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Core Insights - Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) reported Q2 2025 earnings of 63 cents per share, exceeding the Zacks Consensus Estimate of a loss of 16 cents, compared to a loss of $4.07 per share in the same quarter last year [1][9] - Revenues increased by 1% year over year to $9.81 billion, slightly missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.15% [1] - The company ended Q2 2025 with 125.7 million global subscribers, an increase of 3.4 million sequentially [3][4] Revenue Breakdown - Advertising revenues decreased by 10% excluding foreign exchange, primarily due to declines in domestic linear audiences [2] - Distribution revenues remained relatively unchanged, with growth in global streaming subscribers offset by declines in domestic linear pay TV subscribers [2] - Content revenues increased by 16% excluding foreign exchange, driven by higher box office revenues from theatrical releases [2] - Other revenues declined by 19% year over year, impacted by separation-related costs [2] Segment Performance - Streaming segment revenues reached $2.8 billion, up 9% year over year, with subscriber revenues growing by 10% to $2.7 billion [5] - The Studios segment reported revenues of $3.8 billion, a 55% increase year over year, with profits rising to $863 million from $210 million a year ago [6] - Global Linear Networks revenues decreased by 9% year over year to $4.8 billion, with advertising revenues plunging by 12% [7] Financial Position - WBD ended Q2 2025 with $35.6 billion in gross debt and a net leverage ratio of 3.3x [11] - The company reduced gross debt by $2.7 billion during the quarter, including a $1.5 billion term loan repayment [10][11] - Cash and cash equivalents increased to $4.88 billion from $3.89 billion as of March 31, 2025 [11] Future Guidance - WBD targets at least 150 million streaming subscribers by the end of 2026 and anticipates a profit of approximately $1.3 billion from the streaming segment in 2025 [13] - The Studios segment is expected to return to $3 billion in EBITDA, driven by successful content releases [13]

