting based 
on  the  framework  in  Internal  Control — Integrated  Framework  issued  by  the  Committee  of  Sponsoring  Organizations  of  the 
Treadway  Commission.  Based  on  this  evaluation,  our  management  concluded  that  our  system  of  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting was effective as of December 31, 2004. Our management’s assessment of the effectiveness of our internal control over 
financial reporting has been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in 
their report which is included herein.

Audit Committee Oversight
The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised solely of independent directors, has oversight responsibility 
for  our  financial  reporting  process  and  the  audits  of  our  consolidated  financial  statements  and  internal  control  over  financial 
reporting.  The  Audit  Committee  meets  regularly  with  management  and  with  our  internal  auditors  and  independent  registered 
public accounting firm (collectively, the “auditors”) to review matters related to the quality and integrity of our financial reporting, 
internal control over financial reporting (including compliance matters related to our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct), and 
the nature, extent, and results of internal and external audits. Our auditors have full and free access and report directly to the 
Audit Committee. The Audit Committee recommended, and the Board of Directors approved, that the audited consolidated 
financial statements presented in this report be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K. 

The officers signing below have reviewed and agree with the statements contained in this management report.

Brian L. Roberts 
Chairman and CEO 

John R. Alchin 
Executive Vice President, 
Co-Chief Financial Officer and  
Treasurer 

Lawrence S. Smith 
Executive Vice President 
Co-Chief Financial Officer 

Lawrence J. Salva
Senior Vice President,
Chief Accounting Officer and 
Controller

32

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Board of Directors and Stockholders 
Comcast Corporation 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Comcast Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of 
December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for 
each  of  the  three  years  in  the  period  ended  December  31,  2004.  We  also  have  audited  management’s  assessment,  included 
under  the  caption  Management’s  Report  on  Internal  Control  Over  Financial  Reporting,  that  the  Company  maintained  effective 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2004,  based  on  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control — Integrated 
Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. The Company’s management is 
responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assess-
ment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial 
statements, an opinion on management’s assessment, and an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control 
over financial reporting based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 
Those  standards  require  that  we  plan  and  perform  the  audit  to  obtain  reasonable  assurance  about  whether  the  financial 
statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all 
material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts 
and  disclosures  in  the  financial  statements,  assessing  the  accounting  principles  used  and  significant  estimates  made  by 
management,  and  evaluating  the  overall  financial  statement  presentation.  Our  audit  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting 
included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, evaluating management’s assessment, testing 
and  evaluating  the  design  and  operating  effectiveness  of  internal  control,  and  performing  such  other  procedures  as  we 
considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

A  company’s  internal  control  over  financial  reporting  is  a  process  designed  by,  or  under  the  supervision  of,  the  company’s 
principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, and effected by the company’s board 
of directors, management, and other personnel to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting 
and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. 
A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance 
of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; 
(2)  provide  reasonable  assurance  that  transactions  are  recorded  as  necessary  to  permit  preparation  of  financial  statements  in 
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made 
only  in  accordance  with  authorizations  of  management  and  directors  of  the  company;  and  (3)  provide  reasonable  assurance 
regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have 
a material effect on the financial statements.

Because  of  the  inherent  limitations  of  internal  control  over  financial  reporting,  including  the  possibility  of  collusion  or  improper 
management override of controls, material misstatements due to error or fraud may not be prevented or detected on a timely 
basis. Also, projections of any evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting to future periods are 
subject to the risk that the controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance 
with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

In  our  opinion,  the  consolidated  financial  statements  referred  to  above  present  fairly,  in  all  material  respects,  the  financial 
position of Comcast Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, and the results of their operations and 
their  cash  flows  for  each  of  the  three  years  in  the  period  ended  December  31,  2004,  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles 
generally  accepted  in  the  United  States  of  America.  Also,  in  our  opinion,  management’s  assessment  that  the  Company 
maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2004, is fairly stated, in all material respects, 
based on the criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organiza-
tions  of  the  Treadway  Commission.  Furthermore,  in  our  opinion,  the  Company  maintained,  in  all  material  respects,  effective 
internal  control  over  financial  reporting  as  of  December  31,  2004,  based  on  the  criteria  established  in  Internal  Control —  
Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.

Deloitte & Touche LLP
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 
February 21, 2005

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

33

Consolidated Balance Sheet

(Amounts in millions, except share data) 
December 31,  

ASSETS 
CURRENT ASSETS  
  Cash and cash equivalents  
  Investments  
  Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $132 and $146  
  Other current assets  

    Total current assets  

INVESTMENTS  
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net of accumulated depreciation of $9,416 and $6,563  
FRANCHISE RIGHTS 
GOODWILL  
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net of accumulated amortization of $3,452 and $2,182  
OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS, net  

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
CURRENT LIABILITIES 
  Accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors  
  Accrued expenses and other current liabilities  
  Deferred income taxes  
  Current portion of long-term debt  

    Total current liabilities  

LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion  
DEFERRED INCOME TAXES 
OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES  
MINORITY INTEREST  
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 13)

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
  Preferred stock — authorized 20,000,000 shares; issued, zero  
  Class A common stock, $0.01 par value — authorized, 7,500,000,000 shares; 
    issued, 1,603,320,864 and 1,601,161,057; outstanding, 1,359,680,364 and 1,357,520,557  
  Class A Special common stock, $0.01 par value — authorized, 7,500,000,000 shares; 
    issued 890,234,413 and 931,732,876; outstanding, 842,944,570 and 884,443,033  
  Class B common stock, $0.01 par value — authorized, 75,000,000 shares; 
    issued and outstanding, 9,444,375  
  Additional capital  
  Retained earnings  
  Treasury stock, 243,640,500 Class A common shares and 47,289,843 Class A Special
    common shares  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss  

    Total stockholders’ equity  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

2004 

2003

$÷÷÷«452�

$÷÷1,550

1,555�

959�

569�

3,535�

12,812�

18,711�

51,071�

14,020�

3,851�

694�

2,493

907

453

5,403

14,818

18,473

51,050

14,841

3,859

715

$104,694�

$109,159

$««««2,041�

$÷÷2,355

2,735�

360�

3,499�

8,635�

20,093�

26,815�

7,261�

468�

—�

16�

9�

—�

44,142�

4,891�

(7,517)�

(119)�

41,422�

3,459

679

3,161

9,654

23,835

25,900

7,716

392

—

16

9

—

44,742

4,552

(7,517)

(140)

41,662

$104,694�

$109,159

34

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
       
 
 
       
Consolidated Statement of Operations

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,  

REVENUES 
COSTS AND EXPENSES  
  Operating (excluding depreciation)  
  Selling, general and administrative  
  Depreciation  
  Amortization  

OPERATING INCOME  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)  
  Interest expense  
  Investment income (loss), net  
  Equity in net losses of affiliates  
  Other income  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND 
  MINORITY INTEREST 
INCOME TAX (EXPENSE) BENEFIT  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST 
MINORITY INTEREST  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax  
GAIN ON DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, net of tax  

NET INCOME (LOSS)  

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) FOR COMMON STOCKHOLDERS PER COMMON SHARE 
  Income (loss) from continuing operations  
  Income from discontinued operations  
  Gain on discontinued operations  

  Net income (loss)  

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) FOR COMMON STOCKHOLDERS PER COMMON SHARE  
  Income (loss) from continuing operations  
  Income from discontinued operations  
  Gain on discontinued operations  

  Net income (loss)  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

2004 

2003 

$20,307�

$18,348�

2002

$«8,102

7,462�

5,314�

3,420�

1,203�

17,399�

2,908�

7,041�

4,915�

3,166�

1,272�

16,394�

1,954�

(1,876)�

(2,018)�

472�

(88)�

394�

(84)�

(60)�

71�

3,012

2,254

1,694

221

7,181

921

(870)

(543)

(63)

1

(1,098)�

(2,091)�

(1,475)

1,810�

(826)�

984�

(14)�

970�

—�

—�

$÷÷«970�

(137)�

16�

(121)�

(97)�

(218)�

168�

3,290�

$««3,240�

(554)

128

(426)

(43)

(469)

195

—

$«««(274)

$÷÷0.43�

$÷«(0.10)�

$÷(0.42)

—�

—�

0.08�

1.46�

0.17

—

$÷÷0.43�

$÷÷1.44�

$÷(0.25)

$÷÷0.43�

$«÷(0.10)�

$÷(0.42)

—�

—�

0.08�

1.46�

0.17

—

$÷÷0.43�

$÷÷1.44�

$÷(0.25)

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

35

 
 
     
 
 
     
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Dollars in millions)
Year Ended December 31,  

OPERATING ACTIVITIES  
  Net income (loss)  
  Income from discontinued operations  
  Gain on discontinued operations  

  Income (loss) from continuing operations  
  Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to 
    net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations: 
      Depreciation  
      Amortization  
      Non-cash interest (income) expense, net  
      Equity in net losses of affiliates  
      Losses (gains) on investments and other (income) expense, net  
      Minority interest  
      Deferred income taxes  
      Proceeds from sales of trading securities  
      Current tax associated with sale of discontinued operation  
  Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions 
    and divestitures:  
      Change in accounts receivable, net  
      Change in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to trade creditors  
      Change in other operating assets and liabilities  

        Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
  Proceeds from borrowings  
  Retirements and repayments of debt  
  Proceeds from settlement of interest rate exchange agreements  
  Issuances of common stock and sales of put options on common stock  
  Repurchases of common stock and stock options held by non-employees  
  Deferred financing costs  
  Other financing activities  

        Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
  Capital expenditures  
  Proceeds from sales, settlements and restructuring of investments  
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired  
  Additions to intangible and other noncurrent assets  
  Purchases of short-term investments, net  
  Proceeds from sales of discontinued operations and assets held for sale  
  Capital contributions to and purchases of investments  
  Proceeds from settlement of contract of acquired company  
  Other investing activities  

        Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities from continuing operations  

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of year  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year  

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

2004 

2003 

2002

$««««970�

$«««3,240�

$«««(274)

—�

—�

970�

3,420�

1,203�

33�

88�
(678) 
14 
531 
680 
— 

(54) 
(315) 
38 

5,930 

1,030 
(2,323) 
— 
113 
(1,361) 
— 
25 

(2,516) 

(3,660) 
228 
(296) 
(628) 
(13) 
— 
(156) 
26 
(13) 

(4,512) 

(1,098) 
1,550 

(168)�

(3,290)�

(218)�

3,166�

1,272�

(113)�

60�

145�

45�

820�

85�

(2,028)�

(45)�

35�

(370)�

2,854�

9,398�

(16,465)�

—�

67�

(14)�

(34)�

—�

(7,048)�

(4,161)�

7,971�

(152)�

(155)�

(32)�

1,875�

(202)�

95�

—�

5,239�

1,045�

505�

(195)

—

(469)

1,694

221

10

63

604

43

(95)

—

—

80

220

50

2,421

8,759

(9,508)

57

19

—

(332)

—

(1,005)

(1,852)

1,263

(251)

(197)

(21)

—

(67)

—

—

(1,125)

291

214

$««««452 

$«««1,550�

$««««505

36

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity

(Dollars in millions)  

Common Stock

  Class A 
Special 

Class A 

Class B 

Additional 
Capital 

Retained 
Earnings 

Treasury  Unrealized  Cumulative
Gains  Translation
(Losses)  Adjustments 

Stock 
At Cost 

Total

Accumulated Other 
Comprehensive 
Income (Loss)

BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2002 
Comprehensive loss: 
  Net loss  
  Unrealized losses on marketable securities,  
    net of deferred taxes of $165  
  Reclassification adjustments for losses 
    included in net loss, net of deferred
    taxes of $92  
  Unrealized losses on effective portion of 
    cash flow hedges, net of deferred taxes of $79  
  Cumulative translation adjustments  
Total comprehensive loss  
  Acquisitions  
  Stock compensation plans  
  Employee stock purchase plan  

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2002 
Comprehensive income: 
  Net income  
  Unrealized losses on marketable securities, 
    net of deferred taxes of $12  
  Reclassification adjustments for losses included
     in net income, net of deferred taxes of $15 
  Cumulative translation adjustments  
Total comprehensive income  
  Stock compensation plans 
  Retirement of common stock  
  Employee stock purchase plan 

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2003  
Comprehensive income: 
  Net income  
  Reclassification adjustments for losses included 
    in net income, net of deferred taxes  
  Cumulative translation adjustments  
Total comprehensive income  
  Stock compensation plans 
  Retirement of common stock  
  Employee stock purchase plan  

$—�

$9�

$—�

$12,688�

$1,632�

$÷÷««—�

$«166�

$(22)�

$14,473

(274)

(307)

169

(146)

�

�

�

1

�

�

�

(557)

24,369

34

10

16�

�

�

31,870�

�

(7,517)�

52�

10�

(18)�

�

�

�

16�

9�

—�

44,620�

1,340�

(7,517)�

(118)�

(21)�

38,329�

3,240

117�

(14)�

19�

(28)�

�

�

�

�

�

(23)

29�

�

�

�

(7)

�

�

�

3,239

89�

(14)

19�

16�

9�

—�

44,742�

4,552�

(7,517)�

(112)�

(28)�

41,662

970

130�

(758)�

28�

(73)�

(558)�

�

�

�

�

1

�

�

�

20

�

�

�

991

57�

(1,316)

28

BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2004  

$16�

$9�

$—�

$44,142�

$4,891�

$(7,517)�

$(111)�

$««(8)�

$41,422

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

37

    
  
 
 
 
    
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Years Ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002)

1.   OR GANI ZATI ON  AND  BU SINES S
We  are  a  Pennsylvania  corporation  and  were  incorporated  in  December  2001.  Through  our  predecessors,  we  have  developed, 
managed  and  operated  broadband  cable  networks  since  1963.  On  November  18,  2002,  we,  our  immediate  predecessor 
Comcast  Holdings Corporation (“Comcast Holdings”) and AT&T completed a transaction that resulted in Comcast Holdings’ 
acquisition  of  AT&T  Broadband  (the  “Broadband  acquisition”).  Upon  completion  of  the  Broadband  acquisition,  Comcast 
Holdings  and  Broadband  are  our  wholly  owned  subsidiaries.  Accordingly,  the  accompanying  consolidated  financial  statements 
include the results of Comcast Holdings for all periods presented and the results of Broadband from the date of the Broadband 
acquisition (see Note 5).

Our  cable  segment  is  principally  involved  in  the  development,  management  and  operation  of  broadband  communications 
networks in the United States. Our consolidated cable operations served approximately 21.5 million subscribers as of Decem-
ber  31,  2004.  Our  regional  sports  and  news  networks  Comcast  SportsNet  (“CSN”),  Comcast  SportsNet  Mid-Atlantic  (“CSN 
Mid-Atlantic”),  Comcast  SportsNet  Chicago  (“CSN  Chicago”),  Comcast  SportsNet  West  (“CSN  West”),  Cable  Sports  Southeast 
(“CSS”), and CN8 — The Comcast Network (“CN8”) are included in our cable segment because they derive a substantial portion 
of their revenues from our cable operations and are managed by cable segment management.

We conduct the national networks of our content segment through our consolidated subsidiaries E! Entertainment Television 
(“E!”), Style Network, The Golf Channel (“TGC”), Outdoor Life Network (“OLN”), G4 and International Channel Networks.

Our other businesses consist principally of Comcast-Spectacor, our group of businesses that perform live sporting events and 
own or manage facilities for sporting events, concerts, and other special events, and our corporate activities.

On September 17, 2003, we sold our approximate 57% interest in QVC, Inc., which markets a wide variety of products directly to 
consumers primarily on merchandise-focused television programs. Accordingly, we present QVC as a discontinued operation 
pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of 
Long-Lived Assets” (see Note 5).

2.  SUMMARY   OF  SI GN IFIC ANT   A CC OU NT IN G  POLIC IE S
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include our accounts and all entities that we directly or indirectly control. We have eliminated 
all significant intercompany accounts and transactions among consolidated entities.

Variable Interest Entities
We  account  for  our  interests  in  variable  interest  entities  (“VIEs”)  in  accordance  with  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board 
(“FASB”) Interpretation No. 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”), as amended by FIN 46R. We consolidate 
all  VIEs  for  which  we  are  the  primary  beneficiary  and  for  which  the  entities  do  not  effectively  disperse  risks  among  parties 
involved.  We  do  not  consolidate  VIEs  that  effectively  disperse  risks  unless  we  hold  an  interest  or  combination  of  interests  that 
effectively recombines risks that were previously dispersed. We adopted the initial recognition and measurement provisions of 
FIN 46 effective January 1, 2002, and the provisions of FIN 46R effective March 31, 2004. The adoption of FIN 46 and FIN 46R did 
not have a material impact on our financial condition or results of operations.

Our Use of Estimates
We  prepare  our  consolidated  financial  statements  in  conformity  with  accounting  principles  generally  accepted  in  the  United 
States of America, which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts and disclosures. Actual 
results could differ from those estimates. Estimates are used when accounting for various items, such as allowances for doubtful 
accounts,  investments  and  derivative  financial  instruments,  depreciation  and  amortization,  asset  impairment,  non-monetary 
transactions, certain acquisition-related liabilities, programming-related liabilities, pensions and other postretirement benefits, 
income taxes, and legal contingencies.

Fair Values
We have determined the estimated fair value amounts presented in these consolidated financial statements using available 
market  information and appropriate methodologies. However, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to 
develop  the  estimates  of  fair  value.  The  estimates  presented  in  these  consolidated  financial  statements  are  not  necessarily 
indicative  of  the  amounts  that  we  could  realize  in  a  current  market  exchange.  The  use  of  different  market  assumptions  and/or 

38

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

estimation methodologies may have a material effect on the estimated fair value amounts. We based these fair value estimates 
on pertinent information available to us as of December 31, 2004 and 2003. We have not comprehensively updated these fair 
value estimates for the purposes of these consolidated financial statements since those dates.

Cash Equivalents
Cash  equivalents  consist  principally  of  commercial  paper,  money  market  funds,  U.S.  government  obligations  and  certificates  of 
deposit with maturities of less than three months when purchased. The carrying amounts of our cash equivalents approximate 
their fair values.

Investments
Investments in entities in which we have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of 
the investee are accounted for under the equity method. Equity method investments are recorded at original cost and adjusted 
to  recognize our proportionate share of the investees’ net income or losses after the date of investment, amortization of basis 
differences,  additional  contributions  made  and  dividends  received,  and  impairment  charges  resulting  from  adjustments  to  net 
realizable value. We generally record our proportionate share of our investees’ net income or loss one quarter in arrears given 
the timing of the receipt of such information.

