Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paramount generated total company revenue of $6.8 billion, reflecting a 1% year-over-year growth [20] - Adjusted OIBDA was $824 million, showing continued year-over-year improvement in the direct-to-consumer segment [20] - Direct-to-consumer segment generated revenue of $2.2 billion, growing 15% year-over-year despite a 4% decline in DTC advertising [21][20] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paramount Plus finished the quarter with 77.7 million subscribers, a year-over-year increase of 9.3 million subscribers, but down 1.3 million from Q1 2025 [21] - Paramount Plus revenue increased nearly $330 million versus Q2 2024, driven by a 22% growth in subscription revenue [21] - Filmed Entertainment segment generated revenue of $690 million, up 2% year-over-year, but adjusted OIBDA was a loss of $84 million [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - CBS continued its leadership position as the most-watched broadcast network in primetime for the seventeenth consecutive season, with eight of the top 10 series [14] - Streaming of CBS series on Paramount Plus grew 42% over the last year, accounting for nearly half of all viewing on Paramount Plus [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform into a streaming-first company, with a focus on delivering original hits rather than a high volume of originals [11][12] - The strategy has led to a significant improvement in D2C profitability, with a $300 million improvement compared to the previous year [16] - The upcoming Skydance transaction is expected to close on August 7, 2025, marking a significant transition for the company [3] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's strong foundation for success and long-term value creation despite industry challenges [6] - The company is well-positioned to thrive in the streaming future, as evidenced by the growth in D2C revenue outpacing linear declines [11] - Management highlighted the importance of content and the successful monetization of franchises across various platforms [19] Other Important Information - The company has implemented over $800 million in annual run rate non-content expense savings over the past four quarters [15] - The combination of traditional and streaming businesses yielded net positive growth, with total company affiliate and subscription revenue up 5% in Q2 [24] Summary of Q&A Session - No questions were taken during this earnings call, as it was the last call under the current corporate structure [3]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company revenue grew 2% year over year, excluding the Super Bowl, reaching $7.2 billion [6][22] - Direct to Consumer (D2C) revenue increased by 9% year over year to $2 billion, with subscription revenue growing 16% [23] - Adjusted OIBDA improved to $688 million, reflecting year-over-year improvements in D2C and filmed entertainment [22][24] - Free cash flow was $123 million, including $108 million in restructuring payments [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - D2C OIBDA improved by nearly $180 million year over year, with a loss of $109 million [6][23] - Filmed Entertainment revenue was $627 million, up 4% year over year, with OIBDA of $20 million compared to a loss of $3 million in the previous year [24][25] - TV Media advertising revenue, excluding the Super Bowl, was flat year over year, with OIBDA at $922 million [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paramount Plus ended the quarter with 79 million global subscribers, an increase of 11 million year over year [7] - Global watch time per user on Paramount Plus increased by 17% year over year, and churn improved by 130 basis points [7] - CBS's network audience grew 3% in the quarter compared to last year, with a 12% increase without the Super Bowl comparison [17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on driving profitable growth through a differentiated content strategy, emphasizing fewer but bigger original series [7][10] - Paramount is prioritizing key investments while streamlining non-content expenses in response to macroeconomic uncertainties [6][28] - The company plans to achieve domestic profitability for Paramount Plus in 2025, leveraging improvements in churn and ARPU [26][28] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's performance despite macroeconomic uncertainties, noting strong engagement and content-driven growth [6][28] - The company anticipates that supply-demand dynamics in digital advertising will stabilize over time, leading to improved monetization [30][34] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining strong relationships with affiliates and securing valuable content partnerships [36] Other Important Information - The company is set to premiere several new series and franchise expansions, including new installments of Yellowstone and Dexter [10][11] - Pluto TV achieved its highest consumption ever, with global viewing time up 26% year over year, although monetization has been softer than expected [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Advertising pressure on Pluto and digital advertising - Management acknowledged the impact of increased supply in digital advertising but expressed confidence that supply-demand dynamics will balance out over time [30][33] Question: Licensing strategy for library content versus original content - Management