Core Insights - Paramount's CEO David Ellison emphasized that the addition of UFC bouts to Paramount+ at no extra charge justifies upcoming price hikes for the service in early 2026 [1][3] Group 1: Value Proposition - The company believes it is offering significant value to Paramount+ subscribers, as for the price of approximately one pay-per-view event, subscribers can access all UFC content [2] - The UFC rights deal, costing $7.7 billion for seven years, positions Paramount+ as the home for combat sports, enhancing its competitive edge [2][4] Group 2: Pricing Strategy - Price hikes for Paramount+ are planned for Canada and Australia, with the U.S. set to follow in early 2026, although specific details on timing and amounts were not disclosed [3] - Higher prices are intended to support continued investment in the service, improving user experience and programming quality [4] Group 3: Market Positioning - Ellison described UFC as a "unicorn sports property" due to its exclusive presence on Paramount+, unlike other major leagues that are spread across multiple platforms [4] - The company is also making significant talent commitments to popular creators, indicating a broader strategy to enhance content offerings [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated revenue of $1.12 billion in Q3 2025, with adjusted EBITDA of $360 million and an adjusted EBITDA margin of 32% [13][14] - Year-over-year revenue decreased by 27%, while adjusted EBITDA increased by 59%, and adjusted EBITDA margin improved from 15% in the prior year period [14] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $399 million, with a conversion rate of adjusted EBITDA at 111% [23][24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC segment revenue was $325 million, a decrease of 8%, with adjusted EBITDA of $166 million, down 15% [15][16] - WWE segment revenue increased by 23% to $402 million, with adjusted EBITDA rising by 19% to $208 million [17][18] - IMG segment revenue decreased by 59% to $337 million, but adjusted EBITDA improved significantly from -$7 million to $61 million [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC's media rights production and content revenue decreased by 7% to $201 million, while WWE's media rights production and content revenue increased by 9% to $249 million [15][18] - WWE's live events revenue increased by 61% to $83 million, driven by higher ticket sales and site fee revenue [17] - The company secured significant media rights agreements, including a seven-year, $7.7 billion deal with Paramount for UFC and a five-year partnership with ESPN for WWE [5][7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maximizing shareholder value, preparing for UFC's Paramount debut, and launching Zuffa Boxing in 2026 [11][30] - Strategic priorities include sustaining strong performance across all businesses, capitalizing on new growth opportunities, and enhancing global partnerships [11][30] - The company aims to achieve $450 million in high-margin partnership revenue by 2025 and targets $1 billion in total company partnership revenue by around 2030 [31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's momentum, citing strong demand for premium sports content and experiences [5][11] - The company raised its full-year 2025 guidance for revenue to $4.69 billion-$4.72 billion and adjusted EBITDA to $1.57 billion-$1.58 billion [26] - Management highlighted the importance of site fees and global partnerships as significant revenue drivers for 2026 and beyond [30][66] Other Important Information - The company announced a 100% increase in its quarterly cash dividend program, with a payment of approximately $150 million made under the new program [24] - A $1 billion stock buyback program was launched, with an ASR agreement to repurchase $800 million of Class A Common Stock [24][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on UFC media rights and international opportunities - Management emphasized the importance of execution and operational expansion, focusing on maximizing media rights opportunities internationally [37][39] Question: WWE live events revenue growth - Management noted that both premium live events and weekly events contributed to revenue growth, with high capacity and appropriate pricing strategies [40][41] Question: Distribution model with Paramount and pay-per-view model - Management clarified that while some markets still utilize pay-per-view, the focus is on expanding distribution through subscription models [46] Question: Incremental flow-through margin percentage and fighter pay structure - Management indicated that the new media rights deal would be margin accretive, with plans for increased fighter pay in line with historical margins [48][49] Question: Opportunities in boxing and potential for larger investments - Management expressed a strong appetite for boxing, focusing on super fights and the Zuffa Boxing league, while remaining cautious about distractions from core operations [52][56] Question: Site fees as a revenue driver - Management highlighted the potential for significant revenue from site fees, particularly with upcoming events in Saudi Arabia and ongoing discussions with various municipalities [64][66]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated revenue of $1.12 billion in Q3 2025, with adjusted EBITDA of $360 million, reflecting a 59% increase year-over-year [13][14] - Adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 32%, up from 15% in the prior year period [14] - Reported revenue decreased by 27% year-over-year, primarily due to the impact of the 2024 Paris Olympics [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC segment revenue was $325 million, down 8%, with adjusted EBITDA of $166 million, a decrease of 15% [15][16] - WWE segment revenue increased