Starz Entertainment Corp(STRZ)
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NFLX vs. STRZ: Which Streaming Stock Has Better Upside Potential?
ZACKS· 2025-11-26 18:31
Key Takeaways NFLX posted about 17% Q3 revenue growth to roughly $11.5B while STRZ's loss widened to $52.6M.NFLX's ad tier hit 190M monthly viewers and is expected to see ad revenue more than double in 2025.STRZ faces high leverage and modest revenue growth of $321M amid its post-spinoff challenges.The streaming entertainment industry continues to evolve rapidly, with both established giants and smaller specialized players competing for viewer attention and subscription dollars. Netflix (NFLX) , the global ...
Amid Big Media M&A, Starz Seeks “Marooned” Linear Brands To Reposition For Digital
Deadline· 2025-11-13 23:43
Core Viewpoint - Starz aims to position itself strategically in the M&A landscape by acquiring linear networks that are undervalued by larger owners, leveraging its technology and expertise to transition these brands into the digital space [1][4]. Financial Performance - Starz reported a revenue of $320.9 million for the quarter ending September, down from $346.9 million year-over-year, aligning with Wall Street forecasts [5]. - Net losses increased to $52.6 million from $30.6 million, while adjusted EBITDA was $21 million, lower than expected, but the company reaffirmed its annual guidance of $200 million [6]. Subscriber Metrics - The company ended the quarter with 12.3 million U.S. OTT subscribers, a sequential increase of 110,000, while total U.S. subscribers decreased by 130,000 to 17.5 million [7]. - Total North American subscribers reached 19.2 million, with a sequential increase of 120,000, driven by a 250,000 increase in Canadian subscribers following the resolution of a carriage dispute [8]. Content Strategy - Starz is focusing on developing a steady pipeline of shows with longer seasons of 18-22 episodes to enhance viewer engagement and reduce churn [7]. - The company is working towards owning half of its content slate and has initiated several writers' rooms post-separation from Lionsgate, with its first original series "Fightland" currently in production [8]. Structural Changes - A new content licensing agreement has been established with Bell Canada, transitioning from a joint venture model to a more stable structure, allowing Starz to generate international licensing revenue while Bell manages operations [10][11].
Starz Entertainment Corp(STRZ) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-11-13 23:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Starz reported total revenue of $321 million for the quarter, an increase of $1.2 million sequentially [12] - Adjusted OIBDA was $22 million, down $11 million sequentially due to higher advertising and marketing costs [13] - The company ended the quarter with total net debt of $588 million, with leverage on a trailing 12-month basis at 3.4 times [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. OTT subscribers increased by 110,000, ending the quarter with 12.3 million [11] - North American total subscribers reached 19.2 million, with a sequential increase of 120,000 [12] - OTT revenue rose by $1.7 million to $223 million, while linear and other revenue slightly decreased to $98 million [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. OTT subscriber growth was driven by the successful debut of "Outlander: Blood of My Blood" and the premiere of "Ballerina" [11][8] - OTT engagement reached a 12-month high, indicating strong performance in content [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to grow its core business by increasing margins to 20% by the end of 2028 and converting 70% of adjusted OIBDA to unleveraged free cash flow [3] - A structural change in the Canadian operation was announced, moving to a content licensing agreement with Bell Canada to generate international licensing revenue [4] - Starz is focused on owning half of its content slate by 2027, which is expected to improve margins and reduce costs [5][21] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the ability to deliver on their plan despite significant headwinds in the media industry [10] - The company anticipates continued revenue and U.S. OTT subscriber growth in the fourth quarter, aiming for approximately $200 million of adjusted OIBDA for the year [11][8] - Management highlighted the potential for increased consolidation in the media landscape, positioning Starz to capitalize on M&A opportunities [6] Other Important Information - The company plans to decrease content investment year over year, which is expected to improve free cash flow in 2026 [9] - The partnership with Bell Canada and the co-commission on "Fightland" are expected to be modestly accretive to adjusted OIBDA and free cash flow in 2026 [6] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you explain the cost savings and international revenue from producing your own shows? - Management indicated that owning IP allows for cost control and the potential for incremental revenue through international licensing [17][19] Question: Any updates on other shows announced alongside "Fightland"? - Management confirmed progress on several shows, with plans to have half the slate owned by Starz by 2027 [20][21] Question: Can you walk us through the EBITDA guidance for Q4? - Management expressed confidence in reaching the $200 million EBITDA target, needing approximately $52 million in Q4 [24][25] Question: What are the dynamics around churn and gross acquisitions? - Management noted that two-thirds of subscriber growth was from gross acquisitions, with churn at all-time lows [49] Question: Can you provide insights on the Canadian business model shift? - Management confirmed that the new licensing model is expected to provide stable revenue exceeding previous subscription revenues [52] Question: Is the $700 million cash spend outlook for 2026 still accurate? - Management affirmed that the expectation is to be just under $700 million in 2026, with further reductions anticipated in subsequent years [54]
