3 Broadcast Radio & TV Stocks to Buy From a Challenging Industry

Industry Overview - The Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry is facing challenges due to increased cord-cutting, despite a rise in demand for streaming content [1] - Companies like Netflix, Roku, and Bilibili are benefiting from a significant increase in digital content consumption, aided by improved internet speed and technological advancements [1][2] - The industry is shifting towards a variable cost model to enhance agility and reduce fixed costs in response to evolving market dynamics [2] Trends and Consumer Behavior - There is a notable shift in consumer preferences towards over-the-top (OTT) services, prompting companies to diversify their content offerings [3] - The rise in digital viewing has led to the use of AI and machine learning to create targeted content, enhancing user engagement and allowing for strategic pricing [4] - Major events and leagues contribute significantly to advertising revenue, which remains a crucial revenue source for the industry [3] Economic Challenges - The industry is currently facing an uncertain macroeconomic environment characterized by high inflation, rising interest rates, and increased competition for advertising dollars from tech and social media companies [5] - These economic factors have led advertisers to reduce their ad budgets, impacting the top-line growth of industry players [5] Revenue Models and Pricing Strategies - The introduction of low-priced "skinny bundles" is a response to cord-cutting, providing more affordable options for consumers but potentially dampening overall revenue performance [6] - Companies are focusing on cash management and profit protection strategies to navigate modest advertising revenues [1] Performance Metrics - The Zacks Broadcast Radio and Television industry has outperformed the broader Zacks Consumer Discretionary sector and the S&P 500 Index over the past year, with a return of 70.9% compared to 12.1% for the S&P 500 [11] - The industry is currently trading at an EV/EBITDA ratio of 19.39X, higher than the S&P 500's 17.71X, indicating a premium valuation compared to the broader market [14] Company Highlights - Bilibili: Demonstrated strong operational improvements with a 24% revenue growth to RMB7 billion and a significant reduction in net loss [17][18] - Netflix: Aims to double its revenues by 2030, with a successful ad-supported subscription tier projected to generate $9 billion in advertising revenues by 2030 [22][24] - Roku: Strengthening its position in the ad-supported streaming market through platform innovation and new ad products, with shares gaining 22.3% year to date [28][30]