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Daily Mirror
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
UK cinema slashes prices of kids' and adults' tickets to £1 this summer
'Every week will see a different family favourite back to the big screen' Cineworld has revealed that its £1 Family Films are making a comeback. Scheduled to run every week from July 25 until August 28 of this year, it could be the perfect opportunity to see a film with the kids. From Disney's Snow White to Paddington in Peru, Sonic the Hedgehog 3, Moana and A Minecraft Movie, Cineworld is offering people the chance to watch some family classics. They announced that "every week will see a different family favourite back to the big screen so you can be more childish - together." But it's not just tickets that are on offer, with tempting deals also available on snacks. And what's a cinema trip without a snack? The cinema chain reveals you can also make use of the Cineworld Family Special this summer with your £1 Family Film Ticket. The special means that family ticket holders can enjoy a regular popcorn, two regular soft drinks to share and two Munchboxes. And you can upgrade to a large for just an extra £2. They say that their Munchboxes are "packed with fun snacks for kids." So what comes inside? They note that each Munchbox comes with: popcorn (sweet or salted) a drink (Fruit Shoot or water) a snack (Milky Way Magic Stars or Raisins) Movies For Juniors ticket holders can grab a Munchbox for only £4, they add. What films can I watch? All cinemas - excluding Leicester Square and Dublin The Wild Robot – July 25 to July 31 Sonic the Hedgehog 3 – August 1 to August 7 Moana 2 – August 8 to August 14 Paddington in Peru – August 15 to August 21 A Minecraft Movie – August 22 to August 28 Article continues below Select cinemas - excluding Leicester Square and Dublin Mufasa: The Lion King – July 25 to July 31 Flow – August 1 to August 7 Transformers One – August 8 to August 14 Disney's Snow White – August 15 to August 21 Dog Man – August 22 to August 28
Scottish Sun
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
Cinema chain with 103 locations doing £1 films this summer for families – full list of 10 movies you can watch
Favourites like Moana 2 and Paddington in Peru will be hitting the big screen PICTURE THIS Cinema chain with 103 locations doing £1 films this summer for families – full list of 10 movies you can watch THE world's second-largest cinema chain has announced a new family deal running all summer. Cineworld is offering £1 Family Films every week starting July 25. 2 The offer runs from July 25 to August 28 in most of the UK The press release reads: "Designed for families to enjoy magical cinema moments, the weekly program features big-screen favourites you might have missed – or just want to experience all over again. "Because some stories are even better the second time, especially when shared as a family." Families will be able to watch favourites like Moana 2, Paddington in Peru, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and A Minecraft Movie each week. Cineworld is also offering a Munchbox and Family Special deal on snacks. These 10 films will be screened this summer: The Wild Robot Mufasa: The Lion King Sonic The Hedgehog 3 Flow Moana 2 Transformers One Paddington in Peru Disney's Snow White A Minecraft Movie Dog Man Stuart Crane, International VP of Film Content at Cineworld, said: 'Summer holidays are made for being more childish together as a family.' He continued: 'With our £1 Family Films, families can experience the wonder of the big screen – whether it's a film they missed or one they want to rediscover all over again. "It's all about sharing those moments of joy that bring everyone closer and keeping that playful spirit alive all summer long.' The offer runs from July 25 to August 28 across most of the UK. Inside 'world's largest cinema' the 'Big King' with 2,700-seater triple-decker 'grand hall' and giant 3,000sq ft screen In Scotland and Belfast, the offer runs from July 4 to August 24. It comes as Cineworld recently closed six UK sites as part of the first phase of a major restructuring. The affected cinemas were located in: Castleford Leigh Middlesbrough Northampton Poole Weymouth The Sun previously revealed that the Weymouth branch closed for good in December 2024, while the other five sites shut down in January. These closures are part of a wider plan to stabilise the company's finances. In October 2024, a judge approved a £16 million cash injection into Cineworld's four operating companies. The company also secured £40 million in liquidity and plans to invest up to £35 million on refurbishing and upgrading existing cinemas. This follows a turbulent period for Cineworld. Last year, the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the US. Cineworld is a British cinema operator, with screens in 747 sites across 10 countries.
