Warner Bros. Discovery Hits Profit Turnaround, Thanks To Theaters, Not TV

Warner Bros. Discovery Hits Profit Turnaround, Thanks To Theaters, Not TV


Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) stock gave up its gains after it reported fiscal second-quarter results on Thursday. The company reported a quarterly revenue of $9.81 billion, flat year-on-year (Y/Y) ex-FX growth, missing the analyst consensus estimate of $9.72 billion.

The earnings per share (EPS) of 63 cents topped the analyst consensus estimate of 22-cent loss.

The company reported a net income of $1.58 billion, compared to a loss of $9.99 billion Y/Y. WBD reported an adjusted EBITDA of $1.95 billion, a 9% ex-FX growth.

Also Read: Warner Bros. Analyst Sees Rebound Ahead: Box Office Gains, DC Relaunch, Spin-Off Plan Could Unlock Hidden Value

Distribution revenues were flat ex-FX at $4.89 billion due to domestic linear pay-TV subscriber declines. Advertising revenues decreased 10% ex-FX at $2.22 billion due to domestic linear audience declines.

Content revenues increased 16% ex-FX to $2.47 billion, primarily driven by higher box office revenues due to the stronger performance of the theatrical releases in the current year quarter.

In the quarter, WBD generated $983 million in operating cash flow and $702 million in free cash flow and held $4.9 billion in cash and equivalents.

The company ended the quarter with 125.7 million subscribers versus 103.3 million Y/Y and 122.3 million quarter-over-quarter (Q/Q).

Streaming revenues increased 8% ex-FX to $2.79 billion. Distribution revenue increased 9% ex-FX due to a 22% increase in subscribers following HBO Max’s continued global expansion and new distribution deals.

Advertising revenue increased 17% ex-FX, primarily driven by increased ad-lite subscribers, partially offset by domestic pricing pressures.

Global streaming ARPU decreased 11% ex-FX to $7.14, primarily attributable to growth in lower ARPU international markets and an 8% decrease in domestic streaming ARPU to $11.16. The reduction in domestic streaming ARPU was mainly driven by the broader wholesale distribution of HBO Max Basic with Ads.

Content revenue decreased 21% ex-FX, primarily due to the launch of HBO Max in new international markets, which resulted in lower third-party licensing.

View more earnings on WBD

Adjusted EBITDA for the Streaming Segment was $293 million, versus $(107) million Y/Y.

Studios revenues increased 54% ex-FX to $3.80 billion.

Content revenue increased 59% ex-FX.

Theatrical revenue increased 38% ex-FX, primarily due to the strong box office performance of A Minecraft Movie, Sinners, and Final Destination: Bloodlines in the quarter.


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