by 23% to $402 million, with adjusted EBITDA rising 19% to $208 million [16][17] - IMG segment revenue decreased by 59% to $337 million, but adjusted EBITDA increased significantly to $61 million from a negative $55 million [20][21] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC's media rights production and content revenue decreased by 7% to $201 million, while WWE's media rights production and content revenue increased by 9% to $249 million [15][18] - Live events and hospitality revenue for UFC decreased by 15% to $44 million, while WWE's live events revenue surged by 61% to $83 million [16][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maximizing shareholder value, preparing for UFC's Paramount debut, and expanding WWE's presence on ESPN [11][12] - Significant media rights agreements have been secured, providing a high-margin, contractual revenue stream with annual escalators [12][30] - The company aims to achieve $450 million in high-margin partnership revenue by 2025 and targets $1 billion in total company partnership revenue by around 2030 [31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's momentum and the strong demand for premium sports content [5][11] - The outlook for Q4 2025 is positive, with expectations of strong financial performance driven by increased events and new media rights agreements [26][29] - The company is preparing for a significant step-up in financials in 2026 due to new media rights deals and increased site fees [30][31] Other Important Information - The company announced a 100% increase in its quarterly cash dividend program, with the first payment of approximately $150 million made on September 30 [24] - A $1 billion stock buyback program was launched, with an ASR agreement to repurchase $800 million of Class A Common Stock [24][25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why was Paramount chosen as the partner for LATAM and Australia? - Management highlighted the strong brand alignment and marketing plan offered by Paramount, which provided the best rights fee and overall value for the company [36][39] Question: What is the outlook for WWE live events revenue? - Management indicated that both premium live events and weekly events are contributing to revenue growth, with increased ticket prices and capacity [40][42] Question: What is the distribution model with Paramount? - The company plans to sell a significant amount of content to distributors, focusing on maximizing monetization opportunities internationally [45][46] Question: What are the expectations for fighter pay in the UFC? - Management confirmed that there will be an increase in fighter pay, aligning with the margins maintained over the years [49][50] Question: Are there plans for more boxing events beyond the current joint venture? - Management expressed a strong appetite for boxing, with plans for multiple super fights and leveraging Zuffa Boxing to enhance revenue opportunities [53][56] Question: How significant will site fees be in 2026? - Management indicated that site fees will be a major revenue driver, with ongoing discussions for multiple events globally [65][68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - TKO generated revenue of $1.12 billion in Q3 2025, with adjusted EBITDA of $360 million, resulting in an adjusted EBITDA margin of 32% [11][12] - Year-over-year revenue decreased by 27%, while adjusted EBITDA increased by 59%, and adjusted EBITDA margin improved from 15% in the prior year [12] - Free cash flow for the quarter was $399 million, with a conversion rate of 111% [22][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC segment revenue was $325 million, down 8%, with adjusted EBITDA of $166 million, a decrease of 15% [13][15] - WWE segment revenue increased by 23% to $402 million, with adjusted EBITDA rising by 19% to $208 million [15][16] - IMG segment revenue decreased by 59% to $337 million, but adjusted EBITDA improved significantly from negative $7 million to $61 million [18][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - UFC's media rights production and content revenue decreased by 7% to $201 million, while WWE's media rights production and content revenue increased by 9% to $249 million [13][17] - WWE's live events revenue surged by 61% to $83 million, driven by higher ticket sales and site fees [16][17] - PBR's broadcast drew an average of 2.7 million viewers, the largest audience since joining CBS in 2012 [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - TKO is focused on maximizing shareholder value through strong performance across all business segments and capitalizing on new growth opportunities [10][25] - The company aims to enhance its competitive position in boxing with the launch of Zuffa Boxing and significant media rights agreements [5][31] - TKO plans to leverage its media rights deals to secure high-margin revenue streams and expand its global partnerships [29][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the company's momentum, citing strong demand for premium sports content and experiences [4][10] - The company raised its full-year 2025 guidance for revenue and adjusted EBITDA for the third consecutive quarter, targeting revenue of $4.69 billion to $4.72 billion [25][26] - Management highlighted the importance of international market expansion and monetization opportunities as key growth drivers [36][37] Other Important Information - TKO announced a $1 billion stock buyback program and doubled its quarterly cash dividend [4][23] - The company ended the quarter with $3.759 billion in debt and $861 million in cash and cash equivalents [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Why was Paramount chosen as the partner for LATAM and Australia? - Management emphasized the execution story and the importance of maximizing