Daniel Kurnos

Daniel Kurnos asked about the potential impact of FCC cap elimination and the Nexstar-TEGNA closure on Scripps' M&A strategy, and how the company plans to drive organic growth, including the timing and specific examples beyond current initiatives.

Answer

President and CEO Adam Symson stated that the transformation plan better positions Scripps for M&A, viewing consolidation as financial engineering while organic growth is crucial. He highlighted ongoing portfolio optimization through sales and acquisitions, and expressed confidence in leveraging technology and AI for both efficiency and revenue yield management, focusing on bottom-line improvement.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about the broader M&A environment, including potential FCC cap elimination and the Nexstar-TEGNA merger, and how these factors might influence Scripps' landscape and opportunities. He also asked for more details on how Scripps plans to drive organic growth, the timeline for seeing these changes, and specific examples beyond current drivers like CTV, ION, and local/women's sports.

Answer

Adam Symson (President and CEO) explained that the company's transformation plan better positions it for M&A, which he views as financial engineering, emphasizing that organic growth is the ultimate goal. He highlighted ongoing M&A activities, including station sales, the Gray swap, Court TV divestiture, and the ION affiliate acquisition, all aimed at improving portfolio performance and the balance sheet. Regarding organic growth, Symson stated it will stem from enhancing yield on existing businesses and pursuing new opportunities in extensions, adjacencies, and new marketplaces. He stressed leveraging powerful platforms, improving revenue yield management, seller productivity, and centralized decision-making, noting the industry's historical slowness in adopting technology, which Scripps intends to change for both efficiency and yield improvement.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC asked about E.W. Scripps' strategy regarding media industry deregulation, including potential station swaps and asset sales. He also requested a breakdown of the Q3 guidance, particularly the drivers behind the core advertising and distribution revenue outlook.

Answer

President and CEO Adam Symson explained that the company plans to leverage deregulation through swaps and select asset sales to improve its portfolio and accelerate debt paydown, noting a favorable regulatory environment. CFO Jason Combs clarified the Q3 guidance, stating that core advertising is expected to be flat due to a slow start to the quarter but should build toward September. He also noted that distribution revenue would be similar to Q2's performance.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about how Scripps is positioned to capitalize on potential FCC regulatory changes and asked for insights into the Scripps Networks' Q2 revenue guidance, back-half visibility, and long-term margin potential beyond the stated 400-600 basis points improvement.

Answer

CEO Adam Symson stated that with regulatory relief, Scripps would pursue growth through swaps and select asset sales to gain national scale and in-market depth. CFO Jason Combs noted that while the upfront outlook is positive, it's too early for specifics. He cautioned against extrapolating the strong 32% Q1 network margin, reiterating the 400-600 bps annual improvement goal and explaining that year-over-year comps get tougher in the back half. Symson attributed strong network revenue to the successful live sports strategy, particularly the high demand for WNBA and NWSL inventory.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company asked about the potential impact of FCC deregulation on Scripps' strategy, questioning whether the company sees itself as a buyer or seller. He also requested an outlook on distribution revenue for the next one to three years, including commentary on subscriber trends and recent network deals with NBC and CBS.

Answer

President and CEO Adam Symson stated that Scripps would actively pursue opportunities from deregulation to improve its operating profile, including potential station swaps or sales of non-strategic assets, but noted the balance sheet currently limits its ability to be a buyer. CFO Jason Combs addressed distribution revenue, explaining that with about 20% of subscribers up for renewal later in the year, Q1 would likely see a mid-single-digit decline similar to Q4, driven by subscriber churn. Adam Symson added that he expects network affiliation fees to decrease over time to reflect the changing media landscape.

Daniel Kurnos from The Benchmark Company, LLC asked about the revenue impact from cost cuts at Scripps News, plans for further corporate restructuring, the outlook for acquiring more local sports rights, and potential programming changes at the Networks division.

Answer

CFO Jason Combs stated the revenue impact from Scripps News changes would be minimal as the focus remains on CTV. CEO Adam Symson confirmed they are 'not done yet' with efficiency efforts and expressed optimism about acquiring more local sports rights as the RSN model struggles. Symson also pointed to the success of women's sports and CTV as key drivers for the Networks division.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about the M&A environment, specifically the potential impact of FCC Chairman Carr's cap elimination on future transactions and Sinclair's strategic approach to M&A. He also asked about the distribution side, including moderating subscriber declines, the outlook for net retransmission revenue, and the influence of bundling strategies and 'streamflation'.