Changes in our proportionate share of the underlying equity of a consolidated subsidiary or equity method investee that result 
from the issuance of additional securities by such subsidiary or investee are recognized as gains or losses in our consolidated 
statement of operations unless gain realization is not assured in the circumstances. Gains for which realization is not assured are 
credited directly to additional capital.

Unrestricted  publicly  traded  investments  are  classified  as  available  for  sale  or  trading  securities  and  are  recorded  at  their  fair 
value. Unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value between measurement dates for available for sale securities 
are recorded as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), except for declines in value that we consider to be other 
than temporary. Unrealized gains or losses resulting from changes in fair value between measurement dates for trading securities 
are  recorded  as  a  component  of  investment  income  (loss),  net.  We  recognize  realized  gains  and  losses  using  the  specific 
identification method. Cash flows from all trading securities are classified as cash flows from operating activities as required by 
SFAS No. 95, “Statement of Cash Flows,” as amended, while cash flows from all other investment securities are classified as cash 
flows from investing activities in our statement of cash flows.

We review our investment portfolio each reporting period to determine whether a decline in the market value is considered to 
be other than temporary. Investments deemed to have experienced an other than temporary decline below their cost basis are 
reduced to their current fair market value. The impairment is charged to earnings and a new cost basis for the investment is 
established.

Restricted  publicly  traded  investments  and  investments  in  privately  held  companies  are  stated  at  cost,  adjusted  for  any  known 
decrease in value (see Note 6).

Property and Equipment
Depreciation is generally recorded using the straight-line method over estimated useful lives. The significant components of 
property and equipment are as follows (dollars in millions):

Transmission and distribution plant 
Buildings and building improvements 
Land 
Other 

  Property and equipment, at cost 
Less: accumulated depreciation 

  Property and equipment, net 

Useful Life 

2 – 15 years 
2 – 40 years 
N/A 
3 – 12 years 

December 31, 
2004 

December 31,
2003

$25,645 
1,365 
152�
965 

28,127 
(9,416) 

$18,711 

$22,609

1,255

152

1,020

25,036

(6,563)

$18,473

We capitalize improvements that extend asset lives and expense other repairs and maintenance charges as incurred. The cost 
and  related  accumulated  depreciation  applicable  to  assets  sold  or  retired  are  removed  from  the  accounts  and,  unless  they  are 
presented separately, the gain or loss on disposition is recognized as a component of depreciation expense.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

39

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

We capitalize the costs associated with the construction of cable transmission and distribution facilities and new cable service 
installations. Costs include all direct labor and materials, as well as various indirect costs.

Asset Retirement Obligations
Certain of our franchise agreements and leases contain provisions requiring us to restore facilities or remove equipment in the 
event that the franchise or lease agreement is not renewed. We expect to continually renew our franchise agreements and have 
concluded  that  the  related  franchise  right  is  an  indefinite-lived  intangible  asset.  Accordingly,  the  possibility  is  remote  that  we 
would be required to incur significant restoration or removal costs in the foreseeable future. SFAS No. 143, “Accounting for Asset 
Retirement  Obligations,”  requires  that  a  liability  be  recognized  for  an  asset  retirement  obligation  in  the  period  in  which  it  is 
incurred if a reasonable estimate of fair value can be made. We would record an estimated liability in the unlikely event a 
franchise agreement containing such a provision were no longer expected to be renewed. We also expect to renew many of our 
lease agreements related to the continued operation of our cable business in the franchise areas. For our lease agreements, the 
liabilities related to the removal provisions, if any, are either not estimable or are not material.

Intangible Assets
Cable  franchise  rights  represent  the  value  attributed  to  agreements  with  local  authorities  that  allow  access  to  homes  in  cable 
service  areas  acquired  in  connection  with  business  combinations.  We  do  not  amortize  cable  franchise  rights  because  we  have 
determined that they have an indefinite life. We reassess this determination periodically for each franchise based on the factors 
included in SFAS No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets” (“SFAS No. 142”). Costs we incur in negotiating and renewing 
cable franchise agreements are included in other intangible assets and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the 
franchise renewal period, generally 10 years.

Goodwill is the excess of the acquisition cost of an acquired entity over the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired. We 
test our goodwill and intangible assets that are determined to have an indefinite life for impairment at least annually.

Other  intangible  assets  consist  principally  of  franchise  related  customer  relationships  acquired  in  business  combinations 
subsequent to the adoption of SFAS No. 141, “Business Combinations” (“SFAS No. 141”), on July 1, 2001, cable and satellite 
television distribution rights, cable franchise renewal costs, contractual operating rights, computer software, programming costs 
and rights, patents and technology rights, and non-competition agreements. We record these costs as assets and amortize them 
on a straight-line basis over the term of the related agreements or estimated useful life, which generally range from 2 to 20 years.

Our content subsidiaries enter into multi-year affiliation agreements with various cable and satellite television system operators 
for carriage of their respective programming. We capitalize cable or satellite television distribution rights and amortize them on 
a straight-line basis over the term of the related distribution agreements of 4 to 11 years. We classify the amortization of 
distribution  fees  paid  by  our  content  subsidiaries  pursuant  to  Emerging  Issues  Task  Force  (“EITF”)  01-09,  “Accounting  for 
Consideration Given to a Customer (including a reseller of the Vendors Products).” Under EITF 01-09, the amortization of such 
fees is classified as a reduction of revenue unless the content subsidiary receives, or will receive, an identifiable benefit from the 
cable or satellite system operator separate from the distribution fee, in which case we recognize the fair value of the identified 
benefit as an operating expense in the period in which it is received.

Direct  development  costs  associated  with  internal-use  software  are  capitalized,  including  external  direct  costs  of  material  and 
services, and payroll costs for employees devoting time to the software projects. Such costs are included within other assets and 
are amortized over a period not to exceed 5 years beginning when the asset is substantially ready for use. Costs incurred during 
the  preliminary  project  stage,  as  well  as  maintenance  and  training  costs,  are  expensed  as  incurred.  Initial  operating-system 
software costs are capitalized and amortized over the life of the associated hardware.

Valuation of Long-Lived and Indefinite-Lived Assets
In accordance with SFAS No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” we periodically evaluate 
the recoverability and estimated lives of our long-lived assets, including property and equipment and intangible assets subject 
to  amortization, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable or the 
useful  life  has  changed.  Our  evaluations  include  analyses  based  on  the  cash  flows  generated  by  the  underlying  assets, 
profitability information, including estimated future operating results, trends or other determinants of fair value. If the total of the 
expected  future  undiscounted  cash  flows  is  less  than  the  carrying  amount  of  the  asset,  a  loss  is  recognized  for  the  difference 
between the fair value and the carrying value of the asset. Unless presented separately, the loss is included as a component of 
either depreciation expense or amortization expense, as appropriate.

40

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

We evaluate the recoverability of our goodwill and indefinite life intangible assets annually or more frequently whenever events 
or changes in circumstances indicate that the assets might be impaired. We perform the impairment assessment of our goodwill 
one level below the business segment level, except for our cable business. In our cable business, components one level below the 
segment  level  are  not  separate  reporting  units  and  also  have  similar  economic  characteristics  that  allow  them  to  be 
aggregated into one reporting unit at the cable segment level.

We estimate the fair value of our cable franchise rights primarily based on multiples of operating income before depreciation 
and amortization generated by the underlying assets, discounted cash flow analyses, analyses of current market transactions and 
profitability information, including estimated future operating results, trends or other determinants of fair value. If the value of 
our  cable  franchise  rights  determined  by  these  evaluations  is  less  than  its  carrying  amount,  an  impairment  charge  would  be 
recognized for the difference between the estimated fair value and the carrying value of the assets.

Upon adoption of SFAS No. 142 in 2002, we performed the impairment assessment of our cable franchise rights at the cable 
segment  level  based  on  our  analysis  of  the  factors  outlined  in  EITF  02-07,  “Unit  of  Accounting  for  Testing  Impairment  of 
Indefinite-Lived  Intangible  Assets.”  Effective  in  the  first  quarter  of  2004,  we  changed  the  unit  of  accounting  used  for  testing 
impairment  to  geographic  regions  and  performed  impairment  testing  on  our  cable  franchise  rights.  We  did  not  record  any 
impairment charge in connection with the change in impairment testing.

Foreign Currency Translation
We translate assets and liabilities of our foreign subsidiaries, where the functional currency is the local currency, into US dollars at 
the December 31 exchange rate and record the related translation adjustments as a component of other comprehensive income 
(loss). We translate revenues and expenses using average exchange rates prevailing during the year. Foreign currency transac-
tion gains and losses are included in other income.

Revenue Recognition
We recognize video, high-speed Internet, and phone revenues as service is provided. We manage credit risk by screening 
applicants for potential risk through the use of credit bureau data. If a customer’s account is delinquent, various measures are 
used to collect outstanding amounts, up to and including termination of the customer’s cable service. We recognize advertising 
sales revenue at estimated realizable values when the advertising is aired. Installation revenues obtained from the connection of 
subscribers to our broadband communications network are less than related direct selling costs. Therefore, such revenues are 
recognized as connections are completed. Revenues derived from other sources are recognized when services are provided or 
events occur. Under the terms of our franchise agreements, we are generally required to pay up to 5% of our gross revenues 
derived  from  providing  cable  services  to  the  local  franchising  authority.  We  normally  pass  these  fees  through  to  our  cable 
subscribers. We classify fees collected from cable subscribers as a component of revenues pursuant to EITF 01-14, “Income 
Statement Characterization of Reimbursements Received for `Out-of-Pocket’ Expenses Incurred.”

Our content businesses recognize affiliate fees from cable and satellite television system operators as programming is provided. 
Advertising revenue is recognized in the period in which commercial announcements or programs are telecast in accordance 
with  the  broadcast  calendar.  In  some  instances,  our  content  businesses  guarantee  viewer  ratings  for  their  programming. 
Revenue  is  deferred  to  the  extent  of  an  estimated  shortfall  in  the  ratings.  Such  shortfalls  are  primarily  settled  by  providing 
additional advertising time, at which point the revenue is recognized.

Programming Costs
Our cable subsidiaries have received or may receive incentives from programming networks for carriage of their programming. 
We reflect the deferred portion of these fees within noncurrent liabilities and recognize the fees as a reduction of programming 
costs (which are included in operating expenses) over the term of the programming contract.

Stock-Based Compensation
We account for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, “Account-
ing for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB No. 25”), and related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for 
Stock-Based Compensation,” as amended. Compensation expense for stock options is measured as the excess, if any, of the 
quoted market price of our stock at the date of the grant over the amount an optionee must pay to acquire the stock. We record 
compensation expense for restricted stock awards based on the quoted market price of our stock at the date of the grant and 
the  vesting  period.  We  record  compensation  expense  for  stock  appreciation  rights  based  on  the  changes  in  quoted  market 
prices of our stock or other determinants of fair value (see Note 10).

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

41

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The  following  table  illustrates  the  effect  on  net  income  (loss)  and  earnings  (loss)  per  share  if  we  had  applied  the  fair  value 
recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based compensation. Total stock-based compensation expense was deter-
mined under the fair value method for all awards using the accelerated recognition method as permitted under SFAS No. 123 
(dollars in millions, except per share data):

Year Ended December 31,  

Net income (loss), as reported  
Add: Stock-based compensation expense included in net income (loss), as reported above  
Deduct: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value-based method
  for all awards relating to continuing operations, net of related tax effects  
Deduct: Stock-based compensation expense determined under fair value-based method 
  for all awards relating to discontinued operations, net of related tax effects  

Pro forma, net income (loss)  

Basic earnings (loss) from continuing operations for common stockholders 
  per common share:  
    As reported  
    Pro forma  
Diluted earnings (loss) from continuing operations for common stockholders 
  per common share:  
    As reported  
    Pro forma  
Basic earnings (loss) for common stockholders per common share:  
    As reported  
    Pro forma  
Diluted earnings (loss) for common stockholders per common share:  
    As reported  
    Pro forma  

2004 

$«970�

27�

2003 

$3,240�

10�

2002

$«(274)

11

(206)�

(160)�

(126)

—�

(12)�

$«791�

$3,078�

(19)

$«(408)

$0.43�

$0.35�

$«(0.10)�

$«(0.16)�

$(0.42)

$(0.53)

$0.43�

$0.35�

$0.43�

$0.35�

$0.43�

$0.35�

$«(0.10)�

$«(0.16)�

$««1.44�

$««1.36�

$««1.44�

$««1.36�

$(0.42)

$(0.53)

$(0.25)

$(0.37)

$(0.25)

$(0.37)

42

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

On December 23, 2004, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved the acceleration of vesting of all unvested 
options granted prior to January 1, 2003, to purchase shares of our Class A Special common stock having an exercise price of $34 or 
greater and held by current employees. Options with respect to approximately 15.6 million shares of our Class A Special common stock 
were subject to this acceleration. This acceleration was effective as of December 31, 2004, except for those holders of incentive stock 
options (“ISOs”), who were given the opportunity to decline the acceleration of an option if such acceleration would have the effect of 
changing the status of the option for federal income tax purposes from an ISO to a non-qualified stock option. Because these options 
had exercise prices in excess of current market values (are “underwater”) and were not fully achieving their original objectives of 
incentive compensation and employee retention, the acceleration may have a positive effect on employee morale, retention and 
perception of option value. The acceleration also takes into account the fact that in December 2004, we completed the repurchase of 
stock options held by certain non-employees for cash (including underwater options) under a stock option liquidity program (see 
Note 10), and that no such offer (nor any other “solution” for underwater options) was made to current employees. The effect of the 
acceleration of approximately $39 million, net of tax, is reflected in our 2004 pro forma amounts above. This acceleration eliminates the 
future compensation expense we would otherwise recognize in our statement of operations with respect to these options once FASB 
Statement No. 123R, “Share-Based Payment,” (“SFAS No. 123R”) becomes effective in 2005 (see Note 3).

The weighted-average fair value at date of grant of a Class A common stock option granted under our option plans during 2004, 2003 
and 2002 was $11.44, $9.81 and $9.81, respectively. The weighted-average fair value at date of grant of a Class A Special common stock 
option granted under our option plans during 2002 was $13.72. The fair value of each option granted during 2004, 2003 and 2002 was 
estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the following weighted-average assumptions:

Dividend yield 
Expected volatility 
Risk-free interest rate 
Expected option life (in years) 
Forfeiture rate 

2004 

2003 

2002

Class A 
Common 
Stock 

Class A 
Common 
Stock 

Class A   Class A Special
Common 
Stock

Common 
Stock 

0%�

28.6%�

3.5%�

7.0�

3.0%�

0%�

29.3%�

3.2%�

5.9�

3.0%�

0%�

29.2%�

4.0%�

7.0�

3.0%�

0%

29.6%

4.9%

7.0

3.0%

The pro forma effect on net income (loss) and net income (loss) per share for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 by 
applying SFAS No. 123 may not be indicative of the pro forma effect on net income or loss in future years since SFAS No. 123 does not 
take into consideration additional awards that may be granted in future years on a much larger employee base.

As of December 31, 2004, there was $234 million of total unrecognized, pre-tax compensation cost related to non-vested stock options. 
This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years. Upon adoption of FAS 123R 
effective July 1, 2005, such cost will be recognized directly in our consolidated statement of operations.

Postretirement and Postemployment Benefits
We charge to operations the estimated costs of retiree benefits and benefits for former or inactive employees, after employment but 
before retirement, during the years the employees provide services (see Note 9).

Income Taxes
We recognize deferred tax assets and liabilities for temporary differences between the financial reporting basis and the tax basis of our 
assets and liabilities and the expected benefits of utilizing net operating loss carryforwards. The impact on deferred taxes of changes in 
tax rates and laws, if any, applied to the years during which temporary differences are expected to be settled, are reflected in the 
consolidated financial statements in the period of enactment (see Note 11).

We account for income tax uncertainties that arise in connection with business combinations and those that are associated with entities 
acquired in business combinations in accordance with EITF 93-7, “Uncertainties Related to Income Taxes in a Purchase Business 
Combination.” Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded at the date of a business combination based on our best estimate of the 
ultimate tax basis that will be accepted by the various taxing authorities. Liabilities for contingencies associated with prior tax returns 
filed by the acquired entity are recorded based on our best estimate of the ultimate settlement that will be accepted by the various 
taxing authorities. Estimated interest expense on these liabilities subsequent to the acquisition is reflected in our consolidated tax 
provision. We adjust these deferred tax accounts and liabilities periodically to reflect revised estimated tax bases and any estimated 
settlements with the various taxing authorities. The effect of these adjustments is generally applied to goodwill.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

43

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Derivative Financial Instruments
We use derivative financial instruments for a number of purposes. We manage our exposure to fluctuations in interest rates by entering 
into interest rate exchange agreements (“swaps”), interest rate lock agreements (“rate locks”), interest rate cap agreements (“caps”) and 
interest rate collar agreements (“collars”). We manage the cost of our share repurchases through the sale of equity put option contracts 
(“Comcast put options”) and the purchase of capped-call option contracts. We manage our exposure to fluctuations in the value of 
some of our investments by entering into equity collar agreements (“equity collars”) and equity put option agreements (“equity put 
options”). We are also party to equity warrant agreements (“equity warrants”). We have issued indexed debt instruments (“Exchange-
able Notes” and “ZONES”) and entered into prepaid forward sale agreements (“prepaid forward sales”) whose value, in part, is derived 
from the market value of certain publicly traded common stock, and we have also sold call options on some of our investments in equity 
securities in order to monetize a portion of those investments. Equity hedges are used to manage exposure to changes in equity prices 
associated with stock appreciation rights of some of Broadband’s previously affiliated companies. These equity hedges are recorded at 
fair value based on market quotes.

For derivative instruments designated and effective as fair value hedges, such as our fixed to variable swaps, changes in the fair value of 
the derivative instrument are substantially offset in the consolidated statement of operations by changes in the fair value of the hedged 
item. For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, such as our variable to fixed swaps and rate locks, the effective portion 
of any hedge is reported in other comprehensive income (loss) until it is recognized in earnings during the same period in which the 
hedged item affects earnings. The ineffective portion of all hedges is recognized in current earnings each period. Changes in the fair 
value of derivative instruments that are not designated as a hedge are recorded each period in current earnings.

