NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Taboola (NASDAQ: TBLA) today announced the expansion of its leadership team with the hiring of Krishan Bhatia as Chief Business Officer. Bhatia will lead global sales and partnerships for Taboola, with a focus on driving revenue growth across Taboola’s entire product portfolio, which includes its Realize performance advertising platform, network of publisher partnerships, CTV performance, generative AI products and more. He joins with a formidable track record of ...

Compass agent Kyle Blackmon just made a pretty penny off his company’s stock. But it wasn’t for selling high or buying low. The veteran New York City luxury broker was awarded $5.5 million by a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration panel in a complaint he brought against UBS Financial Services over how it handled his Compass stock options and shares. In January 2025, Blackmon brought a complaint to FINRA, which regulates the financial brokerage industry, accusing UBS of mishandling ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 fiscal 2026, the company reported revenue of $1.54 billion, up from $1.11 billion in the prior year period, reflecting a significant increase [12] - On a pro forma basis, North America revenue was $1.68 billion compared to $1.58 billion in the prior year, representing a growth of 6% [12] - The reported net loss for the quarter was $19.1 million, an improvement from a $38.6 million loss in the prior year period [13] - Pro forma adjusted EBITDA was positive at $41.4 million, nearly doubling from $22 million in the prior year period [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The combined Fubo and Hulu Live businesses generated $6.2 billion of revenue over the past 12 months, with 6.2 million subscribers in North America [5][6] - The Fubo Sports service has seen strong market traction, resonating with value-oriented consumers [7] - Record-high subscribers were achieved for Fubo's Latino product, and Hulu Live launched a Spanish-language bundle [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the quarter with approximately 6.2 million North America subscribers, a slight decrease from 6.3 million in the prior year [12] - The integration with Disney's ad server is expected to drive a meaningful uplift in both CPM and fill rates [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to unlock synergies and efficiencies post-combination with Hulu Live, focusing on execution to expand reach and monetization [6] - The strategy includes achieving content cost efficiencies and applying greater portfolio discipline as major distribution agreements come up for renewal [9] - The 2026 focus is on growth through differentiated sports offerings and scale distribution partnerships [11] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in subscriber retention despite the removal of NBC content, attributing it to the resilience of their sports-focused value proposition [10] - The company is optimistic about future growth opportunities, particularly with the integration of ESPN and the upcoming Super Bowl and Olympics [30] Other Important Information - A planned reverse stock split is intended to make the stock more accessible to a broader base of investors [15] - The company entered the quarter with $458.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, with operating cash flow impacted by working capital timing [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: NBCUniversal's Sports Rights Retention - Management noted a 3% year-over-year increase in subscribers despite losing NBC content for over four weeks, indicating strong marketing capabilities [18] - The company maintains strong relationships with major leagues and is focused on providing flexible packaging options for consumers [19] Question: Revenue and Expense Synergies - The company expects $120 million+ in synergies from the merger, with short-term benefits anticipated from the Disney Ad Server integration [23] Question: Subscriber Growth Expectations - Management indicated that the Fubo Sports service is performing well and has high trial conversion rates, suggesting potential for subscriber growth even without NBC [25] Question: Advertising Integration Ramp Period - The advertising integration with Disney is expected to show impact as soon as it is completed, with improvements in fill rates and CPM anticipated [39] Question: Impact of YouTube TV Blackout - The impact from YouTube TV's blackout was deemed immaterial to the overall platform [35] Question: Disney's Focus on Parks vs. Streaming - Management does not foresee immediate changes due to Disney's focus on parks, emphasizing ongoing strong relationships with Disney teams [50] Question: Next Generation Consumer-Centric Innovations - The company is focused on mobile opportunities and enhancing consumer engagement through technology and product development [54]

fuboTV (NYSE:FUBO) Q1 2026 Earnings call February 03, 2026 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsAmeet Patel - Head of Investor RelationsClark Lampen - Managing DirectorDavid Gandler - CEOConference Call ParticipantsBrent Pinter - AnalystDavid Joyce - Senior Equity Analyst and Media SectorDoug Arthur - Managing Director and Senior Research AnalystLaura Martin - Senior Entertainment and Internet AnalystPatrick Sholl - Research AnalystOperatorHello and thank you for standing by. My name is Tiffany and I will be you ...

