For the quarter ended March 2025, Paramount Global-B (PARA) reported revenue of $7.19 billion, down 6.4% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.29, compared to $0.62 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue compares to the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $7.08 billion, representing a surprise of +1.53%. The company delivered an EPS surprise of +7.41%, with the consensus EPS estimate being $0.27.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and ...

Core Insights - Paramount Global's co-CEO Chris McCarthy emphasized the company's strategic partnership with Taylor Sheridan's 101 Studios, highlighting that they are not seeking to acquire the studio but value the existing relationship [1][2][4] - The partnership with Sheridan has proven successful, with Paramount holding an exclusive agreement with him until 2028 and owning all intellectual property (IP) generated from their collaboration [3] - Paramount has implemented new creative models inspired by Sheridan's work, which have been effective in attracting new talent, such as Jez Butterworth, leading to successful projects like The Agency and MobLand [5] Financial Performance - Paramount reported solid quarterly earnings but is focusing on cash conservation amid a challenging macroeconomic environment, alongside significant cost reductions in preparation for a merger with Skydance [6] - The average production cost of Paramount Pictures' films has been reduced by 35% over the past 24 months, indicating a strategic shift towards more efficient production practices [6] Future Outlook - The company anticipates that its sale to Skydance will be finalized in the first half of the year, pending FCC approval [7]

Paramount Global-B (PARA) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.29 per share, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.27 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.62 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of 7.41%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.10 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.11, delivering a surprise of -210%.Over the last four quarters, the company h ...

Paramount Global (PARAA) came out with quarterly earnings of $0.29 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $0.39 per share. This compares to earnings of $0.62 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -25.64%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this company would post earnings of $0.60 per share when it actually produced a loss of $0.11, delivering a surprise of -118.33%.Over the last four quarters, the compa ...

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Global anticipates the merger with Skydance Media to close in the first half of 2025, pending regulatory approvals from the FCC [1][2][3] Financial Performance - Q1 revenue decreased by 6% to $7.2 billion, but increased by 2% when excluding the impact of Super Bowl LVIII from the previous year [4] - The company reported a net profit of $152 million, a significant recovery from a loss of $554 million in the same quarter last year [5] - Adjusted EPS was 29 cents per share [5] - Streaming revenue rose by 9% to over $2 billion, with Paramount+ contributing to a 16% increase in subscription revenue [6] Subscriber Growth - Paramount+ added 1.5 million net new subscribers, reaching a total of 79 million by the end of March [7] - The growth was driven by series, post-theatrical releases, CBS primetime, and sports programming [7] Advertising and Media Performance - Ad sales fell by 9%, with 8% attributed to Super Bowl comparisons [6] - CBS is expected to be the most-watched network in primetime for the 17th consecutive season, despite a 21% decline in ad revenue [8] Division Performance - TV Media operating profit decreased by 36% to $922 million on revenue of $4.54 billion [9] - Filmed entertainment revenue increased by 4%, with theatrical revenue easing by 3% [9] - The success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 contributed to a profit swing in the division, moving from a $3 million loss to a $20 million profit [10]

Core Viewpoint - Paramount Global (PARA) is expected to report a decline in both revenues and earnings for the first quarter of 2025 compared to the previous year, with significant factors influencing these results [1][4][6]. Financial Performance Expectations - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PARA's first-quarter 2025 revenues is $7.1 billion, reflecting a 7.56% decrease from the same quarter last year [1]. - The consensus estimate for earnings is 30 cents per share, which represents a 51.61% decrease year-over-year and has been revised downward by 21.05% in the last 30 days [1]. Subscriber Growth and Content Strategy - PARA added 5.6 million new subscribers on Paramount+ in the fourth quarter of 2024, and subscriber growth is expected to continue, albeit at a slower pace due to content release timing [5]. - The company is anticipated to maintain content momentum on Paramount+, with the return of popular shows and the launch of new series [4]. Advertising and Affiliate Revenue Trends - In the TV Media segment, affiliate revenues are projected to decline by 6.7% year-over-year, with an increased rate of decline expected in the first quarter due to recent renewals and changes in the pay TV ecosystem [6][7]. - Advertising revenues also saw a decline of 4% year-over-year in the previous quarter, with similar trends likely to persist [6]. Adjusted OIBDA and Business Trends - Adjusted OIBDA is expected to decline in the first quarter, influenced by the aforementioned business trends and the comparison to the Super Bowl, which had a positive impact in 2024 [7]. - The cumulative impact of recent renewals with major distributors is another significant factor affecting performance [7]. Earnings Expectations and Model Insights - PARA currently has an Earnings ESP of -24.85% and a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating lower odds of an earnings beat [8].