When a fair value hedge is terminated, sold, exercised or has expired, the adjustment in the carrying amount of the fair value hedged 
item is deferred and recognized in earnings when the hedged item is recognized in earnings. When a hedged item is settled or sold, the 
adjustment in the carrying amount of the hedged item is recognized in earnings. When hedged variable rate debt is settled, the 
previously deferred effective portion of the hedge is written off similar to debt extinguishment costs.

Equity warrants and equity collars are adjusted to estimated fair value on a current basis with the result included in investment income 
(loss), net in our consolidated statement of operations.

Derivative  instruments  embedded  in  other  contracts,  such  as  our  Exchangeable  Notes,  ZONES  and  prepaid  forward  sales,  are 
separated into their host and derivative financial instrument components. The derivative component is recorded at its estimated fair 
value in our consolidated balance sheet with changes in estimated fair value recorded in investment income (loss), net in our 
consolidated statement of operations.

All derivative transactions must comply with our Board-authorized derivatives policy. We do not hold or issue any derivative financial 
instruments for speculative or trading purposes and are not a party to leveraged instruments (see Note 8). We manage the credit risks 
associated with our derivative financial instruments through the evaluation and monitoring of the creditworthiness of the counterparties. 
Although we may be exposed to losses in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties, we do not expect such losses, if any, to 
be significant.

We  periodically  examine  those  instruments  we  use  to  hedge  exposure  to  interest  rate  and  equity  price  risks  to  ensure  that  the 
instruments are matched with underlying assets or liabilities, reduce our risks relating to interest rates or equity prices and, through 
market value and sensitivity analysis, maintain a high correlation to the risk inherent in the hedged item. For those instruments that do 
not meet the above criteria, variations in their fair value are reflected on a current basis in our consolidated statement of operations.

Securities Lending Transactions
We may enter into securities lending transactions pursuant to which we require the borrower to provide cash collateral equal to the 
value of the loaned securities, as adjusted for any changes in the value of the underlying loaned securities. Loaned securities for which 
we maintain effective control are included in investments in our consolidated balance sheet.

Reclassifications
Reclassifications have been made to the prior years’ consolidated financial statements to conform to those classifications used in 2004.

44

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

3.  RECE NT  AC COUNTING  PRO NO U NCEM ENT S
EITF 03-16
In March 2004, the EITF reached a consensus regarding Issue No. 03-16, “Accounting for Investments in Limited Liability Companies” 
(“EITF 03-16”). EITF 03-16 requires investments in limited liability companies (“LLCs”) that have separate ownership accounts for each 
investor  to  be  accounted  for  similar  to  a  limited  partnership  investment  under  Statement  of  Position  No.  78-9,  “Accounting  for 
Investments in Real Estate Ventures.” Investors are required to apply the equity method of accounting to their investments at a much 
lower ownership threshold than the 20% threshold applied under APB No. 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in 
Common Stock.” We adopted EITF 03-16 on July 1, 2004. The adoption of EITF 03-16 did not have a material impact on our financial 
condition or results of operations.

EITF 04-1
In September 2004, the EITF reached a consensus regarding Issue No. 04-1, “Accounting for Preexisting Relationships Between the 
Parties to a Business Combination” (“EITF 04-1”). EITF 04-1 requires an acquirer in a business combination to evaluate any preexisting 
relationship with the acquiree to determine if the business combination in effect contains a settlement of the preexisting relationship. A 
business combination between parties with a preexisting relationship should be viewed as a multiple element transaction. EITF 04-1 is 
effective for business combinations after October 13, 2004, but requires goodwill resulting from prior business combinations involving 
parties with a preexisting relationship to be tested for impairment by applying the guidance in the consensus. We will apply EITF 04-1 to 
acquisitions subsequent to the effective date and in our future goodwill impairment testing.

SFAS No. 123R
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment” (“SFAS No. 123R”), which replaces SFAS 
No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS No. 123”) and supercedes APB Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock 
Issued to Employees.” SFAS No. 123R requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to 
be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values, beginning with the first interim or annual period after June 15, 2005, 
with early adoption encouraged. In addition, SFAS No. 123R will cause unrecognized expense (based on the amounts in our pro forma 
footnote disclosure) related to options vesting after the date of initial adoption to be recognized as a charge to results of operations 
over the remaining vesting period. We are required to adopt SFAS No. 123R in our third quarter of 2005, beginning July 1, 2005. Under 
SFAS No. 123R, we must determine the appropriate fair value model to be used for valuing share-based payments, the amortization 
method for compensation cost and the transition method to be used at the date of adoption. The transition alternatives include 
prospective and retroactive adoption methods. Under the retroactive methods, prior periods may be restated either as of the beginning 
of the year of adoption or for all periods presented. The prospective method requires that compensation expense be recorded for all 
unvested stock options and share awards at the beginning of the first quarter of adoption of SFAS No. 123R, while the retroactive 
methods would record compensation expense for all unvested stock options and share awards beginning with the first period restated. 
We are evaluating the requirements of SFAS No. 123R and we expect that the adoption of SFAS No. 123R will have a material impact on 
our consolidated results of operations and earnings per share. We have not determined the method of adoption or the effect of 
adopting SFAS No. 123R.

4.  EAR NING S  PE R  SHAR E
Earnings (loss) per common share (“EPS”) is computed by dividing net income (loss) for common stockholders by the weighted average 
number of common shares outstanding during the period on a basic and diluted basis.

Our  potentially  dilutive  securities  include  potential  common  shares  related  to  our  stock  options,  restricted  stock,  and  Comcast 
exchangeable notes (see Note 8). Diluted earnings for common stockholders per common share (“Diluted EPS”) considers the impact 
of potentially dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a loss because the inclusion of the potential common shares would 
have an antidilutive effect. Diluted EPS excludes the impact of potential common shares related to our stock options in periods in which 
the option exercise price is greater than the average market price of our Class A common stock and our Class A Special common stock 
during the period. Diluted EPS excludes the impact of potential common shares related to our Class A Special common stock held 
in treasury because it is our intent to settle the related Comcast exchangeable notes using cash (see Note 8).

Diluted EPS for 2004 excludes approximately 103 million potential common shares related to our stock compensation plans because 
the option exercise price was greater than the average market price of our Class A common stock and our Class A Special common 
stock for the period.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

45

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Diluted EPS for 2003 and 2002 excludes approximately 146 million and 91 million potential common shares, respectively, primarily 
related to our stock compensation plans because the assumed issuance of such potential common shares is antidilutive in periods in 
which there is a loss from continuing operations.

The following table reconciles the numerator and denominator of the computations of Diluted EPS for common stockholders from 
continuing operations for the years presented:

(Dollars in millions, except per share data) 
Year Ended December 31, 

Basic EPS for common stockholders  
Effect of Dilutive Securities  
  Assumed exercise or issuance of shares  
    relating to stock compensation plans  

2004 

2003 

2002

Income 

Shares 

Per 
Share 
Amount 

Loss 

Shares 

Per 
Share 
Amount 

Loss 

Shares 

Per
Share
Amount

$970�

2,240�

$0.43�

$(218)�

2,256�

$(0.10)�

$(469)�

1,110�

$(0.42)

—�

10�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—

Diluted EPS  

$970�

2,250�

$0.43�

$(218)�

2,256�

$(0.10)�

$(469)�

1,110�

$(0.42)��

5.  ACQUISITI ONS  AND  OTHER   S IGNIF IC A NT   EV ENT S
Acquisition of Broadband
On November 18, 2002, we completed the acquisition of Broadband. The results of the Broadband operations have been included in 
our consolidated financial statements since that date. The acquisition created the largest cable operator in the United States by 
combining Broadband’s and our cable networks.

The consideration to complete the acquisition of Broadband was $50.660 billion, consisting of $25.495 billion of our common stock 
and options, $24.740 billion of assumed debt, and $425 million of transaction costs directly related to the acquisition. We issued approxi-
mately 1.348 billion shares of our common stock (excluding shares of Class A common stock issued and classified as treasury stock) 
consisting of 1.233 billion shares of our Class A common stock issued to Broadband shareholders in exchange for all of AT&T’s interests 
in Broadband and approximately 100.6 million shares and 14.4 million shares of our Class A and Class A Special common stock, 
respectively, issued to Microsoft in exchange for Broadband shares that Microsoft received immediately prior to the completion of the 
Broadband acquisition for settlement of its $5 billion aggregate principal amount in quarterly income preferred securities. We also 
issued 61.1 million options in exchange for outstanding Broadband options. The shares issued for Broadband were valued based on a 
price per share of $18.80 that reflects the weighted average market price of Comcast Holdings common stock during the period 
beginning two days before and ending two days after August 12, 2002. The acquisition was structured as a tax-free transaction to 
us, to Comcast Holdings and to AT&T. The identification of Comcast Holdings as the acquiring entity was made after careful consideration 
of all facts and circumstances, including those outlined in SFAS No. 141 related to voting rights, the existence of a large minority voting 
interest, governance arrangements and composition of senior management.

Purchase Price Allocation. The application of purchase accounting under SFAS No. 141 requires that the total purchase price of an 
acquisition be allocated to the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their fair values at the acquisition date. 
During 2003, we finalized the Broadband purchase price allocation except for litigation contingencies relating to our share of AT&T’s 
potential liability associated with the At Home Corporation litigation (see Note 13). We have arranged with AT&T to obtain additional 
information to assist with the evaluation of this potential liability and continue to expect to receive such information. However, we have 
concluded that continued delays in obtaining such information indicate it cannot be used in allocating the Broadband purchase price. 
Accordingly, the allocation period is complete and any adjustment recorded in the future associated with these litigation contingencies 
will be included in our results of operations in the period in which a liability, if any, is deemed probable and reasonably estimable. Such 
adjustment is not expected to have a material effect on our consolidated financial position, but it could possibly be material to our 
results of operations in the period in which it is determined.

As of the acquisition date, we initiated integration activities based on a preliminary plan to terminate employees and exit specific 
contractual obligations. Under the guidance in EITF 95-3, “Recognition of Liabilities in Connection with a Purchase Business Combina-
tion,” the plan must be finalized within one year of the acquisition date and must identify all significant actions to be taken to complete 
the plan. Therefore, costs related to terminating employees and exiting contractual obligations of the acquired entity are included in the 
purchase price allocation. Changes to these estimated termination or exit costs are reflected as adjustments to the purchase price 
allocation to the extent they occur within one year of the acquisition date or if there are reductions in the amount of estimated 
termination or exit costs accrued. Otherwise, changes will affect results of operations.

46

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the related deferred income taxes as of 
the acquisition date and reflects adjustments to the purchase price allocation through the end of the allocation period. Adjustments 
have been made to Broadband’s goodwill in 2004 related to tax contingencies and exit accruals that are not reflected below (dollars in 
millions):

Current assets  
Investments  
Property, plant and equipment  
Amortizable intangible assets:  
  Franchise related customer relationships  
  Other  
Cable franchise rights  
Goodwill  
Other noncurrent assets  

    Total assets  

Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other current liabilities  
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt  
Long-term debt  
Deferred income taxes  
Other non-current liabilities  

    Total liabilities  

Comcast shares held by Broadband, classified as treasury stock  

    Net assets acquired  

$«««1,768

17,325

11,023

3,386

146

34,390

9,178

300

77,516

(4,407)

(8,049)

(16,691)

(18,397)

(5,178)

(52,722)

1,126

$«25,920

In the aggregate, the intangible assets that are subject to amortization have a weighted average useful life of 4 years. Franchise related 
customer relationships have a weighted average useful life of 4 years. The $9.178 billion of goodwill, none of which was deductible for 
income tax purposes, was assigned to our cable segment.

Liabilities associated with exit activities originally recorded in the purchase price allocation consisted of $602 million associated with 
accrued employee termination and related costs and $929 million associated with either the cost of terminating contracts or the present 
value of remaining amounts payable under non cancelable contracts. Amounts paid, adjustments made against these accruals and 
interest accretion during 2003 and 2004 were as follows (dollars in millions): 

Balance, December 31, 2002  
Payments  
Adjustments  
Interest accretion  

Balance, December 31, 2003 
Payments  
Adjustments  
Interest accretion  

Balance, December 31, 2004  

Employee 
Termination and 
Related Costs 

Contract
Exit Costs

$«492�

(216)�

(141)�

—�

$«135�

(76)�

(36)�

—�

$«««23�

$«913

(48)

(412)

8

$«461

(21)

(391)

3

$«««52

The adjustments in the preceding table reflect reductions in the estimated payments related to employee termination and contract exit 
costs.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

47

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following unaudited pro forma information has been presented as if the Broadband acquisition occurred on January 1, 2002. This 
information is based on historical results of operations, adjusted for acquisition costs, and, in the opinion of management, is not 
necessarily indicative of what the results would have been had we operated the entities acquired since such dates.

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,  

Revenues  
Loss before cumulative effect of accounting change  
Net loss  
Diluted EPS  

2002

$«16,754

(15,071)

(15,071)

÷÷(6.55)

The unaudited pro forma information for the year ended December 31, 2002 includes $11.781 billion, net of tax, of goodwill and 
franchise impairment charges, and $56 million of asset impairment, restructuring and other charges recorded by Broadband prior to the 
closing of the Broadband acquisition.

Pro forma information reflecting our 2004 and 2003 transactions is not presented due to immateriality.

2004 Activity
Gemstar
On March 31, 2004, we entered into a long-term, non-exclusive patent license and distribution agreement with Gemstar-TV Guide 
International in exchange for a one-time payment of $250 million to Gemstar. This agreement allows us to utilize Gemstar’s intellectual 
property and technology and the TV Guide brand and content on our interactive program guides. We have allocated the $250 million 
amount paid based on the fair value of the components of the contract to various intangible and other assets, which are being 
amortized over a period of 3 to 12 years. In addition, we and Gemstar formed an entity to develop and enhance interactive 
programming guides.

TechTV
On May 10, 2004, we completed the acquisition of TechTV Inc. by acquiring all outstanding common and preferred stock of TechTV from 
Vulcan Programming Inc. for approximately $300 million in cash. Substantially all of the purchase price has been recorded to intangible 
assets based on a preliminary allocation of value and is being amortized over a period of 2 to 12 years. On May 28, 2004, G4 and TechTV 
began operating as one network that is available to approximately 47 million cable and satellite homes nationwide as of December 31, 
2004. We have classified G4 as part of our content business segment (see Note 14). The effects of our acquisition of TechTV have been 
reflected in our consolidated statement of operations from the date of the transaction.

Liberty Exchange Agreement
On July 28, 2004, we exchanged approximately 120 million shares of Liberty Media Corporation Series A common stock that we held 
(see  Note  6),  valued  at  approximately  $1.022  billion  based  upon  the  price  of  Liberty  common  stock  on  the  closing  date  of  the 
transaction, with Liberty for 100% of the stock of Liberty’s subsidiary, Encore ICCP, Inc. Encore’s assets consisted of cash of approximately 
$547 million, a 10.4% interest in E! and 100% of International Channel Networks. We also received all of Liberty’s rights, benefits and 
obligations under the TCI Music contribution agreement, which resulted in the resolution of all pending litigation between Liberty and 
us regarding the contribution agreement (see Note 13). The Liberty exchange increased our portfolio of programming investments 
because we now own 60.5% of E! and 100% of International Channel Networks. The exchange was structured as a tax free transaction. 
We allocated the value of the shares exchanged in the transaction among cash, our additional investment in E!, International Channel 
Networks and the resolution of the litigation related to the contribution agreement. The values of certain of these assets and liabilities 
are based on preliminary valuations and are subject to adjustment as the valuation reports are obtained. The effects of our acquisition of 
the additional interest in E! and our acquisition of International Channel Networks have been reflected in our consolidated statement of 
operations from the date of the transaction.

2003 Activity
Comcast SportsNet Chicago
In December 2003, we, in conjunction with affiliates of the Chicago Blackhawks, Bulls, Cubs and White Sox professional sports teams, 
formed CSN Chicago. This 24-hour regional sports network is available to approximately 2.8 million Chicago-area cable and satellite 
subscribers as of December 31, 2004. We acquired our controlling interest in this network for approximately $87 million in cash, which 
was allocated to contract-related intangibles and is being amortized over a period of 15 years. The results of CSN Chicago have been 
included in our consolidated financial statements since the date of formation.

48

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The Golf Channel
In December 2003, we acquired the approximate 8.6% interest in TGC previously held by the Tribune Company for $100 million in cash. 
This  amount  has  been  allocated  to  cable  and  satellite  television  distribution  rights,  which  is  being  amortized  over  a  period  of 
approximately eight years, and to goodwill. As a result, we now own 99.9% of TGC.

Bresnan Transaction
On  March  20,  2003,  we  completed  the  transaction  with  Bresnan  Broadband  Holdings,  LLC  and  Bresnan  Communications,  LLC 
(together, “Bresnan”) pursuant to which we transferred cable systems serving approximately 314,000 subscribers in Montana, Wyoming, 
Colorado and Utah to Bresnan that we had acquired in connection with the Broadband acquisition. We received $525 million in cash, 
plus preferred and common equity interests in Bresnan, in exchange for these cable systems. The transfer of these cable systems was 
accounted for at fair value with no gain or loss recognized. The results of operations for these cable systems for the first quarter of 2003 
were not significant and were included in equity in net losses of affiliates in our consolidated statement of operations.

TWE Restructuring
On March 31, 2003, we completed the restructuring of our investment in Time Warner Entertainment Company L.P. (“TWE”). As a result 
of the restructuring, Time Warner Inc. assumed complete control over TWE’s content assets, including Home Box Office, Warner Bros., 
and stakes in The WB Network, Comedy Central and Court TV. All of Time Warner’s interests in cable, including those held through 
TWE, are now held through or for the benefit of a new subsidiary of Time Warner called Time Warner Cable Inc. (“TWC”). In exchange 
for our 27.6% interest in TWE, we received common-equivalent preferred stock of Time Warner, which will be converted into $1.5 billion 
of Time Warner common stock valued upon completion of an effective registration statement filing with the SEC, and we received a 
21% economic stake in the business of TWC. In addition, we received $2.1 billion in cash that was used immediately to repay amounts 
outstanding under our credit facilities (see Notes 6 and 8). The TWE restructuring was accounted for as a fair value exchange with no 
gain or loss recognized. Under the restructuring agreement, we have registration rights that should facilitate the disposal or monetiza-
tion  of  our  shares  in  TWC  and  in  Time  Warner.  On  December  29,  2003,  demand  registration  rights  were  exercised  to  start  the 
registration process for the sale of up to 17.9% of TWC.