Answer

Chris Ripley, President and CEO of Sinclair, explained that a precedent-setting transaction would be highly beneficial for future M&A, and Sinclair is actively pursuing both smaller portfolio optimizations and larger transformational opportunities. Regarding distribution, Mr. Ripley expressed confidence in the business due to strong past deals, improving churn from major MVPDs, and positive long-term outlook driven by rebundling, streamflation, and skinny bundles.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC asked about Sinclair's potential M&A aggressiveness given regulatory changes, the likelihood of remedies on the network affiliate side, and the specific factors behind the weaker-than-expected performance of virtual MVPDs.

Answer

President & CEO Christopher Ripley responded, expressing confidence in managing reverse compensation with networks, noting that networks launching direct-to-consumer services bolsters Sinclair's negotiating position. He explained that a major virtual MVPD experienced a significant subscriber loss in Q2, which impacted distribution revenue, but he anticipates a rebound with the upcoming football season.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company asked about the FCC's authority to cap reverse retransmission fees and the outlook for core advertising given reduced visibility.

Answer

President and CEO Chris Ripley affirmed the FCC's ability to regulate the network-affiliate relationship, viewing it as part of a broader, welcome deregulatory trend. COO Rob Weisbord stated that while Sinclair still expects core advertising to grow year-over-year, visibility has significantly decreased due to macroeconomic and tariff uncertainties impacting key advertisers.

Daniel Kurnos from The Benchmark Company asked about the expected revenue impact of ATSC 3.0 over the next few years following the NAB's petition to sunset ATSC 1.0. He also questioned the outlook for subscriber trends and net retransmission revenue, referencing the 'great rebundling' at Charter.

Answer

President and CEO Christopher Ripley described the NAB filing as a 'watershed day' that will significantly boost the ATSC 3.0 revenue opportunity by freeing up spectrum. He anticipates small revenues in 2025, with a significant ramp-up after 2028. Regarding subscriber trends, Ripley expressed increased optimism, citing positive early results from Charter's bundling strategy and improving churn trends at other MVPDs, which he believes supports a very positive outlook for Sinclair's net retransmission revenue.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company followed up on distribution revenue, asking if recent renewals included immediate step-ups or had timing elements. He also inquired about underlying core advertising trends post-election and the potential impact of a Trump presidency on core advertising, given Sinclair's FOX exposure.

Answer

President and CEO Christopher Ripley confirmed that, generally, renewals include immediate step-ups as well as significant annual escalators. COO and President of Local Media Rob Weisbord addressed core advertising, noting that the Q4 decline is only two-thirds of historical levels due to improved pricing systems. He highlighted strong sports viewership, including college football and the World Series, and pointed out that the key automotive category was only down 1% despite political crowd-out, expressing cautious optimism for next year.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company asked for a breakdown of CTV growth, distinguishing between the mix shift from DV+ and organic partner growth, and the contribution from live events. He also questioned how Magnite is improving margins despite ongoing discussions about take rates and economics, and the impact of cost-to-serve initiatives.

Answer

Michael Barrett (President and CEO, Magnite) and David Day (CFO, Magnite) clarified that the spend shift from DV+ to CTV is integrated into organic growth, making a precise separation difficult, but noted that live events are an increasing contributor. They highlighted that Magnite captures the dollars regardless of allocation, and CTV's underlying organic growth still exceeds the market, offering more protectable and sustainable revenue. David Day added that Magnite has invested in CTV engineering and product, impacting immediate margin expansion but setting the stage for more rapid expansion in future years through better tech stack leverage.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company asked for a breakdown of Magnite's CTV growth, distinguishing between the mix shift from DV+ and organic partner growth, and the contribution from live events. He also questioned how Magnite is managing to improve margins despite ongoing discussions around take rates and economics.

Answer

Michael Barrett, CEO, and David Day, CFO, clarified that while difficult to precisely parse, the underlying organic CTV growth remains strong, with live events being an increasing contributor. They noted that the spend shift from DV+ to CTV is captured on Magnite's platform, effectively reallocating existing client spend to a faster-growing segment. David Day explained that margin improvements are occurring despite additional internal investments in CTV engineering and features, with a focus on setting up for more rapid margin expansion in future years.

