Comcast Corp CMCSA is set to report second-quarter 2018 results on Jul 26.In the trailing four quarters, the company delivered an average positive earnings surprise of 5.95%, beating estimates in each. In the last reported quarter, the company’s adjusted earnings outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by three cents.Moreover, Comcast’s top line has beaten the consensus mark in three of the trailing four quarters. In the last quarter, revenues came in at $22.79 billion, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $22.72 billion and increased 10.7% from the year-ago quarter.Let’s see how things are shaping up prior to this announcement. Comcast Corporation Price and EPS Surprise Comcast Corporation Price and EPS Surprise | Comcast Corporation QuoteComcast Fights for Sky, Drops Bid for Fox AssetsComcast had a dramatic last quarter. In late April, the cable giant submitted a £22 billion ($30.7 billion) bid for 61% stake of the European Pay-TV, Sky Plc, which was better than 21st Century Fox’s FOXA December 2017 offer.Further, in mid-June, Comcast submitted a higher bid of $65 billion for Fox’s film and television assets, which was a 19% premium to Disney’s DIS $52.4 billion offer. However, on Jun 20, Disney sweetened its offer to $71.3 billion that Fox readily accepted.Disney further got an edge over Comcast after it secured U.S. DOJ approval for Fox’s assets. Comcast recently dropped the bid for Fox’s assets.However, the fight for Sky is expected to continue between Comcast and Fox, as both the parties sweetened their bids recently.Notably, Comcast has lost 14.3% on a year-to-date basis, as compared with the industry’s decline of 15.5%. Increasing Competition to HurtWe remain concerned about the company’s operation in a saturated and competitive multi-channel U.S. video market. Additionally, the company's high-debt level, which is likely to increase further due to the higher acquisition price for Sky, is a headwind.However, Comcast is benefiting from an increasing number of high-speed internet subscribers. The company’s broadband penetration currently stands at 45%.Moreover, the company has completed the nationwide rollout of its wireless services under the Xfinity Mobile brand, which is expected to expand subscriber base. Strong adoption of Xfinity Home is a key catalyst. At the end of the first quarter, 69.3% of Comcast’s residential customers received at least two Xfinity products.Further, the company continues to add new features like the voice remote, and has integrated YouTube, Pandora and iHeartRadio. These features are likely to improve customer engagement, consequently benefiting top-line growth.Moreover, Comcast’s strategy of consistent investment in new attractions at the company’s theme parks is expected to drive growth for NBCUniversal in the to-be-reported quarter.What Our Model SaysAccording to the Zacks model, a company with Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold) along with a positive Earnings ESP has a good chance of beating estimates. The Sell-rated stocks (Zacks Rank #4 or 5) are best avoided.Comcast has a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of -0.17%, which indicates an unlikely positive surprise. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they’re reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.A Stock to ConsiderHere is a stock you may consider as our proven model shows that it has the right combination of elements to post an earnings beat this quarter.AMC Networks AMCX has an Earnings ESP of +0.43% and a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here. The company is set to report on Aug 2. Looking for Stocks with Skyrocketing Upside?Zacks has just released a Special Report on the booming investment opportunities of legal marijuana.Ignited by new referendums and legislation, this industry is expected to blast from an already robust $6.7 billion to $20.2 billion in 2021. Early investors stand to make a killing, but you have to be ready to act and know just where to look.See the pot trades we're targeting>>Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Walt Disney Company (DIS): Free Stock Analysis Report AMC Networks Inc. (AMCX): Free Stock Analysis Report Comcast Corporation (CMCSA): Free Stock Analysis Report Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. (FOXA): Free Stock Analysis Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research