Universal Studios is one of the most iconic names in the global entertainment industry. With blockbuster movies, theme parks, and global operations, many people wonder who owns Universal Studios. This article explores its history, ownership, key decision-makers, financials, and the companies under its control.
History of Universal Studios
Universal Studios was founded in 1912 by Carl Laemmle as a small motion picture company called Universal Film Manufacturing Company. Later, it merged with other smaller studios, becoming one of the oldest and most enduring names in Hollywood.
By the 1930s, Universal had established itself with horror classics like Dracula and Frankenstein. In the following decades, it expanded into television and theme parks. Universal City Studios was formed in 1962, and the first Universal Studios theme park opened in Hollywood in 1964.
Over time, Universal Studios changed hands several times. Major milestones include its acquisition by MCA Inc., then by Seagram, followed by Vivendi, and later General Electric. Eventually, the company became part of Comcast Corporation, one of the largest media and telecom companies in the world.
Who Owns Universal Studios: Major Shareholders
Universal Studios is owned by Comcast Corporation. Comcast is a publicly traded American multinational company headquartered in Philadelphia. The Universal brand is part of Comcast’s subsidiary, NBCUniversal.
NBCUniversal owns and operates Universal Pictures, Universal Television, and Universal Destinations & Experiences (which includes the theme parks). Comcast acquired full ownership of NBCUniversal in 2013 after buying out General Electric’s remaining stake.
This means that Comcast, through NBCUniversal, fully owns Universal Studios and all its associated divisions.
Comcast Corporation is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol CMCSA. Its shareholders include a mix of institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual stakeholders:
| Shareholder | Ownership % | Type | Role / Influence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brian L. Roberts & Roberts Family | ~0.9% (economic), 33⅓% (voting power) | Insider / Founder | Controls 100% of Class B supervoting shares; holds effective control of Comcast |
| The Vanguard Group, Inc. | ~9.7% | Institutional | Largest institutional investor; passive role with proxy voting |
| BlackRock, Inc. | ~8.4% | Institutional | Passive investor; votes on corporate governance |
| Capital Research & Management (American Funds) | ~6.5% | Institutional | Active investor; may engage with management on governance |
| State Street Global Advisors | ~4.4% | Institutional | Passive investor; long-term investment strategy |
| Norges Bank Investment Management | ~2.7% | Sovereign Wealth Fund | Long-term investor; votes and engages on ESG and governance |
| Geode Capital Management, LLC | ~2.2% | Institutional | Passive index fund investor; governance via proxy voting |
| FMR LLC (Fidelity Investments) | ~2.2% | Institutional | Long-term investor; participates in shareholder votes |
| Dodge & Cox | ~2.1% | Institutional | Active value investor; long-term strategic perspective |
| JP Morgan Asset Management | ~1.8% | Institutional | Passive to moderately active investor; proxy voting rights |
| Columbia Management Investment Advisers | ~1.3% | Institutional | Long-term investor; moderate influence |
| UBS Asset Management AG | ~1.3% | Institutional | Passive investor; limited direct influence |
| T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. | ~1.2% | Institutional | Active investor; governance engagement |
| Northern Trust Global Investments | ~1.1% | Institutional | Passive investor; index fund approach |
| Strategic Advisers LLC | ~0.9% | Institutional | Passive investor linked to Fidelity; proxy voting |
| First Eagle Investment Management | ~0.9% | Institutional | Value investor; smaller but consistent stakeholder |
| Charles Schwab Investment Management | ~0.9% | Institutional | Passive index-based strategy |
| Morgan Stanley Investment Management | ~0.8% | Institutional | Moderate involvement; proxy voting |
| Amundi Asset Management SAS | ~0.7% | Institutional | European asset manager; long-term investor |
| Massachusetts Financial Services (MFS) | ~0.7% | Institutional | Active investor with global portfolio |
| Public and Retail Shareholders | Aggregated % unknown (estimated ~10–15%) | Individuals / Public | Diverse small investors; vote through annual meetings or via proxy |
Brian L. Roberts and the Roberts Family
Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and CEO of Comcast, holds approximately 0.9% of Comcast’s total shares. More significantly, he controls 100% of Comcast’s Class B supervoting shares, which represent 33⅓% of the combined voting power of Comcast’s voting common stock. This special class of shares grants him substantial influence over corporate decisions, despite his relatively small economic stake.
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
The Vanguard Group is Comcast’s largest institutional shareholder, owning approximately 9.7% of the company’s Class A common stock. As a passive investor managing a broad portfolio of assets, Vanguard does not engage in day-to-day management but holds significant influence through its voting rights in shareholder meetings.
BlackRock, Inc.