Daniel Kurnos from The Benchmark Company LLC questioned the potential impact of agentic AI and chat tools on the DV+ business and asked for an outlook on the contribution from live sports.

Answer

CEO Michael Barrett noted that Magnite's business is diversified across mobile apps and CTV, with many publisher clients being destination sites less reliant on search. He added that AI chat platforms could become new publisher partners. On live sports, he stated it's still early days but encouraging, citing the FanDuel partnership, though it's too early to dimensionalize the financial contribution.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about the medium-term growth outlook for Magnite's CTV ex-TAC business given recent major client wins, and asked whether the company's new data initiatives are aimed at improving existing operations or creating new, incremental revenue streams.

Answer

CEO Michael Barrett reiterated expectations to outgrow the mid-teens CTV market annually and confirmed the Netflix partnership is on track to make them a top client by the end of 2025. CFO David Day added that the 2025 guidance, excluding political impact, implies CTV growth closer to 20%. On data, Barrett affirmed it represents a new bucket of revenue, as Magnite's curation tools allow the company and its publishers to participate in data sale economics, a shift from data fees traditionally captured by DSPs.

Daniel Kurnos asked about the balance between first-party and third-party ad stacks and signal strength, as well as potential new use cases for commerce media beyond the United Airlines deal.

Answer

CEO Michael Barrett differentiated the data landscape, stating CTV will be a predominantly first-party data world, while DV+ will rely on a portfolio of third-party signals. On commerce media, he highlighted a growing appetite from companies that own their screens, particularly in travel, and noted Magnite is expertly positioned with its video ad server and monetization capabilities to capitalize on this sell-side focused opportunity.

Daniel Kurnos asked about the future split between first-party and third-party ad stacks and signal strength, and inquired about incremental use cases for programmatic in commerce media beyond the United Airlines deal.

Answer

CEO Michael Barrett predicted that DV+ will rely on a portfolio of third-party data solutions, while CTV will be a predominantly first-party data environment where Magnite is central. On commerce media, he noted strong interest from companies with owned screens, like in the travel sector. He positioned Magnite as expertly suited to capitalize on this sell-side-focused opportunity, citing its comprehensive video ad serving and monetization capabilities.

Daniel Kurnos asked Neil Vogel for directional sizing and potential major partnerships for Decipher Plus this year. He also asked Christopher Halpin to elaborate on Care's growth trends for the year and its longer-term growth aspirations.

Answer

Neil Vogel, CEO of People Inc, stated that Decipher Plus is their fastest-growing off-platform business, expected to contribute 2-3 points to People Inc's mid-to-high single-digit growth this year by expanding its total addressable market through CTV and open web targeting. Christopher Halpin, EVP, COO and CFO of IAC, explained that Care's consumer business is stabilizing and expected to return to growth mid-year, with long-term aspirations for 15-20% growth across its segments due to increasing demand for care services.

Daniel Kurnos asked for an update on the total addressable market for Decipher Plus, including new opportunities like CTV. He also inquired about data quality and click-through rates from Google, given recent reports suggesting improvements for some brands.

Answer

People Inc. CEO Neil Vogel stated that Decipher Plus is performing well and is expected to be a material contributor by 2026, expanding their TAM by 4-5x, not including the promising new CTV opportunity. Regarding traffic quality, both Vogel and IAC CFO Christopher Halpin confirmed that while there is a click-through rate decline from AI overviews, it is manageable and far less dramatic than some reports suggest, as their premium content is less likely to be fully disintermediated by AI answers.

Daniel Kurnos asked if DDM requires more investment to achieve full distribution in the ad tech ecosystem and whether IAC's 'de-conglomeration' signals a long-term philosophical shift.

Answer

Executive Christopher Halpin confirmed DDM's ad tech stack is in excellent shape, with ongoing efforts focused on integrating D/Cipher with more demand-side platforms and developing managed service capabilities. IAC CEO Joey Levin clarified that 'de-conglomeration' is a near-term priority to simplify and focus, not a permanent change. He noted IAC has always cycled between slimming down and expanding, and adding new businesses remains a future possibility.

Daniel Kurnos from The Benchmark Company inquired about Gloo's M&A doctrine and guidelines, including pricing, synergy opportunities, and willingness to be opportunistic for specific product sets. He also asked about the expected balance of growth from upsell/cross-sell versus new customers in 2026 and whether the 2026 guidance includes any major one-time campaign wins like 'He Gets Us.'