Economic Overview - U.S. pre-market futures are at peak highs, with the Dow up 185 points, S&P 500 up 35 points, and Nasdaq up 120 points, indicating a healthy market environment [1] - The small-cap Russell index is up 20 points, showing recovery from a previous selloff, with Q2 earnings season exceeding expectations across various industries [2] Productivity and Labor Costs - U.S. Productivity in Q2 increased by 2.4%, surpassing the expected 1.9%, marking a significant recovery from the previous quarter's -1.8% [3] - Unit Labor Costs rose by 1.6%, slightly above the estimated 1.3%, and down from a revised 6.9% in Q1, indicating improved economic conditions [4] Employment Data - Initial Jobless Claims rose to 226K, 5K higher than estimated, but still below the near-term high of 250K reported in early June [5] - Continuing Jobless Claims reached 1.974 million, the highest since November 2021, but still below the psychologically significant 2 million mark [6] Company Earnings Reports - Eli Lilly reported Q2 earnings of $6.31 per share, exceeding the $5.61 estimate, with revenues of $15.56 billion, up 5.5% [7] - Despite strong earnings, Eli Lilly's shares fell 7% due to disappointing performance of its new obesity pill, which had a 12% weight loss rate [8] - Warner Bros. Discovery reported earnings of $0.63 per share, significantly better than the expected -$0.16, with revenues of $9.81 billion [9] - Ralph Lauren's fiscal Q1 earnings were $3.77 per share, beating the $3.48 estimate, with revenues of $1.7 billion, up 14% year over year [10] Upcoming Economic Data - Wholesale Inventories for June and Consumer Credit data will be released later today, following a previous Consumer Credit increase of $5.1 billion [11]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Warner Bros. Discovery's Studios business is projected to deliver at least $2.4 billion in adjusted EBITDA in 2025, with a goal of reaching $3 billion [9] - The streaming business is on track to exceed $1.3 billion in adjusted EBITDA in 2025 and aims for over 150 million subscribers by 2026 [9][10] - The company has reduced its net leverage from over five times to 3.3 times, the lowest since the merger [10] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Motion Pictures segment achieved a milestone by opening five consecutive films with over $45 million in domestic box office [7] - HBO Max added more than 3.4 million subscribers in Q2, continuing its global expansion [9] - Warner Bros. TV led all studios in Emmy nominations, with HBO setting a record of 142 nominations [8] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on enhancing its content licensing strategies, with an annual library revenue target of $5 billion from Warner Bros. TV and film [12] - The Networks content sales reached $580 million in 2024, significantly above the normalized run rate of approximately $200 million per quarter [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The strategic objectives include being the premier home for creative talent, producing high-quality film and television, and distributing content through a profitable streaming service [6] - The company is investing in its creative and operational capabilities across various segments, including HBO, Warner Bros. television, and DC studios [9] - Plans to split into two independent publicly traded companies in 2026 are underway, with current momentum expected to position both for long-term success [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's creative success and growth trajectory, particularly in the Motion Pictures and streaming segments [9] - The focus remains on delivering high-quality content and enhancing the consumer experience, with expectations for significant growth in the coming years [54][90] Other Important Information - The company is reimagining its U.S. networks portfolio as a content engine around strong unscripted brands, moving away from traditional linear networks [19] - There is a strong emphasis on bundling strategies to reduce churn and enhance customer lifetime value [83] Q&A Session Summary Question: Content licensing strategies for Warner Brothers and Discovery - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining asset value and growth over short-term financial gains, opting to sell less content into the streaming market to drive growth for HBO Max [13][14] Question: Future franchises and growth opportunities - The company is focusing on leveraging its extensive IP portfolio, including major franchises like Harry Potter and Superman, to drive revenue across various channels [26][30] Question: HBO Max U.S. distribution deal restructuring - The restructuring of the legacy deal is expected to impact revenue growth positively after 2026, with new international launches planned [46][49] Question: Addressing marketers' desire for cross-platform advertising - The company is maintaining synergy opportunities in ad sales and has seen strong pricing across all categories, particularly in sports [75] Question: Reducing churn and converting unauthorized account shares - Management is in the early stages of addressing account sharing and is implementing strategies to reduce churn through improved content scheduling and bundling [81][84]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Warner Bros. Discovery reported strong momentum in its financial performance, with the Studios business on track to deliver at least $2.4 billion in adjusted EBITDA in 2025, aiming for a $3 billion goal [8] - The streaming business is projected to exceed $1.3 billion in adjusted EBITDA in 2025, with a target of over 150 million subscribers by 2026 [8][9] - The company has significantly reduced its net leverage from over five times to 3.3 times, the lowest since the merger [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Motion Pictures segment achieved a milestone by opening five consecutive films with over $45 million in domestic box office [7] - HBO Max added more than 3.4 million subscribers in Q2, continuing its global expansion [8] - Warner Bros. TV led all studios in Emmy nominations, with HBO setting a new record of 142 nominations [7] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is focusing on optimizing its global networks, including CNN and TNT Sports, to drive innovation in news, sports, and unscripted programming [9] - The U.S. networks portfolio is being reimagined as a content engine around strong unscripted brands, with content licensing expected to play a significant role in monetization [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The strategic objectives include being the premier home for creative talent, operating as the largest producer of film and television, and distributing content through a profitable streaming service [6] - The company is investing in its creative and operational capabilities across various segments, including HBO, Warner Bros. television, and DC studios [8] - Warner Bros. Discovery plans to split into two independent publicly traded companies in 2026, positioning both for long-term success [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's creative success and the positive trends in subscriber growth and content quality [8] - The company is focused on enhancing the consumer experience and addressing the challenges in the streaming landscape, including churn reduction and account sharing [88][89] Other Important Information - The company is exploring opportunities in theme parks and live events related to its franchises, with a focus on maximizing the value of its intellectual property [40][44] - The restructuring of the HBO Max U.S. distribution deal is expected to impact revenue growth positively after 2026 [46][49] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk about your content licensing strategies? - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong internal content library while balancing external licensing opportunities to drive growth [13][15] Question: What future franchises do you see as having a halo effect on the organization? - The company is focusing on leveraging its well-known IP, such as Harry Potter and DC characters, to create stability and growth across various revenue streams [27][30] Question: Can you comment on the restructuring of the HBO Max U.S. distribution deal? - The legacy deal adjustments are expected to have a meaningful impact on revenue growth, with a reacceleration anticipated after 2026 [46][49] Question: How are you addressing churn and unauthorized account sharing? - Management indicated that they are in the early stages of addressing account sharing and are implementing strategies to reduce churn through improved content scheduling and bundling [84][88] Question: How does the engagement look for ad-supported subscribers versus direct sign-ups? - The company is focusing on activation and engagement strategies for wholesale subscribers, with positive trends observed in recent partnerships [66][70]

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery is preparing to split into two publicly traded companies by mid-2026, with distinct names and leadership teams for each division [1][3]. Group 1: Company Structure and Leadership - The streaming and studios division will be named "Warner Bros." and will include movie properties like DC Studios and HBO Max [1]. - The global networks segment will be called "Discovery Global," encompassing entertainment, sports, and news networks such as CNN and Discovery+ [1]. - David Zaslav will lead Warner Bros., while Gunnar Wiedenfels will become CEO of Discovery Global [4]. Group 2: Strategic Context - The split is a response to the industry-wide shift from traditional cable to streaming services [3]. - This move follows a similar strategy by Comcast to separate its cable assets, indicating a trend in the industry [3]. - The new names reflect the historical entities prior to the merger of WarnerMedia and Discovery, Inc. in 2022 [3]. Group 3: Business Performance and Future Outlook - The company has made significant progress in launching a profitable global streaming service and revitalizing its studios [2]. - Zaslav emphasized the strength of the company's storytelling IP and the commitment of its creative and corporate leaders to drive future growth [5].