India Today
03-07-2025
- India Today
Oppo Reno 14 Pro review: Familiar design, meaningful upgrades
Oppo continues its predictable update cycle with the launch of the Reno 14 Pro, which is coming just six months after the debut of the Reno 13 Pro. The strategy is pretty much clear — keep the price in the same ballpark while offering incremental but quality-of-life improvements, be it in battery, processing power, or even the camera hardware. Priced at the same level as its predecessor, the Oppo Reno 14 Pro packs just enough upgrades to stay relevant in a competitive sub-Rs 50,000 market. But does it offer enough to actually recommend it? We will tell you in this India Today Tech Old wine in a new bottleVisually, the Oppo Reno 14 Pro design stays close to its predecessor. That said, Oppo has made subtle cosmetic changes. This is mostly done through new colour choices, namely, white and green. The white variant, which was sent for this review, measures 7.58mm. The green option is a bit slimmer at 7.48mm. The weight has gone up slightly which is understandable given that the Reno 14 Pro has a bigger has added a colour-changing flower pattern to the white model. It's subtle but eye-catching — only the flower design shifts hues when light hits it, while the rest of the panel remains unchanged. Moreover, the silver side rails contrast well with the white back panel. For those who prefer a more elegant look, the dark green version is a stunner in its own The Oppo Reno 14 Pro feels quite premium, thanks to the metal frame and glass back. And even though the chassis is flat, the matte finish on the back ensures it isn't slippery in daily use. The camera module also doesn't protrude much, meaning you won't experience much wobble when the phone sits back facing down on any surface. It is good to see that Oppo has retained IP66 + IP68 + IP69 ratings, which means the phone is completely dustproof, can survive submersion beyond 1 metre, and even handle high-pressure, high-temperature water jets. So, one doesn't need to be worried about the device getting damaged during monsoons or around Great for binge watchingThe Oppo Reno 14 Pro features the same 6.83-inch 10-bit OLED panel from its predecessor, with a crisp 1.5K resolution and flat design. The display offers 1200nits brightness in HBM (High Brightness Mode). While some rivals offer higher HBM brightness, this is sufficient for most use cases. Indoors, I kept the brightness at 50 per cent and had no visibility issues. Outdoors, especially while framing shots in bright daylight, I did wish for slightly more it lacks support for LTPO technology, so refresh rate only switches between 60Hz and 120Hz, mostly sticking to the higher end. In real-world usage, this didn't bother me much. What did impress me, however, were the proximity and ambient light sensors. Both worked accurately, something that is still a hit-or-miss on some phones even in standout experience was streaming Sonic the Hedgehog 3 on Amazon Prime Video, thanks to HDR10+ support. Sonic's bright blue fur, the neon-lit chase scenes, and explosive moments came alive with stunning contrast and rich colours. Compared to non-HDR titles like Knives Out, the visual difference is slightly noticeable — you get deeper blacks, better highlights, and overall a more cinematic feel with HDR also lets users adjust display resolution to 1080p to conserve battery or switch to a higher resolution for sharper visuals. One quick, handy feature that I liked is the Gloves Mode for winter months. You can wear gloves, and the screen is still very much responsive, a useful feature not every brand is for tuning the colour output, Oppo offers a Screen Colour Mode setting with Natural and Vivid presets, which work fine. But, the "Pro" mode, in contrast, doesn't seem to add much value. There is also a colour temperature palette for more granular you are getting a great display for binge watching in its price range. Powerful performanceThe Oppo Reno 14 Pro is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 8450, and in day-to-day use, it feels fast, fluid, and reliable. This chip actually edges out the Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 in benchmarks, putting it in a strong spot among mid-range premium phones. That said, it is not quite at the level of the Snapdragon 8 Elite or the newer 8s Gen 4 chips found in phones under Rs 50,000, which are built for serious power users with faster CPUs and better paper, the Reno 14 Pro scores around 1.6 million in AnTuTu and 6409 in Geekbench multi-core, which are respectable numbers. It may not top the charts like some Snapdragon 8 Elite phones in the same price bracket but interestingly, its numbers are in the same ballpark as the iPhone 16 — which is impressive for a phone running a MediaTek ran the 3DMark Wild Life Stress Test to check how well it holds up under pressure. The phone managed a best loop score of 10,933 with a stability of 86.7 per cent. A score of 10,933 means the Reno 14 Pro delivers strong graphics performance for games, even if it is not segment leading. The 86.7 per cent stability number shows that the