Answer

CEO Scott Beck and Head of Technology Pat Gelsinger explained that M&A targets are typically existing platform connections, prioritized for capabilities (donor, marketing, content), financial accretion (revenue, EBITDA), and platform synergies. Pat emphasized strengthening existing offers and maintaining discipline on multiples for rapid financial accretion. Scott clarified that the 2026 guidance of over $180 million does not include any major one-time campaigns, but rather assumes solid organic growth from core offerings (Gloo 360, Masterworks, Midwestern, media network) and $40 million from M&A (with $20 million from Westfall already secured). Growth will be a balance of new customers (e.g., Gloo 360) and upsell/cross-sell (e.g., Westfall Gold to Masterworks customers), with efficient sales coming from horizontal expansion within categories.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company asked about Gray Media's future M&A strategy, including potential swaps, and sought details on synergies or purchase multiples for the recent acquisitions.

Answer

Chairman & CEO Hilton Howell stated that while Gray is always open to opportunities, the immediate focus is on integrating the newly acquired assets. Chief Legal & Development Officer Kevin Latek added that the transactions are deleveraging and part of a proven strategy, but declined to provide specific multiples, emphasizing the current priority is executing on the announced deals.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about Gray's potential strategies amid industry deregulation, focusing on creative options like station swaps to form new duopolies, and asked about the impact of recent regulatory commentary on upcoming affiliate negotiations.

Answer

Chief Legal and Development Officer Kevin Latek stated that Gray is actively exploring all M&A options, including swaps, encouraged by 'good white smoke signals' from Washington indicating a more favorable regulatory environment. Regarding affiliate talks, Latek acknowledged the refreshing change of tone from the FCC on the importance of local news but did not comment directly on specific op-eds.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company inquired about the potential opportunity from the shifting professional sports landscape, like the MLB/ESPN situation, and asked for an update on the timeline, monetization, and expected contribution from the mixed-use development at Assembly Studios.

Answer

Chairman and CEO Hilton Howell described the local sports opportunity as 'remarkable,' aiming for live sports in about 80 markets, creating a significant 'halo effect.' Regarding Assembly, he confirmed the studios are operational and that the next phase of development on the remaining acreage will be done through partnerships, without significant capital from Gray. COO Sandy Breland reinforced the halo effect of sports, citing Phoenix as a case study where sports advertisers have expanded into other dayparts.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company asked about the company's openness to a major M&A transaction if ownership caps were eliminated, the financial impact of the SEC football programming shift, potential offsets to 2025 cost savings, and the outlook for the 2026 and 2028 political cycles.

Answer

Hilton Howell, Chairman & CEO, stated he would be 'very open to consider anything' regarding M&A. Patrick LaPlatney, Co-CEO & President, confirmed the SEC football impact was on revenue. Jeff Gignac, EVP & CFO, said expense savings are meant to 'bend the curve' but normal cost adjustments will still occur. Kevin Latek, EVP, expressed optimism for future political cycles, noting two open primaries in 2028 and expecting continued high political engagement in 2026.

Daniel Kurnos from The Benchmark Company LLC sought clarification on the business model for their agentic coding services, questioned their strategy for maintaining product discoverability amid SEO and AI search changes, and requested more detail on the Google Partner Network volatility and its impact on their O&O marketing business.

Answer

CEO Michael Blend explained their agentic coding strategy involves acting as a specialized team to rebuild platforms for partners or acquired companies, rather than white-labeling a product. He noted that their core products like MapQuest and Coupon Follow are less vulnerable to AI-driven SEO changes due to their functional nature. Regarding the marketing segment, Blend attributed the volatility to Google's transition to its new RSOC product and stated they will weather the storm rather than pull back spend, expecting stabilization in the coming quarters.

Daniel Kurnos from The Benchmark Company inquired about the potential effects of Google's regulatory challenges on System1, opportunities for market share gains from market disruptions, and the specific productivity benefits from the company's shift to Agentic coding.

Answer

CEO Michael Blend suggested that regulatory pressure on Google could be a net positive, potentially increasing Google's reliance on partners and benefiting System1's own search engine, Startpage. He also detailed significant productivity gains from Agentic coding, including a 3-5x increase in engineering output and faster innovation cycles. CFO Tridivesh Kidambi added that this technology enables quicker testing of new initiatives with less upfront investment.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company inquired about System1's readiness and positioning for Google's shift from AFD to RSOC. He also asked about the drivers of strong Q1 adjusted gross profit guidance, the potential for international growth, and the expected trajectory for adjusted EBITDA margins in 2025.

