The deal gives USJ an enterprise value of $US6.2 billion, Comcast said.
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The $1.5bn investment extends Comcast’s ownership of the Universal Studios entities – with it also a shareholder in the US-based Universal Studios and theme parks via its NBC Universal unit.
USJ opened its theme park in 2001 and listed on the Tokyo bourse’s Mothers Market for start-ups in 2007.
The park is similar to the Universal Orlando Resort and most of its visitors from its home country as well as tourists from Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea.
The acquisition of the majority ownership of the theme park destination will be in a recapitalization transaction, partnering with the current owners including Goldman Sachs Group Inc.
Gumpel has been CEO since 2004.
NBCUniversal has licensing agreements with USJ but does not have capital ties.
Universal Studios in Osaka was struggling to generate revenue but turned tables after it launched The Wizarding World of Harry Potter attraction a year ago. Rights to the Universal film and theme park businesses were received four years later. The park recorded 11.8 million visitors a year ago, up 16.8%, and revenues jumped 44% to JPY138.5 billion.
Steve Burke, CEO of NBCUniversal, said the company plans to introduce significant attractions at Universal Studios over the next five years. Jean-Louis Bonnier, Universal Parks and Resorts’ chief financial officer since 2005, has been named as the new chief exec. There had initially been plans for a public listing for the Japan site although that has now been taken off the table as Comcast execs seek to consolidate and grow their theme park business.
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Comcast NBCUniversal, a division of cable television giant Comcast Corp.
