If you're like me you spend way too much time in front of a television and a computer monitor. You also probably spend way too much of your income on watching entertainment. It's what all of us do. There's also been a lot of talk about "cutting the cord" as the next generation starts the transition from analog videos across cable networks to digital content across wireless networks. But no matter what device we use or what network it comes across, the typical consumer is consuming more and more content each year.
| "It's hard to say who made the first movie in history or even what year it was recorded, but this film of the arrival of a train was one of the earliest movies made when it was filmed in 1896." | |
There are five major content producers that come to mind when looking for companies to invest in. Since I already own shares in Comcast Corp (CMCSA), I thought I'd look at the other four today. I'm not looking at any of these four to replace my shares in Comcast, I'm looking to attain more exposure to the industry by starting a position in one or more of the other four. Below I've laid out only the basis for additional research in CBS Corporation (CBS), Walt Disney Company (DIS), Time Warner Incorporated (TWX), and Viacom Incorporated (VIAB). The sections below also include links to additional information needed to provide confirmation of any buying decisions. Hopefully others will do the same.
| CBS Corporation operates as a mass media company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Entertainment, Cable Networks, Publishing, and Local Broadcasting. The Entertainment segment distributes a schedule of news and public affairs broadcasts, and sports and entertainment programming; produces, acquires, and distributes programming, including series, specials, news, and public affairs; operates online content networks for information and entertainment; and produces, acquires, and distributes theatrical motion pictures. The Cable Networks segment offers subscription program services, such as original series, theatrical feature films, documentaries, boxing and other sports-related programming, and special events; and owns and operates multiplexed channels. This segment also owns and manages Smithsonian Networks, which operates a channel featuring cultural, historical, scientific, and educational programs; and operates a CBS Sports Network, a 24-hour cable program service that provides college sports and related content. The Publishing segment publishes and distributes adult and children’s consumer books in printed, digital, and audio formats; develops special imprints and publishes titles based on the products; and delivers content and promotes its products on its own Websites and general Internet sites, as well as those linked to individual titles. The Local Broadcasting segment owns 30 broadcast television stations; owns and operates 117 radio stations in 26 U.S. markets and related online properties; and operates local Websites in various U.S. markets, which combine the company's television and radio local media brands online to offer the latest news, traffic, weather, and sports information, as well as local discounts, directories, and reviews for local community. CBS Corporation was founded in 1986 and is headquartered in New York, New York. (Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart) |  1 March 2015 Price $59.10 1yr Target $63.00 Analysts 1 1yr Cap Gain 6.59% Dividend $0.60 Yield 1.01% 1yr Tot Return 7.60% 3yr DGR 15.38% 5yr DGR 21.97% Payout Ratio 24.89% Beta 1.78 EPS (ttm) $2.41 EPS next yr $4.34 P/E 24.52 PEG 1.48 ROA 11.80% ROE 37.00% ROI 12.60% |
| The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an entertainment company worldwide. The company operates in five segments: Media Networks, Parks and Resorts, Studio Entertainment, Consumer Products, and Interactive. The Media Networks segment operates broadcast and cable television networks, domestic television stations, and radio networks and stations; and is involved in the television production and television distribution operations. Its cable networks include ESPN, Disney Channels, and ABC Family, as well as UTV/Bindass and Hungama. This segment owns eight domestic television stations. The Parks and Resorts segment owns and operates the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida that includes theme parks; hotels; vacation club properties; a retail, dining, and entertainment complex; a sports complex; conference centers; campgrounds; golf courses; water parks; and other recreational facilities. This segment also operates Disneyland Resort in California; Disney Resort& Spa in Hawaii; Disney Vacation Club, Disney Cruise Line, and Adventures by Disney; and Disneyland Paris, Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, and Shanghai Disney Resort, as well as licenses the operations of Tokyo Disneyland Resort in