phone sustains performance very well under continuous load, as even after 20 intense loops, there is very little thermal throttling or performance drop. This is a good sign for gamers and power for the real-world usage, I ran Genshin Impact and BGMI for over an hour, and both games performed smoothly at medium graphics settings. I also switched the graphics to High mode in Genshin Impact to see if the gameplay would still be smooth, and it was still enjoyable with little to no stutter. However, one thing that I noticed in both High and Medium graphic settings is that the character switching during intense fighting scenes takes about 2-3 seconds, which was not happening in the low graphic setting. Also, the game was playable only at 30fps and moving to a higher frame rate made the experience a little unpleasant. But, this is not a deal breaker, and the device's back did not get very warm even after playing for about 1.5 hours. The temperature rose from 29 to 40 degrees Celsius while running 3-4 benchmarks, which is acceptable and shows good thermal short, while the Reno 14 Pro may not be the absolute fastest in its segment, it offers consistently good performance without overheating or slowing down. If you are someone who games regularly or runs demanding apps, this phone will keep up without breaking a sweat. The Oppo Reno 14 Pro runs on Android 15 OS out of the box. It is future-proof as it will receive 3 years of Android OS upgrades and 4 years of security updates. While the competition is offering longer software support, the 3+4 policy is still fine for an Android phone. Like every other Android device, this one too comes with a bunch of pre-installed apps. But, you can uninstall most of them, except for the native Oppo apps like Theme Store, Music, Internet, Safety and more. Otherwise, the user interface is quite clean and batteryThe larger 6,200mAh battery is one of the biggest upgrades over the Reno 13 Pro. Even with demanding use, including 1.5 hours of Genshin Impact, the battery dropped just 16 per cent, which is a great result. With a mixed-use pattern (WhatsApp, social media, streaming, and light gaming), I was ending the day with around 23 per cent still left. Charging is quick too, thanks to the 80W fast charger in the retail box, something which not all brands are offering camera for the priceThe Oppo Reno 14 Pro offers a solid camera setup in its price range. In daylight, the device is able to offer shots with plenty of details and clarity. The dynamic range, white balance and exposure levels are mostly well balanced. The sharpness is also on point. I also liked the colour reproduction, which was natural and sometimes on a warmer side. Even while taking a low-angle shot, everything is well exposed. The skies are not blown out and there is no background distortion as same can be said for the ultra-wide-angle shots as well, but the dynamic range could have been slightly better. People who want better details in both wide and ultra-wide angle shots can go for the High-res mode in the camera settings. It can even take some impressive portrait shots, thanks to the 48mm and 85mm lenses. As you can see in the samples, the device is able to add almost perfect blur in the background and the edge detection is also good. The textures of the clothes, skin tone, facial features and hair strands are quite detailed, with a lot of clarity and balanced sharpness levels. However, when taking wider shots from a 24mm lens, the results are a little mixed bag. It is sometimes able to offer a good usable image with enough details, natural colours and good blur. But, sometimes, it offered soft details, average dynamic range and sharpness. Never mind, you have the other two lenses for capturing solid portraits. Even with non-human subjects, the Oppo Reno 14 Pro does a good job. As you can see in the elephant shot, it has lively colours, details are so well captured that dust is also visible, and the bokeh effect is just on point, making anyone believe that the shot has been taken using a of any photo below to access all the camera samplesIn addition to this, one can also expect decent close-up shots with the Oppo Reno 14 Pro. The toffee shot that I have taken is so clean and has enough details, sharpness and clarity. The colours are well captured and are not over-saturated. As for the zoom shots, it surprisingly offered a good output. As you can see in one of the building images (captured at 1x zoom), the parked cars are quite far, but switching to 7x zoom reveals the number plate clearly, which is quite the low light shots are decent, with visible noise, enough details and average dynamic range. The colours are fine and sharpness can go for a toss. But, overall, you get usable low-light night shots, with decent quality for your social Verdict: Should you buy the Oppo Reno 14 Pro?If you already own the Oppo Reno 13 Pro, the upgrades — such as the bigger battery, new MediaTek chip, improved camera setup, and slightly new design — might not be enough to warrant an upgrade. But for those using older Oppo Reno models or looking for a well-balanced premium phone under Rs 50,000, the Oppo Reno 14 Pro is a strong contender. It may not lead the performance charts, but it offers a premium design, solid camera, solid battery life, and smooth day-to-day usage, with bonus features like glove mode, 80W bundled charger, and IP69 protection that genuinely add value.- Ends