As part of the process of obtaining approval of the Broadband acquisition from the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), at 
the  closing  of  the  Broadband  acquisition,  we  placed  our  entire  interest  in  TWE  in  trust  for  orderly  disposition.  Any  non-cash 
consideration received in respect of such interest as a result of the TWE restructuring, including the Time Warner and TWC stock, will 
remain in trust until disposed of or FCC approval is obtained to remove such interests from the trust.

Under the trust, the trustee has exclusive authority to exercise any management or governance rights associated with the securities in 
trust. The trustee also has the obligation, subject to our rights as described in the last sentence of this paragraph, to exercise available 
registration rights to effect the sale of such interests in a manner intended to maximize the value received consistent with the goal of 
disposing such securities in their entirety by November 2007. Following this time, if any securities remain in trust, the trustee will be 
obligated to dispose of the remaining interests as quickly as possible, and in any event by May 2008. The trustee is also obligated, 
through November 2007, to effect various specified types of sale or monetization transactions with respect to the securities as may be 
proposed by us from time to time.

On September 27, 2004, we and Time Warner announced an agreement that provides us with an option to reduce our effective overall 
interest in TWC from approximately 21% to 17% in exchange for stock of a subsidiary that will hold cable systems which will serve 
approximately 90,000 basic subscribers and own approximately $750 million in cash. The agreement grants us the option to require 
TWC to redeem a portion of the TWC common stock held in trust in exchange for 100% of the common stock of the TWC subsidiary. 
The option may be exercised at any time prior to the 60th day (the “Termination Date”) following a notice that may be given at any time 
by either party of termination of the option period. In addition, the trust that holds the TWC shares agreed not to request that TWC 
register the trust’s shares in TWC for sale in a public offering prior to the Termination Date. In the absence of an effective registration 
statement, the common-equivalent preferred stock of Time Warner will automatically convert into $1.5 billion of Time Warner common 
stock on March 31, 2005. These shares of common stock will then be freely saleable without registration under the Securities Act.

Sale of QVC
On September 17, 2003, we completed the sale to Liberty Media Corporation of all shares of QVC common stock held by a number of 
our direct wholly-owned subsidiaries for an aggregate value of approximately $7.7 billion, consisting of $4 billion principal amount of 
Liberty’s Floating Rate Senior Notes due 2006 (the “Liberty Notes”), $1.35 billion in cash and approximately 218 million shares of Liberty 
Series A common stock. The shares had a fair value on the closing date of $10.73 per share. As a condition of closing, some equity 
awards were required to be settled. The cost of settling the awards was included in the costs of the transaction. The consideration 
received, net of transaction costs, over our carrying value of the net assets of QVC resulted in a gain of approximately $3.290 billion, net 
of approximately $2.865 billion of related income taxes.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

49

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The results of operations of QVC prior to its disposition are included within income from discontinued operations, net of tax as follows 
(dollars in millions):

Year Ended December 31,  

Revenues  
Income before income taxes and minority interest  
Income tax expense  

2003 

$2,915�

«««496�

«««184�

2002

$4,381

«««624

«««263

For financial reporting purposes, the QVC transaction is presented as having occurred on September 1, 2003. As such, the 2003 period 
includes QVC operations through August 31, 2003, as reported to us by QVC.

6.  INVE STMENTS

(Dollars in millions)
December 31,  

Fair value method  
  Cablevision  
  Liberty Media Corporation  
  Liberty Media International  
  Microsoft  
  Sprint  
  Vodafone  
  Other  

Equity method, principally cable-related  
Cost method, principally TWC and Time Warner  

    Total investments  
Less: current investments  

Non-current investments  

2004 

2003

$«««««362�

$«««««970

1,098�

366�

626�

701�

540�

24�

3,717�

2,460�

8,190�

14,367�

1,555�

2,644

—

1,331

349

1,245

44

6,583

2,493

8,235

17,311

2,493

$12,812�

$14,818

Fair Value Method
We hold unrestricted equity investments, which we account for as available for sale or trading securities, in publicly traded companies. 
Our investments in Liberty, Liberty Media International, Inc. (“Liberty International”), Microsoft, Sprint and Vodafone, and approximately 
80%  of  our  investment  in  Cablevision,  are  accounted  for  as  trading  securities.  The  net  unrealized  pre-tax  gains  on  investments 
accounted for as available for sale securities as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, of $26 million and $65 million, respectively, have been 
reported in our consolidated balance sheet principally as a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of related 
deferred income taxes of $9 million and $23 million, respectively.

On June 7, 2004, we received approximately 11 million shares of Liberty Media International, Inc. (“Liberty International”) Series A 
common stock in connection with the spin-off by Liberty of Liberty International. In the spin-off, each share of Liberty Series A and 
Series B common stock received 0.05 shares of the new Liberty International Series A common stock. Approximately 5 million of these 
shares collateralize a portion of the 10 year prepaid forward sale of Liberty common stock that we entered into in December 2003 (see 
below). On December 2, 2004, we sold 3 million shares of Liberty International Series A common stock to Liberty in a private transaction 
for proceeds of $128 million.

50

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
      
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The cost, fair value and unrealized gains and losses related to our available for sale securities are as follows (dollars in millions):

December 31,  

Cost  
Unrealized gains  
Unrealized losses  

Fair value  

2004 

$65�

26�

—�

$91�

2003

$««92

66

(1)

$157

Proceeds from the sales of available for sale securities for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 were $67 million, 
$1.222 billion and $874 million, respectively. Gross realized gains and losses on these sales for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 
and 2002 were $10 million, $27 million and ($48) million, respectively.

We also hold a series of option agreements (the “Microsoft Collars” and “Vodafone Collars”) with a single bank counterparty that limits 
our exposure to and benefits from price fluctuations in the Microsoft common stock and Vodafone ADRs. Certain Microsoft Collars and 
Vodafone Collars are recorded in investments at fair value, with unrealized gains or losses being recorded to investment income (loss), 
net. These unrealized gains or losses are substantially offset by the changes in the fair value of shares of Microsoft common stock and 
Vodafone ADRs.

During 2004, we settled some of our obligations relating to our Cablevision, Microsoft and Vodafone exchangeable notes (see Note 8) 
by delivering approximately 26.9 million Cablevision shares, 21.4 million Microsoft shares and 19.5 million Vodafone ADRs to the 
counterparty upon maturity of the instruments.

During 2003, we sold all $4.0 billion principal amount of the Liberty Notes that we received in the sale of QVC for net proceeds of 
approximately $4.0 billion. In December 2003, we entered into a 10 year prepaid forward sale of 100 million shares of Liberty common 
stock and received $894 million in cash. At maturity, the counterparty is entitled to receive Liberty and Liberty International common 
stock, or an equivalent amount of cash at our option, based upon the market value of Liberty common stock at the time.

As of December 31, 2004, approximately $2.681 billion of our fair value method securities support our obligations under our 
exchangeable notes or prepaid forward contracts.

Equity Method
Our recorded investments exceed our proportionate interests in the book value of the investees’ net assets by $1.469 billion and 
$1.696 billion as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively (principally related to our 50% owned investments in Texas and Kansas 
City Cable Partners, L.P. and Insight Midwest). A portion of this basis difference has been attributed to franchise related customer 
relationships of the investees. This difference is amortized to equity in net income or loss of affiliates over a period of four years. As a 
result of the adoption of SFAS No. 142, we do not amortize the portion of the basis difference attributable to goodwill but will continue 
to test such excess for impairment in accordance with APB Opinion 18, “The Equity Method of Accounting for Investments in Common 
Stock.”

Equity in net losses of affiliates for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2002 includes impairment charges of $3 million and 
$31 million, respectively, related principally to other than temporary declines in our investments in and advances to certain of our equity 
method investees.

Summarized financial information for investments deemed significant and accounted for under the equity method was as follows  
(dollars in millions):

Year ended December 31,  

Revenues  
Operating loss  
Loss from continuing operations before extraordinary items and 
  cumulative effect of accounting change  
Net loss  

GSI 
Commerce, Inc.(A)  

2003 

2002 

$147�

(16)�

$173�

(30)�

(15)�

(15)�

(34)�

(34)�

Broadnet
Consorcio, S.A.

2004 

$÷«5�

(15)�

(15)�

(15)�

2003 

$÷«3�

(17)�

(18)�

(18)�

2002

$÷«1

(23)

(23)

(23)

(A) GSI Commerce, Inc. was an equity method investment of QVC, and such amounts are included within discontinued operations for all periods through QVC’s sale date 

(see Note 5).

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

51

 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

On September 30, 2004, we sold our 20% interest in DHC Ventures, LLC (Discovery Health Channel) to Discovery Communications, Inc. 
for approximately $149 million in cash and recognized a gain on the sale of approximately $94 million to other income.

Cost Method
In connection with the TWE restructuring, we received a 21% economic stake in the business of TWC. This investment is accounted for 
under the cost method because we do not have the ability to exercise significant influence over the operating and financial policies of 
TWC (see Note 5).

We hold two series of preferred stock of AirTouch Communications, Inc., a subsidiary of Vodafone, that are recorded at $1.423 billion 
and $1.409 billion as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The dividend and redemption activity of the AirTouch preferred stock 
is  tied  to  the  dividend  and  redemption  payments  associated with substantially all of the preferred shares issued by one of our 
consolidated subsidiaries, which is a VIE. The subsidiary has three series of preferred stock outstanding with an aggregate redemption 
value of $1.750 billion. Substantially all of the preferred shares are redeemable in April 2020 at a redemption value of $1.650 billion, with 
one of the series bearing a 9.08% dividend rate. The two redeemable series of subsidiary preferred shares are recorded at $1.428 billion 
and $1.420 billion, and such amounts are included in other noncurrent liabilities as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The 
non-redeemable series of subsidiary preferred shares is recorded at $100 million as of both December 31, 2004 and 2003, and such 
amounts are included in minority interest.

In connection with the Broadband acquisition, we acquired an indirect interest in CC VIII, LLC, a cable joint venture with Charter 
Communications, Inc. In April 2002, AT&T exercised its rights to cause Paul G. Allen, Charter’s Chairman, or his designee to purchase 
this indirect interest. In June 2003, Paul Allen purchased our interest in CC VIII for $728 million in cash. We accounted for the sale of our 
interest in CC VIII at fair value with no gain or loss recognized.

Investment Income (Loss), Net
Investment income (loss), net includes the following (dollars in millions):

Year ended December 31,  

Interest and dividend income  
Gains (losses) on sales and exchanges of investments, net  
Investment impairment charges  
Unrealized gains (losses) on trading securities  
Mark to market adjustments on derivatives related to trading securities  
Mark to market adjustments on derivatives and hedged items  

  Investment income (loss), net  

2004 

$160�

45�

(16)�

378�

(120)�

25�

$472�

2003 

$«166�

28�

(72)�

965�

(818)�

(353)�

2002

$««««««53

(48)

(247)

(1,569)

1,284

(16)

$««(84)�

$«««(543)

The investment impairment charges for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 relate principally to other than temporary 
declines in our investment in AT&T.

52

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7.  GOODWI LL  AND  I NTAN GIBLE   A SS ET S
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by business segment (see Note 14) for the periods presented are as follows (dollars in 
millions):

Balance, December 31, 2002  
Purchase price allocation adjustments  
Acquisitions  
Intersegment transfers  

Balance, December 31, 2003  
Purchase price allocation adjustments  
Acquisitions  

Balance, December 31, 2004  

$15,644�

(1,773)�

—�

20�

$13,891�

(964)�

71�

$12,998�

—�

52�

—�

$774�

—�

50�

$824�

Total

$16,562

(1,773)

52

—

—�

—�

(20)�

$176�

$14,841

4�

18�

(960)

139

$198�

$14,020

Cable 

Content 

Corporate
and Other 

$722�

$196�

During 2004, the decrease to goodwill relates to the settlement or adjustment of various liabilities associated with the Broadband 
acquisition.

The gross carrying amount and accumulated amortization of our intangible assets subject to amortization are as follows (dollars in 
millions):

December 31, 

Franchise related customer relationships  
Cable and satellite television distribution rights  
Cable franchise renewal costs and contractual operating rights  
Computer software  
Patents and other technology rights  
Programming costs and rights  
Other agreements and rights  

2004 

2003

Gross 
Carrying 
Amount 

$3,408�

1,388�

882�

540�

105�

560�

420�

Accumulated 
Amortization 

$(2,030)�

(530)�

(188)�

(110)�

(11)�

(371)�

(212)�

Gross
Carrying 
Amount 

$3,386�

1,303�

394�

259�

—�

338�

361�

Accumulated
Amortization

$(1,090)

(430)

(126)

(76)

—

(274)

(186)

$7,303�

$(3,452)�

$6,041�

$(2,182)

As of December 31, 2004, the weighted average amortization period for our intangible assets subject to amortization is 4.6 years and 
estimated related amortization expense for each of the next five years ended December 31 is as follows (dollars in millions):

2005�

2006�

2007�

2008�

2009�

$1,146

786

483

267

216

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

53

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
  
      
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

8.  LO NG-TERM   DEBT

(Dollars in millions) 
December 31, 

Exchangeable notes, due 2004 – 2007  
Commercial paper  
Senior notes, due 2004 – 2097  
Senior subordinated notes, due 2006 – 2012  
ZONES due 2029  
Debt supporting Trust Preferred Securities, due 2027  
Other, including capital lease obligations  

Less: current portion  

Long-term debt  

Weighted Average
Interest Rate at
December 31,
2004 

4.18%�

2.68�

7.54�

10.58�

2.00�

9.65�

—�

2004 

2003

$««1,699�

$««4,318

320�

19,781�

—

20,735

363�

708�

285�

436�

372

783

301

487

23,592�

3,499�

26,996

3,161

�

$20,093�

$23,835

Maturities of long-term debt outstanding as of December 31, 2004 for the four years after 2005 are as follows (dollars in millions):

2006�

2007�

2008�

2009�

$1,697

786

1,496

1,358

The Cross-Guarantee Structure
We and a number of our wholly-owned subsidiaries that hold substantially all of our cable assets have unconditionally guaranteed each 
other’s debt securities and indebtedness for borrowed money, including amounts outstanding under the new credit facilities. As of 
December 31, 2004, $20.223 billion of our debt was included in the cross-guarantee structure.

Comcast Holdings is not a guarantor, and none of its debt is guaranteed under the cross-guarantee structure. As of December 31, 2004, 
$950 million of our debt was outstanding at Comcast Holdings.

Lines and Letters of Credit
As of December 31, 2004, we and certain of our subsidiaries had unused lines of credit of $4.062 billion under their respective credit 
facilities.

As of December 31, 2004, we and certain of our subsidiaries had unused irrevocable standby letters of credit totaling $442 million to 
cover potential fundings under various agreements.

Commercial Paper
In June 2004, we entered into a commercial paper program to provide a lower cost borrowing source of liquidity to fund our short-term 
working capital requirements. The program allows for a maximum of $2.25 billion of commercial paper to be issued at any one time. Our 
revolving  bank  credit  facility  supports  this  program.  Amounts  outstanding  under  the  program  are  classified  as  long-term  in  our 
consolidated balance sheet because we have both the ability and the intent to refinance these obligations, if necessary, on a long-term 
basis with amounts available under our revolving bank credit facility.

Revolving Bank Credit Facility
In January 2004, we entered into a $4.5 billion, five-year revolving bank credit facility. Interest rates on this facility vary based on an 
underlying base rate (“Base Rate”), chosen at our option, plus a borrowing margin. The Base Rate is either LIBOR or the greater of the 
prime rate or the Federal Funds rate plus 0.5%. The borrowing margin is based on our senior unsecured debt ratings. The interest rate 
for borrowings under this revolver is LIBOR plus 0.625% based on our current credit ratings.

54

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
     
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Notes Exchangeable into Common Stock
We hold exchangeable notes (the “Exchangeable Notes”) that are mandatorily redeemable at our option into shares of Cablevision 
Class A common stock or its cash equivalent, Microsoft common stock or its cash equivalent, (i) Vodafone ADRs, (ii) the cash equivalent, 
or (iii) a combination of cash and Vodafone ADRs, and Comcast Class A Special common stock or its cash equivalent. The maturity value 
of the Exchangeable Notes varies based upon the fair market value of the security to which it is indexed. Our Exchangeable Notes are 
collateralized by our investments in Cablevision, Microsoft and Vodafone, respectively, and the Comcast Class A Special common stock 
held in treasury (see Note 6).

During 2004, we redeemed an aggregate of $847 million face amount of notes exchangeable into Comcast common stock (covering 
approximately 22.5 million shares of our Class A Special common stock) prior to their scheduled maturity dates by paying $609 million 
in cash and by exercising our options to put the underlying equity collar agreements to the counterparties. Interest expense for 2004 
includes  $31  million  related  to  the  early  redemption  of  these  obligations.  As  of  December  31,  2004,  $272  million  of  Comcast 
exchangeable notes, which are due in November 2005, remain outstanding. The remaining outstanding notes exchangeable into 
Comcast common stock are collateralized by approximately 8.4 million shares of our Class A Special common stock held in treasury.

During 2004 and 2003, we settled an aggregate of $2.359 billion face amount and $1.213 billion face amount, respectively, of our 
obligations relating to our Exchangeable Notes by delivering the underlying Cablevision and Microsoft shares and Vodafone ADRs to 
the  counterparties  upon  maturity  of  the  instruments,  and  the  equity  collar  agreements  related  to  the  underlying  securities  were 
exercised. These transactions represented non-cash investing and financing activities and had no effect on our statement of cash flows 
due to their non-cash nature.

As of December 31, 2004, the securities we hold collateralizing the Exchangeable Notes were sufficient to substantially satisfy the debt 
obligations associated with the outstanding Exchangeable Notes (see Notes 6 and 12).

Repayments of Senior Notes
On March 31, 2004, we repaid all $250 million principal amount of our 8.875% senior notes due 2007. On May 1, 2004, we repaid all 
$300 million principal amount of our 8.125% senior notes due 2004. These repayments were both financed with available cash. On 
September 15, 2004, we repaid all $300 million principal amount of our 8.65% senior notes due 2004. The repayment was financed with 
borrowings under our commercial paper program and available cash.

ZONES
At maturity, holders of our 2.0% Exchangeable Subordinated Debentures due 2029 (the “ZONES”) are entitled to receive in cash an 
amount equal to the higher of the principal amount of the ZONES of $1.807 billion or the market value of Sprint common stock. Prior to 
maturity, each ZONES is exchangeable at the holder’s option for an amount of cash equal to 95% of the market value of Sprint common 
stock.