Core Insights - Xfinity has introduced innovative viewing experiences for NBCUniversal's coverage of the Milan Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games, aiming to enhance audience engagement and accessibility [1] Group 1: Company Initiatives - The new features include advanced streaming options and interactive content designed to provide a more immersive experience for viewers [1] - Xfinity's initiatives are part of a broader strategy to leverage technology in sports broadcasting, aligning with industry trends towards enhanced digital engagement [1] Group 2: Industry Impact - The introduction of these viewing experiences is expected to set a new standard in the broadcasting of major sporting events, potentially influencing competitors to adopt similar technologies [1] - This move reflects the growing importance of digital platforms in the sports industry, as companies seek to attract younger audiences who prefer on-demand content [1]

Core Viewpoint - Netflix's management is advocating for its $82.7 billion acquisition of Warner Bros., presenting it as a significant opportunity despite investor skepticism regarding the deal's necessity for future growth [1] Group 1: Acquisition Strategy - Co-CEOs and CFO emphasize that acquiring Warner Bros. will enhance Netflix's offerings and act as an "accelerant" to its growth strategy, which has traditionally focused on organic growth [2] - Netflix's shift to an all-cash offer for the acquisition reflects a strategic decision to streamline the deal, although it has led to a decline in stock value [4] Group 2: Market Position and Competition - Other companies, including Paramount and Amazon, have shown interest in acquiring Warner Bros., with Paramount making a hostile bid claiming it is superior to Netflix's offer [3] - Netflix's stock has decreased by over 25% since the announcement of the acquisition, raising concerns about future profitability amid projected increases in content spending [4] Group 3: Theatrical Distribution - Sarandos acknowledges the company's previous hesitance towards theatrical distribution but expresses excitement about acquiring a robust theatrical operation with over $4 billion in global box office revenue [7] - The company plans to release Warner-branded films in theaters with a 45-day window, marking a new venture into theatrical distribution [7]

Core Insights - FOX Corporation is a significant player in the media and entertainment industry, operating through various segments such as cable network programming and television broadcasting, competing with major companies like Disney and NBCUniversal [1] Financial Performance - FOX has shown resilience with a monthly gain of 3.49% despite a slight dip of 0.52% in the past 10 days, indicating strong performance and investor confidence [2][6] - The company has a Piotroski Score of 8, reflecting strong financial health and effective management practices [4][6] Growth Potential - FOX's stock price has a growth potential of 26.10%, suggesting significant upside driven by strategic initiatives and competitive market positioning [3][6] - Analysts have set a target price of $82.75 for FOX, indicating substantial room for growth from its current levels, reflecting optimism about the company's future performance [5]

Core Viewpoint - Ralph Lauren Corp. has appointed Cesar Conde to its board of directors, enhancing its leadership team with expertise in media and audience engagement [1][2]. Group 1: Board Appointment - Cesar Conde, chairman of NBCUniversal News Group, joins Ralph Lauren's board, increasing the total number of board members to 12 [1]. - Ralph Lauren, the executive chairman, emphasized Conde's alignment with the brand's innovative spirit and storytelling [1]. Group 2: Leadership and Strategy - Patrice Louvet, CEO of Ralph Lauren, highlighted Conde's proven track record in leading high-growth organizations and engaging new audiences, which will be crucial for the company's strategic initiatives [2]. - The company is focused on executing its "Next Great Chapter: Drive" strategy aimed at sustainable growth and value creation [2]. Group 3: Conde's Background - Conde oversees the largest news media conglomerate in the U.S., which includes NBC News and Telemundo, and has led significant growth in viewership and distribution [2]. - He also serves on the boards of Walmart and Pepsico, bringing additional experience to Ralph Lauren's board [3]. Group 4: Board Composition - The current board includes notable members such as Angela Ahrendts, Frank A. Bennack Jr., and Valerie Jarrett, alongside Conde [3].

