Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total revenue for Q3 2025 was $2.16 billion, essentially flat year over year, down less than 1% [13] - Subscriber revenue declined by $16 million to $1.63 billion, while advertising revenue grew by $5 million to $455 million [13] - Adjusted EBITDA was $676 million, down 2% year over year with a 31% margin [13] - Free cash flow improved to $257 million, up from $93 million in Q3 2024 [13][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Sirius XM total revenue finished at $1.61 billion, down 1% year over year, primarily due to lower subscriber revenue [14] - Advertising revenue in the Pandora and off-platform segment grew by 1% to $548 million, with podcast revenue up nearly 50% year over year [15][10] - Average revenue per user rose slightly to $15.19 from $15.16 in the prior year period [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - SiriusXM Media now reaches over 170 million listeners a month, with the podcast network being the largest in the nation [10] - Podcasting ad revenue grew by almost 50%, offsetting declines in music streaming [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on enhancing subscriber experience, growing ad-supported offerings, and exploring strategic value of spectrum assets [4][12] - There is an ongoing expansion of the automotive dealer subscription program and podcast offerings [5] - The introduction of a low-cost ad-supported subscription tier is aimed at widening the customer base without cannibalizing existing subscriptions [9][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a free cash flow target of $1.5 billion by 2027 and beyond [4][18] - The company anticipates some headwinds in Q4 due to reduced streaming marketing and acquisition channels [15] - Management is optimistic about the in-car business and expects improvements from new acquisition initiatives [24] Other Important Information - The company has achieved its $200 million cost savings target for the year and continues to look for further efficiencies [17][66] - Total debt was reduced by $120 million, and $111 million was returned to shareholders, including $91 million in dividends [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: Subscriber net adds and factors affecting them - Management noted that self-pay net adds are expected to improve year over year, but streaming marketing reductions have impacted performance [22][23] Question: ARPU trends and pricing strategy - Management indicated that ARPU is on track for better year-over-year comparisons, with opportunities for continued improvement [26][29] Question: Spectrum monetization opportunities - Management acknowledged the potential for monetizing spectrum holdings and is evaluating multiple approaches to create value [39][40] Question: Advertising growth and podcasting performance - Podcasting ad revenue has been strong, with expectations for continued growth as the company launches unified buying processes [33][34] Question: Cost reduction progress and efficiency - Management highlighted significant progress in cost reductions, particularly in sales and marketing, and plans to continue optimizing operations [65][67]

Core Insights - PodcastOne has partnered with BuzzFeed to launch a new original podcast series titled "Phone A Fangirl," targeting K-Pop fans with high engagement potential [1][3] - The podcast will feature notable K-Pop guests such as TOMORROW X TOGETHER, ZEROBASEONE, KAI, and Mingyu x S.Coups of SEVENTEEN, who collectively have a social following exceeding 120 million [1] - The series will consist of 12 episodes and aims to connect fans directly with their favorite idols through interactive formats [2] Company Overview - PodcastOne is a leading podcast platform with over 3.9 billion total downloads and a community of 200 top podcasters [6] - The company has a distribution network that reaches over 1 billion monthly impressions across various channels, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts [6] - BuzzFeed, established in 2006, focuses on creating viral content and aims to provide quality, brand-safe news and entertainment to a wide audience [5]

Core Insights - Salem Media Group has announced a new distribution partnership with Newsweek for The Josh Hammer Show, expanding its reach to millions of listeners nationwide [1][2] - The show will launch on October 16, airing daily from Monday to Friday, and will focus on timely commentary on pressing issues [3] - The addition of The Josh Hammer Show to the Salem Podcast Network (SPN) is part of SPN's rapid growth, which has increased by 12% year-to-date [4] Company Overview - Salem Media Group is a leading multimedia company in America, specializing in Christian and conservative content across various media properties, including radio and digital platforms [6] - The company serves a dedicated audience of millions daily, providing compelling audio and video programming, as well as relevant commentary from respected figures in the Christian and conservative media landscape [6]

Core Viewpoint - Audioboom Group, a London-listed media company known for producing Formula One's official podcast series, is exploring a potential sale following interest from buyers [1][2]. Company Overview - Audioboom has a market capitalization of nearly £100 million, experiencing a 157% increase in valuation over the past year [2]. - The company produces popular podcasts, including F1: Beyond the Grid and F1 Nation, with a total of 135 million downloads each month from over 40 million listeners globally [3]. Potential Buyers - Media analysts have identified potential bidders such as Fox Corporation and iHeartMedia, although it remains unclear if formal discussions are underway [2]. - Any acquisition offer would likely need to exceed the current share price to gain approval from Audioboom's board [2]. Distribution and Growth Strategy - Audioboom's content is available on platforms like Apple Podcasts, YouTube, and Spotify [4]. - The company has appointed Craig Eastwood to lead international expansion, which is deemed crucial for its long-term growth strategy [4]. Previous Sale Attempts - This is not the first time Audioboom has considered a sale; in 2020, it engaged with The Raine Group for potential buyers but ultimately halted the process [5]. Current Market Activity - As of the latest trading session, Audioboom shares were priced at 547.5p, reflecting a 1.4% increase for the day [5].