We separated the accounting for the Exchangeable Notes and the ZONES into derivative and debt components. We record the 
change in the fair value of the derivative component of the Exchangeable Notes and the ZONES (see Note 6) and the change in the 
carrying value of the debt component of the Exchangeable Notes and the ZONES as follows (in millions):

Year ended December 31, 2004 

Balance at Beginning of Year:  
  Debt component  
  Derivative component  

    Total  
Decrease in debt component due to maturities and redemptions  
Change in debt component to interest expense  
Change in derivative component due to settlements  
Change in derivative component to investment income (loss), net  
Balance at End of Year:  
  Debt component  
  Derivative component  

    Total  

Exchangeable
Notes 

$«5,030�

(712)�

4,318�

(3,206)�

(63)�

653�

(3)�

1,761�

(62)�

ZONES

$«515

268

783

—

25

—

(100)

540

168

$«1,699�

$«708

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

55

 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Interest Rates
Excluding  the  derivative  component  of  the  Exchangeable  Notes  and  the  ZONES  whose  changes  in  fair  value  are  recorded  to 
investment income (loss), net, our effective weighted average interest rate on our total debt outstanding was 7.38% and 7.08% as of 
December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. As of December 31, 2004 and 2003, accrued interest was $444 million and $481 million, 
respectively.

Interest Rate Risk Management
We are exposed to the market risk of adverse changes in interest rates. To manage the volatility relating to these exposures, our policy is 
to maintain a mix of fixed and variable rate debt and to enter into various interest rate derivative transactions as described below.

Using swaps, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and variable interest amounts calculated by 
reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. Rate locks are used to hedge the risk that the cash flows related to the interest 
payments on an anticipated issuance or assumption of fixed rate debt may be adversely affected by interest rate fluctuations.

The following table summarizes the terms of our existing swaps (dollars in millions):

As of December 31, 2004  
Variable to Fixed Swaps  
Fixed to Variable Swaps  

As of December 31, 2003  
Variable to Fixed Swaps  
Fixed to Variable Swaps  

Notional 
Amount 

$«««488�

3,900�

1,203�

2,450�

Maturities 

Average 
Pay Rate 

Average
Receive 
Rate 

Estimated
Fair Value

2005�

2006�–�2027�

2004�–�2005�

2006�–�2027�

7.6%�

4.6�

7.6�

3.7�

3.0%�

6.3�

1.7�

6.6�

$««8

««9

25

15

The notional amounts of interest rate instruments, as presented in the above table, are used to measure interest to be paid or received 
and do not represent the amount of exposure to credit loss. The estimated fair value approximates the proceeds to settle the 
outstanding contracts. Swaps and rate locks represent an integral part of our interest rate risk management program. During 2004, we 
decreased our interest expense by approximately $66 million through our interest rate risk management program. Our interest rate 
derivative financial instruments did not have a significant effect on interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002.

In 2002, we entered into rate locks to hedge the risk that the cash flows related to the interest payments on an anticipated issuance or 
assumption of fixed rate debt in connection with the Broadband acquisition may be adversely affected by interest rate fluctuations. 
Upon the assumption of fixed rate debt in connection with the Broadband acquisition, the value of the rate locks is being recognized as 
an adjustment to interest expense, similar to a deferred financing cost, over 15 years, which is the same period in which the related 
interest costs on the debt are recognized in earnings. The unrealized pre-tax losses on cash flow hedges as of December 31, 2004 and 
2003, of $196 million and $213 million, respectively, have been reported in our balance sheet as a component of accumulated other 
comprehensive income (loss), net of related deferred income taxes of $69 million and $75 million, respectively.

Estimated Fair Value
Our debt had estimated fair values of $26.459 billion and $30.427 billion as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The estimated 
fair value of our publicly traded debt is based on quoted market prices for that debt. Interest rates that are currently available to us for 
issuance of debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate fair value for debt issues for which quoted market 
prices are not available.

Debt Covenants
Some of our and our subsidiaries’ loan agreements require that we maintain financial ratios based on debt, interest and operating 
income before depreciation and amortization, as defined in the agreements. In addition, some of our subsidiaries’ loan agreements 
contain restrictions on dividend payments and advances of funds to us. We were in compliance with all financial covenants for all 
periods presented.

56

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

9.  PENSION,  P OSTRETIR EMENT   A ND   OT HER   E MPL OYEE   BENEF IT   PL A NS
We sponsor two former Broadband pension plans that together provide benefits to substantially all former Broadband employees. 
Future benefits for both plans have been frozen, except for some union groups and some change-in-control payments.

The following table provides condensed information relating to our pension benefits and postretirement benefits for the periods 
presented (dollars in millions):

Year Ended December 31,  

Net periodic benefit cost  
Benefit obligation  
Fair value of plan assets  
Plan funded status and recorded benefit obligation  
Discount rate  
Expected return on plan assets  

2004 

2003

Pension  Postretirement 
Benefits 
Benefits 

Pension  Postretirement
Benefits
Benefits 

$«««««9�

$«««23�

$«««15�

$«««19

«189�

«««72�

(117)�

5.75%�

7.00�

«207�

«««—�

(215)�

6.00%�
N/A�

«234�

«««69�

(166)�

6.00%�

7.00�

«200

«««—

(195)

6.25%

N/A

We sponsor various retirement-investment plans that allow eligible employees to contribute a portion of their compensation through 
payroll deductions in accordance with specified guidelines. We match a percentage of the employees’ contributions up to certain limits. 
Expenses related to these plans amounted to $100 million, $85 million and $28 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 
2002, respectively.

We also maintain unfunded, non-qualified deferred compensation plans, which were created for key executives, other members of 
management and non-employee directors (each a “Participant”). The amount of compensation deferred by each Participant is based on 
Participant elections. Account balances of Participants are credited with income based generally on a fixed annual rate of interest. 
Participants will be eligible to receive distributions of the amounts credited to their account balance based on elected deferral periods 
that are consistent with the plans and applicable tax law. Interest expense recognized under the plans totaled $33 million, $22 million 
and $15 million for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively. The unfunded obligation of the plans total 
$396 million and $294 million as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

10.  STOCKHOLD ERS’  EQU ITY
Preferred Stock
We are authorized to issue, in one or more series, up to a maximum of 20 million shares of preferred stock. We can issue the shares with 
such designations, preferences, qualifications, privileges, limitations, restrictions, options, conversion rights and other special or related 
rights as our board of directors shall from time to time fix by resolution.

Common Stock
Our Class A Special common stock is generally nonvoting. Holders of our Class A common stock in the aggregate hold 66wd% of the 
aggregate voting power of our common stock. The number of votes that each share of our Class A common stock will have at any given 
time will depend on the number of shares of Class A common stock and Class B common stock then outstanding. Each share of our 
Class B common stock is entitled to 15 votes, and all shares of our Class B common stock in the aggregate have 33qd% of the voting 
power of all of our common stock. The 33qd% aggregate voting power of our Class B common stock will not be diluted by additional 
issuances of any other class of our common stock. Our Class B common stock is convertible, share for share, into Class A or Class A 
Special common stock, subject to certain restrictions.

Treasury Stock
Various Broadband subsidiaries held AT&T preferred stock convertible into AT&T common stock. Prior to the closing of the Broadband 
acquisition, these subsidiaries converted the AT&T preferred stock into AT&T common stock. Upon closing of the Broadband 
acquisition, the shares of Broadband common stock were exchanged for approximately 243.6 million shares of our Class A common 
stock. We classified these shares, which are held by some of our subsidiaries, as treasury stock within stockholders’ equity. The shares 
were valued at $6.391 billion based on the closing share price of our Class A common stock as of the closing date of the Broadband 
acquisition and will continue to be carried at this amount. The shares are deemed issued but not outstanding and are not included in 
the computation of Diluted EPS.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

57

 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Prior to the Broadband acquisition, Broadband held approximately 47.3 million shares of our Class A Special common stock that 
collateralized the related Comcast exchangeable notes (see Note 8). Upon closing of the Broadband acquisition, we classified these 
shares, which are held by our subsidiary, as treasury stock within stockholders’ equity. The shares were valued based on the closing share 
price of our Class A Special common stock as of the closing date of the Broadband acquisition. The shares are deemed issued but not 
outstanding and are not included in the computation of Diluted EPS because it is our intent to settle the related Comcast exchangeable 
notes using cash.

Board-Authorized Repurchase Program
During 2004, we repurchased approximately 46.9 million shares of our Class A Special common stock for aggregate consideration 
of $1.328 billion pursuant to our Board-authorized, $2 billion share repurchase program. We expect such repurchases to continue from 
time to time in the open market or in private transactions, subject to market conditions.

The following table summarizes our share activity for the three years ended December 31, 2004:

Balance, January 1, 2002  
Acquisitions  
Shares classified as treasury stock  
Stock compensation plans  
Employee Stock Purchase Plan  

Balance, December 31, 2002  
Stock compensation plans  
Employee Stock Purchase Plan  
Repurchases of common stock  

Balance, December 31, 2003  
Stock compensation plans  
Employee Stock Purchase Plan  
Repurchases of common stock  

Balance, December 31, 2004  

Common Stock

Class A
Special 

Class A 

Class B

21,829,422�

913,931,554�

9,444,375

1,577,117,883�

14,376,283�

(243,640,500)�

(47,289,843)�

66,843�

—�

1,861,961�

463,635�

—

—

—

—

1,355,373,648�

883,343,590�

9,444,375

1,451,469�

695,440�

—�

1,807,358�

137,085�

(845,000)�

—

—

—

1,357,520,557�

884,443,033�

9,444,375

1,024,856�

1,134,951�

5,435,772�

—�

—�

(46,934,235)�

—

—

—

1,359,680,364�

842,944,570�

9,444,375

Stock-Based Compensation Plans
As of December 31, 2004, we and our subsidiaries have several stock-based compensation plans for certain employees, officers and 
directors. These plans are described below.

Comcast Option Plans. We maintain stock option plans for certain employees, directors and other persons under which fixed stock 
options are granted and the option price is generally not less than the fair value of a share of the underlying stock at the date of grant 
(collectively, the “Comcast Option Plans”). Under the Comcast Option Plans, approximately 182 million shares of our Class A and Class A 
Special common stock were reserved for issuance upon the exercise of options, including those outstanding as of December 31, 2004. 
Option terms are generally 10 years, with options generally becoming exercisable between two and nine-and-one-half years from the 
date of grant.

58

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The following table summarizes the activity of the Comcast Option Plans (options in thousands):

Class A Common Stock  
Outstanding at beginning of year  
Options exchanged for outstanding Broadband  
  options in connection with acquisition  
Granted  
Exercised  
Forfeited, expired, cancelled or repurchased  

Outstanding at end of year  

Exercisable at end of year  

Class A Special Common Stock
Outstanding at beginning of year  
Granted  
Exercised  
Forfeited, expired, cancelled or repurchased  

Outstanding at end of year  

Exercisable at end of year  

2004 

2003 

2002

Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Options 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

Options 

Options 

85,151�

$39.28�

63,575�

$43.31�

—�

—

—�

16,190�

(986)�

(18,011)�

82,344�

43,284�

—�

29.86�

19.51�

42.37�

36.99�

44.36�

60,464�

$29.43�

—�

(4,207)�

(1,019)�

55,238�

48,394�

—�

11.53�

35.53�

30.67�

31.20�

—�

25,206�

(1,264)�

(2,366)�

85,151�

56,110�

64,890�

—�

(3,176)�

(1,250)�

60,464�

29,212�

—�

28.84�

20.44�

47.14�

39.28�

44.90�

$28.57�

—�

8.92�

36.19�

29.43�

25.26�

61,094�

2,762�

(43)�

(238)�

63,575�

58,135�

55,521�

13,857�

(2,347)�

(2,141)�

64,890�

22,798�

$44.17

24.85

17.79

55.19

43.31

44.91

$26.89

32.29

8.83

30.38

28.57

21.08

The following table summarizes information about the options outstanding under the Comcast Option Plans as of December 31, 2004 
(options in thousands):

Range of Exercise Prices 

Class A Common Stock
$  5.43 – $15.21  
$ 16.11 – $27.74  
$ 27.76 – $33.73  
$ 33.89 – $45.07  
$ 45.08 – $60.89  
$ 60.90 – $89.85  

Class A Special Common Stock
$  7.31 – $14.94  
$16.94 – $25.58  
$27.04 – $35.49  
$35.53 – $45.17  
$45.94 – $53.13  

Options Outstanding 

Options Exercisable

Number 
Outstanding 

Weighted- 
Average 
Remaining 
Contractual Life 

Weighted- 
Average 
Exercise 
Price 

Number 
Exercisable 

Weighted-
Average
Exercise
Price

1,305�

22,086�

32,272�

9,927�

10,052�

6,702�

82,344�

4,875�

12,118�

15,849�

20,947�

1,449�

55,238�

1.8 years�
7.4 years�
6.8 years�
2.7 years�
4.0 years�
4.1 years�

�

2.1 years 
4.5 years 
6.0 years 
5.8 years 
5.0 years 

�

$10.01�

26.27�

31.01�

38.42�

55.31�

77.79�

�

$11.29�

18.50�

34.10�

38.25�

50.43�

�

1,305�

5,996�

9,824�

9,405�

10,052�

6,702�

43,284

4,873�

8,248�

14,248�

19,603�

1,422�

48,394

$10.01

24.69

32.38

38.50

55.31

77.79

$11.29

17.69

34.14

38.28

50.40

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

59

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
     
      
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Stock  Option  Liquidity  Program. During 2004, we repurchased 11.1 million options from various non-employee holders of stock 
options  under  a  stock  option  liquidity  program,  targeted  primarily  to  former  Broadband  employees.  The  former  option  holders 
received $37 million for their options under the program. Our financial counterparty in connection with the stock option liquidity 
program funded the cost of the program through the simultaneous purchase by the counterparty of new stock options from us that 
had similar economic terms as the options being purchased by us from the option holders. As a result, 11.1 million options remain 
outstanding, with a weighted-average exercise price of $45.64 per share and expire over the course of the next 8 years. These options 
are excluded from options outstanding in the preceding tables at dates subsequent to this transaction. We will benefit from the 
elimination of ongoing administrative expenses, such as the indirect employee time associated with servicing this option holder 
group.

Subsidiary  Option  Plans.  Some  of  our  subsidiaries  maintain  combination  stock  option/stock  appreciation  rights  (“SAR”)  plans 
(collectively, the “Tandem Plans”) for employees, officers, directors and other designated persons. Under the Tandem Plans, the 
option price is generally not less than the fair value, as determined by an independent appraisal, of a share of the underlying common 
stock at the date of grant. If the eligible participant elects the SAR feature of the Tandem Plans, the participant receives 75% of the 
excess of the fair value of a share of the underlying common stock over the exercise price of the option to which it is attached at the 
exercise date. The holders of a majority of the outstanding options have stated an intention not to exercise the SAR feature of the 
Tandem Plans. Because the exercise of the option component is more likely than the exercise of the SAR feature, compensation 
expense is measured based on the stock option component. Under the Tandem Plans, option/SAR terms are 10 years from the date 
of grant, with options/SARs generally becoming exercisable over 4 to 5 years from the date of grant.

Other Stock-Based Compensation Plans
We maintain a restricted stock plan under which certain employees may be granted restricted share awards in our Class A or Class A 
Special common stock (the “Restricted Stock Plan”). The share awards vest annually, generally over a period not to exceed five years 
from the date of the award, and do not have voting rights. At December 31, 2004, there were 2,536,000 shares of our Class A common 
stock  and  392,000  shares  of  our  Class  A  Special  common  stock  issuable  in  connection  with  restricted  share  awards  under  the 
Restricted Stock Plan.

The following table summarizes information related to our Restricted Stock Plan:

Year Ended December 31,  

Share awards granted (in thousands)  
Weighted-average fair value per share at date of grant  
Compensation expense (dollars in millions)  

2004 

2,490�

$31.09�

«««««33�

2003 

197�

$30.85�

«««««««8�

2002

61

$28.47

«««««««8

We also maintain a deferred stock option plan for certain employees, officers and directors that provides the optionees with the 
opportunity to defer the receipt of shares of our Class A or Class A Special common stock which would otherwise be deliverable upon 
exercise by the optionees of their stock options. As of December 31, 2004, 1.7 million shares of Class A Special common stock were 
issuable under options exercised but the receipt of which was irrevocably deferred by the optionees pursuant to our deferred stock 
option plan.

60

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

11.  I NCOME  TAX ES
We join with our 80% or more owned subsidiaries in filing consolidated federal income tax returns. E! Entertainment files separate 
consolidated federal income tax returns. Income tax (expense) benefit consists of the following components (dollars in millions):

Year Ended December 31,  

Current (expense) benefit  
Federal  
State  

Deferred (expense) benefit 
Federal  
State  

2004 

2003 

2002

$««(90)�

(205)�

(295)�

(589)�

58�

(531)�

$«846�

(10)�

836�

(886)�

66�

(820)�

$««73

(40)

33

88

7

95

Income tax (expense) benefit  

$(826)�

$«««16�

$128

Our effective income tax (expense) benefit differs from the statutory amount because of the effect of the following items (dollars 
in millions):

Year Ended December 31,  

Federal tax at statutory rate  
State income taxes, net of federal benefit  
Foreign income and equity in net losses of affiliates  
Adjustments to prior year accrual  
Other  

Income tax (expense) benefit  

Our net deferred tax liability consists of the following components (dollars in millions):

December 31,  

Deferred tax assets: 
  Net operating loss carryforwards  
  Differences between book and tax basis of long-term debt  
  Non-deductible accruals and other  

Deferred tax liabilities: 
Differences between book and tax basis of property and equipment and intangible assets  
Differences between book and tax basis of investments  
Differences between book and tax basis of indexed debt securities  

Net deferred tax liability  

2004 

$(634)�

(96)�

(9)�

(82)�

(5)�

2003 

$««48�

37�

23�

(90)�

(2)�

2002

$193

(22)

3

(45)

(1)

$(826)�

$««16�

$128

2004 

2003

$«««««483�

$«««««224

221�

956�

1,660�

231

1,339

1,794

$23,414�

$21,991

4,855�

566�

5,926

456

28,835�

28,373

$27,175�

$26,579

We increased net deferred income tax liabilities by an additional $77 million in 2004, principally in connection with adjustments made 
to the Broadband purchase price allocation, the Liberty exchange and the TechTV acquisition. We recorded an increase (decrease) of 
$(12) million, $3 million and $(152) million to net deferred income tax liabilities in 2004, 2003 and 2002, respectively, in connection with 
unrealized  gains  (losses)  on  marketable  securities  and  cash  flow  hedges  that  are  included  in  accumulated  other  comprehensive 
income (loss).

