Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated total revenues of $282.7 million for the quarter, with adjusted operating income of $61.5 million [10] - The Sphere segment's revenues increased to $175.6 million from $151.2 million in the prior year, driven by more corporate events and additional residency shows [10] - Adjusted operating income for the Sphere segment rose to $24.9 million, an increase of $30.4 million year over year, reflecting higher revenues and lower SG&A expenses [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Sphere segment's revenue growth was primarily due to an increase in event-related revenues, offset by lower revenues from the Sphere experience [10] - MSG Networks generated $107.1 million in revenues, down from $122.2 million in the prior year, attributed to a 13% decrease in subscribers [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company is seeing increased demand from artists across various genres, leading to an expectation of hosting over 100 concerts this year, up from 70 in 2024 [6] - The company is in discussions with multiple international markets for large-scale spheres and has completed the design and business model for smaller spheres [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to operate a venue that is busy year-round, with plans to expand Sphere venues globally, including Abu Dhabi [5] - The focus remains on developing original content experiences, with the upcoming "Wizard of Oz" expected to be a significant draw [6] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the long-term growth potential of the Sphere segment, despite fluctuations in quarterly results [11] - The company is focused on building a recurring revenue base and diversifying its artist roster to mitigate impacts from market visitation trends [67] Other Important Information - MSG Networks completed a restructuring of its credit facilities, replacing a $840 million term loan with a new $210 million facility maturing in December 2029 [14] - The company has secured advertising commitments as part of a new multiyear sponsorship, indicating progress in building a recurring revenue base [7] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more details about the smaller spheres? - The smaller spheres will follow a franchise model, designed to keep venues busy year-round, and will be less expensive and quicker to build than the Las Vegas sphere [20][22] Question: How does ticket sales for "Wizard of Oz" compare to previous shows? - The company has sold approximately 127,000 tickets to date, with expectations for sales to ramp up significantly in the weeks leading to the opening [27][29] Question: What is the outlook for concert residencies in 2026? - The company expects to diversify genres and potentially increase the number of residencies, with the ability to run multiple shows in a day [38][40] Question: Will future sphere experiences be based on owned IP? - The company is exploring various IP options, including potential collaborations with IP holders, and is open to both owned and licensed content [43][45] Question: What is the trajectory for sponsorship and advertising? - The company is making progress in establishing a recurring business model for sponsorships and advertising, with new packages and multiyear agreements in place [64][66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenues of $280.6 million and adjusted operating income of $36 million for the quarter [12] - The Sphere segment generated revenues of $157.5 million, a decrease from $170.4 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower revenues from the Sphere experience and advertising campaigns [12] - Adjusted operating income for the Sphere segment was $13.1 million, slightly up from $12.9 million in the prior year period, reflecting a decrease in revenues offset by lower SG&A expenses [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Sphere experience welcomed over half a million guests, contributing to total revenues of over $500 million since its debut in October 2023 [7] - MSG Networks generated $123 million in revenues and $22.8 million in adjusted operating income, down from $151 million and $48.6 million respectively in the prior year period, due to a non-carriage period and a decrease in subscribers [14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Las Vegas market continues to attract over 40 million visitors annually, with international guests accounting for over 20% of Sphere attendees [22] - The company has seen strong consumer demand, with acts like Dead and Company and the Eagles scheduled for over 40 performances at the Sphere [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to drive growth by hosting concerts and events, optimizing the go-to-market strategy for the Exosphere, and enhancing operational efficiencies [6] - Plans are underway to develop a smaller Sphere model for faster and cheaper deployment in various markets [39] - The company is focused on creating a diverse slate of original content and has multiple projects in development [7] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in continued growth despite macroeconomic concerns, noting that demand for concerts exceeds capacity [23] - The company is optimistic about the potential of new productions and the expansion of concert residencies, indicating a strong pipeline of artist demand [34] Other Important Information - The company has entered into new marketing partnerships with major brands like Pepsi and Google, enhancing its sponsorship opportunities [10][61] - As of the end of the quarter, the company had approximately $465 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, with a debt balance of approximately $1.34 billion [14][15] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the relationship with Google and the new product? - Management acknowledged the question but noted connectivity issues, indicating they would circle back later [18][19] Question: What is the current state of the tourism market in Vegas? - Management reported no significant changes in visitation or spending, with international guests making up over 20% of Sphere attendees [22][23] Question: What are the revenue expectations for new Sphere experience shows? - Management expects higher revenues from new productions, indicating they will be more experiential and impactful [31] Question: What is the strategy for MSG Networks moving forward? - Management discussed pursuing a hybrid model between traditional linear and streaming distribution, exploring strategic partnerships [44] Question: How is the company managing costs moving forward? - Management emphasized a focus on driving profitable growth and optimizing infrastructure to identify cost efficiencies [47] Question: Can you provide an update on the Exosphere and sponsorship strategy? - Management highlighted progress in pricing and packaging, establishing relationships with media agencies, and building a