Paramount (US:PARA)2025-11-10 22:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paramount's total revenue guidance for 2026 is set at $30 billion, driven by strong growth in direct-to-consumer (D2C) revenue and global profitability, with adjusted EBITDA expected to reach $3.5 billion [8][10] - The company has increased its run rate efficiency target from $2 billion to at least $3 billion [8] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The D2C segment saw a 24% revenue growth, with a total of 75 million subscribers, and Paramount+ added 1.4 million new subscribers in Q3, bringing the total to 79 million [10][16] - The plan is to grow theatrical output to at least 15 movies per year starting in 2026, with an incremental programming investment of over $1.5 billion across theatrical and D2C platforms [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paramount+ has achieved the largest U.S. subscription growth among major streamers since 2023, ranking as one of the top three preferred content sources [10] - The company is focusing on scaling its direct-to-consumer business globally, with significant investments in content and technology to enhance user experience [11][17] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to transform Paramount into a global home for world-class storytelling, focusing on three North Star priorities: investing in growth businesses, scaling the D2C business, and driving enterprise-wide efficiency [6][7] - Paramount is committed to enhancing its technological capabilities to remain competitive in the media landscape, viewing technology as a tool to amplify creativity rather than replace it [11][41] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to achieve its strategic goals, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and creative partnerships [4][5] - The management highlighted the need for increased investment in content and technology to drive subscriber growth and engagement, particularly in international markets [18][19] Other Important Information - The company is pursuing high-impact partnerships and expanding its creative talent roster, with notable collaborations including the UFC and the Duffer Brothers [9][10] - Paramount is focused on improving operational efficiencies and cash flow generation, with a goal to achieve investment-grade metrics by 2027 [53][55] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you talk more about your confidence for Paramount+ to gain global scale? - Management highlighted a strong quarter for the D2C business, with significant investments in content and technology to improve user experience and drive subscriber growth [16] Question: How much investment do you plan to put into Paramount Skydance over the next several years? - Management indicated plans for continued investment in growth businesses, with an additional $1.5 billion in content investments planned [23] Question: What is your updated view on your portfolio of networks regarding advertising and cord-cutting trends? - Management noted the distinct differences between broadcast and cable, with CBS being a cornerstone asset that continues to perform well despite overall declines in linear TV [30][32] Question: Can you give us your vision of how tech and entertainment interrelate and how you drive growth? - Management emphasized the goal of becoming the most technologically capable media company, with ongoing initiatives to unify streaming services and improve operational efficiency [39][41] Question: How should we think of the long-term profitability of the DTC business? - Management expects the DTC segment to be profitable next year, with a focus on improving working capital and cash tax rates to enhance free cash flow [71][76] Question: What does the $1.5 billion content investment look like across various categories? - Management confirmed that the investment will be spread across sports, originals, licensing, DTC, and theatrical, with a unified review process for content spending [80]