Answer

Co-Founder and CEO Michael Blend stated that System1 is a market leader for Google's new RSOC product due to significant early investment, which positions it well for the transition despite expected short-term disruption. He also identified international markets as a key growth opportunity, particularly for CouponFollow and MapQuest. CFO Tridivesh Kidambi attributed strong guidance to RAMP's execution and expects most adjusted gross profit growth to flow through to adjusted EBITDA, expanding margins as the company maintains stable OpEx through AI-driven efficiencies.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company inquired about the potential effects of a new U.S. administration on Google's ad tech trial and consumer spending, System1's readiness to capitalize on market disruption, and performance trends in international markets, particularly with TikTok.

Answer

Co-Founder and CEO Michael Blend stated that while he couldn't speculate on consumer spending, a new administration could potentially ease antitrust pressure on Google. He affirmed that System1 thrives in disrupted markets and is seeing continued strength internationally with partners like TikTok. CFO Tridivesh Kidambi reinforced this, noting international revenue grew to 35% of O&O revenue in Q3, up from 24% a year prior. Blend also anticipated a strong holiday season for the CouponFollow business.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC asked about TEGNA's NBC affiliate relationship amid FCC scrutiny and about the company's sense of urgency regarding M&A given potential deregulation.

Answer

President, CEO & Director Mike Steib responded that TEGNA values its symbiotic network partnerships and approaches them constructively. Regarding M&A, he stated that while deregulation is expected to create significant opportunities, TEGNA will remain disciplined, evaluating all options including acquisitions, sales, and swaps to maximize shareholder value.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC inquired about TEGNA's NBC affiliate relationship amid FCC scrutiny and the network's shift to Peacock, and also questioned the company's sense of urgency regarding M&A opportunities.

Answer

President, CEO & Director Mike Steib responded that TEGNA values its symbiotic network partnerships and is focused on preserving the linear bundle. On M&A, he stated that while deregulation is expected to create significant opportunities, TEGNA will remain disciplined, considering all options including buying, selling, or asset swaps to maximize shareholder value.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC inquired about TEGNA's relationship with NBC amid regulatory scrutiny and the network's shift to Peacock. He also asked about the company's sense of urgency regarding M&A opportunities given potential deregulation.

Answer

President, CEO & Director Mike Steib affirmed the importance of the symbiotic network-affiliate relationship and a constructive approach to preserving the linear bundle. Regarding M&A, Steib stated that while deregulation is expected to create significant opportunities, TEGNA will remain a disciplined buyer or seller, leveraging its strong balance sheet and assets to participate in value creation.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC asked about the potential evolution of TEGNA's NBC affiliate deal given regulatory scrutiny and content shifts to Peacock. He also inquired about the company's sense of urgency regarding M&A opportunities, considering potential deregulation and TEGNA's market position.

Answer

President, CEO & Director Mike Steib emphasized the symbiotic nature of network-affiliate relationships and TEGNA's constructive approach, noting a recent successful renewal with Fox. On M&A, Steib stated that while the company believes deregulation is coming and creates a significant opportunity, TEGNA will remain disciplined, acting as either a buyer or seller depending on what creates the most value, and is actively exploring all options, including swaps.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC inquired about TEGNA's NBC affiliate relationship amid regulatory scrutiny and TEGNA's sense of urgency regarding M&A opportunities following potential deregulation.

Answer

President & CEO Mike Steib emphasized that network relationships are symbiotic and TEGNA approaches them constructively. On M&A, he stated that while deregulation presents significant opportunities, TEGNA will remain disciplined, acting as either a buyer or seller to maximize shareholder value, leveraging its strong balance sheet.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC asked about the potential evolution of TEGNA's NBC affiliate deal structure given regulatory scrutiny and NBC's content shifts to Peacock. He also inquired about the company's sense of urgency regarding M&A opportunities, considering both in-market and out-of-market possibilities.

Answer

President, CEO & Director Mike Steib responded that TEGNA values its symbiotic network relationships and approaches them constructively, highlighting a recent successful engagement with Fox. Regarding M&A, Steib stated that while deregulation is expected to create significant opportunities, TEGNA will remain disciplined. He affirmed the company is prepared to be either a buyer or a seller, exploring all options, including swaps, to maximize shareholder value with its strong balance sheet.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC inquired about the potential for TEGNA's NBC affiliate deal structure to evolve given recent FCC scrutiny and the company's sense of urgency regarding M&A opportunities, including both in-market and out-of-market possibilities.