We have recorded net deferred tax liabilities of $360 million and $679 million, as of December 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, which 
have been included in current liabilities, related primarily to our current investments. We have federal net operating loss carryforwards 
of $565 million and various state carryforwards that expire in periods through 2024. The determination of the state net operating loss 
carryforwards are dependent upon the subsidiaries’ taxable income or loss, apportionment percentages and other respective state 
laws, which can change from year to year and impact the amount of such carryforward.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

61

 
 
     
     
      
      
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

In 2004, 2003 and 2002, income tax benefits attributable to employee stock option transactions of approximately $80 million, 
$19 million and $27 million, respectively, were allocated to stockholders’ equity.

In the normal course of business, our tax returns are subject to examination by various taxing authorities. Such examinations may 
result in future tax and interest assessments by these taxing authorities, and we have accrued a liability when we believe that it is 
probable that we will be assessed. Differences between the estimated and actual amounts determined upon ultimate resolution, 
individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position but could 
possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations or cash flow of any one period.

12.  STATEMENT  OF  CASH  FLOWS  —  S U PPLE MENTAL   I NF ORMATION
The following table summarizes the fair values of the assets and liabilities associated with the Broadband acquisition, which is 
considered a non-cash financing and investing activity (see Note 5) (dollars in millions):

Year Ended December 31,  

Current assets  
Investments  
Property and equipment  
Intangible assets  
Other noncurrent assets  
Current liabilities  
Short-term debt and current portion of long-term debt  
Long-term debt  
Deferred income taxes  
Other noncurrent liabilities and minority interest  
Comcast shares held by Broadband  

  Net assets acquired  

2002

$«««1,533

17,325

11,757

46,510

300

(4,694)

(8,049)

(16,811)

(17,541)

(5,831)

1,126

$«25,625

The following table summarizes our cash payments for interest and income taxes (dollars in millions):

Year Ended December 31,  

Interest  
Income taxes  

During 2004, we:

2004 

$1,898�

«««205�

2003 

$2,053�

«««945�

2002

$788

««33

• received federal income tax refunds of approximately $591 million,

• settled through non-cash financing and investing activities approximately $1.944 billion related to our Exchangeable Notes (see 

Note 8),

• acquired cable systems through the assumption of $68 million of debt, which is considered a non-cash investing and financing 

activity,

• issued shares of G4 with a value of approximately $70 million in connection with the acquisition of TechTV (see Note 5), which is 

considered a non-cash financing and investing activity; and

• received non-cash consideration of approximately $475 million in connection with the Liberty Exchange Agreement (see Note 5), 

which is considered a non-cash investing activity.

During 2003, we:

• settled through non-cash financing and investing activities approximately $1.353 billion related to our Exchangeable Notes (see 

Note 8) and

• received 218 million Liberty shares and $4 billion of Liberty Notes in connection with the sale of QVC, which are non-cash investing 

activities (see Note 5).

62

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

13.  COMMI TM ENTS  AN D  CONTI NGE NCIES
Commitments
Our programming networks have entered into license agreements for programs and sporting events that are available for telecast. In 
addition, we, through Comcast-Spectacor, have employment agreements with both players and coaches of our professional sports 
teams. Certain of these employment agreements, which provide for payments that are guaranteed regardless of employee injury or 
termination, are covered by disability insurance if certain conditions are met.

Certain  of  our  subsidiaries  support  debt  compliance  with  respect  to  obligations  of  certain  cable  television  partnerships  and 
investments in which we hold an ownership interest (see Note 6). The obligations expire between March 2007 and September 2010. 
Although there can be no assurance, we believe that we will not be required to meet our obligations under such commitments. The 
total notional amount of our commitments was $1.021 billion as of December 31, 2004, at which time there were no quoted market 
prices for similar agreements.

The following table summarizes our minimum annual commitments under program license agreements and our minimum annual 
rental commitments for office space, equipment and transponder service agreements under noncancelable operating leases as of 
December 31, 2004 (dollars in millions):

2005  
2006  
2007  
2008  
2009  
Thereafter  

The following table summarizes our rental expense charged to operations (dollars in millions):

Year Ended December 31,  

Rental expense  

Program
License  
Agreements 

Operating
Leases 

$««168�

$190�

165�

142�

147�

131�

1,474�

163�

132�

111�

92�

299�

Total

$««358

328

274

258

223

1,773

2004 

$194�

2003 

$157�

2002

$140

Contingencies
We and the minority owner group in Comcast-Spectacor each have the right to initiate an “exit” process under which the fair market 
value of Comcast-Spectacor would be determined by appraisal. Following such determination, we would have the option to acquire 
the interest in Comcast-Spectacor owned by the minority owner group based on the appraised fair market value. In the event we do 
not exercise this option, we and the minority owner group would then be required to use our best efforts to sell Comcast-Spectacor. 
This exit process includes the minority owner group’s interest in CSN.

We hold 39.7% of our 60.5% interest in E! Entertainment through Comcast Entertainment Holdings, LLC (“Entertainment Holdings”), 
which is owned 50.1% by us and 49.9% by The Walt Disney Company (“Disney”). We own an additional 20.8% direct interest in E! 
Entertainment. Under a limited liability company agreement between us and Disney, we control E! Entertainment’s operations. Under 
the agreement, Disney is entitled to trigger a potential exit process in which Entertainment Holdings would have the right to 
purchase Disney’s entire interest in Entertainment Holdings at its then fair market value (as determined by an appraisal process). If 
Disney exercises this right within a specified time period and Entertainment Holdings elects not to purchase Disney’s interest, Disney 
then has the right to purchase, at appraised fair market value, either our entire interest in Entertainment Holdings or all of the shares 
of stock of E! Entertainment held by Entertainment Holdings. In the event that Disney exercises its right and neither Disney’s nor our 
interest is purchased, Entertainment Holdings will continue to be owned as it is today, as if the exit process had not been triggered.

The minority owner of G4 is entitled to trigger an exit process whereby upon the fifth anniversary of the closing date and each 
successive anniversary of the closing date or the occurrence of certain other defined events, G4 would be required to purchase the 
minority owner’s 15% interest at fair market value (as determined by an appraisal process).

At Home
Litigation has been filed against us as a result of our alleged conduct with respect to our investment in and distribution relationship 
with  At  Home  Corporation.  At  Home  was  a  provider  of  high-speed  Internet  services  that  filed  for  bankruptcy  protection  in 
September 2001. Filed actions are: (i) class action lawsuits against us, Brian L. Roberts (our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and a 
director), AT&T (the former controlling shareholder of At Home and also a former distributor of the At Home service) and others in the 

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

63

 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Superior Court of San Mateo County, California, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty in connection with transactions agreed to in 
March 2000 among At Home, AT&T, Cox Communications, Inc. (Cox is also an investor in At Home and a former distributor of the At 
Home service) and us; (ii) class action lawsuits against us, AT&T and others in the United States District Court for the Southern District 
of New York, alleging securities law violations and common law fraud in connection with disclosures made by At Home in 2001; (iii) a 
lawsuit  brought  in  the  United  States  District  Court  for  the  District  of  Delaware  in  the  name  of  At  Home  by  certain  At  Home 
bondholders against us, Brian L. Roberts, Cox and others, alleging breaches of fiduciary duty relating to the March 2000 transactions 
and seeking recovery of alleged short-swing profits of at least $600 million, pursuant to Section 16(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 
1934, as amended (“the 1934 Act”), purported to have arisen in connection with certain transactions relating to At Home stock, 
effected pursuant to the March 2000 agreements; and (iv) a lawsuit brought in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern 
District of California by certain At Home bondholders against us, AT&T, AT&T Credit Holdings, Inc. and AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., 
seeking to avoid and recover certain alleged “preference” payments in excess of $89 million, allegedly made to the defendants prior 
to the At Home bankruptcy filing.

The actions in San Mateo County, California (item (i) above), have been stayed by the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern 
District of California, the court in which At Home filed for bankruptcy, as violating the automatic bankruptcy stay. The decision to stay 
the actions was affirmed by the District Court, and an appeal to the Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit is pending. In the Southern 
District of New York actions (item (ii) above), the court has dismissed the common law fraud claims against all defendants, leaving only 
the securities law claims. In a subsequent decision, the court limited the remaining claims against us and Mr. Roberts to disclosures 
that are alleged to have been made by At Home prior to August 28, 2000. Plaintiffs’ motion for class certification is pending. The 
Delaware case (item (iii) above) was transferred to the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. The court 
dismissed the Section 16(b) claims against us for failure to state a claim and the breach of fiduciary duty claim for lack of federal 
jurisdiction. The plaintiffs have appealed the decision dismissing the Section 16(b) claims. They may also recommence the breach of 
fiduciary duty claim depending on the outcome of the Santa Clara, California, state court action against AT&T (described in item (i) 
below). In the meantime, we have entered into an agreement with plaintiffs tolling the statute of limitations for the breach of fiduciary 
duty claim. In the action in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Northern District of California (item (iv) above), the parties filed 
a stipulation in January 2004, staying the case (on account of other pending litigation relating to the At Home bankruptcy) until such 
time as either party elects to resume the case.

Under the terms of the Broadband acquisition, we are contractually liable for 50% of any liabilities of AT&T relating to certain At Home 
litigation. For litigation in which we are contractually liable for 50% of any liabilities, AT&T will be liable for the other 50%. In addition to 
the actions against AT&T described in items (i), (ii) and (iv) above, (in which we are also a defendant), such litigation matters may also 
include two additional actions brought by At Home’s bondholders’ liquidating trust against AT&T (and not naming us): (i) a lawsuit 
filed against AT&T and certain of its senior officers in Santa Clara, California, state court alleging various breaches of fiduciary duties, 
misappropriation of trade secrets and other causes of action in connection with the transactions and prior and subsequent alleged 
conduct on the part of the defendants, and (ii) an action filed against AT&T in the District Court for the Northern District of California, 
alleging that AT&T infringes an At Home patent by using its broadband distribution and high-speed Internet backbone networks and 
equipment. Discovery in the Santa Clara action is nearly complete and trial is scheduled for May 2005. The action in the District Court 
for the Northern District of California is in the discovery stage.

We  deny  any  wrongdoing  in  connection  with  the  claims  that  have  been  made  directly  against  us,  our  subsidiaries  and  Brian  L. 
Roberts, and are defending all of these claims vigorously. The final disposition of these claims and the final resolution of our share (if 
any)  of  the  AT&T  At  Home  potential  liabilities  are  not  expected  to  have  a  material  adverse  effect  on  our  consolidated  financial 
position but could possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations of any one period. Further, no assurance can be 
given that any adverse outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial position.

AT&T— Wireless and Common Stock Cases
Under the terms of the Broadband acquisition, we are potentially responsible for a portion of the liabilities arising from two purported 
securities class action lawsuits brought against AT&T and others and consolidated for pre-trial purposes in the United States District 
Court for the District of New Jersey. These lawsuits assert claims under Section 11 and Section 12(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as 
amended, and Section 10(b) of the 1934 Act.

The first lawsuit, for which our portion of any loss is up to 15%, alleges, among other things, that AT&T made material misstatements 
and omissions in the Registration Statement and Prospectus for the AT&T Wireless initial public offering (“Wireless Case”). In 
March 2004, the plaintiffs, and AT&T and the other defendants, moved for summary judgment in the Wireless Case. The New Jersey 
District Court denied the motions and the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation remanded the cases for trial to the United States 
District Court for the Southern District of New York, where they had originally been brought. No trial date has been set. We and AT&T 
believe that AT&T has meritorious defenses in the Wireless Case, and it is being vigorously defended.

64

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

The second lawsuit, for which our portion of any loss is 50%, alleges, among other things, that AT&T knowingly provided false 
projections  relating  to  AT&T  common  stock  (“Common  Stock  Case”).  In  October  2004,  the  plaintiffs,  and  AT&T  and  the  other 
defendants, agreed to settle the Common Stock Case for $100 million, which was preliminarily approved by the court. We expect final 
approval of the settlement by the court in the second quarter of 2005. We have agreed to pay $50 million of the settlement amount.

In November 2004, AT&T brought suit against the D&O insurers in Delaware Superior Court, seeking a declaration of coverage and 
damages in the At Home cases, the Wireless Case and the Common Stock Case. This litigation is in its very early stages.

In connection with the Broadband acquisition, we recorded an estimate of the fair value of the potential liability associated with both 
the Wireless and Common Stock cases. As a result of the settlement reached during the fourth quarter of 2004, we reduced the fair 
value liability in the Common Stock Case by $250 million, which has been recognized in other income in our statement of operations.

AT&T — TCI
In June 1998, the first of a number of purported class action lawsuits was filed by then-shareholders of Tele-Communications, Inc. 
(“TCI”) Series A TCI Group Common Stock (“Common A”) against AT&T and the directors of TCI relating to the acquisition of TCI by 
AT&T. A consolidated amended complaint combining the various different actions was filed in February 1999 in the Delaware Court 
of Chancery. The consolidated amended complaint alleges that former members of the  TCI board of directors breached their 
fiduciary duties to Common A shareholders by agreeing to transaction terms whereby holders of the Series B TCI Group Common 
Stock received a 10% premium over what Common A shareholders received in connection with the transaction. The complaint further 
alleges that AT&T aided and abetted the TCI directors’ breach of their fiduciary duties.

In connection with the TCI acquisition, which was completed in early 1999, AT&T agreed under certain circumstances to indemnify 
TCI’s former directors for certain losses, expenses, claims or liabilities, potentially including those incurred in connection with this 
action. In connection with the Broadband acquisition, we agreed to indemnify AT&T for certain losses, expenses, claims or liabilities. 
Those losses and expenses potentially include those incurred by AT&T in connection with this action, both as a defendant and in 
connection with any obligation that AT&T may have to indemnify the former TCI directors for liabilities incurred as a result of the 
claims against them.

In  July  2003,  the  Delaware  Court  of  Chancery  granted  AT&T’s  motion  to  dismiss  on  the  ground  that  the  complaint  failed  to 
adequately plead AT&T’s “knowing participation,” as required to state a claim for aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty. 
The other claims made in the complaint remain outstanding. Fact discovery in this matter is now closed. The former TCI director 
defendants anticipate filing a motion for summary judgment in February 2005. No trial date has been set.

The final disposition of these claims is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position but could 
possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations of any one period. Further, no assurance can be given that any adverse 
outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial position.

Acacia
In June 2004, Acacia Media Technologies Corporation (“Acacia”) filed a lawsuit against us and others in the United States District 
Court for the Northern District of California. The complaint alleges infringement of certain United States patents that allegedly relate 
to systems and methods for transmitting and/or receiving digital audio and video content. The complaint seeks injunctive relief and 
damages in an unspecified amount. In the event that a Court ultimately determines that we infringe on any of the patents, we may be 
subject to substantial damages, which may include treble damages and/or an injunction that could require us to materially modify 
certain products and services that we currently offer to subscribers. We believe that the claims are without merit and intend to defend 
the action vigorously.

The final disposition of this claim is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position but could 
possibly be material to our consolidated results of operations of any one period. Further, no assurance can be given that any adverse 
outcome would not be material to our consolidated financial position.

Liberty Digital
In January 2003, Liberty Digital, Inc. filed a complaint in Colorado state court against us. The complaint alleged that we breached a 
1997 Contribution Agreement with Liberty Digital and that we tortiously interfered with that agreement. The complaint alleged that 
this agreement obligated us to pay fees to Liberty Digital totaling $18 million (increasing at CPI) per year through 2017. Liberty Digital 
sought, among other things, compensatory damages, specific performance of the agreement, a declaration that the agreement is 
valid and enforceable going forward, and an unspecified amount of exemplary damages from us based on the alleged intentional 
interference claim.

In July 2004, we entered into an exchange agreement with Liberty (the parent company of Liberty Digital). The transactions closed in 
July 2004 and resolved all claims in the litigation.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

65

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Other
We are subject to other legal proceedings and claims that arise in the ordinary course of our business. The amount of ultimate liability 
with respect to such actions is not expected to materially affect our financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

14.  FI NANCIAL   DATA  BY  BUSINESS   SEGME NT
Our reportable segments consist of our Cable and Content businesses. Beginning in the first quarter of 2004, we elected to disclose 
our  content  businesses  separately  as  a  reportable  segment  even  though  our  content  segment  does  not  meet  the  quantitative 
disclosure requirements of SFAS No. 131, “Disclosures About Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information.” These consoli-
dated financial statements present all periods on a comparable basis. Our content segment consists of our national networks E!, Style 
Network, TGC, OLN, G4 and International Channel Networks. In evaluating the profitability of our segments, the components of net 
income (loss) below operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization are not separately evaluated by our management 
(dollars in millions).

2004 
Revenues  (4)  
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization  (5)  
Depreciation and amortization  
Operating income (loss)  
Assets  
Capital expenditures  

2003 
Revenues  (4)  
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization  (5)  
Depreciation and amortization  
Operating income (loss)  
Assets  
Capital expenditures  

2002  
Revenues  (4)  
Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization  (5)  
Depreciation and amortization  
Operating income (loss)  
Assets  
Capital expenditures  

Cable (1) 

Content 

Corporate
and Other (2) 

Eliminations (3) 

Total

$««19,316�

$÷«787�

$÷«332�

$÷«(128)�

$««20,307

7,471�

4,375�

3,096�

103,727�

3,622�

265�

162�

103�

2,533�

17�

(203)�

88�

(291)�

1,112�

21�

(2)�

(2)�

—�

7,531

4,623

2,908

(2,678)�

104,694

—�

3,660

$««17,492�

$÷«628�

$÷«341�

$«««(113)�

$««18,348

6,350�

4,223�

2,127�

105,316�

4,097�

214�

129�

85�

2,048�

18�

(178)�

88�

(266)�

1,945�

46�

6�

(2)�

8�

(150)�

—�

6,392

4,438

1,954

109,159

4,161

$««««7,350�

$÷«521�

$÷«302�

$÷÷«(71)�

$÷««8,102

2,798�

1,670�

1,128�

106,291�

1,814�

170�

129�

41�

2,100�

12�

(126)�

118�

(244)�

4,808�

26�

(6)�

(2)�

(4)�

(71)�

—�

2,836

1,915

921

113,128

1,852

(1) Our regional sports and news networks CSN, CSN Mid-Atlantic, CSN Chicago, CSN West, CSS and CN8 are included in our cable segment.
(2) Corporate and other includes Comcast-Spectacor, corporate activities and all other businesses not presented in our cable or content segments. Assets included in 

this caption consist primarily of our investments (see Note 6).