Japan. The Studio Entertainment segment produces and acquires live-action and animated motion pictures, direct-to-video content, musical recordings, and live stage plays. The Consumer Products segment licenses trade names, characters, and visual and literary properties to retailers, show promoters, and publishers; publishes entertainment and educational books, magazines, comic books; and operates English language learning centers. This segment is involved in the retail, online, and wholesale distribution of products through the Disney Store and DisneyStore.com. The Interactive segment creates and delivers entertainment and lifestyle content across interactive media platforms. The company was founded in 1923 and is based in Burbank, California. (Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart) |  1 March 2015 Price $104.08 1yr Target $105.38 Analysts 26 1yr Cap Gain 1.24% Dividend $1.15 Yield 1.10% 1yr Tot Return 2.34% 3yr (annual) DGR 23.94% 5yr (annual) DGR 26.86% Payout Ratio 26.13% Beta 1.20 EPS (ttm) $4.40 EPS next yr $5.53 P/E 23.13 PEG 1.45 ROA 9.30% ROE 17.50% ROI 12.00% |
| Time Warner Inc. operates as a media and entertainment company in the United States and internationally. It operates through three segments: Turner, Home Box Office, and Warner Bros. The Turner segment owns and operates a portfolio of cable television networks and related properties that offer entertainment, sports, kids, and news programming on television and digital platforms for consumers. It operates approximately 165 channels in 200 countries. This segment also manages and operates various digital media properties primarily consisting of Websites, including bleacherreport.com, cartoonnetwork.com, CNN.com, CNNMoney.com, NBA.com, and NCAA.com; and licenses original programming to subscription-video-on-demand (SVOD) services, and its brands and characters for consumer products. This segment serves cable system operators, satellite service distributors, telephone companies, and other distributors. The Home Box Office segment provides premium pay and basic tier television services comprising HBO and Cinemax; and sells its original programming through DVDs, Blu-ray discs, and electronic sell-through, as well as licenses home entertainment and content to international television networks and SVOD services. As of December 31, 2014, this segment had approximately 138 million subscribers worldwide. The Warner Bros. segment produces, distributes, and licenses television programming and feature films; distributes digital and physical home entertainment products; and produces and distributes videogames, as well as licenses consumer products and brands. Time Warner Inc. was founded in 1985 and is headquartered in New York, New York. (Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart) |  1 March 2015 Price $81.86 1yr Target $93.00 Analysts 28 1yr Cap Gain 13.60% Dividend $1.40 Yield 1.71% 1yr Tot Return 15.31% 3yr DGR 10.43% 5yr DGR 15.42% Payout Ratio 31.81% Beta 1.20 EPS (ttm) $4.40 EPS next yr $5.77 P/E 18.60 PEG 1.27 ROA 5.90% ROE 14.50% ROI 11.00% |
| Viacom Inc. operates as an entertainment content company in the United States and internationally. The company creates television programs, motion pictures, short-form video, applications, games, consumer products, social media, and other entertainment content. It operates in two segments, Media Networks and Filmed Entertainment. The Media Networks segment provides entertainment content and related branded products through approximately programmed and operated 230 TV channels, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, BET, CENTRIC, Nickelodeon, Nick Jr., TeenNick, Nicktoons, Nick at Nite, Comedy Central, TV Land, SPIKE, Channel 5, Tr3s, Paramount Channel, and VIVA, as well as through online, mobile, and apps. The Filmed Entertainment segment produces, finances, acquires, and distributes motion pictures, television programming, and other entertainment content and other entertainment content under the Paramount Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Paramount Classics, Insurge Pictures, MTV Films, Nickelodeon Movies, and Paramount Television brands; and exhibits the motion pictures theatrically. The company also sells content through download-to-own, download-to-rent, DVDs and Blu-ray discs, video-on-demand, pay television and subscription video-on-demand, streaming, broadcast television, basic cable television, and syndicated television, as well as other exhibitors, such as airlines and hotels. The company is headquartered in New York, New York. (Summary) (Company) (Daily Chart) |  1 March 2015 Price $69.94 1yr Target $77.69 Analysts 29 1yr Cap Gain 11.08% Dividend $1.32 Yield 1.88% 1yr Tot Return 12.96% 3yr DGR 12.61% 5yr DGR UNK Payout Ratio % Beta 1.16 EPS (ttm) $5.45 EPS next yr $6.49 P/E 12.83 PEG 1.26 ROA 10/00% ROE 59.90% ROI 18.30% |
Print 
PDF
RSS Feed