recurring sponsorship business [60][61]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported total revenues of $280.6 million and adjusted operating income of $36 million for the quarter [10] - The Sphere segment generated revenues of $157.5 million, a decrease from $170.4 million in the prior year period, primarily due to lower revenues from the Sphere experience and advertising campaigns [10][11] - Adjusted operating income for the Sphere segment was $13.1 million, slightly up from $12.9 million in the prior year period, reflecting a decrease in revenues offset by lower SG&A expenses [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Sphere experience welcomed over half a million guests, contributing to total revenues exceeding $500 million since its debut in October 2023 [6] - MSG Networks generated $123 million in revenues and $22.8 million in adjusted operating income, down from $151 million and $48.6 million respectively in the prior year period, mainly due to a non-carriage period and a decrease in subscribers [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Las Vegas market continues to attract over 40 million visitors annually, with international guests accounting for over 20% of Sphere attendees and 10% for concerts [22] - The company has seen strong consumer demand, with acts like Dead and Company and the Eagles scheduled for over 40 performances at the Sphere [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to drive growth by hosting a variety of concerts and events, optimizing the go-to-market strategy for the Exosphere, and enhancing operational efficiencies [5] - Plans are underway to develop a smaller Sphere model for faster and cheaper deployment in various markets, alongside the ongoing project in Abu Dhabi [37] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that despite macroeconomic concerns, there has not been a significant change in visitation or spending in Las Vegas [23] - The company remains optimistic about the demand for concerts, stating that demand exceeds capacity [23] Other Important Information - The company has entered into new marketing partnerships with major brands like Pepsi and Google, enhancing exposure on the Exosphere [8] - The company is focused on creating a diverse slate of original content and has multiple projects in development [6] Q&A Session Summary Question: Inquiry about the partnership with Google - Management acknowledged the question but noted connectivity issues and promised to circle back later [18] Question: Observations on the tourism market in Vegas - Management reported that international guests account for over 20% of Sphere attendees and noted no significant changes in visitation or spending [22][23] Question: Opportunities for new Sphere experience shows - Management expressed optimism about new shows driving higher revenues, expecting better performance compared to previous productions [30] Question: Update on concert residencies - Management confirmed ongoing discussions with multiple artists and noted that demand exceeds available slots [31][33] Question: Sphere expansion and geopolitical tensions - Management confirmed global discussions for Sphere expansion and mentioned designing a smaller Sphere for various markets [37] Question: Long-term plan for MSG Networks - Management discussed pursuing a hybrid model between traditional and streaming distribution, with potential strategic partnerships [42] Question: Cost management moving forward - Management emphasized a focus on driving profitable growth and optimizing infrastructure to identify cost efficiencies [44]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the December quarter, the company generated total revenues of $308.3 million and adjusted operating income of $32.9 million [15] - The Sphere segment generated revenues of $169 million with an adjusted operating loss of $800,000 [15] - SG&A expenses for the December quarter were $119 million, including $12.4 million of executive management transition costs [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The original content category within the Sphere experience generated $87 million in revenue across 190 shows during the December quarter [16] - MSG Networks generated $139.3 million in revenues and $33.7 million in adjusted operating income, down from $146.4 million and $37.3 million in the prior year period due to an 11.5% decrease in subscribers [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Sphere experience has generated over $450 million in high-margin revenue [11] - The company is seeing solid advertising demand for the Exosphere, which has continued into the new year [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on developing new productions, optimizing go-to-market strategies, and driving operational efficiencies [8] - Plans for market expansion include working closely with DCT Abu Dhabi on venue design and preconstruction planning for a new Sphere [9][10] - The company is also exploring discussions for a global network of spheres [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the underlying demand for the Exosphere and expects the upcoming year to reflect significant improvements in efficiency and results [41][71] - The company is confident in its liquidity position, ending the year with over $500 million in cash [70] Other Important Information - The company took a $61.2 million noncash goodwill impairment charge related to MSG Networks [20] - The company has shifted to a new fiscal year ending December 31, with the next full fiscal year running from January 1, 2025, to December 31, 2025 [23] Q&A Session Summary Question: Details on the planned third show for the Sphere experience - Management indicated that the new experience will leverage the Sphere's features and will be significantly enhanced compared to previous offerings [27][31] Question: Fixing the RSN business and long-term success - Management acknowledged the challenges in the RSN business and emphasized the need for better monetization strategies across the industry [36][37] Question: Update on the planned Abu Dhabi Sphere - The company is working closely with DCT Abu Dhabi on venue design and construction planning, with costs being fully funded by the partner [49][50] Question: Opportunities for cost efficiencies - Management expects to see significant improvements in operational efficiency and cost reductions in the upcoming year [41] Question: Residency business and hosting more shows - The company has seen increased interest from artists to perform at the Sphere, driven by the unique experience it offers [55] Question: Long-term revenue growth drivers - Management believes that the expansion of more spheres will be a key driver for long-term revenue growth [67] Question: Sponsorship strategy and untapped opportunities - The company is focusing on building relationships with brands and exploring various sponsorship opportunities, while maintaining brand integrity [78][82]