Starz Entertainment Corp(STRZ) - 2026 Q2 - Quarterly Report
2025-11-13 21:05
Company Separation and Structure - Starz Entertainment Corp. completed the separation from Old Lionsgate on May 6, 2025, resulting in two publicly traded companies: Starz Entertainment Corp. and Lionsgate Studios Corp.[162] - The Starz Business primarily consists of Starz Networks, which distributes premium subscription video services in the U.S. and Canada, and international OTT distribution outside these regions[161]. Financial Performance - Total revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $320.9 million, a decrease of $26.0 million or 7.5% compared to $346.9 million in the same period of 2024[206]. - OTT revenue decreased by $9.4 million (4.0%) to $222.8 million, while linear and other revenue fell by $16.6 million (14.5%) to $98.1 million[206]. - Total revenue for the six months ended September 30, 2025, decreased by $53.9 million (7.8%) to $640.6 million, down from $694.5 million in 2024[238]. - OTT revenue declined by $22.7 million (4.9%) to $443.9 million for the six months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $466.6 million in 2024[238]. Subscriber Metrics - The number of total subscribers in the United States decreased to 17.46 million from 17.83 million, with OTT subscribers increasing to 12.29 million but linear subscribers declining to 5.17 million[209]. - The number of total Starz subscribers decreased to 19.20 million from 23.20 million, with OTT subscribers dropping to 12.97 million from 15.45 million[209]. Expenses and Losses - Operating loss for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $34.8 million, an increase in loss of $17.8 million (104.7%) from $17.0 million in 2024[206]. - Net loss from continuing operations was $52.6 million, an increase of $22.0 million (71.9%) compared to $30.6 million in the same period of 2024[206]. - General and administrative expenses increased by $2.5 million (9.5%) to $28.8 million compared to $26.3 million in the prior year[206]. - General and administrative expenses rose by $3.0 million (13.2%) to $25.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, from $22.8 million in 2024[220]. - Interest expense increased by $3.5 million (28.5%) to $15.8 million compared to $12.3 million in the prior year[206]. - Advertising and marketing expenses increased by $3.2 million (4.3%) to $78.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2025, compared to $75.2 million in the same period of 2024[216]. - Net loss from continuing operations for the six months ended September 30, 2025, was $95.1 million, compared to a loss of $29.5 million in 2024[253]. Debt and Financial Obligations - Total aggregate debt outstanding, including $300.0 million outstanding per Term Loan A, was $625.1 million following the Exchange Transaction[179]. - As of September 30, 2025, the company had $300.0 million outstanding under its new Term Loan A and $325.1 million under 5.5% Senior Notes due 2029[259]. - Total future repayment of debt and other commitments under contractual obligations is $1,629.7 million, with $591.4 million due in the next 12 months[275]. - The company has entered into $150.0 million worth of pay-fixed interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk[289]. Cash Flow and Liquidity - Cash and cash equivalents as of September 30, 2025, were $37.0 million, an increase from $17.8 million in 2024[258]. - Net cash flows provided by operating activities for the six months ended September 30, 2025, were $39.3 million, an increase of $57.1 million compared to the same period in 2024[281]. - Cash provided by investing activities for the six months ended September 30, 2025, was $70.7 million, reflecting a net change of $160.7 million compared to 2024[282]. - Cash used in financing activities for the six months ended September 30, 2025, was $(90.8) million, a decrease of $184.2 million compared to the same period in 2024[283]. Programming and Content Costs - Programming amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2025, was $156.8 million, down $25.3 million (13.9%) from $182.1 million in 2024[206]. - Programming related obligations included $88.2 million of programming notes and $16.2 million of a production loan as of September 30, 2025[261]. - Programming amortization for the six months ended September 30, 2025, decreased by $10.7 million (3.2%) to $319.3 million from $330.0 million in 2024[238]. Strategic Initiatives - Starz continues to strategically review its content and performance as a standalone company following the separation[165]. - Management's estimates for financial statements include significant assumptions regarding customer relationships and future revenue, which could differ from actual results[187]. - The company plans to change its fiscal year end from March 31 to December 31, with the next fiscal year end set for December 31, 2025[186].