Group 1 - Warner Bros. Discovery is separating into two new companies: Warner Bros. and Discovery Global [1][2] - Warner Bros. will encompass Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, along with their film and television libraries [1] - Discovery Global will include CNN, TNT Sports, Discovery, free-to-air channels in Europe, the Discovery+ streaming service, and Bleacher Report [2] Group 2 - David Zaslav will continue as President and CEO of Warner Bros. [2] - Key leadership appointments include Pam Abdy and Mike De Luca as co-chairs and CEOs of Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, and Casey Bloys as chairman and CEO of HBO and HBO Max [3][4] - Other notable appointments include Bruce Campbell as Chief Operating Officer and James Gunn and Peter Safran as co-chairmen and CEOs of DC Studios [3][4] Group 3 - Gunnar Wiedenfels will serve as President and CEO of the new TV group, with Luis Silberwasser as Chairman and CEO of TNT Sports and Mark Thompson as Chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide [4] - Gerhard Zeiler will be President for the US, UK & Germany, Discovery+ and Chief Content Officer [4] - Additional appointments include Scott Miller as President of Distribution and various other leadership roles across the organization [5]

Core Viewpoint - Warner Bros. Discovery announced the separation of its business into two distinct entities: Warner Bros. and Discovery Global, set to take place in mid-2026, with a focus on leveraging their extensive content libraries and global reach [1][2]. Group 1: Corporate Structure and Leadership - Warner Bros. will encompass Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group, DC Studios, HBO, HBO Max, and Warner Bros. Gaming Studios, preserving over a century of storytelling legacy [1]. - Discovery Global will include major brands like CNN, TNT Sports, and Discovery+, reaching 1.1 billion unique viewers in 200 countries and territories [1][3]. - David Zaslav will continue as President and CEO of Warner Bros., while Gunnar Wiedenfels will lead Discovery Global as President and CEO [2][3]. Group 2: Strategic Vision and Growth - Zaslav emphasized the commitment to delivering culture-defining stories and characters, aiming to restore the studios to an industry-leading position [2]. - The leadership team is focused on operational execution and strategic investments to enhance content delivery to global audiences [5]. - Warner Bros. is actively searching for a Chief Financial Officer and Chief People & Culture Officer, while Discovery Global seeks a Chief Communications & Public Affairs Officer [5]. Group 3: Executive Team Composition - The executive team for Warner Bros. includes notable figures such as Pam Abdy (Co-Chair and CEO, Warner Bros. Motion Picture Group) and Casey Bloys (Chairman and CEO, HBO and HBO Max) [3][4]. - Discovery Global's leadership features executives like Mark Thompson (Chairman and CEO, CNN Worldwide) and Luis Silberwasser (Chairman and CEO, TNT Sports) [4][5]. - The diverse backgrounds of the leadership team are expected to drive the strategic direction and operational success of both entities [5].

Core Viewpoint - Charter Communications reported second-quarter earnings that fell significantly short of Wall Street expectations, leading to a sharp decline in its stock price [1][2]. Financial Performance - The company reported adjusted earnings of $9.18 per share, while revenue reached nearly $13.8 billion, meeting analysts' consensus expectations for revenue but missing profit forecasts, which were set at $9.58 per share [1]. - Shares of Charter dropped 18% during trading, with trading volume exceeding four times the normal levels [2]. Merger and Acquisition Concerns - Investors are expressing concerns regarding Charter's pending $34.5 billion merger with Cox Communications, which may pose additional risks to the company [2]. - Liberty Broadband, which owns 26% of Charter, is involved in a planned acquisition by Charter, projected to close later this summer [3]. Strategic Initiatives - CEO Chris Winfrey emphasized the company's successful history of integrating large-scale acquisitions, including Time Warner Cable, during a conference call [4]. - The video business remains a strategic priority, with Charter offering "skinnier bundles" to address customer price sensitivity while providing added value through integrated subscription streaming services [5]. Subscriber Trends - Charter experienced a decline of 80,000 video subscribers in the quarter, a significant improvement compared to a decline of 408,000 in the same period last year [6]. - The company is observing lower churn rates and an increase in customers upgrading to higher-tier packages for bundled streaming access [6]. Upselling Strategies - Charter is enhancing its upselling strategies by targeting customers interested in specific programming, such as the inclusion of Peacock for exclusive NBA games [7]. - The Spectrum app and program guide facilitate customer upgrades and subscriptions to streaming services like HBO Max, Hulu, and Disney+ [7].