Hosted by Veteran Crime Author Sara James McLaughlin Launch Expands PodcastOne’s Original IP Slate For Television and Film Adaption Total Downloads for Opportunist Top 5.5 Million, Total Episodes 94 LOS ANGELES, Oct. 22, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC), a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), is excited to announce the release of the latest season of its hit series, The Opportunist, hosted by veteran true crime author and podcast host Sara James McLaughlin. I ...

Zero Stars Is 47th Podcast Added to PodcastOne's Network in 2024 PodcastOne All Time Network Downloads Tops 3 Billion LOS ANGELES, Oct. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PodcastOne, a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), announced today the October 21, 2024 premiere of Zero Stars, a debut comedy podcast hosted by renowned comedian, actor and award winning director Bobcat Goldthwait and Academy Award nominated producer Sean McKittrick (Get Out, Donnie Darko, Southland Tales, BlacKkK ...

PodcastOne (PODC) Debuts Beat It Out Podcast from Adam Carolla Exclusively on Adam Carolla Show Substack Beat It Out is the 46th Show Added to PodcastOne in 2024, Expands Partnership with Network Tentpole Host Carolla First Season of Beat It Out Features Co-Host, Comedian Jay Mohr Carolla's All Time Downloads Top 700 Million LOS ANGELES, Sept. 26, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PodcastOne, (Nasdaq: PODC) a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), announced today the launch of Beat It Ou ...

LadyGang is Set to Celebrate 10 Years of Podcasting and 1000 Episodes in 2025 with Over 250 Million Downloads to Date Recently Announced LadyWorld Retreat Set for September 2025 LOS ANGELES, Sept. 18, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC), a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), announced today that it has renewed their agreement for fan favorite podcast LadyGang from hosts Keltie Knight, Becca Tobin and Jac Vanek. LadyGang, which launched on PodcastOne in 2015, wi ...

Fool Coverage Has 153 Episodes Since Its Launch in 2021 17th New Podcast Joining PodcastOne Network This Fiscal Year, 45th in Last 12 Months 3.8 Billion All-Time Network Downloads LOS ANGELES, Sept. 13, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC), a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), announced today that it has entered into a multi-year agreement for the exclusives sales and distribution rights to Fool Coverage with Manny MUA and Laura Lee. The Millennial and Gen Z fa ...

Wrestling World Champion Nic Nemeth and Brother Award Winning Actor Ryan Nemeth Launch Weekly Wrestling and Comedy Podcast 16th New Podcast Joining PodcastOne Network This Fiscal Year, 44th in Last 12 Months 3.8 Billion All-Time Network Downloads LOS ANGELES, Sept. 04, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC), a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), announced today that it has entered into a multi-year exclusive joint venture with Nic and Ryan Nemeth for the Nemeth Br ...