Answer

President, CEO & Director Mike Steib responded that TEGNA values its symbiotic relationship with network partners and approaches them constructively, noting a recent positive engagement with Fox. On M&A, he stated that while deregulation is expected to create opportunities, TEGNA will remain disciplined, acting as a buyer, seller, or engaging in swaps depending on what creates the most shareholder value, leveraging its strong balance sheet.

Daniel Kurnos followed up on M&A, asking about TEGNA's appetite to become substantially larger if ownership caps are removed. He also requested an update on the performance of the Premion CTV advertising business during the quarter.

Answer

CEO Mike Steib responded that TEGNA is philosophically a buyer of assets priced below their value and a seller of assets priced above their value, emphasizing flexibility in the current dynamic environment. Regarding Premion, he highlighted positive feedback from sales teams and customers. CFO Julie Heskett added that Premion's total revenue remains 'flattish' quarter-to-quarter, with high-single to low-double-digit growth in local advertising being offset by declines in national.

Daniel Kurnos asked about the strategic intent behind the 'TV station of the future' initiative, questioning if it's more for cost savings or to reinvigorate top-line growth, and also about plans to evolve Premion's growth trajectory.

Answer

CEO Mike Steib explained that operational efficiencies serve both goals: freeing up resources can drive more sales and content creation for revenue growth, or it can unlock cost savings. Regarding Premion, he stated the key growth driver is better equipping and incentivizing TEGNA's local sales force to leverage their existing client relationships to sell the platform.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about any philosophical differences with the new CEO's vision, sought more directional detail on the five strategic opportunities mentioned, and asked for clarification on Premion's growth trajectory.

Answer

CEO Mike Steib emphasized a renewed focus on execution and creating better products across platforms, not just cost-cutting. CFO Julie Heskett clarified that Premion had a tough Q3 but is expected to return to growth in Q4, driven by its local business which saw double-digit growth in the third quarter.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC asked about Nexstar's view on FCC Chairman Carr's scrutiny of network-affiliate relationships and the company's M&A priorities between in-market consolidation and national cap expansion.

Answer

Chairman & CEO Perry A. Sook responded that while the affiliate relationship issue is between the FCC and the networks, he applauds the inquiry. On M&A, Sook stated that growing the national footprint is likely more strategic than in-market deals, but the primary driver remains creating shareholder value. He noted they would consider increasing leverage for the right acquisition.

Daniel Kurnos asked about the potential timeline for broadcast ownership deregulation following the confirmation of a fifth FCC commissioner and how much the FCC can accomplish versus Congress.

Answer

Chairman and CEO Perry Sook stated he expects an NPRM (Notice of Proposed Rulemaking) would be a likely first step to revisit ownership rules. He highlighted bipartisan support from Congress urging FCC action and expressed confidence that the FCC has the authority to modify or eliminate the national cap and in-market rules, noting the Chairman's willingness to also consider waivers.

Daniel Kurnos from Benchmark inquired about the opportunity in sports rights given the MLB/ESPN situation, sought clarification on subscriber trend assumptions in guidance, and asked about the timing of upcoming distribution renewals.

Answer

Executive Perry Sook confirmed that the 60% of subscriber renewals are back-end weighted to the second half of the year and noted that The CW's recent sports performance puts it on the map for future national rights deals. CFO Lee Ann Gliha added that guidance assumes a slight improvement in subscriber attrition, with the benefit of renewals primarily impacting 2026.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company asked about the likelihood of media ownership deregulation under the new administration, its potential impact on capital allocation, whether News Nation could benefit from advertiser brand safety concerns, and the forward-looking path to profitability for The CW network.

Answer

Executive Perry Sook stated that deregulation is a top bipartisan priority for Nexstar, viewing it as a potential catalyst for multiple expansion. He positioned News Nation as a safe environment for advertisers amid concerns about toxicity in the news daypart. CFO Lee Ann Gliha added that The CW's loss reduction is on track, with a focus on monetizing new sports programming and leveraging significant distribution renewals in 2025 to drive future profitability.

Daniel Kurnos posed a hypothetical question about whether a few top pros could dominate zip codes, making total pro count less relevant, and asked about the drivers of revenue per lead growth beyond category expansion.