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
D-BOX Reports Record Full-Year Revenue and Profitability for Fiscal 2025
Royalty-driven Model delivers Strong Margin Expansion and Cash Generation; Leadership Transition positions Company for Next Phase of Growth All dollar amounts are expressed in Canadian currency(1) Please refer to "non-IFRS and other financial performance measures" in this press release Fiscal 2025 Highlights Record total revenues of $42.8 million, up 8% vs. FY 2024 Record royalties of $11 million, up 27% vs. FY 2024 Adjusted EBITDA1 of $7.3 million, or 17% of total revenues, up 9 pts vs. FY 2024 Net profit of $3.9 million, up 254% year-over-year, or fully diluted EPS of $0.02 Cash flow from operating activities of $7.3 million Liquidity of approximately $16 million as of March 31, 2025 Fourth Quarter Highlights Total revenues of $8.6 million, down 15% vs. Q4 2024 Royalties of $2.2 million, up 5% year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA margin1 of 18%, up 12 pts vs. Q4 2024 Net profit of $0.7 million MONTREAL, June 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- D-BOX Technologies Inc. ('D-BOX' or the "Company") (TSX: DBO) today reported financial results for its fourth quarter and full year ended March 31, 2025. 'In Q4 2025, D-BOX delivered robust performance with strong royalty growth, improved profitability, and a resilient core business,' said Brigitte Bourque, Chair of the Board. 'For the full fiscal year 2025, the Company achieved record revenues and net income, driven by the strength of our royalty-focused model and disciplined expense control.' Q4 and Full-Year 2025 Operating Results In Q4 2025, total revenues were $8.6 million, down 15% year-over-year, primarily reflecting the earlier-than-expected fulfillment of Theatrical system sales in Q3, partially offset by growth in Simulation training and Sim racing markets. The $3.4 million decline in Theatrical system sales was partially offset by strong growth in royalties and Sim racing. Royalties increased by 5 percent to $2.2 million, driven by an expanded global footprint reaching 1,012 screens, up 9% from the previous year, as well as successful Hollywood content with blockbusters in the fourth quarter including Captain America: Brave New World, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 and Mufasa: The Lion King. Simulation and training and Sim racing customer groups also grew 47% and 108% year-over-year, respectively, in the fourth quarter. Total revenues also benefited from favourable movements in currency exchange rates. For the full year, D-BOX reported record total revenues of $42.8 million, up 8% compared to fiscal 2024. Excluding the impact of our exit from the direct-to-consumer (DTC) hardware market, FY 2025 revenue would have increased by just over 10% year-over-year. Royalties reached $11 million, accounting for an increased 26% share of the Company's revenue mix. Adjusted EBITDA1 for the year totaled $7.3 million, representing an 18% Adjusted EBITDA margin1, reflecting prudent cost control. Net profit was $3.9 million, with operating cash flow of $7.3 million. Given the inherent variability and seasonality of quarterly sales, we emphasize the importance of assessing the Company's performance on a trailing twelve-month basis. (Amounts are in thousands of Canadian dollars) Q4 2025 Q4 2024 Var.($) Var. (%) FY 2025 FY 2024 Var.($) Var. (%) Revenues from System sales Theatrical 992 4,443 (3,451) (78%) 10,362 11,305 (943) (8%) Simulation and training 2,408 1,635 773 47% 8,606 8,825 (219) (2%) Sim racing 2,682 1,290 1,392 108% 10,020 7,112 2,908 41% Other 286 685 (399) (58%) 2,771 3,656 (885) (24%) Total system sales 6,368 8,053 (1,685) (21%) 31,759 30,898 861 3% Rights for use, rental and maintenance ("royalties") 2,241 2,126 115 5% 11,028 8,699 2,329 27% Total Revenues 8,609 10,179 (1,570) (15%) 42,787 39,597 3,190 8% Leadership Transition As announced on June 4, 2025, the Board appointed Naveen Prasad as Interim CEO, effective June 10, following the departure of Sébastien Mailhot. 'It has been an incredible journey over the past five years,' said Sébastien Mailhot. 'I am very proud of how we have grown revenues and significantly improved profitability while building a team that is now well-positioned for the future. I leave knowing that D-BOX has tremendous opportunities ahead. I wish Naveen and the broader team continued success.' 