Revenue Performance - Revenue for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $13.2 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 24% from $10.6 million in the same period of 2023[112] - Revenue increased by $2.5 million, or 24%, to $13.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $10.6 million for the same period in 2023[140] - For the three months ended June 30, 2024, the company reported revenue of $13.2 million, an increase of 23.7% compared to $10.6 million for the same period in 2023[150] Podcast Metrics - The number of podcast downloads decreased to 55,856,000 for the three months ended June 30, 2024, down 40% from 93,539,000 in the same period of 2023, attributed to changes in download behavior due to Apple iOS 17 and the exit of non-revenue generating partner networks[125] - PodcastOne has over 5.7 million monthly unique listeners and 19+ million IAB monthly downloads, showcasing its reach in the podcasting market[110] Content Strategy - The company has acquired exclusive rights to several true crime podcasts for potential television and film projects, indicating a strategy for content expansion[114] - PodcastOne operates Launchpad One, a self-publishing platform for independent podcasters, which serves as a talent pool for discovering new podcasts[112] - The company is actively pursuing additional podcast and asset acquisitions to align with its growth strategy[114] Advertising and Revenue Generation - The company generates revenue primarily through the sale of embedded host-read ads, dynamic ads, and programmatic monetization channels[111] - PodcastOne's advertising strategy focuses on relevant content-based advertising, with 60% of podcast listeners reporting they have purchased something after hearing a podcast ad[115] Financial Performance - Cost of sales rose by $3.5 million, or 42%, to $11.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from $8.2 million in the prior year[141] - Total operating expenses increased by $4.1 million, or 39%, to $14.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $10.4 million for the same period in 2023[135] - General and administrative expenses increased by $0.5 million, or 52%, to $1.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from $0.9 million in 2023[145] - Amortization of intangible assets surged by $0.4 million, or 1,408%, to $0.4 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to $25,000 in the same period last year[146] - Net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $1.366 million, compared to a net loss of $210,000 for the same period in 2023[135] - Sales and marketing expenses decreased by $0.4 million, or 32%, to $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from $1.3 million in 2023[143] - Impairment of intangible assets increased by $0.2 million, or 100%, to $0.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024, compared to none in the prior year[147] - Total other income (expense) improved to none for the three months ended June 30, 2024, from a loss of $403,000 in the same period in 2023[142] - The adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was a loss of $316,000, compared to a gain of $363,000 for the same period in 2023[149] - The contribution margin for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $1.45 million, down from $2.42 million in the same period of 2023, reflecting a decrease of 40%[150] Cash and Liquidity - As of June 30, 2024, the company had cash and cash equivalents of $0.9 million, with total outstanding consolidated indebtedness of $8.3 million[153][156] - The net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended June 30, 2024, was $480,000, compared to $46,000 for the same period in 2023[160] - The company anticipates that existing cash resources will not be sufficient to meet current operating and liquidity needs beyond August 2025[157] - The company completed a private placement offering of unsecured convertible notes totaling $8.8 million, which were fully converted in September 2023[153] - The company is exploring additional interim financing to support ongoing operations and meet obligations[157] - As of June 30, 2024, the company had a working capital of $0.9 million, raising substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern[158] Compliance and Governance - As of June 30, 2024, the company had no debt covenants and was in compliance with all covenants under the ABL Credit Facility and the Capchase Loan[164] - The company remediated the material weakness identified in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on July 1, 2024[167] - The company's disclosure controls and procedures were evaluated and deemed effective as of the end of the period covered by the Quarterly Report[165] Legal Matters - The company is involved in various legal proceedings that may have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition, or operating results[170] Operational Challenges - The company has a history of losses and must increase revenue and reduce costs to achieve profitable operations[159]

Core Insights - PodcastOne has signed comedian Chris Kattan for a multi-year contract to exclusively sell and distribute his debut podcast, "Idiotically Speaking," which will launch on July 24, 2024 [1][2] - The podcast will feature a mix of Q&A and improv, with notable guests from the comedy world, including former Saturday Night Live cast members [1][2] - This addition marks the 10th new podcast for PodcastOne in the current fiscal year and the 41st in the last 12 months, contributing to a total of 185 podcasts on the platform [1] Company Overview - PodcastOne is a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne, providing a comprehensive solution in sales, marketing, public relations, production, and distribution [12] - The network boasts over 2.1 billion downloads annually and reaches a community of 250 top podcasters, with a distribution network that engages over 1 billion listeners monthly [12] - PodcastOne's programming spans various genres, including news, comedy, true crime, and society and culture, featuring popular shows like "The Adam Carolla Show" and "LadyGang" [6][12] Key Personnel - Chris Kattan, the host of "Idiotically Speaking," is a well-known actor and comedian with a background in improvisational comedy, having been a prominent member of the Groundlings and a cast member on SNL for eight seasons [3] - Co-host Andy Bolduc is a comedian and writer associated with The Second City, recognized for his contributions to multiple revues [4] - Co-host Joseph Nuñez is an actor and comedian with experience in various television and film projects, including roles in "Arrested Development" and "Superbad" [5]

