Comcast Co-CEOs Brian Roberts and Mike Cavanagh told investors on the company's second-quarter earnings call that NBCUniversal is already in discussions with potential partners as it prepares to spin off into a standalone company. This marks the first time executives have addressed the planned split in an earnings context since it was announced, and signals that NBCUniversal is actively positioning itself commercially before formally becoming independent.

Comcast intends to divide into two separate companies, with one built around NBCUniversal and Sky focusing on entertainment content, and the other continuing to run legacy cable TV, broadband and wireless operations; the separation is due to complete by next summer. Cavanagh described NBCUniversal as "an extremely valuable collection of assets" with sufficient scale and relationships to remain a major industry player, highlighting sports rights (including this year's Super Bowl, Winter Olympics and World Cup, plus NFL and NBA deals) as a key strength, while stressing a willingness to form partnerships rather than operate as a "walled garden".