BlackRock holds about 8.4% of Comcast’s Class A shares, making it the second-largest institutional investor. Similar to Vanguard, BlackRock is a passive investor that exerts influence primarily through shareholder voting, without direct involvement in the company’s operations.
Capital Research and Management Company
Capital Research and Management Company, associated with American Funds, owns approximately 6.5% of Comcast’s shares. As an active investment manager, it may engage with Comcast’s management on strategic decisions and corporate governance matters.
State Street Global Advisors, Inc.
State Street Global Advisors holds around 4.4% of Comcast’s Class A shares. As a major institutional investor, State Street typically maintains a passive investment approach, focusing on long-term returns and participating in shareholder votes.
Norges Bank Investment Management
Norges Bank Investment Management, the asset management unit of the Norwegian central bank, owns approximately 2.7% of Comcast’s shares. As a sovereign wealth fund manager, it invests globally with a long-term perspective and engages in corporate governance through voting and dialogue with companies.
Geode Capital Management, LLC
Geode Capital Management holds about 2.2% of Comcast’s shares. Geode is known for managing index funds and employs a passive investment strategy, focusing on tracking market indices and participating in shareholder votes.
FMR LLC (Fidelity Investments)
FMR LLC, operating as Fidelity Investments, owns approximately 2.2% of Comcast’s shares. As a diversified financial services firm, Fidelity manages a range of mutual funds and investment portfolios, engaging in shareholder voting and corporate governance activities.
Dodge & Cox
Dodge & Cox, a value-oriented investment management firm, holds around 2.1% of Comcast’s shares. The firm is known for its long-term investment approach and may actively engage with company management on strategic and governance issues.
JP Morgan Asset Management
JP Morgan Asset Management owns approximately 1.8% of Comcast’s shares. As part of JPMorgan Chase, it manages a wide array of investment funds and participates in shareholder voting, with occasional engagement on corporate matters.
Other Notable Institutional Shareholders
Several other institutional investors hold smaller yet significant stakes in Comcast, including:
- Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC – ~1.3%
- UBS Asset Management AG – ~1.3%
- T. Rowe Price Group, Inc. – ~1.2%
- Northern Trust Global Investments – ~1.1%
- Strategic Advisers LLC – ~0.9%
- First Eagle Investment Management, LLC – ~0.9%
- Charles Schwab Investment Management, Inc. – ~0.9%
- Morgan Stanley Investment Management – ~0.8%
- Amundi Asset Management SAS – ~0.7%
- Massachusetts Financial Services Company – ~0.7%
These investors contribute to the diverse institutional ownership of Comcast, collectively influencing corporate governance through their voting rights.
Public and Retail Investors
Retail investors, including individual shareholders and smaller investment firms, collectively own a portion of Comcast’s shares. While individual holdings are typically small, together they represent a meaningful segment of ownership. These investors participate in shareholder meetings and votes, contributing to the overall governance of the company.
Who Controls Universal Studios?
While Universal Studios is ultimately owned by Comcast and operates under NBCUniversal, its day-to-day leadership and decision-making are managed by a specialized team of executives within its own divisions. These leaders oversee the company’s entertainment production, theme parks, and global expansion efforts.
Universal Filmed Entertainment Group
This division is responsible for the motion picture operations of Universal Studios, including the development, production, marketing, and global distribution of films.
- Donna Langley – Chairman and Chief Content Officer, NBCUniversal Studio Group
Langley is the top executive overseeing Universal Filmed Entertainment Group. She has played a key role in greenlighting successful franchises such as Fast & Furious, Despicable Me, Jurassic World, and Oppenheimer. Her leadership also spans Focus Features and DreamWorks Animation. - Peter Levinsohn – Vice Chairman & Chief Distribution Officer
Levinsohn leads all global distribution strategies for Universal’s theatrical releases. His focus includes maximizing box office returns and managing deals with streaming platforms and international distributors. - Jim Orr – President of Domestic Theatrical Distribution
Orr handles the release strategy within the U.S. and works closely with marketing and exhibition partners to position Universal’s films across major theaters.
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures, the studio label behind the major feature films, operates under the broader Filmed Entertainment Group umbrella. It develops, produces, and releases a variety of content, from blockbuster franchises to original films.
Key producers and creative executives work closely under Langley to manage film slates and creative direction.
Universal Destinations & Experiences (Theme Parks)
This division operates Universal’s global theme parks and resorts, including Universal Orlando Resort, Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Studios Japan, Universal Studios Singapore, and the upcoming Universal Epic Universe.