'We are confident that Naveen will be effective driving the next phase of strategic growth and value creation for all stakeholders,' added Ms. Bourque. Balance Sheet and Liquidity D-BOX closed fiscal 2025 in a position of financial strength, with $7.3 million in operating cash flow, low-cost total debt of $1.2 million, and available liquidity including the undrawn line of credit, of approximately $16 million. SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA - UNAUDITED (Amounts are in thousands of Canadian dollars) Q4 2025 Q4 20242 Var. (%) FY 2025 FY 20242 Var. (%) Total Revenues 8,609 10,179 (15%) 42,787 39,597 8% Gross profit 4,661 4,734 (2%) 22,327 18,660 20% Operating expenses 3,875 4,052 (4%) 17,991 17,005 6% Operating income 786 682 15% 4,336 1,655 162% Adjusted EBITDA1 1,578 620 155% 7,311 3,056 139% Financial expenses 61 97 (37%) 452 590 (23%) Net profit 720 585 23% 3,858 1,058 265% Basic and diluted EPS 0.003 0.003 n.m. 0.017 0.005 260% Gross margin1 54% 47% 7 p.p. 52% 47% 5 p.p. Operating expenses as % of total revenues1 45% 40% 5 p.p. 42% 43% (1 p.p.) Operating margin1 9% 7% 2 p.p. 10% 4% 6 p.p. Adjusted EBITDA margin1 18% 6% 12 p.p. 17% 8% 9 p.p. Cash flows provided by operating activities 7,324 3,125 134% As at (in thousands of Canadian dollars) Mar. 31, 2025 Mar. 31, 2024 Total debt1 1,221 2,468 Cash and cash equivalents 7,812 2,916 Net cash (net debt) 1 6,591 448 Adjusted EBITDA (LTM) 1 7,311 3,056 Total debt to adjusted EBITDA (LTM) 1 0.2x 0.8x 1) Please refer to "non-IFRS and other financial performance measures" in this press release2) Results for the fourth quarter and full year 2024 reflect a $0.5 million one-time gain on the sale of an investment. n.m.= not meaningful This release should be read in conjunction with the Company's audited consolidated financial statements and the Management's Discussion and Analysis dated June 10, 2025. These documents are available at NON-IFRS AND OTHER FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES D-BOX uses the following non-IFRS financial performance measures in its MD&A and other communications. The non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS and are unlikely to be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. Investors are cautioned that the disclosure of these metrics is meant to add to, and not to replace, the discussion of financial results determined in accordance with IFRS. Management uses both IFRS and non-IFRS measures when planning, monitoring and evaluating the Company's performance. The non-IFRS performance measures are described as follows: Adjusted EBITDA EBITDA represents earnings before interest and financing, income taxes and depreciation and amortization. Adjustments to EBITDA are for items that are not necessarily reflective of the Company's underlying operating performance. As there is no generally accepted method of calculating EBITDA, this measure is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other issuers. Adjusted EBITDA provides useful and complementary information, which can be used, in particular, to assess profitability and cash flow from operations. Adjusted EBITDA margin is defined as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenues. A reconciliation of net profit to Adjusted EBITDA margin is in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis dated June 10, 2025. Total Debt, Net Debt and Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA Total debt is defined as the total bank indebtedness, long-term debt (including any current portion), and net debt is calculated as total debt net of cash and cash equivalents. The Company considers total debt and net debt to be important indicators for management and investors to assess the financial position and liquidity of the Company and measure its financial leverage. These measures do not have any standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Total debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio is calculated as total net debt divided by the last four quarters Adjusted EBITDA. We believe that total debt to Adjusted EBITDA is a useful metric to assess the Company's ability to manage debt and liquidity. Supplementary Financial Measures Gross margin is defined as gross profit divided by total revenues. Operating expenses as a percentage of sales are defined as operating expenses divided by total revenues. Operating margin is defined as operating income divided by net sales. ABOUT D-BOX D-BOX creates and redefines realistic, immersive experiences by moving the body and sparking the imagination through effects: motion, vibration and texture. D-BOX has collaborated with some of the best companies in the world to deliver new ways to enhance great stories. Whether it's films, video games, music, relaxation, virtual reality applications, metaverse experience, themed entertainment or professional simulation, D-BOX creates a feeling of presence that makes life resonate like never before. D-BOX Technologies Inc. (TSX: DBO) is headquartered in Montreal with presence in Los Angeles and China. Visit DISCLAIMER REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Certain information included in this press release may constitute 'forward-looking information' within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information may include, among others, statements regarding the future plans, activities, objectives, operations, strategy, business outlook, and financial performance and condition of the Company, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this