Core Viewpoint - NBCUniversal is positioning itself as a sports-first entity, with a significant lineup of major sporting events scheduled for February, including the Winter Olympics, Super Bowl, and NBA All-Star Game, which are crucial for its advertising revenue and subscriber growth on Peacock [4][5][8]. Group 1: Upcoming Events and Strategy - NBC will air the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics starting February 6, followed by the Super Bowl and the NBA All-Star Game, showcasing a strategic focus on high-profile sports events [4][5]. - The Olympics will conclude on February 22, with NBC also airing the Boston Celtics vs. Los Angeles Lakers game that night, further emphasizing its sports programming [5]. - NBC's strategy includes leveraging these events to enhance its pay-TV bundle and attract subscribers to its streaming service, Peacock [8][16]. Group 2: Historical Context and Evolution - Historically, NBC was known for scripted television hits in the 1990s and early 2000s, but has shifted focus towards sports as traditional scripted programming faces declining viewership due to cord-cutting [9][10]. - The competitive landscape has changed, with tech giants like Netflix and Amazon dominating scripted content, while NBC sees an advantage in sports due to its established relationships and production capabilities [12][13]. Group 3: Financial Considerations - NBC has invested billions in acquiring sports broadcasting rights, with the return on investment dependent on advertising revenue and subscriber retention for Peacock [7][20]. - The network's current financial strategy includes outbidding competitors for sports rights, such as the NBA and MLB, to ensure a steady viewership and subscriber base [21][22]. - NBC's primetime schedule has seen a reduction in scripted content, reflecting a shift in focus towards sports programming, which is expected to draw larger audiences compared to scripted shows [19][20].

Core Viewpoint - Dolby Laboratories showcased its latest innovations at CES 2026, emphasizing how its technology is redefining the creation, transmission, and experience of entertainment content [1] Group 1: Streaming Experience - Dolby partnered with NBCUniversal to make Peacock the first streaming platform to adopt Dolby's full suite of advanced imaging and sound technologies, marking a milestone in the streaming entertainment sector [3] - Peacock will expand the application of Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in live sports broadcasts, including popular events like Sunday Night Football, NBA, and MLB [4] - Peacock plans to incorporate the upcoming Dolby Vision 2 and Dolby AC-4 technologies, promising more realistic visuals and clearer dialogue for streaming experiences [4] Group 2: Home Entertainment - Dolby and LG launched the LG Sound Suite, a modular home audio system featuring Dolby Atmos FlexConnect, which offers up to 27 different speaker configurations for a flexible, cinema-like audio experience [4] - LG plans to introduce Dolby Atmos FlexConnect to its latest high-end TVs through software upgrades [4] Group 3: Television Technology - Several TV manufacturers, including Hisense, TCL, and TP Vision, will integrate Dolby Vision 2 into their upcoming models, expanding the reach of this next-generation picture quality experience [5] - Hisense will feature Dolby Vision 2 in its 2026 RGB MiniLED TV lineup, while TCL and TP Vision will also support this technology in their new models [5] Group 4: Automotive Entertainment - Over 35 automotive manufacturers have adopted Dolby Atmos, with more than 150 models featuring this immersive audio experience [6] - Dolby and Mercedes-Benz announced that the latter will be among the first to support Dolby Atmos spatial audio through Apple CarPlay in its latest vehicle lineup [7] - The SPHERA device allows existing vehicles to unlock Dolby Atmos functionality, broadening access to this audio experience [7] Group 5: Future Trends - Dolby is showcasing the future of in-car entertainment at CES, collaborating with game developers to provide immersive multi-channel gaming experiences in vehicles [8] - Dolby and Qualcomm are integrating the latest automotive innovations into the Qualcomm 5th generation Snapdragon automotive platform, setting a standard for next-generation smart cabins [8] - Dolby aims to lead future trends by advancing technology in line with evolving user content interaction methods, creating more immersive and interconnected experiences [8]