- Mark Woodbury – Chairman & CEO, Universal Destinations & Experiences
Woodbury has been instrumental in expanding Universal’s global theme park presence. He led the development of The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and is currently spearheading Universal Epic Universe, set to open in 2025. - Tom Mehrmann – President & COO, Pacific Rim
Based in Japan, Mehrmann oversees operations and strategy for Universal’s Asian theme parks. He played a major role in launching Super Nintendo World in Universal Studios Japan. - Karen Irwin – President & COO, Universal Studios Hollywood
Irwin manages all aspects of the California-based theme park, including guest experience, entertainment operations, and ongoing expansion projects. - Alice Norsworthy – President, Global Marketing
Norsworthy leads worldwide marketing strategies for Universal Parks and Resorts, ensuring consistent branding and customer engagement across all properties.
Creative and Production Teams
In addition to executives, Universal Studios relies on a network of producers, studio heads, and franchise leaders to shape its creative direction. These teams work closely with directors, writers, and partners to bring content to life both on-screen and in immersive park experiences.
Decision-Making Structure
Each business unit—film, theme parks, and global expansion—has its own leadership structure but ultimately reports to the CEO of NBCUniversal and aligns with strategic goals set by Comcast. However, individual divisions like Universal Filmed Entertainment and Universal Destinations & Experiences operate with a high degree of autonomy, making independent creative and operational decisions.
This decentralized model allows Universal Studios to remain agile and creative while benefiting from Comcast’s financial strength and NBCUniversal’s infrastructure.
Annual Revenue and Net Worth of Universal Studios
Universal Studios is part of Comcast’s NBCUniversal division, which generates billions in annual revenue. In 2023, NBCUniversal reported revenue of over $40 billion. Universal Pictures alone earned around $12 billion from its film and TV businesses, with hits like Oppenheimer and The Super Mario Bros. Movie.
The Universal theme parks division, known as Universal Destinations & Experiences, brought in over $8 billion in revenue in 2023.
In 2023, Universal Pictures achieved a significant milestone by surpassing Disney to become the highest-grossing film studio globally, earning approximately $4.907 billion.
In 2024, Universal’s film division continued its strong performance, grossing approximately $3.76 billion. Notable releases included “Wicked,” “Despicable Me 4,” and “Kung Fu Panda 4.”
Universal’s theme parks experienced a slight revenue decline in 2024, generating $8.617 billion, down 3.69% from the previous year. Factors contributing to this decline included decreased attendance at U.S. parks and increased pre-opening costs for the upcoming Epic Universe park.
As of April 2025, Universal Studios’ estimated net worth stands at approximately $10 billion. This valuation reflects the company’s diverse revenue streams from film production, theme parks, and related ventures.
Brands Owned by Universal Studios
Universal Studios owns and operates a wide range of brands across the entertainment and theme park sectors. These brands span film production, animation, streaming, and physical entertainment experiences.
Below are the major brands owned by Universal Studios:
| Brand Name | Type | Focus/Function | Key Franchises or Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universal Pictures | Film Studio | Main theatrical production and distribution studio | Jurassic World, Fast & Furious, The Secret Life of Pets |
| DreamWorks Animation | Animation Studio | Family-friendly animated feature films and franchises | Shrek, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, Trolls |
| Illumination | Animation Studio | High-grossing animated films produced with smaller budgets | Despicable Me, Minions, The Grinch, Sing |
| Focus Features | Specialty Film Division | Art-house and independent-style film production and distribution | TÁR, Phantom Thread, Brokeback Mountain |
| Universal Animation Studios | Animation TV & Home Entertainment | TV specials and direct-to-video content based on Universal IP | Curious George, Woody Woodpecker, The Land Before Time |
| Universal Pictures Home Entertainment | Distribution Division | Handles home media releases and digital licensing of Universal films | Blu-ray, DVD, VOD, Peacock releases |
| Universal Destinations & Experiences | Theme Parks Division | Operates Universal’s theme parks and resorts globally | The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Super Nintendo World, Jurassic Park |
| Peacock (with NBCUniversal) | Streaming Platform | Streaming original and acquired content from Universal and NBC brands | The Office, Minions, Universal film releases |
| Working Title Films | Film Production Company | British-based studio producing comedies, dramas, and British-centric cinema | Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary, Yesterday |
| Amblin Partners (Strategic Partner) | Film Partner | Spielberg-led production company with distribution deal through Universal | E.T., Back to the Future, The Fabelmans |
Universal Pictures
Universal Pictures is the flagship film studio of Universal Studios. Founded in 1912, it is one of the oldest and most prominent movie studios in Hollywood. It produces and distributes a wide range of films, from major blockbuster franchises to smaller dramas and comedies.
Some of its most iconic franchises include Jurassic World, Fast & Furious, and The Secret Life of Pets. Universal Pictures is central to Universal Studios’ identity and is a major revenue driver through the global box office and streaming rights.
DreamWorks Animation
DreamWorks Animation was acquired by NBCUniversal (and thus became part of Universal Studios) in 2016 for $3.8 billion. The studio is renowned for its high-quality animated films and is a direct competitor to Pixar and Disney Animation.