document, words such as 'may', 'would', 'could', 'will', 'likely', 'believe', 'expect', 'anticipate', 'intend', 'plan', 'estimate' and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. Forward-looking information, by its very nature, is subject to numerous risks and uncertainties and is based on several assumptions which give rise to the possibility that actual results could differ materially from the Company's expectations expressed in or implied by such forward-looking information and no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, including but not limited to the future plans, activities, objectives, operations, strategy, business outlook and financial performance and condition of the Company. Forward-looking information is provided in this press release for the purpose of giving information about Management's current expectations and plans and allowing investors and others to get a better understanding of the Company's operating environment. However, readers are cautioned that it may not be appropriate to use such forward-looking information for any other purpose. Forward-looking information provided in this document is based on information available at the date hereof and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. The risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations expressed in or implied by the forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, international trade regulations; concentration of clients; dependence on suppliers; performance of content; exchange rate between the Canadian dollar and the U.S. dollar; ability to implement strategy; consumer preferences and trends; political, social and economic conditions; strategic alliances; credit risk; competition; access to content; technology standardization; future funding requirements; distribution network; indebtedness; global health crises; warranty, recalls and claims; dependence on key personnel and labour relations; legal, regulatory and litigation; intellectual property; security and management of information; and reputational risk through social media. These and other risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations expressed in or implied by the forward-looking information are outlined under 'Risk Factors' in the Company's management's discussion and analysis for the period ended March 31, 2025, and discussed in greater detail in the most recently filed Annual Information Form dated June 10, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ at Except as may be required by Canadian securities laws, the Company does not intend nor does it undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information contained in this press release to reflect subsequent information, events, circumstances or otherwise. The Company cautions readers that the risks described above are not the only ones that could have an impact on it. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that the Company currently deems to be immaterial may also have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition or results of operations. CONTACT INFORMATION Josh Chandler Chief Financial OfficerD-BOX Technologies Inc.514-928-8043jchandler@
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
PARA Q1 Earnings Call: Management Emphasizes Content Investment, Streaming Progress, and Cost Discipline
Multinational media and entertainment corporation Paramount (NASDAQ:PARA) beat Wall Street's revenue expectations in Q1 CY2025, but sales fell by 6.4% year on year to $7.19 billion. Its non-GAAP profit of $0.29 per share was 12% above analysts' consensus estimates. Is now the time to buy PARA? Find out in our full research report (it's free). Revenue: $7.19 billion vs analyst estimates of $7.1 billion (6.4% year-on-year decline, 1.3% beat) Adjusted EPS: $0.29 vs analyst estimates of $0.26 (12% beat) Operating Margin: 7.6%, up from -5.4% in the same quarter last year Market Capitalization: $8.52 billion Paramount's first quarter results were shaped by a combination of ongoing investment in original content, a disciplined approach to cost management, and continued subscriber growth in its streaming division. Management highlighted the notable increase in Paramount+ global subscribers, driven by high-profile releases such as "Landmine" and "1923," as well as the sustained engagement from established franchises like South Park and Yellowstone. Co-CEO Chris McCarthy stated, "Paramount+ revenue increased 16% year-over-year," attributing this to the company's focus on fewer, larger original series and improved churn metrics. Additionally, the film segment benefited from the theatrical and streaming success of "Sonic the Hedgehog 3," which contributed to improved performance across both home entertainment and streaming platforms. Looking ahead, Paramount's outlook centers on achieving domestic profitability for Paramount+ and leveraging its extensive content library to support growth across both streaming and traditional TV. Management acknowledged the volatile advertising market and the impact of increased digital video supply, but CFO Naveen Chopra