Financial Performance - PodcastOne's revenue for the year ended March 31, 2024, was $43.3 million, representing a year-over-year growth of 25% from $34.6 million in 2023[25]. - The Ad-Supported Service revenue increased from $34.6 million for the year ended March 31, 2023, to $43.3 million for the year ended March 31, 2024, representing a 25% growth[49]. - PodcastOne incurred net losses of $14.7 million and $7.0 million for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively[110]. - As of March 31, 2024, the company had an accumulated deficit of $29.6 million and net working capital of $0.9 million[110]. - Total liabilities were reported at $7.8 million as of March 31, 2024, indicating a need to increase revenue and reduce costs to continue as a going concern[111]. - The company faces substantial doubt about its ability to continue as a going concern due to recurring losses from operations[119]. - The company has financed operations primarily through equity securities and cash from operations, with future net losses dependent on the rate of expenditures and revenue growth[110]. - LiveOne owed $2.4 million to SoundExchange under a settlement agreement as of March 31, 2024, which could impact the company's financial condition if not complied with[115]. Audience Engagement - The company reported 5.7+ million monthly unique listeners and 19+ million IAB monthly downloads, indicating strong audience engagement[22]. - PodcastOne recorded a total of 12 million average monthly listeners in the quarter ending December 31, 2023[61]. - The average monthly downloads for podcasts decreased from approximately 51.5 million in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, to approximately 30.7 million in the same period in 2024, primarily due to changes in download attribution methodology[58]. - PodcastOne experienced a 40% decrease in the number of podcast downloads, totaling 368,812,413 for the year ended March 31, 2024, down from 617,445,568 in 2023[42]. Market Trends - The podcast market in the U.S. is expected to continue developing as a high-growth segment, with an estimated 177 million Americans having listened to a podcast at some point[27]. - Podcast advertising revenue is projected to grow from $2.28 billion in 2023 to over $3.25 billion in 2024, and reach $4 billion by 2025[62]. - The number of podcast listeners is anticipated to grow to 135 million in 2024, with nearly 150 million expected by 2027[64]. - The spoken word consumption among the 13-24 year-old demographic has increased by 214% since 2014, with 21% attributed to podcast usage[63]. Business Strategy - PodcastOne aims to mitigate risk by acquiring multiple assets across a broad spectrum of podcast-related media and companies[21]. - The company has introduced new advertising products, including sponsored playlists and a self-serve audio advertising platform, to enhance value for advertisers[47]. - PodcastOne's growth strategies include strategically launching new podcasts with culturally relevant creators and acquiring existing podcasts that will thrive on its network[44][46]. - The company emphasizes rapid innovation and prioritizes long-term user engagement, which may lead to short-term financial impacts[171]. Operational Challenges - The company incurred significant operating and net losses since inception and anticipates continuing to incur significant losses for the foreseeable future[104]. - The company faces competition for ad-supported listening time and is dependent on the performance of its podcasts and their talent[104]. - The company faces significant competition for listeners from well-funded digital media providers, which may impact the number of premium subscribers and advertising sales[125]. - The company competes for advertisers' marketing budgets against major internet companies and traditional advertising channels, affecting revenue and margins[126]. - The reliance on podcast talent and the potential loss of key hosts could adversely affect the company's ability to attract advertisers and maintain revenue[128]. Regulatory and Compliance Risks - The company is subject to stringent data protection regulations, including the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which can impose fines of up to 4% of annual worldwide turnover or €20 million for non-compliance[88]. - The company faces risks related to compliance with U.S. laws and regulations, including the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which could lead to fines and reputational damage[192]. - The company is subject to potential fines of up to 4% of annual global turnover or €20 million for personal data breaches in Europe[180]. - Regulatory compliance costs may increase due to evolving laws and regulations, impacting operational flexibility and financial performance[186]. Technology and Innovation - The company has developed a proprietary Content Management System (CMS) that allows creators to track metrics on an episode-by-episode basis, enhancing audience analytics[70]. - The company must effectively monetize its services on mobile devices, as failure to do so may adversely impact its operating results[164]. - The digital advertising industry is shifting towards data-driven technologies, and the company must effectively monetize mobile device usage to maintain advertising revenue[148]. - The company is investing in new products and features, but rapid technological changes may hinder its ability to attract users and generate revenue[156]. Financial Reporting and Governance - For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, the company identified material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting, impacting the accuracy of financial statements[204]. - The company has implemented new financial systems and processes to address identified material weaknesses, but full remediation may take time[212]. - The company is currently a "smaller reporting company," which may make it more challenging for investors to analyze its financial prospects[112]. - Operating as a public company will result in increased legal, accounting, and compliance costs, affecting overall financial performance[219].

LOS ANGELES, June 20, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PodcastOne (NASDAQ: PODC), a leading podcast platform and a subsidiary of LiveOne (NASDAQ: LVO), announced today that its influential podcast, Gals on the Go, has teamed with skincare band fresh beauty for a live podcast recording event in New York City on June 22, 2024 as part of the Second Annual fresh Beauty Rose Pop-Up. Headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, LiveOne (Nasdaq: LVO) is an award-winning, creator-first, music, entertainment, and technology platform f ...