Answer

CEO Jeff Kip acknowledged the hypothesis but noted that homeowner preference for choice (2-3 pros) makes it different from other markets. For revenue per lead, he identified the primary driver as migrating pros from the legacy, heavily discounted 'ads' model to the new platform, which offers better value at a lower discount. Other factors include potential pricing power from higher win rates.

Daniel Kurnos followed up on the pro network, asking if the strategy is to cultivate a smaller, more engaged pool of high-value pros, thereby lowering customer acquisition costs. He also inquired about the company's evolving strategy for paid marketing channels, such as social media, following the recent business reset.

Answer

CEO Jeffrey Kip confirmed the strategy is to acquire fewer but higher-capacity pros, which has already increased the net margin on new cohorts by nearly 150% year-over-year. He also noted the opportunity to reactivate pros from their database. On paid marketing, Kip highlighted tremendous success in growing SEM acquisition and expanding into display networks and META's ecosystem at a good ROI. He credited the strong paid marketing team for helping drive proprietary lead growth back to neutral and stated this success is a key part of their forward-looking strategy.

Daniel Kurnos asked for clarification on the significant increase in the insurance services take rate, the company's investment strategy given high margins, and the potential growth impact from the newly approved attachment of warranty and moving services to insurance policies.

Answer

CFO Shawn Tabak explained that the reciprocal model was converting premium to revenue more efficiently than expected. CEO Matt Ehrlichman added that Porch is managing margins to balance current profitability with long-term growth investments. He noted that a quota share program adjustment is also helping drive surplus back to the reciprocal. Strategically, Ehrlichman emphasized that bundling warranty and moving services is a key differentiator to make Porch Insurance the premier product for homebuyers.

Daniel Kurnos asked for clarity on the high insurance take rate in Q1, the company's willingness to accelerate investments given the strong start, and its ability to pass through premium increases from rising replacement values.

Answer

Executive Shawn Tabak explained that the ~50% conversion of reciprocal written premium to revenue is sustainable, driven by policy fees, management fees, and the captive reinsurance arrangement. Executive Matthew Neagle detailed plans to reinvest in growth by engaging more agents, expanding to new geographies, and enhancing product offerings. He also confirmed that Porch's proprietary data provides an advantage in adjusting for replacement values and targeting lower-risk segments, allowing for confident pricing adjustments.

Daniel Kurnos questioned the drivers behind the raised 2025 guidance so soon after the Investor Day, seeking specifics on gross written premium trends and agency receptiveness to the new PIRE insurance structure.

Answer

CEO Matt Ehrlichman attributed the confidence to the successful PIRE formation and strong early growth execution. CFO Shawn Tabak highlighted opportunities to increase the conversion of premium to high-margin revenue. COO Matthew Neagle added that re-engagement efforts with agents, including new leadership and incentive plans, are showing positive early results.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC inquired about the reasons for withdrawing the 2025 revenue guidance, asking if it was due to slower DSP partner integrations, macroeconomic pressures, or other timing issues. He also sought clarity on the integration timeline and whether the long-term revenue opportunity had changed, along with questions about other incremental growth initiatives.

Answer

CEO Mark Walker attributed the guidance withdrawal to a combination of macroeconomic uncertainty and the unpredictable timing of completing direct DSP integrations through Colossus Connections. He explained that while progress is positive, the ramp-up is taking longer than anticipated but affirmed the opportunity remains intact. For other initiatives, Walker highlighted growth in the buy-side segment, particularly in the energy sector, and future opportunities in supply path optimization (SPO) expected to contribute in late 2025 and 2026.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company asked about the ramp-up speed for new DSP integrations and sought management's perspective on broader ad-tech market dynamics, including cookie deprecation and the potential breakup of Google's ad business.

Answer

CEO Mark Walker responded that the ramp-up speed for DSP integrations varies by partner, with the financial impact expected in Q3 and Q4 2025. He commented that cookies are likely to remain for the foreseeable future, and the company is taking a 'wait-and-see' approach to the potential breakup of Google's ad business, treating it as business as usual for now.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company, LLC asked about the cadence of revenue recovery in 2025, the impact of post-election softness on Q4 results, the company's direct connection and curation strategies for the middle market, and its approach to the CTV/video space.