indicated that content licensing remains a growth area, but the focus will be on using valuable IP to enhance owned and operated assets [39][40] Question: Expectations for linear declines and streaming growth - Management noted that subscriber declines in linear TV are expected to continue, while streaming growth will be driven by subscriber growth, churn improvements, and ARPU [46][48] Question: Importance of Taylor Sheridan and potential acquisitions - Management emphasized the value of the partnership with Taylor Sheridan and the current model as optimal for maximizing value without pursuing acquisitions [52][54] Question: Interest in bundling and joint ventures - Management expressed openness to exploring bundling opportunities and partnerships but emphasized a disciplined approach to ensure value creation [60][62] Question: Current linear trends and guidance for full year OIBDA and free cash flow - Management reiterated that the fundamental drivers of earnings improvement remain in place, despite macroeconomic uncertainties impacting advertising revenue [70][71]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total company revenue grew 2% year over year, excluding the Super Bowl, reaching $7.2 billion [5][19] - Direct to Consumer (D2C) revenue increased by 9% year over year to $2 billion, with subscription revenue growing 16% [20] - Adjusted OIBDA improved to $688 million, reflecting year-over-year improvements in D2C and filmed entertainment [19][20] - Free cash flow was $123 million, including $108 million in restructuring payments [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - D2C OIBDA improved by nearly $180 million year over year, with a loss of $109 million [5][20] - TV Media advertising revenue, excluding the Super Bowl, was flat year over year, with OIBDA at $922 million [21] - Filmed Entertainment revenue increased by 4% year over year to $627 million, with OIBDA of $20 million compared to a loss of $3 million in the previous year [22] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paramount Plus ended the quarter with 79 million global subscribers, up 11 million year over year, including 1.5 million new subscribers in the quarter [6] - Global watch time per user on Paramount Plus increased by 17% year over year, and churn improved by 130 basis points [6] - Pluto TV's global viewing time increased by 26% year over year, although monetization was softer than expected [11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is prioritizing key investments while streamlining non-content expenses due to macroeconomic uncertainties [5] - A differentiated content strategy focusing on fewer, bigger breakthrough original series is driving growth, with Paramount Plus having 25% of the top 10 SVOD originals [7] - The company plans to achieve domestic profitability for Paramount Plus in 2025 and is focused on leveraging its content library and iconic IP [26] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's performance despite macroeconomic challenges, emphasizing strong engagement and content-driven growth [5][26] - The company anticipates that supply-demand dynamics in digital advertising will stabilize over time, leading to improved monetization [11][31] - Management acknowledged potential impacts from macroeconomic uncertainties, particularly in advertising, but remains focused on expense management and strategic investments [26][67] Other Important Information - The company is expanding the Yellowstone franchise with three new series set to premiere in the coming quarters [8] - The success of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 contributed significantly to the Filmed Entertainment segment's performance [22] - The company is on track to close a pending transaction with Skydance in the first half of the year [19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Advertising pressure on Pluto and digital advertising - Management acknowledged the impact of new entrants in the digital supply space but expects supply-demand dynamics to balance out over time [31] Question: FCC's potential impact on affiliate revenue - Management emphasized the mutually beneficial relationship with affiliates and expressed confidence in securing partnerships despite potential regulatory changes [34] Question: Licensing strategy for library content versus original content - Management views content licensing as a growth business but believes in using valuable IP to grow owned assets while still considering selective licensing opportunities [38] Question: Expectations for linear declines and streaming growth - Management indicated that subscriber declines in linear TV are expected to continue, while streaming growth is driven by subscriber growth, churn improvements, and ARPU [46][47] Question: Current relationship with Taylor Sheridan and potential acquisition of 101 Studios - Management expressed satisfaction with the current partnership with Taylor Sheridan and indicated no plans to acquire 101 Studios, preferring to maintain the existing relationship [51][54] Question: Interest in bundling and joint ventures - Management is open to exploring bundling opportunities but emphasizes a disciplined approach to ensure value and audience growth [60] Question: Upside in TV media performance - Management attributed the strong performance to CBS's broadcast slate and sports, which helped offset softness in the digital landscape [65]