Core Viewpoint - Analysts expect Paramount Global-B (PARA) to report quarterly earnings of $0.30 per share, reflecting a year-over-year decline of 51.6%, with revenues projected at $7.1 billion, down 7.6% from the previous year [1]. Revenue Estimates - The consensus estimate for 'Revenues- TV Media' is $4.45 billion, indicating a decline of 14.9% year-over-year [4]. - 'Revenues- Filmed Entertainment' is estimated at $605.83 million, showing a slight increase of 0.1% from the prior year [4]. - 'Revenues- Direct-to-Consumer' is projected to reach $2.13 billion, reflecting a growth of 13.1% year-over-year [4]. - 'Revenues- Direct-to-Consumer- Advertising' is expected to be $538.94 million, up 3.6% from the previous year [5]. - 'Revenues- Filmed Entertainment- Licensing and Other' is forecasted at $475.92 million, indicating a 5.5% increase year-over-year [5]. - 'Revenues- TV Media- Advertising' is anticipated to be $1.87 billion, down 27.8% from the year-ago quarter [6]. - 'Revenues- TV Media- Affiliate and Subscription' is estimated at $1.85 billion, reflecting a decrease of 7.6% year-over-year [6]. - 'Revenues- TV Media- Licensing and Other' is projected to reach $747.77 million, indicating a year-over-year increase of 14.9% [7]. - 'Revenues- Direct-to-Consumer- Subscription' is expected to be $1.62 billion, showing a growth of 19.5% from the prior year [7]. - 'Revenues- Filmed Entertainment- Theatrical' is forecasted at $139.12 million, down 9.1% year-over-year [7]. - 'Revenues- Licensing and Other' is projected to be $1.23 billion, reflecting a 14% increase year-over-year [8]. Subscriber Estimates - Analysts estimate that 'Global Paramount Subscribers' will reach 77.50 million, compared to 71.2 million a year ago [8]. Stock Performance - Over the past month, Paramount Global-B shares have returned +3.3%, outperforming the Zacks S&P 500 composite's +0.4% change [8].