said, "Our priorities for the full year have not changed. We continue to expect to deliver Paramount+ domestic profitability for 2025." The company also emphasized upcoming launches, including new Yellowstone franchise series and original productions, as critical for maintaining subscriber engagement. Management cautioned that macroeconomic uncertainty, particularly in advertising, could affect results but reaffirmed its commitment to cost controls and investment in key growth initiatives. Management attributed first quarter results to streaming subscriber growth, franchise-driven content engagement, and cost reductions, while noting digital advertising headwinds and an evolving competitive landscape. Streaming subscriber momentum: Paramount+ added 1.5 million global subscribers in the quarter, reaching 79 million, driven by original series and exclusive franchise content. Global watch time per user increased 17% year-over-year, and churn declined by 130 basis points, supporting higher subscription revenue. Content strategy focus: The company maintained its approach of producing fewer, larger original series, which management credits for increasing engagement and powering subscriber growth. High-performing titles such as "Landmine" and "1923" ranked among the top streaming original launches, with new franchise extensions planned for later in the year. Film segment performance: The theatrical release of "Sonic the Hedgehog 3" generated strong box office results and contributed to a significant boost in streaming and home entertainment revenue. "Gladiator 2" also became the most streamed movie in Paramount+ history, demonstrating the enduring appeal of established intellectual property. Advertising market pressures: Digital advertising revenue faced downward pressure due to an oversupply of digital video inventory, particularly impacting Pluto TV. Management expects these supply-demand imbalances to stabilize over time but has not yet observed improvement. Progress on cost control: Paramount reported a 35% reduction in average production costs for studio films over the past two years and continued to implement non-content expense cuts across segments, which contributed to margin expansion and improved operating results. Paramount's guidance is shaped by its focus on streaming profitability, disciplined content investment, and a cautious outlook on advertising and affiliate revenues. Streaming profitability targets: Management reiterated its goal of achieving domestic profitability for Paramount+ in the current year, citing ongoing efforts to boost subscriber growth, reduce churn, and increase average revenue per user (ARPU). The company expects these improvements, combined with fixed cost leverage, to drive better margins in the streaming segment. Advertising and affiliate headwinds: The company anticipates continued volatility in the advertising market due to macroeconomic dynamics and digital inventory oversupply, particularly on Pluto TV. Affiliate and linear TV revenues are expected to decline at a rate similar to recent quarters, primarily driven by pay TV subscriber losses, but partially offset by successful affiliate renewals. Content-driven engagement: Paramount plans to launch multiple new originals and franchise extensions, including new Yellowstone spin-offs and returning series, to retain and attract subscribers. Management believes that leveraging its intellectual property portfolio is essential for sustaining engagement and supporting growth in both streaming and traditional TV. In the coming quarters, our analysts will monitor (1) Paramount's ability to achieve streaming profitability targets, particularly for Paramount+ in the U.S.; (2) stabilization in digital advertising revenues as supply-demand dynamics evolve; and (3) the performance of upcoming original content and franchise launches in attracting and retaining subscribers. Cost discipline and the outcome of the pending Skydance transaction will also be important to watch. Paramount currently trades at a forward P/E ratio of 8×. In the wake of earnings, is it a buy or sell? The answer lies in our full research report (it's free). Market indices reached historic highs following Donald Trump's presidential victory in November 2024, but the outlook for 2025 is clouded by new trade policies that could impact business confidence and growth. While this has caused many investors to adopt a "fearful" wait-and-see approach, we're leaning into our best ideas that can grow regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate. Take advantage of Mr. Market by checking out our Top 5 Strong Momentum Stocks for this week. This is a curated list of our High Quality stocks that have generated a market-beating return of 183% over the last five years (as of March 31st 2025). Stocks that made our list in 2020 include now familiar names such as Nvidia (+1,545% between March 2020 and March 2025) as well as under-the-radar businesses like the once-micro-cap company Tecnoglass (+1,754% five-year return). Find your next big winner with StockStory today. 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