rtside (US:PODC)2025-08-13 16:30Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q1 2026 was $15 million, a 14% increase from $13.1 million in the same quarter last year [12] - Operating loss decreased to $1.05 million from $1.4 million year-over-year, primarily due to lower amortization [12] - Net loss improved to $1.05 million or $0.04 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.4 million or $0.06 per share in the prior year [13] - Adjusted EBITDA turned positive at $600,000, compared to a negative $300,000 in the same quarter last year [13] - The company ended the quarter with zero debt and $1.9 million in cash and cash equivalents [13] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - PodcastOne launched 14 new podcasts, increasing the total to 206 active shows [10] - Video views surged by 218% year-over-year across multiple platforms, indicating strong audience engagement [10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - PodcastOne ranked as a top 10 US podcast publisher for the eighth consecutive month, with a monthly unique US audience of 5.4 million and 20.3 million downloads and streams as of July 2025 [8] - The podcast advertising market is projected to see over $2.4 billion in investments this year, highlighting the industry's growth potential [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - PodcastOne aims to leverage its vertically integrated model to drive long-term value for creators, advertisers, and shareholders [7] - The company is expanding its video production and distribution efforts to enhance audience engagement [11] - PodcastOne is actively exploring M&A opportunities, particularly in acquiring talent and podcast platforms [26][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about building on momentum with high-profile initiatives and events planned for the upcoming months [15] - The company expects full-year revenues to be between $56 million and $60 million, representing at least an 8% increase from the previous fiscal year [14] - Adjusted EBITDA for the full year is anticipated to be between $3 million and $5 million [14] Other Important Information - PodcastOne has upgraded its order management system to improve operational efficiency and sales processes [17] - The company is focused on compelling content, strategic monetization, and maintaining trusted relationships with talent and advertisers [17] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the growth in video views translate into revenue? - Management indicated that current contracts consider both audio and video views, allowing for higher rates per spot due to increased video viewership [21][22] Question: What is the current M&A environment for platforms? - Management noted that the platform side is dominated by a few major players, but there are still interesting opportunities for acquisition [26][29] Question: What factors could drive revenue to the high end of guidance? - Acquiring a company with good revenues could push the numbers higher, while not acquiring would keep it at the lower end [33] Question: How is stock-based compensation affecting cost of sales? - Management confirmed that stock-based compensation is being used to reduce cash payments, which is part of their strategy to manage costs [39][40] Question: How do consumers interact with video podcasts compared to audio-only? - Management noted that video consumption is significant, with many viewers engaging with content actively, while others may listen passively [49][50]