Starz Entertainment Corp. Reports Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2025
Prnewswire· 2025-11-13 21:05
Core Insights - STARZ reported consolidated revenue of $320.9 million for the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, with a net loss of $(52.6) million, translating to a net loss per share of $(3.15) [2][4] - The company experienced U.S. OTT subscriber growth of 520,000 year-to-date and 670,000 year-over-year, reaching a total of 12.3 million U.S. OTT subscribers [4][2] - Management reiterated its previously provided 2025 outlook, indicating confidence in future performance [2] Financial Performance - Total revenue for the quarter was $320.9 million, down from $346.9 million in the same quarter last year [10] - Operating loss was $(34.8) million, compared to $(17.0) million in the prior year [10] - Adjusted OIBDA for the quarter was $21.8 million, a decrease from $33.4 million year-over-year [13] Subscriber Metrics - STARZ ended the quarter with 12.3 million U.S. OTT subscribers, a sequential increase of 110,000, while total U.S. subscribers decreased by 130,000 to 17.5 million [4][2] - Total North American subscribers, including Canada, reached 19.2 million, reflecting a sequential increase of 120,000, driven by a resolution of a carriage dispute in Canada [4][2] Debt and Cash Position - As of September 30, 2025, STARZ had $300 million outstanding on its Term Loan A credit facility and $325.1 million in senior unsecured notes, resulting in total net debt of $588.1 million [3] - The company ended the quarter with $37.0 million in cash, an increase from $17.8 million at the beginning of the period [9][3] Management Commentary - STARZ President & CEO Jeffrey Hirsch expressed optimism about the company's operational and financial performance, highlighting plans to generate new revenue through content licensing and ownership of series [2] - The management emphasized the opportunity to scale its core audience of women and underrepresented audiences with a strong slate of original content [2]
Starz Entertainment Corp(STRZ) - 2026 Q2 - Quarterly Results
2025-11-13 21:03
Exhibit 99.1 Starz Entertainment Corp. Reports Results for the Third Quarter Ended September 30, 2025 Third Quarter Revenue was $320.9 Million Third Quarter Operating Loss was $(34.8) Million Third Quarter Adjusted OIBDA was $21.8 Million Total Revenue, OTT Revenue, and U.S. OTT Subscriber Growth U.S. OTT Subscriber Growth of 520,000 YTD and 670,000 YoY Engagement on STARZ App Reached 12-Month High During Period Management Reiterates All Previously Provided 2025 Outlook SANTA MONICA, CA, and VANCOUVER, B.C. ...
STARZ TO RELEASE THIRD QUARTER EARNINGS FOR CALENDAR 2025 AND HOLD ANALYST AND INVESTOR CONFERENCE CALL FOLLOWING MARKET CLOSE ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 13
Prnewswire· 2025-10-13 20:30
Group 1 - STARZ will report its third quarter financial results for calendar 2025 on November 13, 2025, after market close [1] - Senior management will hold an analyst and investor call at 2:00 PM PT/5:00 PM ET to discuss the results [1] - A live audio webcast will be available, with a full replay accessible later the same evening [1] Group 2 - STARZ is a leading premium entertainment destination targeting women and underrepresented audiences [2] - The company offers a diverse programming mix, including original series and blockbuster movies, under the brand positioning "We're All Adults Here" [2] - STARZ is available across various digital OTT platforms and multichannel video distributors, and is recognized for its advanced technology and data analytics [2]
Starz Entertainment Pivoting To Digital Strategy
Forbes· 2025-08-21 16:15
Core Insights - Starz Entertainment Corp. reported modest results for 2Q25, missing revenue and adjusted EPS estimates, with revenue of $319.7 million, down 8.0% YoY from $347.6 million in 2Q24 [2][14] - The company experienced an operating loss of $26.9 million in 2Q25, compared to an operating income of $10.1 million in the prior-year period [2][14] - Starz ended the quarter with 12.2 million U.S. OTT subscribers, a sequential decline of 120,000, and total U.S. subscribers reached 17.6 million, down 410,000 from the previous quarter [2][15] Financial Performance - Adjusted OIBDA for 2Q25 was $33.4 million, down from $56.3 million in 2Q24, leading to a decrease in adjusted OIBDA margin to 10.4% from 16.2% [2][14] - The net loss for the quarter was $42.5 million, compared to a net income of $4.2 million in 2Q24, with diluted loss per share at $2.54 versus diluted earnings per share of $0.26 in 2Q24 [2][14] Subscriber Trends - The decline in subscribers was attributed to lower OTT additions and ongoing pressure on linear subscribers, particularly due to the underperformance of BMF Season 4 [2][15] - Despite the overall decline, the Outlander prequel, Blood of My Blood, achieved strong performance, becoming the third-highest series premiere in Starz history for subscriber additions [2][10] Strategic Outlook - Starz is focusing on a digital-first growth strategy and expects sequential revenue and OTT subscriber growth in upcoming quarters, supported by a strong content lineup [2][8] - The company aims to reach $200 million in adjusted OIBDA by year-end and convert 70% of that into free cash flow by 2026 [2][8] Valuation - The intrinsic value of Starz Entertainment Corp. is estimated at $18.00 per share, based on a 2026e EV/EBITDA multiple of 4.4x, maintaining a 'Buy' rating with an implied upside of 33.3% from the current market price of $13.50 [6][16] - The valuation is sensitive to fluctuations in adjusted EBITDA and EV/EBITDA multiples, with potential changes impacting the target prices significantly [18] Company Strategy - Starz is strategically exiting seven international territories to streamline its business and is prioritizing lower-cost original content production [21] - The company is targeting key demographics and aims to achieve a 20% margin run rate by FY28 to boost profitability [11][12]