Paramount Global-B (PARA) is expected to deliver a year-over-year decline in earnings on lower revenues when it reports results for the quarter ended March 2025. This widely-known consensus outlook gives a good sense of the company's earnings picture, but how the actual results compare to these estimates is a powerful factor that could impact its near-term stock price.The earnings report, which is expected to be released on May 8, 2025, might help the stock move higher if these key numbers are better than e ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported core FFO of $0.17 per share for Q1 2025, exceeding consensus by $0.01 [6][24] - First quarter same store growth was negative 4.1% on a cash basis and negative 5.4% on a GAAP basis [24] - The leased occupancy rate of the same store portfolio was 86.2%, up 140 basis points from the prior quarter [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company executed leases totaling approximately 284,000 square feet, marking the strongest first quarter of leasing since 2019 [7][16] - The weighted average term for leases signed during Q1 was 12.9 years [16] - Approximately 60% of leasing activity occurred on vacant space, with 24% on space scheduled to expire in 2025 [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In New York, the Manhattan office market showed significant improvement, with new leasing activity reaching the highest quarterly total since Q4 2021 [9] - Financial services tenants represented over half of new leases of 10,000 square feet and greater in New York [9] - In San Francisco, AI-based companies accounted for approximately 20 deals totaling more than 275,000 square feet, indicating a growing importance of the city as an AI hub [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining strong tenant relationships and securing renewals to meet the needs of existing and prospective tenants [14] - The Paramount Club continues to be a significant differentiator in the market, enhancing tenant satisfaction and retention [12] - The company is cautiously optimistic about the San Francisco market, noting improvements in leasing activity and a favorable business environment [13][44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged recent shifts in the broader economic environment but noted no disruption to leasing activity [8] - The company expects ongoing absorption of space in its submarkets to support increased leasing and improved deal economics [20] - Management reaffirmed earnings guidance and expressed confidence in the recovery of the New York portfolio [24][27] Other Important Information - The company closed the sale of a 45% interest in 900 Third Avenue, raising approximately $95 million in net proceeds [14][27] - The debt at quarter end, excluding noncore assets, amounted to $3.25 billion at a weighted average rate of 4.26% [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Future capital uses and sources - Management indicated a disciplined and opportunistic approach to capital uses, considering opportunities similar to the 900 Third Avenue transaction [31][32] Question: Details on the new law firm lease at 1 Market Plaza - The law firm lease at 1 Market Plaza is expected to command rents in excess of $120 per square foot, reflecting strong interest in high-quality space [35][36] Question: Activity in the San Francisco market - Management expressed cautious optimism about San Francisco, noting increased leasing activity and a positive shift in the business environment [41][44] Question: Update on large tenant expirations - Management is in advanced discussions for backfilling space from Visa and Morgan Lewis, indicating progress in managing lease expirations [46][47] Question: Guidance on leasing volume and same store NOI - Management explained that the lack of change in same store NOI guidance is primarily due to the delayed commencement of leases [49]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported core FFO of $0.17 per share for Q1 2025, exceeding consensus by $0.01 [6][24] - First quarter same store growth was negative 4.1% on a cash basis and negative 5.4% on a GAAP basis [24] - The leased occupancy rate of the same store portfolio was 86.2%, up 140 basis points from the prior quarter [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company executed leases totaling approximately 284,000 square feet, marking the strongest first quarter of leasing since 2019 [7][16] - The weighted average term for leases signed during Q1 was 12.9 years [16] - Approximately 60% of leasing activity occurred on vacant space, with 24% on space scheduled to expire in 2025 [18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In New York, the Manhattan office market showed significant improvement, with new leasing activity reaching the highest quarterly total since Q4 2021 [9] - Financial services tenants represented over half of new leases of 10,000 square feet and greater in New York [9] - In San Francisco, AI-based companies accounted for approximately 20 deals totaling more than 275,000 square feet, indicating a growing importance of the city as an AI hub [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining strong tenant relationships and securing renewals to meet the needs of existing and prospective tenants [14] - The Paramount Club continues to be a significant differentiator in the market, enhancing tenant satisfaction and retention [12] - The company is cautiously optimistic about the San Francisco market, noting improvements in leasing activity and a favorable business environment [13][44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged recent shifts in the broader economic environment but noted no disruption to leasing activity [8] - The company expects ongoing absorption of space in its submarkets to support increased leasing and improved deal economics [20] - Management reaffirmed earnings guidance and expressed confidence in the recovery of the New York portfolio [24][27] Other Important Information - The company closed the sale of a 45% interest in 900 Third Avenue, raising approximately $95 million in net proceeds [14][27] - The debt at quarter end, excluding noncore assets, amounted to $3.25 billion at a weighted average rate of 4.26% [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: What should be expected regarding capital uses and sources in 2025? - Management indicated a disciplined and opportunistic approach to capital transactions, similar to the sale of 900 Third Avenue [31][32] Question: Can you provide details on the new lease with the law firm at 1 Market Plaza? - The law firm is expected to pay rents in excess of $120 per square foot, reflecting strong interest in high-quality space [35][36] Question: How is the San Francisco market performing amid current uncertainties? - Management remains cautiously optimistic, noting increased leasing activity and positive discussions with local authorities [44] Question: What is the status of large tenants facing expirations in 2026? - Advanced discussions are ongoing for backfilling space from Visa and Morgan Lewis, with optimism about leasing activity [46][48] Question: Why was there no change in same store NOI guidance despite increased leasing volume? - The delay in lease commencements is primarily responsible for the unchanged same store NOI guidance [49]