(3) Included in the Eliminations column in the table above are intersegment transactions that our segments enter into with one another. The most common types of 

transactions are the following:

• Our  Content  segment  generates  affiliate  revenue  by  selling  cable  network  programming  to  our  Cable  segment,  which  represents  a  substantial  majority  of  the 
revenue elimination amount.

• Our Cable segment receives incentives offered by our Content segment when negotiating programming contracts that are recorded as a reduction of programming costs.

• Our Cable segment generates revenue by selling the use of satellite feeds to our Content segment.

• Our Cable segment generates revenue by selling the use of its fiber-optic lines and site conditioning to our Corporate and Other segment. Our Corporate and 
Other  segment  pays  our  Cable  segment  a  lump  sum  and  holds  the  property  and  the  related  depreciation  expense  and  accumulated  depreciation.  Our  Cable 
segment’s revenue is generated through the amortization of the deferred revenue recorded for the lump sum payment. 

• Our Corporate and Other segment generates revenue by selling long-distance services to our Cable segment.

(4) Non-U.S. revenues were not significant in any period. No single customer accounted for a significant amount of our revenue in any period.
(5) Operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization is defined as operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, if 
any, related to fixed and intangible assets and gains or losses from the sale of assets, if any. As such, it eliminates the significant level of non-cash depreciation and 
amortization expense that results from the capital intensive nature of our businesses and intangible assets recognized in business combinations, and is unaffected 
by our capital structure or investment activities. Our management and Board of Directors use this measure in evaluating our consolidated operating performance 
and the operating performance of all of our operating segments. This metric is used to allocate resources and capital to our operating segments and is a significant 
component  of  our  annual  incentive  compensation  programs.  We  believe  that  this  measure  is  also  useful  to  investors  as  it  is  one  of  the  bases  for  comparing  our 
operating performance with other companies in our industries, although our measure may not be directly comparable to similar measures used by other companies. 
This measure should not be considered as a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), net cash provided by operating activities or other measures of 
performance or liquidity reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.

66

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

15.  Q UARTERLY  FINANCIAL  I NF ORMAT ION  (U NAUD ITED )

(Dollars in millions, except per share data) 

2004  
Revenues  
Operating income  
Net income  
Basic earnings for common stockholders per common share  
Diluted earnings for common stockholders per common share  

2003  
Revenues  
Operating income  (1)  
Income (loss) from continuing operations  
Income from discontinued operations  (2)  
Gain on discontinued operations  (2)  
Net income (loss)  
Basic earnings (loss) for common stockholders per common share
  Income (loss) from continuing operations  
  Income from discontinued operations  (2)   
  Gain on discontinued operations  (2)  
  Net income (loss)  
Diluted earnings (loss) for common stockholders per common share 
  Income (loss) from continuing operations  
  Income from discontinued operations  (2)   
  Gain on discontinued operations  (2)   
  Net income (loss)  

First 
Quarter 

Second 
Quarter 

Third 
Quarter 

Fourth 
Quarter 

Total
Year

$4,908�

$5,066�

$5,098�

$5,235�

$20,307

659�

65�

0.03�

0.03�

852�

262�

0.12�

0.12�

686�

220�

0.10�

0.10�

711�

423�

0.19�

0.19�

2,908

970

0.43

0.43

$4,466�

$4,594�

$4,546�

$4,742�

$18,348

294�

(355)�

58�

—�

(297)�

(0.16)�

0.03�

—�

(0.13)�

(0.16)�

0.03�

—�

(0.13)�

425�

(93)�

71�

—�

(22)�

(0.04)�

0.03�

—�

(0.01)�

(0.04)�

0.03�

—�

(0.01)�

493�

(153)�

39�

3,290�

3,176�

(0.07)�

0.02�

1.46�

1.41�

(0.07)�

0.02�

1.46�

1.41�

742�

383�

—�

—�

383�

0.17�

—�

—�

0.17�

0.17�

—�

—�

0.17�

1,954

(218)

168

3,290

3,240

(0.10)

0.08

1.46

1.44

(0.10)

0.08

1.46

1.44

(1) In the fourth quarter of 2003, we reduced our intangible assets as a result of obtaining updated valuation reports related to the Broadband acquisition. Accordingly, 

fourth quarter operating income includes a reduction in amortization expense of approximately $115 million related to prior quarters.

(2) In September 2003, we sold our interest in QVC to Liberty. QVC is presented as a discontinued operation for all periods presented.

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

67

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

16.  CONDE NSE D  CONSOLID ATING  F INA NC IA L  IN FORM ATI ON
In November 2002, in order to simplify our capital structure, we and four of our cable holding company subsidiaries, Comcast Cable 
Communications, LLC (“CCCL”), Comcast Cable Communications Holdings, Inc. (“CCCH”), Comcast MO Group, Inc. (“Comcast MO 
Group”), and Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC (“CCH”), fully and unconditionally guaranteed each other’s debt securities. On March 12, 
2003, Comcast MO of Delaware, LLC (“Comcast MO of Delaware”) was added to the cross-guarantee structure. Comcast MO Group 
and CCH (for the year ended December 31, 2002) and Comcast MO Group, CCH and Comcast MO of Delaware (as of December 31, 
2004 and 2003, and for the years ended December 31, 2004 and 2003) are collectively referred to as the “Combined CCHMO Parents.” 
Our condensed consolidating financial information is as follows (dollars in millions):

Comcast Corporation Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2004 

ASSETS 
  Cash and cash equivalents  
  Investments  
  Accounts receivable, net  
  Other current assets  

    Total current assets  

INVESTMENTS  
INVESTMENTS IN AND AMOUNTS DUE 
  FROM SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATED 

    UPON CONSOLIDATION  
  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net  
  FRANCHISE RIGHTS  
  GOODWILL  
  OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net  
  OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS, net  

Comcast 
Parent 

CCCL 
Parent 

CCCH 
Parent 

Combined 
CCHMO 
Parents 

Non-  Elimination and 
Guarantor  Consolidation 
Adjustments 

Subsidiaries 

Consolidated
Comcast
Corporation

$÷÷÷«—�

$÷÷÷«—�

$÷÷÷«—�

$÷÷÷«—�

$÷÷÷«452�

$÷÷÷÷÷—�

$«÷÷÷452

—�

—�

15�

15�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

48,317�

28,687�

35,642�

41,898�

8�

—�

—�

—�

107�

—�

—�

—�

—�

30�

3�

—�

—�

—�

27�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

1,555�

959�

554�

3,520�

12,812�

22,135�

18,700�

51,071�

14,020�

3,851�

530�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(176,679)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

1,555

959

569

3,535

12,812

—

18,711

51,071

14,020

3,851

694

    Total Assets  

$48,447�

$28,717�

$35,672�

$41,898�

$126,639�

$(176,679)�

$104,694

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
  Accounts payable and accrued   
    expenses related to trade creditors  
  Accrued expenses and other  
    current liabilities  
  Deferred income taxes  
  Current portion of long-term debt  

    Total current liabilities  

  LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion  
  DEFERRED INCOME TAXES  
  OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES  
  MINORITY INTEREST  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
  Common stock  
  Other stockholders’ equity  

    Total Stockholders’ Equity  

    Total Liabilities and  
      Stockholders’ Equity  

$«««««««—�

$«««««««—�

$«««««««—�

$«««««««—�

$÷÷2,041�

$÷÷÷÷÷—�

$÷÷2,041

671�

—�

—�

671�

4,323�

—�

2,031�

—�

216�

—�

700�

916�

126�

—�

—�

126�

5,643�

3,498�

—�

23�

—�

—�

—�

—�

197�

—�

1,080�

1,277�

4,979�

—�

—�

—�

25�

41,397�

41,422�

—�

22,135�

22,135�

—�

32,048�

32,048�

—�

35,642�

35,642�

1,525�

360�

1,719�

5,645�

1,650�

26,815�

5,207�

468�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

86,854�

(176,679)�

86,854�

(176,679)�

2,735

360

3,499

8,635

20,093

26,815

7,261

468

25

41,397

41,422

$48,447�

$28,717�

$35,672�

$41,898�

$126,639�

$(176,679)�

$104,694

68

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Comcast Corporation Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2003 

ASSETS 
  Cash and cash equivalents 
  Investments  
  Accounts receivable, net  
  Other current assets  

    Total current assets  

  INVESTMENTS  

INVESTMENTS IN AND AMOUNTS DUE  
  FROM SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATED  

    UPON CONSOLIDATION  
  PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net  
  FRANCHISE RIGHTS  
  GOODWILL  
  OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net  
  OTHER NONCURRENT ASSETS, net  

Comcast 
Parent 

CCCL 
Parent 

CCCH 
Parent 

Combined 
CCHMO 
Parents 

Non-  Elimination and 
Guarantor  Consolidation 
Adjustments 

Subsidiaries 

Consolidated
Comcast
Corporation

$÷÷÷«— 
50�

$÷÷÷«— 
—�

$÷÷÷«— 
—�

$÷÷÷«— 
—�

—�

15�

65�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

46,268�

26,643�

33,138�

39,919�

7�

—�

—�

—�

87�

—�

—�

—�

—�

43�

4�

—�

—�

—�

30�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

$««««1,550�

$÷÷÷÷÷—�

$÷÷1,550

2,443�

907�

438�

5,338�

14,818�

19,678�

18,462�

51,050�

14,841�

3,859�

555�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(165,646)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

2,493

907

453

5,403

14,818

—

18,473

51,050

14,841

3,859

715

    Total Assets  

$46,427�

$26,686�

$33,172�

$39,919�

$128,601�

$(165,646)�

$109,159

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY 
  Accounts payable and accrued  
    expenses related to trade creditors �
  Accrued expenses and other  
    current liabilities  
  Deferred income taxes  
  Current portion of long-term debt  

    Total current liabilities  

  LONG-TERM DEBT, less current portion  
  DEFERRED INCOME TAXES  
  OTHER NONCURRENT LIABILITIES  
  MINORITY INTEREST  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY  
  Common stock  
  Other stockholders’ equity  

    Total Stockholders’ Equity  

    Total Liabilities and  
      Stockholders’ Equity  

$÷÷÷«—�

$÷÷÷«—�

$÷÷÷«—�

$÷÷÷«—�

$÷÷2,355�

$÷÷÷÷÷—�

$÷÷2,355

391�

—�
—�

391�

99�

—�
303�

402�

76�

—�
—�

76�

316�

—�
314�

630�

3,994�

6,606�

3,498�

6,151�

—�

380�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

25�

41,637�

41,662�

—�

19,678�

19,678�

—�

29,598�

29,598�

—�

33,138�

33,138�

2,577�

679�
2,544�

8,155�

3,586�

25,900�

7,336�

392�

—�

—�

—�
—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

83,232�

(165,646)�

83,232�

(165,646)�

3,459

679
3,161

9,654

23,835

25,900

7,716

392

25

41,637

41,662

$46,427�

$26,686�

$33,172�

$39,919�

$128,601�

$(165,646)�

$109,159

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

69

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Comcast Corporation Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2004 

REVENUES  
  Service revenues  
  Management fee revenue  

COSTS AND EXPENSES  
  Operating (excluding depreciation)  
  Selling, general and administrative  
  Depreciation  
  Amortization  

OPERATING INCOME  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)  
  Interest expense  
  Investment loss, net  
  Equity in net (losses) income of affiliates  
  Other income  

�

�

�

�

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE INCOME TAXES   
  AND MINORITY INTEREST  
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)  

INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST  
MINORITY INTEREST  

Comcast 
Parent 

CCCL 
Parent 

$«««—�

$«««««—�

416�

416�

—�

168�

2�

—�

170�

246�

(289)�

—�

998�

—�

709�

955�

15�

970�

—�

161�

161�

—�

161�

—�

—�

161�

—�

(474)�

—�

1,170�

—�

696�

696�

166�

862�

—�

CCCH 
Parent 

$«««—�

253�

253�

—�

253�

—�

—�

253�

—�

(348)�

—�

310�

—�

(38)�

(38)�

122�

84�

—�

Combined 
CCHMO 
Parents 

Non-  Elimination and 
Guarantor  Consolidation 
Adjustments 

Subsidiaries 

Consolidated
Comcast
Corporation

$«««—�

$20,307�

$÷÷÷�—�

$20,307

253�

253�

—�

253�

—�

—�

253�

—�

(399)�

—�

569�

—�

170�

170�

140�

310�

—�

—�

20,307�

7,462�

5,562�

3,418�

1,203�

17,645�

2,662�

(366)�

472�

774�

394�

1,274�

3,936�

(1,269)�

2,667�

(14)�

(1,083)�

(1,083)�

—�

(1,083)�

—�

—�

(1,083)�

—�

—�

—�

(3,909)�

—�

(3,909)�

(3,909)�

—�

(3,909)�

—�

—

20,307

7,462

5,314

3,420

1,203

17,399

2,908

(1,876)

472

(88)

394

(1,098)

1,810

(826)

984

(14)

NET INCOME (LOSS)  

$«970�

$«««862�

$«««84�

$«310�

$÷2,653�

$(3,909)�

$÷÷«970

70

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Comcast Corporation Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2003 

REVENUES  
  Service revenues  
  Management fee revenue  

COSTS AND EXPENSES  
  Operating (excluding depreciation)  
  Selling, general and administrative  
  Depreciation  
  Amortization  

OPERATING INCOME  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)  
  Interest expense  
  Investment loss, net  
  Equity in net (losses) income of affiliates  
  Other income  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING   
  OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES  
  AND MINORITY INTEREST  
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING   
  OPERATIONS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST  
MINORITY INTEREST  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING 
  OPERATIONS  
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED   
  OPERATIONS, net of tax  
GAIN ON DISCONTINUED   
  OPERATIONS, net of tax   

NET INCOME (LOSS)  

Comcast 
Parent 

$÷÷«—�

376�

376�

—�

156�

—�

—�

156�

220�

(292)�

—�

3,287�

—�

2,995�

3,215�

25�

3,240�

—�

3,240�

—�

—�

CCCL 
Parent 

$÷«—�

147�

147�

—�

147�

—�

—�

147�

—�

(527)�

—�

996�

—�

469�

469�

184�

653�

—�

653�

—�

—�

CCCH 
Parent 

$÷«—�

231�

231�

—�

231�

—�

—�

231�

—�

(373)�

—�

(356)�

—�

(729)�

(729)�

131�

(598)�

—�

Combined 
CCHMO 
Parents 

Non-  Elimination and 
Guarantor  Consolidation 
Adjustments 

Subsidiaries 

Consolidated
Comcast
Corporation

$÷«—�

$18,348�

$÷÷÷—�

$18,348

231�

231�

—�

231�

—�

—�

231�

—�

(398)�

—�

(97)�

—�

(495)�

(495)�

139�

(356)�

—�

—�

18,348�

7,041�

5,135�

3,166�

1,272�

16,614�

1,734�

(428)�

(84)�

593�

71�

152�

1,886�

(463)�

1,423�

(97)�

(985)�

(985)�

—�

(985)�

—�

—�

(985)�

—�

—�

—�

(4,483)�

—�

(4,483)�

(4,483)�

—�

(4,483)�

—�

—

18,348

7,041

4,915

3,166

1,272

16,394

1,954

(2,018)

(84)

(60)

71

(2,091)

(137)

16

(121)

(97)

(218)

168

3,290

(598)�

(356)�

1,326�

(4,483)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

168�

3,290�

—�

—�

$3,240�

$«653�

$(598)�

$(356)�

$÷4,784�

$(4,483)�

$÷3,240

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

71

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Comcast Corporation Condensed Consolidating Statement of Operations

For the Year Ended December 31, 2002 

REVENUES  

COSTS AND EXPENSES  
  Operating (excluding depreciation)  
  Selling, general and administrative  
  Depreciation  
  Amortization  

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)  
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE)  
  Interest expense  
  Investment loss, net  
  Equity in net (losses) income of affiliates  
  Other income  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING 
  OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 
  AND MINORITY INTEREST  
INCOME TAX BENEFIT (EXPENSE)  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING   
  OPERATIONS BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST  
MINORITY INTEREST  

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING 
  OPERATIONS  
INCOME FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS  

NET INCOME (LOSS)  

Comcast 
Parent 

$÷«—�

CCCL 
Parent 

$÷«—�

CCCH 
Parent 

$÷«—�

Combined 
CCHMO 
Parents 

Non-  Elimination and 
Guarantor  Consolidation 
Adjustments 

Subsidiaries 

Consolidated
Comcast
Corporation

$÷«—�

$8,102�

$÷«—�

$«8,102

—�

24�

—�

—�

24�

(24)�

(2)�

—�

(124)�

—�

(126)�

(150)�

10�

(140)�

—�

(140)�

—�

$(140)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(566)�

—�

847�

—�

281�

281�

221�

502�

—�

502�

—�

$«502�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(59)�

—�

(176)�

—�

(235)�

(235)�

23�

(212)�

—�

(212)�

—�

$(212)�

—�

37�

—�

—�

37�

(37)�

(46)�

—�

(125)�

—�

(171)�

(208)�

32�

(176)�

—�

(176)�

—�

3,012�

2,193�

1,694�

221�

7,120�

982�

(197)�

(543)�

439�

1�

(300)�

682�

(158)�

524�

(43)�

481�

195�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(924)�

—�

(924)�

(924)�

—�

(924)�

—�

(924)�

—�

3,012

2,254

1,694

221

7,181

921

(870)

(543)

(63)

1

(1,475)

(554)

128

(426)

(43)

(469)

195

$(176)�

$÷«676�

$(924)�

$÷«(274)

72

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
 
 
 
 
 
 
       
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Comcast Corporation Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the Year Ended December 31, 2004 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES  
  Net cash provided by (used in)  
    operating activities  

Comcast 
Parent 

CCCL 
Parent 

CCCH 
Parent 

Combined 
CCHMO 
Parents 

Non-  Elimination and 
Guarantor  Consolidation 
Adjustments 

Subsidiaries 

Consolidated
Comcast
Corporation

$1,809�

$(143)�

$(155)�

$(478)�

$«4,897�

$«—�

$«5,930

FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
  Proceeds from borrowings  
  Retirements and repayments of debt  
  Issuances of common stock and sales  
    of put options on common stock  
  Repurchases of common stock and stock  
    options held by non-employees  
  Other financing activities  