Starz Entertainment Corp(STRZ) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript
2025-08-14 22:00
Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for the quarter was $319.7 million, down 2% sequentially and 7.4% year over year [12] - Adjusted OIBDA was $33.4 million, down from $92 million in the previous quarter, primarily due to higher content amortization [13] - The company ended the quarter with $573.5 million in total net debt, down $42.1 million sequentially, with a leverage ratio of 3.2 times [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company had 12.18 million U.S. OTT subscribers, a sequential decline of 120,000, and a total of 19.08 million North American subscribers, down 520,000 sequentially [12] - OTT revenue was $221.1 million, while linear and other revenue was $98.6 million, reflecting declines due to lower OTT subscriber additions [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The linear subscriber base declined to 6.22 million, reflecting continued declines in Pay TV households [12] - The company expects sequential revenue and OTT subscriber growth in the next two quarters due to the successful premiere of "Blood of My Blood" [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims for higher adjusted OIBDA margins, higher free cash flow, and lower leverage, with a target of reaching a 20% margin by the end of calendar 2028 [6][10] - The content slate includes high-performing returning series and new premieres, which are expected to drive subscriber growth and revenue [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management views 2025 as a transition year for cash flow management, with a focus on deleveraging in 2026 and 2027 [14] - The company believes it is undervalued compared to peers and expects valuation disconnect to become more apparent as large media companies spin off their linear networks [6] Other Important Information - The company is excited about its content slate, including the return of "Spartacus" and the launch of "Fightland," which is expected to have a lower cost structure compared to previous productions [10][46] - The passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act allows the company to reduce federal tax liabilities, leading to no significant cash tax payments anticipated for the foreseeable future [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: What defines scale in this business and prerequisites for M&A? - Management has a clear plan for deleveraging and achieving a 20% margin, focusing on delivering that plan regardless of M&A participation [18] Question: What caused the underperformance of BMF and adjustments going forward? - BMF was still a large show but did not meet growth expectations due to gross adds issues; management is analyzing the situation and has new content in development [28] Question: Insights on ARPU and distribution relationships? - ARPU was slightly down due to more customers on multi-month offers, which helps reduce churn; no rate increases are planned for the next year [30][32] Question: Audience transition for "Blood of My Blood"? - The company has a strong track record of franchising, with spin-offs typically retaining over 85% of the original audience [38] Question: Confidence in the return of "Spartacus"? - There is significant demand for "Spartacus" to return, and the company has incorporated diverse characters to appeal to a broader audience [46]
Starz Linear And Streaming Subscriber Levels Dip In Q2, But Growth Seen In Back Half Of Year
Deadline· 2025-08-14 20:42
Core Insights - Starz reported total revenue of $319.7 million in Q2, slightly below Wall Street expectations due to declines in subscriber levels on linear TV and streaming [1] - The company, which became independent from Lionsgate earlier this year, is projecting growth in both subscribers and revenue over the next two quarters [2] - Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) reached $33.4 million, meeting Street forecasts [2] Subscriber Metrics - Starz has over two-thirds of its subscriber base in streaming, ending Q2 with 12.2 million streaming customers in the U.S., a decline of 120,000 from the prior quarter [3] - Total U.S. subscribers (linear and streaming combined) reached 17.6 million, down 410,000 [3] - North American subscriber count was 19.1 million, reflecting a quarter-to-quarter decline of 520,000 [3] Financial Performance - The company reported net losses of $42.5 million, equating to a loss of $2.54 per share [4] - Starz had total net debt of $573.5 million at the end of the quarter, with a leverage ratio of 3.2 times trailing 12-month adjusted OIBDA [6] Content and Future Outlook - The main new series released in Q2 was "Power Book III: Raising Kanaan," with the current quarter seeing strong performance from the "Outlander" spinoff "Blood of My Blood" [5] - Executives expect growth in both subscribers and revenue in Q3 and Q4, although no specific projections were provided [5] - CEO Jeffrey Hirsch highlighted significant progress towards financial and operational objectives since becoming a standalone public company [6] Stock Performance - Starz shares have nearly doubled since the company's May IPO, reaching a high of $21 before drifting down closer to $15 in recent trading sessions [7]