media rights opportunities, noting that Paramount offered the best overall deal [33][34][37] Question: What is the outlook for WWE live events revenue? - Management indicated that both premium live events and weekly events are contributing to revenue growth, with high capacity and appropriate pricing strategies [38][39] Question: How will the distribution model with Paramount affect international markets? - Management clarified that while some markets will retain pay-per-view models, the focus will be on maximizing reach through subscription-based offerings [40][41] Question: What are the plans for boxing beyond the Zuffa Boxing initiative? - Management expressed a strong appetite for super fights and emphasized the potential for high-margin revenue through promotional and management fees [45][46] Question: How significant will site fees be for revenue in 2026? - Management highlighted the strategic focus on securing site fees and the potential for significant revenue growth from upcoming events, particularly in Saudi Arabia [52][54]

Core Insights - TKO Group Holdings is benefiting from media rights deals, additional UFC and WWE events, and rising site fees, supporting its growth outlook [1] - BTIG has named TKO Group a Top Pick, maintaining a Buy rating with a price forecast of $235, based on a sum-of-the-parts EV/EBITDA model [2] Financial Performance - UFC gate receipts in Q3 2025 totaled approximately $31 million across ten fights, down from $40 million year-over-year, aligning with expectations due to tough comparisons [3] - Premium numbered events generated $8–$11 million each, while fight night events averaged $2-$3 million, with average ticket prices ranging from $130 to $275 [4] - TKO's first major boxing event, Canelo vs. Crawford, generated around $47 million in gate receipts with an average ticket price of $670, attracting 41.4 million global livestream viewers [5] Media Rights and Revenue - TKO signed a long-term media rights deal with Paramount Skydance to stream 12 annual Zuffa Boxing events starting January 2026, following a $7.7 billion deal for UFC's U.S. domestic rights [6] - UFC's core unit economics estimate a net profit of approximately $35 million per fight in 2025, with media rights accounting for about 60% of event revenue [7] - Partnerships and marketing contribute around $7 million per fight, with live events generating about $6 million; potential upside in partnership revenue could rise 25% year-over-year in 2025 [8] Growth Projections - BTIG projects UFC revenue growth of 25-37% in 2026, with EBITDA margins between 57% and 60.5%, alongside growth in WWE and IMG segments [9] - Fiscal 2025 revenue is projected at $4.69 billion, increasing to $6.01 billion in fiscal 2026, with adjusted EBITDA expected to rise from $1.56 billion to $2.30 billion [10] Market Position - TKO remains the leading combat sports entertainment platform with strong pricing power and industry-leading margins, supported by a loyal fan base [11]

TKO Group Holdings Conference Call Summary Company Overview - **Company**: TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) - **Date**: September 10, 2025 - **Key Speaker**: Marc Shapiro, President and COO Key Industry Insights Media Rights and Partnerships - TKO has successfully renegotiated media rights deals, significantly increasing revenue streams - UFC secured a seven-year deal worth **$1.1 billion**, double the previous ESPN deal [5][6] - WWE's new media rights include a **10-year deal** for WWE Raw with Netflix and a **five-year deal** for SmackDown [6] - Paramount+ is seen as a strong partner for WWE, leveraging CBS's sports history to grow audience and brand [12][11] Revenue Growth and Financial Performance - TKO is experiencing strong financial performance with **60%+ free cash flow conversion** and projected **35% to 40% EBITDA margins** [23][23] - The company anticipates **$400 million** in global partnerships, up from **$30 million** when UFC was acquired [26] - TKO is focused on capital returns, including a **dividend increase** and a share buyback program [56][59] Live Events and Ticketing - Demand for live events remains high, with TKO optimizing ticket pricing and capacity [31] - The company is seeing record ticket yields, particularly in UFC events, with plans to replicate this success in WWE [35][37] - Upcoming events, such as WrestlePalooza, are expected to enhance brand visibility and revenue [39] Boxing and Future Opportunities - TKO is launching Zuffa Boxing, aiming for **12 to 16 fights per year** and exploring media rights for these events [20][19] - The company plans to partner with Saudi Arabia for high-profile boxing events, minimizing financial risk [18] Additional Insights Strategic Focus - TKO emphasizes a humble approach despite current successes, focusing on execution and long-term growth strategies [7] - The company is not actively pursuing acquisitions but remains open to opportunistic deals [56] Operational Efficiency - TKO maintains a lean cost structure while ensuring competitive fighter pay, which is crucial for retaining talent [48][49] - The integration of UFC and WWE operations is ongoing, with expectations for increased synergies and efficiencies [22] Market Trends - There is a growing trend towards premium experiences in live events, with consumers seeking personalized and exclusive opportunities [32][33] - TKO is capitalizing on this trend through its On Location hospitality services, enhancing the overall event experience [33] Conclusion - TKO Group Holdings is positioned for continued growth through strategic media partnerships, robust financial performance, and a focus on enhancing live event experiences. The company is committed to returning capital to shareholders while exploring new opportunities in boxing and global partnerships.