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Warner Bros. Stock Slides After Analysts Flag Second-Half Challenges
Benzinga· 2025-08-08 15:22
Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) reported its fiscal second-quarter results, showing mixed performance with revenue slightly missing analyst expectations but earnings per share exceeding forecasts [1][3][7]. Financial Performance - WBD's quarterly revenue was $9.81 billion, flat year-on-year, missing the consensus estimate of $9.72 billion [1] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $0.63, surpassing the analyst consensus estimate of a 22-cent loss [1] - Adjusted EBITDA increased by 9% to $1.9 billion, exceeding expectations by 8% [3] Revenue Breakdown - Studio revenue surged 55% to $3.8 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $863 million, driven by successful theatrical releases [4] - Global Linear Networks revenue fell 9% to $4.8 billion, while Streaming revenue grew 9% to $2.8 billion, generating $293 million in adjusted EBITDA compared to a loss in the previous year [4] Subscriber Growth - Streaming subscribers increased by 22% year-over-year to 125.7 million, with 57.8 million in the U.S. and 67.9 million internationally, achieving an average revenue per user (ARPU) of $7.14 [5] Future Guidance - WBD reaffirmed its 2025 streaming adjusted EBITDA guidance of at least $1.3 billion [5] - Analyst projections for 2025 include revenue of $38.1 billion, adjusted EBITDA of $8.9 billion, and EPS of $0.36 [6] - For 2026, revenue is forecasted at $38.2 billion, adjusted EBITDA at $9 billion, and a loss per share of $0.35 [6] Analyst Ratings - Needham analyst Laura Martin maintained a Hold rating on WBD, while Bank of America Securities analyst Jessica Reif Ehrlich maintained a Buy rating with a price target of $16 [2] Market Reaction - Following the results, WBD's stock traded lower by 4.72% to $11.30 [11]
As AMC Networks Embraces AI, CEO Kristin Dolan Stresses It Is “Technology Play”, Not IP Surrender
Deadline· 2025-08-08 13:43
Core Insights - AMC Networks is actively pursuing AI integration through a partnership with Runway, emphasizing that this initiative is a technology play rather than a threat to intellectual property or creative partnerships [1][3] - The entertainment industry is navigating the complexities of AI adoption amid union sensitivities, with AMC Networks being more open about its AI strategies compared to other media companies [2] Group 1: AI Integration and Strategy - The partnership with Runway aims to enhance creative processes, allowing teams to visualize ideas and reduce costs in production, particularly in post-production for the 30 to 50 episodes produced annually [3][4] - AMC Networks positions itself as an early adopter of AI technologies, leveraging them to support showrunners and improve the ideation process [3][4] Group 2: Industry Context and Reactions - The use of AI in Hollywood has been contentious, especially following the 2023 strikes, with companies like Disney and NBCUniversal taking legal action against AI firms for alleged misuse of proprietary content [2] - Proponents of AI argue that it can enhance the quality of films and series while also creating new job opportunities, despite concerns about job displacement [1][2]
X @The Wall Street Journal
Disney has reached a settlement with actress Gina Carano over a lawsuit alleging the entertainment giant wrongfully fired her from Star Wars series “The Mandalorian” over controversial social media posts https://t.co/yn1w1U3FcT ...
刘晓庆被举报偷税,调查结果公布
21世纪经济报道· 2025-08-08 04:08
Group 1 - Liu Xiaoqing was reported for tax evasion, but the Shanghai Taxation Bureau found no evidence of wrongdoing after investigation [1][4] - Liu Xiaoqing expressed her commitment to comply with tax laws and regulations, emphasizing the importance of lawful tax payment [1] - Prior to the investigation, Liu Xiaoqing stated her willingness to accept tax audits and continued to promote her film projects on social media during the inquiry [4] Group 2 - The article mentions a significant government initiative, providing a 20 billion yuan "back-to-school" package benefiting 12 million preschool children [6] - There is speculation regarding the potential for bank stocks to rise, suggesting a possible turning point in value reassessment [6] - The article hints at the exposure of Chinese suppliers behind Sam's Club, indicating a focus on supply chain dynamics [6]
X @Forbes
Forbes· 2025-08-08 03:04
After signing a new $1.5 billion deal with Paramount, Trey Parker and Matt Stone are part of Hollywood’s most elite club.Read more: https://t.co/XiYCkHQXXa https://t.co/uLG8G4n2uv ...
X @BBC News (World)
BBC News (World)· 2025-08-08 02:43
Mandalorian actress settles lawsuit with Disney over firing https://t.co/AWTcajkyj0 ...
X @Investopedia
Investopedia· 2025-08-08 00:00
Streaming Service Launch - The Walt Disney Company confirms the launch date of ESPN's flagship streaming service on August 21 [1] Competitive Landscape - The streaming landscape will get a new competitor later this month [1]
Skydance CEO David Ellison takes the reins of a ‘new Paramount' after merger saga
New York Post· 2025-08-07 17:44
Core Insights - Skydance Media has successfully merged with Paramount Global, creating a new publicly traded entity named Skydance Paramount Corp, valued at $8 billion, despite previous political and shareholder concerns [1][5][10] - The merger aims to revitalize Paramount's legacy brands and streaming services by leveraging Skydance's production and technological expertise [1][4] Company Structure and Leadership - David Ellison, the CEO of Skydance, will lead the new company and has outlined a vision to transform Paramount into a technology-driven organization [2][4] - The company will be restructured into three divisions: studios, direct-to-consumer, and TV media [4] - Jeff Shell, former NBCUniversal CEO, will serve as president, while George Cheeks will oversee the TV Media division [12][15] Financial Aspects - Skydance's acquisition includes a $2.4 billion payment for the Redstone family's controlling 77% stake in Paramount Global, alongside $4.5 billion to non-National Amusements shareholders and an additional $1.5 billion for debt reduction [10][11] - Shari Redstone will receive $180 million in severance and benefits, in addition to her stock holdings [10][17] Strategic Focus - The new leadership emphasizes enhancing streaming services, with plans for Paramount+ and Pluto TV to operate on a unified technology platform by 2026 [16] - The company aims to reinvent its TV Media brand portfolio to adapt to a non-linear viewing environment, focusing on maximizing cash flow for reinvestment [18]
X @The Wall Street Journal
Warner Brothers Discovery posted a second-quarter profit while revenue edged up, delivering results above Wall Street’s estimates as the company and industry at large continue to deviate away from the linear TV business https://t.co/CxXnvF3mic ...
X @The Wall Street Journal
Heard on the Street: Parks and cruises are helping Disney, but companywide profit margins are still well below the cable bundle’s heyday https://t.co/wVAqg0XjvI ...