Core Insights - PodcastOne announced preliminary financial results for Q2 Fiscal 2026, highlighting significant growth in revenue and adjusted EBITDA [1][5] - The company reported over $14.5 million in revenue, representing a 19% year-over-year increase, and adjusted EBITDA exceeding $1 million, a 348% increase year-over-year [5] Financial Performance - Revenue for Q2 Fiscal 2026 reached $14.5 million, marking a 19% increase compared to the previous year [5] - Adjusted EBITDA was reported at over $1 million, reflecting a substantial 348% increase year-over-year [5] - PodcastOne maintained a 9 ranking on Podtrac's Top 10 Publishers rankings for nine consecutive months [5] Company Overview - PodcastOne is a leading podcast platform with over 3.9 billion total downloads and a community of 200 top podcasters [3] - The company has a distribution network that generates over 1 billion monthly impressions across various channels, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts [3] - PodcastOne also offers customizable production packages through its subsidiary, PodcastOne Pro [3]

Core Insights - The Adam Carolla Show has reached a significant milestone of 4,000 episodes, marking it as one of the few podcasts globally to achieve this feat [2][4] - Adam Carolla was inducted into the Podcast Hall of Fame in 2024, highlighting his influence and contributions to the podcasting industry [2][4] - PodcastOne, the publisher of The Adam Carolla Show, has surpassed 3.9 billion total downloads and has a community of 200 top podcasters [7] Company Achievements - The Adam Carolla Show has been a leading podcast since its launch in 2009, consistently ranking in the Top 20 for over a decade [5] - The show has pioneered the concept of live podcast recordings in front of ticketed audiences, enhancing its popularity and engagement [5] - Adam Carolla has leveraged his podcast success to become a New York Times bestselling author with six published non-fiction books [5] Industry Context - PodcastOne is recognized as a leading podcast platform, providing a comprehensive solution for creators and advertisers in sales, marketing, public relations, production, and distribution [7] - The platform features a diverse range of top-ranked podcasts across various genres, including news, comedy, true crime, sports, and culture [6] - PodcastOne's distribution network reaches over 1 billion monthly impressions across multiple channels, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts [7]

Company Overview - PodcastOne (Nasdaq: PODC) is a leading podcast platform that offers a comprehensive solution in sales, marketing, public relations, production, and distribution for creators and advertisers [2] - The platform has achieved over 3.9 billion total downloads and has a community of 200 top podcasters [2] - PodcastOne's distribution network reaches over 1 billion monthly impressions across various channels, including YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and iHeartRadio [2] Financial Guidance - PodcastOne has updated its guidance for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2026, expecting Adjusted EBITDA of $4.5-6 million on revenue of $55-60 million [1] - LiveOne has acquired an additional 347,000 shares of PodcastOne, increasing its total acquisitions to approximately 2.1 million shares at an average price of $2.11 since PodcastOne went public [1] Non-GAAP Financial Measures - The company presents non-GAAP financial measures such as Contribution Margin and Adjusted EBITDA to evaluate performance, which are not intended to replace GAAP measures [4][5] - Adjusted EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, excluding certain non-recurring expenses and stock-based compensation [7] - The variability of certain items excluded from Adjusted EBITDA may significantly impact future GAAP financial results, making a quantitative reconciliation challenging [8]

Core Insights - PodcastOne has become the 9th largest podcast distributor in the US, achieving over 4 billion all-time downloads [1] - The company has entered a multi-year agreement for exclusive sales and distribution rights for the podcast "Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet" and expanded its relationship with "Notsam Wrestling" [1][2] - PodcastOne's total show count has surpassed 200, enhancing its offerings in comedy and sports genres [1] Company Overview - PodcastOne is a leading podcast platform providing a comprehensive solution in sales, marketing, public relations, production, and distribution [6] - The platform has surpassed 3.9 billion total downloads and has a community of 200 top podcasters [6] - PodcastOne's distribution network reaches over 1 billion monthly impressions across various channels, including YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts [6] Programming Expansion - The addition of "Beach Too Sandy, Water Too Wet" strengthens PodcastOne's portfolio of award-winning comedy podcasts [2] - The company continues to expand its diverse slate of premium programming, which includes popular shows like "The Adam Carolla Show" and "The Jordan Harbinger Show" [5] - PodcastOne's shows are accessible on multiple platforms, ensuring broad reach and availability [5]

