Paramount Global (PARA -2.02%), a major player in the media and entertainment industry, released its Q3 2024 earnings on November 8, 2024.
The key highlight was the company's Adjusted Earnings Per Share (EPS) of $0.49, significantly exceeding analyst expectations of $0.24, showcasing successful efforts to cut costs and grow revenues, particularly in its Direct-to-Consumer segment. Although total revenue decreased 6% to $6.731 billion from $7.133 billion in the previous year, the resilience of its streaming segment, marked by a 25% revenue climb for Paramount+, helped offset the wider decline.
Overall, the quarter presented a mix of gains from digital avenues and setbacks in more traditional media channels.
| Metric | Q3 2024 Result | Analyst Estimate | Q3 2023 Result | Year-over-Year Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Adjusted EPS | $0.49 | $0.24 | — | — |
| Total Revenue ($ billions) | $6.731 | — | $7.133 | -6% |
| Direct-to-Consumer Revenue ($ billions) | $1.860 | — | $1.692 | +10% |
| TV Media Revenue ($ billions) | $4.298 | — | $4.567 | -6% |
| Filmed Entertainment Revenue ($ millions) | $590 | — | $891 | -34% |
Source: Analyst estimates for the quarter provided by FactSet.
Business Overview and Recent Focus
Paramount Global is a leading media and entertainment company, known for its vast television and film offerings. Its business encompasses streaming platforms like Paramount+ and Pluto TV, traditional TV networks such as CBS, and popular film production through Paramount Pictures. Recently, its strategy has centered on streaming expansion, leveraging Paramount+ and Pluto TV to capture a larger audience in the competitive online media landscape.
The company's focus has been on enhancing its content library and production capabilities to differentiate its offerings in the streaming market. Paramount Global has concentrated efforts on integrating Showtime into Paramount+, expanding market presence, and content production to attract and sustain subscriber growth. Key success in digital channels is vital for maintaining its relevance amidst evolving consumption patterns, especially as TV Media faces advertising challenges.
NASDAQ: PARA
Key Data Points
Quarterly Highlights
In Q3 2024, Paramount Global added 3.5 million subscribers to Paramount+, bringing the total to 72 million. The streaming platform's revenue grew by 25% due to subscriber growth and a 7% rise in subscription revenue. Direct-to-Consumer Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization (OIBDA) improved by $287 million from a loss previously, highlighting effective cost management strategies.
Challenges emerged within its traditional segments. Filmed Entertainment revenue decreased 34% to $590 million, influenced by significant reductions in theatrical releases (down 71%) and licensing hurdles. Similarly, TV Media revenue, including CBS's campaigns, fell by 6% to $4.3 billion. This decline was attributed to lower affiliate and subscription revenues, coupled with a 12% drop in licensing and other revenues, emphasizing the headwinds from changes in linear advertising and market dynamics.
Notably, a mix of hits in sports and entertainment offerings sustained pockets of positive audience engagement, though not enough to counterbalance general declines. Paramount Global's streamlined operations target $500 million in annual run-rate savings, signaling a continued focus on cost efficiency to cope with industry transformations.
Looking forward, Paramount Global faces competitive pressures in streaming from major players such as Netflix (NFLX -0.30%) and Disney+ (DIS -0.23%). Its ability to differentiate content remains a critical determinant of success. Additionally, the company acknowledged traditional media challenges such as network advertising pressure. The closing of its Skydance transactions, expected by mid-2025, is anticipated to support diversification and revenue potential, though execution remains crucial.
Looking Ahead
For the coming quarter and beyond, Paramount Global has an optimistic outlook for its Direct-to-Consumer arm. Paramount+ is expected to reach domestic profitability by 2025, with further international expansion in sight. Cost-saving strategies are ongoing as organizational restructuring continues to optimize efficiencies amid industry shifts.
Management emphasized watching Paramount+'s growth trajectory as a crucial area. Also noteworthy is its strategic alignment with partnerships to bolster streaming capabilities and reach, vital for sustaining its upward momentum amidst tough market competition. Investors should monitor these developments closely, examining Paramount's streaming trajectory and potential content production hurdles as pivotal factors in its long-term growth path.
