Historical source-based research. Compilation date and financial period are different dates.

Observation

Across 8 eligible communication services companies, the equal-weight median operating cash-flow margin was 27.39% for the prior selected annual periods.

Data context

The eligible sample covers 8 of 8 selected companies. The prior selected annual periods span 2024-09-28 to 2024-12-31. Companies have different fiscal year ends. This is a cross-sectional research sample, not a calendar-year index or a representation of the full sector.

Company evidence

GOOGL 35.80% (period 2024-12-31); META 55.52% (period 2024-12-31); NFLX 18.87% (period 2024-12-31); VZ 27.39% (period 2024-12-31); DIS 15.29% (period 2024-09-28); TMUS 27.39% (period 2024-12-31); T 31.69% (period 2024-12-31); CMCSA 22.37% (period 2024-12-31).

Distribution

The sample range is 15.29% (DIS) to 55.52% (META). The median is computed across company ratios with equal weight; it is not a ratio of aggregate totals. Extreme values can reflect a small denominator or unusual accounting items.

Interpretation

Advertising, subscriptions and connectivity produce very different revenue and cash-flow models. The numerator is operatingCashFlow; the denominator is revenue. Only positive denominators and disclosed numerators qualify. No missing value is replaced with zero.

What to watch

Advertising exposure, subscription economics, network investment and cash conversion.

Research limitations

Audience migration, content costs, competition, capital intensity and privacy regulation. The sample uses a September 18, 2026 source snapshot. It does not establish current market conditions, causal drivers or future returns. Sector labels are editorial and the financial-sector cash-flow measures need particular caution.

Company-level observations / percent / selected annual periods
CompanyValuePeriod end
GOOGL35.80%2024-12-31
META55.52%2024-12-31
NFLX18.87%2024-12-31
VZ27.39%2024-12-31
DIS15.29%2024-09-28
TMUS27.39%2024-12-31
T31.69%2024-12-31
CMCSA22.37%2024-12-31

Sources & dates

Methodology protocol ↗SMS research updates ↗