Popular franchises include Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda, How to Train Your Dragon, and Trolls. These properties also power theme park attractions, merchandise, and streaming content on Peacock and other platforms.
Illumination
Illumination is a film production company founded by Chris Meledandri. It operates as a subsidiary of Universal Pictures and is known for producing commercially successful animated movies on relatively low budgets.
Its best-known works include the Despicable Me franchise, Minions, The Grinch, and Sing. The Minions characters, in particular, have become globally recognized icons, heavily used in branding, advertising, and theme park experiences.
Focus Features
Focus Features is Universal’s art house and specialty film division. It focuses on critically acclaimed dramas, international cinema, and independent-style productions.
It has distributed award-winning films such as Brokeback Mountain, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, TÁR, and Phantom Thread. While not a blockbuster brand, it enhances Universal’s prestige and presence at major film festivals.
Universal Animation Studios
Universal Animation Studios is the television and direct-to-video animation arm of Universal Studios. It primarily produces animated content based on Universal film properties for home entertainment and TV syndication.
Past works include animated sequels and TV specials featuring Curious George, The Land Before Time, and Woody Woodpecker. The studio supports Universal’s broader content strategy and helps keep legacy characters relevant.
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE) handles the global distribution of Universal films in home media formats—Blu-ray, DVD, and digital. It also manages on-demand licensing for platforms like Amazon, iTunes, and Peacock.
This brand ensures that Universal’s films have a long shelf life and can continue to generate revenue beyond theatrical release.
Universal Destinations & Experiences
Universal Destinations & Experiences is the rebranded theme parks division of Universal Studios. It manages Universal’s theme park properties across the globe, including:
- Universal Studios Hollywood (California)
- Universal Orlando Resort (Florida)
- Universal Studios Japan
- Universal Studios Singapore
- Universal Beijing Resort
- Epic Universe (Opening 2025)
Each park features themed attractions based on Universal’s major franchises like Harry Potter, Jurassic Park, Minions, and Super Nintendo World. These parks are a major source of recurring revenue and brand engagement.
Peacock (in collaboration with NBCUniversal)
Peacock is NBCUniversal’s streaming service, and while it spans multiple NBC and Universal brands, Universal Studios plays a key content role. Universal Pictures and DreamWorks content often premieres on Peacock after theatrical runs.
Universal also develops exclusive shows and films for Peacock, using its brands to drive subscriptions and engagement.
Working Title Films
Working Title Films is a British production company co-owned by Universal through Focus Features. It specializes in romantic comedies, dramas, and British cinema. Notable titles include Love Actually, Bridget Jones’s Diary, and Yesterday.
Though not as widely known in the U.S., Working Title adds significant international appeal to Universal’s content portfolio.
Amblin Partners (Strategic Partner)
While not fully owned, Amblin Partners—founded by Steven Spielberg—is a key partner of Universal. The two have a distribution deal, and Universal often handles global releases of Amblin films.
The partnership brings Spielberg’s legacy and properties into Universal’s ecosystem, including E.T., Back to the Future, and The Fabelmans.
Final Words
Universal Studios is fully owned by Comcast Corporation through its NBCUniversal subsidiary. The Roberts family, led by Brian Roberts, holds the most control due to special voting shares. The company has grown into a global entertainment empire, spanning films, television, and theme parks. With billions in annual revenue and a massive global presence, Universal Studios remains a central player in the media landscape.
FAQs
Who is the parent company of Universal Studios?
Comcast Corporation is the parent company. It owns Universal Studios through NBCUniversal.
Does Disney own Universal Studios?
No, Disney does not own Universal Studios. Disney is a direct competitor.
Is Universal Pictures the same as Universal Studios?
Universal Pictures is a division of Universal Studios. It handles film production.
How many theme parks does Universal Studios operate?
As of 2025, there are five major Universal Studios parks globally—in Hollywood, Orlando, Osaka, Singapore, and Beijing.
Who is the CEO of Universal Studios?
Universal Studios does not have a separate CEO. It is managed under NBCUniversal, which is part of Comcast.
What is the difference between Universal and NBCUniversal?
Universal refers to the studios and parks brand. NBCUniversal is the parent media company that owns Universal Studios, NBC, and several other networks and properties.
Does Universal Studios own DreamWorks?
Yes, Universal Studios owns DreamWorks Animation, which it acquired in 2016 through its parent company NBCUniversal.
What streaming service is owned by Universal Studios?
Universal content is featured on Peacock, a streaming service owned by NBCUniversal.
Does Universal Studios own the rights to Harry Potter?
Universal Studios licenses the Harry Potter brand from Warner Bros. for theme park attractions but does not own the film or publishing rights.