Core Insights - Spotify's advertising business is struggling, with CEO Daniel Ek acknowledging the company has been moving too slowly in this area [1][4] - The goal is for advertising to account for 20% of overall revenue, but as of June, it only made up 11%, with second-quarter ad revenue down 0.7% year-over-year [1][5] - Industry analysts are questioning whether Spotify's ad business has plateaued, contrasting with the company's overall strong performance in user growth and stock price [2][3] Advertising Strategy - Spotify's ad efforts have been hindered by a focus on its more lucrative subscription business, leading to a decline in customer service and low ad rates [3][21] - The company has recognized the need for change, leading to the departure of longtime ad head Lee Brown, with a search for new leadership underway [4][5] - Spotify's podcast strategy, which aims to connect advertisers with Premium users, has been described as messy, with inconsistent execution and various pivots [6][9] Financial Performance - Spotify generated $1.9 billion in ad sales last year, but the profitability of its Premium tier is significantly higher, estimated at 15 to 20 times that of the advertising tier [7][8] - The average CPM for digital audio ads was $16.51 in the second quarter, with Spotify claiming its average CPM is "far above" $9 [15][16] Customer Service and Operations - Advertisers have expressed concerns over Spotify's customer service, citing slow response times and high turnover in the ad sales team [21][22] - Issues with ad consistency in podcast streams have been reported, affecting campaign performance [23] Future Outlook - Spotify is optimistic about improving its ad business by 2026, with recent initiatives including the launch of the Spotify Ad Exchange and partnerships with adtech companies [25][26] - The company is also focusing on video content as a potential revenue stream, with a significant increase in video podcast consumption reported [20][19]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2026 was $15 million, a 14% increase from $13.1 million in the same quarter last year [12] - Operating loss decreased to $1.05 million from $1.4 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower amortization [12] - Net loss improved to $1.05 million or $0.04 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million or $0.06 per share in the prior year [13] - Adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $600,000, compared to a negative $300,000 in the same quarter last year [13] - The company ended the quarter with zero debt and $1.9 million in cash and cash equivalents [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - PodcastOne launched 14 new podcasts, increasing the total to 206 active shows [10] - Video views surged by 218% year-over-year across multiple platforms, indicating strong audience engagement [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - PodcastOne ranked as a top 10 US podcast publisher for the eighth consecutive month, with a monthly unique US audience of 5.4 million and 20.3 million downloads and streams as of July 2025 [8] - The podcast advertising market is projected to see over $2.4 billion in investments this year, highlighting the industry's growth potential [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - PodcastOne aims to leverage its vertically integrated model to drive long-term value for creators, advertisers, and shareholders [7] - The company is expanding its video production and distribution efforts to enhance audience engagement [11] - PodcastOne is actively exploring M&A opportunities, particularly in acquiring talent and podcast platforms [26][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about building on momentum with high-profile initiatives and events planned for the upcoming months [15] - The company expects full-year revenues to be between $56 million and $60 million, representing at least an 8% increase from the previous fiscal year [14] - Adjusted EBITDA for the full year is anticipated to be between $3 million and $5 million [14] Other Important Information - PodcastOne has upgraded its order management system to improve operational efficiency and sales processes [17] - The company is focused on compelling content, strategic monetization, and maintaining trusted relationships with talent and advertisers [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the growth in video views translate into revenue? - Management indicated that current contracts consider both audio and video views, allowing for higher rates per spot due to increased video viewership [21][22] Question: What is the current M&A environment for platforms? - Management noted that the platform side is dominated by a few major players, but there are still interesting opportunities for acquisition [26][29] Question: What factors could drive revenue to the high end of guidance? - Acquiring a company with good revenues could push the numbers higher, while not acquiring would keep it at the lower end [33] Question: How is stock-based compensation affecting cost of sales? - Management confirmed that stock-based compensation is being used to reduce cash payments, which is part of their strategy to manage costs [39][40] Question: How do consumers interact with video podcasts compared to audio-only? - Management noted that video consumption is significant, with many viewers engaging with content actively, while others may listen passively [49][50]