620�

(300)�

113�

(1,361)�

8�

—�

(561)�

—�

—�

—�

(920)�

(561)�

(889)�

—�

704�

—�

    Net cash (used in) provided by  
      financing activities  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES  
  Net transactions with affiliates  
  Capital expenditures  
  Proceeds from sales, settlements and  
    restructuring of investments  
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired  
  Additions to intangible and �
    other noncurrent assets  
  Proceeds from sales of (purchases of)  
    short-term investments, net  
  Capital contributions to and purchases  
    of investments  
  Proceeds from settlement of contract  
    of acquired company  
  Other investing activities  

    Net cash provided by (used in)  
      investing activities  

DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, 
  beginning of year  

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(889)�

—�

—�

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year   $÷÷«—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

704�

—�

—�

$÷«—�

400�

(400)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

155�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

155�

—�

—�

$÷«—�

—�

(306)�

—�

—�

—�

10�

(756)�

—�

—�

17�

(306)�

(729)�

784�

—�

(754)�

(3,660)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

228�

(296)�

(628)�

(13)�

(156)�

26�

(13)�

784�

—�

(5,266)�

(1,098)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

1,550�

$÷«—�

$÷÷452�

—�

$«—�

1,030

(2,323)

113

(1,361)

25

(2,516)

—

(3,660)

228

(296)

(628)

(13)

(156)

26

(13)

(4,512)

(1,098)

1,550

$÷÷452

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

73

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Comcast Corporation Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the Year Ended December 31, 2003 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES  
    Net cash provided by (used in) 
    operating activities from  
    continuing operations  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
  Proceeds from borrowings  
  Retirements and repayments of debt  
  Issuances of common stock and sales  
    of put options on common stock  
  Repurchases of common stock  
  Deferred financing costs  

    Net cash (used in) provided by 
      financing activities from 
      continuing operations  

INVESTING ACTIVITIES  
  Net transactions with affiliates  
  Capital expenditures  
  Proceeds from sales, settlements and  
    restructuring of investments  
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired  
  Additions to intangible and other  
    noncurrent assets  
  Purchases of short-term investments, net  
  Proceeds from sale of discontinued  
    operations and assets held for sale  
  Capital contributions to and purchases  
    of investments  
  Proceeds from settlement of contract  
    of acquired company  

    Net cash provided by (used in) 
      investing activities from 
      continuing operations  

Comcast 
Parent 

CCCL 
Parent 

CCCH 
Parent 

Combined 
CCHMO 
Parents 

Non-  Elimination and 
Guarantor  Consolidation 
Adjustments 

Subsidiaries 

Consolidated
Comcast
Corporation

$÷÷165�

$÷«(297)�

$÷«(121)�

$÷«(553)�

$«3,660�

$«—�

$÷«2,854

8,138�

(4,830)�

1,150�

(2,104)�

—�

(6,250)�

—�

(2,407)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

110�

(874)�

67�

(14)�

(34)�

3,308�

(954)�

(6,250)�

(2,407)�

(745)�

(3,473)�

1,251�

6,371�

2,960�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(3,473)�

1,251�

6,371�

2,960�

(7,109)�

(4,161)�

7,971�

(152)�

(155)�

(32)�

1,875�

(202)�

95�

(1,870)�

1,045�

505�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

9,398

(16,465)

67

(14)

(34)

(7,048)

—

(4,161)

7,971

(152)

(155)

(32)

1,875

(202)

95

5,239

1,045

505

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, 
  beginning of year  

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year   $÷÷÷—�

$÷÷÷�—�

$÷÷÷—�

$÷÷÷—�

$«1,550�

$«—�

$÷«1,550

74

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Comcast Corporation Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows

For the Year Ended December 31, 2002 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES  
    Net cash provided by (used in) 
      operating activities from 
      continuing operations  

FINANCING ACTIVITIES  
  Proceeds from borrowings  
  Retirements and repayments of debt  
  Proceeds from settlement of interest  
    rate exchange agreements  
  Issuances of common stock  
  Deferred financing costs  

    Net cash (used in) provided by 
      financing activities from 
      continuing operations  

Comcast 
Parent 

CCCL 
Parent 

CCCH 
Parent 

Combined 
CCHMO 
Parents 

Non-  Elimination and 
Guarantor  Consolidation 
Adjustments 

Subsidiaries 

Consolidated
Comcast
Corporation

$÷«—�

$÷«(358)�

$÷÷«(51)�

$(174)�

$«3,004�

$«—�

$«2,421

680�

—�

—�

—�

—�

1,568�

(2,216)�

6,501�

(6,100)�

57�

—�

(225)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(10)�

—�

—�

—�

10�

(1,182)�

—�

19�

(107)�

680�

(816)�

401�

(10)�

(1,260)�

INVESTING ACTIVITIES  
  Net transactions with affiliates  
  Capital expenditures  
  Proceeds from sales and settlements  
    of investments  
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired  
  Additions to intangible and other  
    noncurrent assets  
  Purchases of short-term investments, net  
  Capital contributions to and purchases  
    of investments  

    Net cash (used in) provided by investing  
      activities from continuing operations  

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, 
  beginning of year  

(680)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(680)�

—�

—�

1,174�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

1,174�

—�

—�

(350)�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

(350)�

—�

—�

184�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

184�

—�

—�

(328)�

(1,852)�

1,263�

(251)�

(197)�

(21)�

(67)�

(1,453)�

291�

214�

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of year  

$÷«—�

$÷÷÷—�

$÷÷÷—�

$÷«—�

$÷÷505�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

—�

$«—�

8,759

(9,508)

57

19

(332)

(1,005)

—

(1,852)

1,263

(251)

(197)

(21)

(67)

(1,125)

291

214

$÷÷505

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

75

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
RECONCI LIATION  OF  NON-GA A P  MEA S U RES

(Dollars in billions)
Reconciliation of 2005 Estimated Free Cash Flow

Twelve Months Ended December 31,

2004 Operating Income 
Add: 2004 Depreciation and Amortization 

2004 Operating Cash Flow 

Less: 2004 Capital Expenditures 

2004 Consolidated Interest, net 
2004 Consolidated Cash Paid for Income Taxes 

2004 Free Cash Flow 

2005 Free Cash Flow Growth 
Estimated 2005 Free Cash Flow 

�

�

�

$2.9

4.6

7.5

3.7

1.7

0.2

$1.9

35% to 45%
$2.6 to $2.8

MARKE T  FOR  THE  REGISTRA NT ’S   C OMMON  EQ U IT Y
Our Class A common stock is included on Nasdaq under the symbol CMCSA and our Class A Special common stock is included on 
Nasdaq under the symbol CMCSK. There is no established public trading market for our Class B common stock. Our Class B 
common stock can be converted, on a share for share basis, into Class A or Class A Special common stock. The following table 
sets  forth, for the indicated periods, the closing price range of our Class A and Class A Special common stock, as furnished by 
Nasdaq.

2004 
First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

2003 
First Quarter 
Second Quarter 
Third Quarter 
Fourth Quarter 

Class A 

Class A Special

High 

Low 

High 

Low

$36.13�

$28.00�

$35.10�

$27.05

30.66�

28.75�

33.28�

27.63�

26.48�

27.84�

29.70�

28.13�

32.84�

26.67

26.18

27.50

$30.80�

$24.47�

$29.33�

$23.57

34.54�

32.95�

33.87�

28.65�

28.52�

30.76�

32.60�

31.72�

32.49�

27.50

27.15

29.47

We do not intend to pay dividends on our Class A, Class A Special or Class B common stock for the foreseeable future.

As of December 31, 2004, there were 1,095,080 record holders of our Class A common stock, 2,530 record holders of our Class A 
Special common stock and three record holders of our Class B common stock.

76

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
SELECTED   FINANCIAL  DATA

(Dollars in millions, except per share data)
Year Ended December 31,  

STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:  
Revenues  
Operating income (loss)  
Income (loss) from continuing operations before  
  cumulative effect of accounting change  
Discontinued operations (2) 
Cumulative effect of accounting change (3)  
Net income (loss)  

BASIC EARNINGS (LOSS) FOR COMMON STOCKHOLDERS 
  PER COMMON SHARE 
  Income (loss) from continuing operations before  
    cumulative effect of accounting change  
  Discontinued operations (2)  
  Cumulative effect of accounting change (3)  

  Net income (loss)  

DILUTED EARNINGS (LOSS) FOR COMMON STOCKHOLDERS 
  PER COMMON SHARE 
  Income (loss) from continuing operations before  
    cumulative effect of accounting change  
  Discontinued operations (2)  
  Cumulative effect of accounting change (3)  

  Net income (loss)  

BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT YEAR END): 
Total assets  
Long-term debt  
Stockholders’ equity  

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS DATA 
Net cash provided by (used in): 
  Operating activities from continuing operations  
  Financing activities from continuing operations  
  Investing activities from continuing operations  

2004 (1) 

2003(1) 

2002(1) 

2001 

2000

$««20,307�

$««18,348�

$««««8,102�

$÷5,937�

$÷4,836

2,908�

1,954�

921�

(1,325)�

(654)

970�

—�

—�

970�

(218)�

3,458�

—�

3,240�

(469)�

195�

—�

(274)�

4�

220�

385�

609�

1,873

148

—

2,021

$««««««0.43�

$÷÷«(0.10)�

$÷÷«(0.42)�

$÷÷0.00�

$÷÷2.08

—�

—�

1.54�

—�

0.17�

—�

0.24�

0.40�

0.16

—

$÷÷÷0.43�

$÷÷÷1.44�

$÷÷«�(0.25)�

$÷÷0.64�

$÷÷2.24

$÷÷÷0.43�

$÷÷«(0.10)�

$÷÷«(0.42)�

$÷÷0.00�

$÷÷1.97

—�

—�

1.54�

—�

0.17�

—�

0.23�

0.40�

0.16

—

$÷÷÷0.43�

$÷÷÷1.44�

$÷÷«(0.25)�

$÷÷0.63�

$÷÷2.13

$104,694�

$109,159�

$113,128�

$38,261�

$35,874

20,093�

41,422�

23,835�

41,662�

27,956�

38,329�

11,679�

14,473�

10,215

14,086

$÷÷5,930�

$÷÷2,854�

$÷÷2,421�

$÷1,169�

$÷÷«907

(2,516)�

(4,512)�

(7,048)�

5,239�

(1,005)�

(1,125)�

1,651�

(3,150)�

÷÷(171)

«(1,044)

(1) Refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in this Annual Report for a discussion of events that affect the 

comparability of the information reflected in this financial data.

(2) In September 2003, we sold our interest in QVC to Liberty Media Corporation. QVC is presented as a discontinued operation for the years ended on and before 

December 31, 2003 (see Note 5 to our consolidated financial statements in this Annual Report).

(3) In 2001, we recognized as income a cumulative effect of accounting change upon adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting 

for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities.”

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

77

 
 
 
 
Board of Directors and Corporate Executives

Julian A. Brodsky
Non-Executive Vice Chairman 

Brian L. Roberts
Chairman and CEO  

Ralph J. Roberts
Chairman 
Executive and Finance Committee

Dr. Judith Rodin
President
The Rockefeller Foundation

Michael I. Sovern 
Chairman 
Sotheby’s Holdings, Inc.

Leonard J. Gatti
Vice President
Financial Reporting

Kerry Knott
Vice President
Government Affairs

Charisse R. Lillie
Vice President  
Human Resources

Kenneth Mikalauskas
Vice President
Finance

William J. Montemarano
Vice President
Internal Audit

D’Arcy F. Rudnay
Vice President 
Corporate Communications

Joseph W. Waz, Jr.
Vice President 
External Affairs 

Joseph L. Castle II
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
Castle Energy Corporation 

Joseph J. Collins
Retired Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer  
Time Warner Cable

J. Michael Cook 
Retired Chairman and  
Chief Executive Officer
Deloitte & Touche LLP

Robert S. Pick
Senior Vice President
Corporate Development

Lawrence J. Salva 
Senior Vice President,
Chief Accounting Officer and  
Controller

C. Stephen Backstrom
Vice President
Taxation

Payne Brown
Vice President
Strategic Initiatives 

Karen Dougherty Buchholz
Vice President
Administration

Joseph F. DiTrolio
Vice President
Financial Operations

Marlene S. Dooner
Vice President
Investor Relations

William E. Dordelman
Vice President
Finance

Kamal Dua
Vice President  
Internal Audit and  
General Auditor

BOARD  OF  DIRECTORS

S. Decker Anstrom
President and 
Chief Executive Officer
Landmark Communications, Inc.

C. Michael Armstrong
Retired Chairman and CEO, 
AT&T Corp. 
Retired Chairman, 
Comcast Corporation

Kenneth J. Bacon
Interim Executive Vice President  
Housing and Community Development
Fannie Mae

Sheldon M. Bonovitz
Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer
Duane Morris LLP

CORPORATE  EXECUTIVES

Brian L. Roberts
Chairman and CEO 

Ralph J. Roberts
Chairman  
Executive and Finance Committee

John R. Alchin
Executive Vice President, 
Co-Chief Financial Officer and  
Treasurer

Stephen B. Burke
Executive Vice President and 
Chief Operating Officer,  
Comcast Corporation
President,  
Comcast Cable Communications

David L. Cohen
Executive Vice President

Lawrence S. Smith
Executive Vice President 
Co-Chief Financial Officer

Amy L. Banse
Senior Vice President 
Content Development

Arthur R. Block
Senior Vice President
General Counsel and Secretary

Mark A. Coblitz
Senior Vice President
Strategic Planning

78

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

COMCAST-SPECTACOR

OUTDOOR  LIFE  NETWORK

Gavin Harvey
President

G4

Charles Hirschhorn
Chief Executive Officer

INTERNATIONAL   
CHANNEL  NETWORKS

Steve Smith
Managing Director

COMCAST  NETWORK  SALES

David T. Cassaro
President 

Edward M. Snider
Chairman 

Fred A. Shabel
Vice Chairman 

Sanford Lipstein
Executive Vice President Finance and  
Chief Financial Officer 

Philip I. Weinberg
Executive Vice President and
General Counsel 

Peter A. Luukko
President
Comcast-Spectacor Ventures 

E!  NETWORKS

Ted Harbert
President and 
Chief Executive Officer 

Kenneth Bettsteller
Chief Operating Officer 

THE  GOLF  CHANNEL

David Manougian
President

Division Executives

COMCAST  CABLE

Stephen B. Burke
President

Mike Tallent
Executive Vice President
Administration and Finance

Dave Watson
Executive Vice President
Operations

Amy Banse
Executive Vice President
Content Development

Madison Bond
Executive Vice President
Cable Programming

David M. Fellows
Executive Vice President and
Chief Technology Officer

Stephen E. Silva
Executive Vice President
Business Development

Stephen A. Burch
President 
Atlantic Division 

Michael A. Doyle
President 
Eastern Division

Bradley P. Dusto
President 
Western Division

David A. Juliano
President 
Online and Voice Services

John H. Ridall
President 
Southern Division 

David A. Scott
President 
Midwestern Division

Charles W. Thurston
President 
Comcast Spotlight

Jack L. Williams
President 
Comcast Regional Sports Networks

Douglas Gaston
Senior Vice President
General Counsel

Charisse R. Lillie
Senior Vice President
Human Resources 

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

79

Shareholder Information

Nasdaq Trading Symbols
Class A Common Stock — CMCSA
Class A Special Common Stock — CMCSK

SHA RE HOLDER  SER VIC ES

Registered Shareholders (shares held by you in your name) 
should address questions concerning change of address,  
lost stock certificates, consolidation of accounts, transfer  
of ownership or other stock account matters to our transfer 
agent, EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.

Transfer Agent
EquiServe Trust Company, N.A.
Shareholder Services
P.O. Box 43091
Providence, RI 02940-3091
toll-free: (888) 883-8903
www.equiserve.com

Beneficial Shareholders (shares held for you by your  
broker in the name of the brokerage house) should  
direct communications on all administrative matters  
to your stockbroker.

INTER NET  ACCOUNT  A CCE SS 

Registered Shareholders may also access their accounts via 
the Internet to obtain share balance, request printable forms 
and view the current market value of their investment as  
well as historical stock prices.

To log on to this secure site, go to www.equiserve.com and 
click on “Account Access.” If you have any questions about 
this service, please call EquiServe toll-free at (888) 883-8903.

Beneficial Shareholders should direct communications on  
all administrative matters to your stockbroker.

AVAI LABI LITY  OF  FORM  1 0-K

Shareholder requests of our Annual Report on Form 10-K  
for the year ended December 31, 2004 can be fulfilled  
as follows: 

• Through our Investor Relations Web site at www.cmcsa.com 

and www.cmcsk.com (Click on “SEC Filings.”) 

• By contacting our toll-free Investor Relations Hotline:  

(866) 281-2100

Other printed financial information is also available through 
our Web site and this hotline.

INVESTOR  RE LATIONS  C ONTACT

We invite you to contact our toll-free Investor Relations 
Hotline to order financial documents and recent financial 
news releases and for additional investor information.

Investor Relations
Comcast Corporation
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102-2148
toll-free: (866) 281-2100
e-mail: www.cmcsa.com (Click on “Contact IR.”)
www.cmcsa.com
www.cmcsk.com 

CORPORATE  I NFORM ATION

Comcast Corporation
1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102-2148
Telephone: (215) 665-1700

Comcast on the Internet
Comcast’s Web site provides access to a wide range of  
information about the company, its products and its services 
at www.comcast.com.

COMCAST  INVESTOR  RELATIONS 
ON  THE  INTERNET

We invite you to take advantage of our Investor Relations 
Web site at www.cmcsa.com and www.cmcsk.com. Key  
features include access to financial information, financial 
news, company presentations, corporate governance  
information and answers to frequently asked questions,  
as well as the availability of e-mail alerts.

Legal Counsel
Davis Polk & Wardwell
New York, NY

Auditors
Deloitte & Touche LLP
Philadelphia, PA

80

COMCAST CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

A Faster, Richer Internet Experience

At speeds of up to 6 megabits per second,  
Comcast High-Speed Internet is not only faster  
than ever, it’s also more fun. Last year, we  
added 30 new features to our Comcast.net portal,  
including new video mail, gaming and music  
services, helping us to attract a record 1.7 million  
new high-speed Internet subscribers in 2004.

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www.cmcsa.com          www.comcast.com          www.cmcsk.com

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
C
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1500 Market Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102-2148 
215.665.1700

www.comcast.com 

CO-AR-2005

 Comcast 2004 Annual Report