Answer

CEO Mark Walker explained that while December was soft, the company is seeing sequential monthly growth. He stated a full recovery is tied to establishing new pathways, with direct connections expected to ramp up in H2 2025. Walker confirmed a strategic focus on the middle market for diversification and growth, and noted the company is exploring curation. He also highlighted an opportunity to provide lower-cost CPMs in the CTV/video market to meet specific demand.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company LLC inquired about Vivid Seats' take rate strategy amid a competitive environment and how the company plans to balance profitability with competitiveness following its new cost-saving measures. He also asked for a breakdown of the sources for the annualized savings.

Answer

CEO Stan Chia stated the company is focused on unit economics and plans to emerge leaner to drive sustainable growth into 2026. CFO Lawrence Fey clarified that the Q2 take rate was influenced by mix shifts, not price increases, and the focus remains on competitiveness. Fey detailed that the savings are from fixed expenses, primarily G&A (people and software) and fixed marketing, not variable costs tied to volume.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about the company's view on recent regulatory proposals, the dynamic between primary and secondary ticket markets, and the strategy for diversifying marketing channel mix.

Answer

CEO Stan Chia stated that Vivid Seats supports all regulations promoting price transparency, believing it creates a level playing field that favors their leaner cost structure. CFO Larry Fey clarified that the company's main challenge is market share, not a lack of industry demand. Chia highlighted partnerships like United Airlines and investments in AI-driven social media as key initiatives to diversify volume away from competitively pressured channels.

Daniel Kurnos asked about the company's strategy for competing for market share, including the potential use of contra take rate, and how Vivid Seats plans to make market share gains 'sticky' in a price-sensitive environment. He also questioned the potential for share buybacks.

Answer

CEO Stan Chia emphasized that their strategy focuses on driving customer loyalty and repeat business, which reached a high of 61%, through differentiated products like their loyalty program and Game Center, rather than competing solely on price. CFO Larry Fey confirmed that share buybacks are a core part of their capital allocation strategy and will be a key consideration.

Daniel Kurnos asked about the potential impact of the change in U.S. administration on antitrust and M&A, the ability to maintain pricing gaps with primary venues, and the dynamics of free cash flow conversion.

Answer

CEO Stanley Chia stated it was too early to speculate on the new administration's impact and emphasized the secondary market's value to the entire ecosystem. CFO Lawrence Fey explained that the 60%+ free cash flow conversion target remains valid in a normal growth environment. He noted 2024's lower growth created a working capital headwind, but expects a return to the 60-70% range in 2025 as growth normalizes.

Asked about the company's strategy for future wide film releases, the potential for pay windows and licensing deals, and the impact of successful films on operating margins and profitability.

Answer

The company plans to build a diverse film slate beyond horror to secure a major pay-out deal with a streamer. They are confident in meeting or exceeding their target operating margin of 45-50%, especially in quarters with successful film releases like Terrifier, noting the strong 55% margin in the current quarter.

Daniel Kurnos of The Benchmark Company inquired about Cineverse's theatrical release strategy, asking about the target number of screens for upcoming films, the potential for global distribution, and whether the company plans to expand into genres beyond horror.

Answer

Chairman and CEO Chris McGurk explained that Cineverse will follow a targeted release pattern similar to 'Terrifier 3,' aiming for 1,500 to 2,500 screens. He emphasized the company's focus on properties with known IP and favorable economics, noting the 'Toxic Avenger' deal has a lower investment than 'Terrifier 3' but greater upside. McGurk confirmed that Cineverse is actively exploring other genres, including family, comedy, and urban films, where its hyper-marketing ecosystem can be effectively applied.

Daniel Kurnos asked about Cineverse's forward-looking strategy following the success of 'Terrifier 3,' inquiring how the company plans to leverage this momentum into a new revenue stream for film distribution. He also questioned the windowing and monetization plan for 'Terrifier 3' and the long-term potential of the cineSearch and Matchpoint technology platforms, particularly regarding short-cycle content licensing opportunities.

Answer

Chairman and CEO Chris McGurk explained that while Cineverse remains a streaming and technology company, it will use the 'Terrifier 3' success as a blueprint to create a new, low-risk film distribution profit line by leveraging its entire fan-based ecosystem. President and Chief Strategy Officer Erick Opeka added that the company is actively analyzing its options for 'Terrifier 3's' post-theatrical windowing to maximize value. Opeka also detailed that the Matchpoint platform is capitalizing on high demand from FAST and AVOD platforms for content, while cineSearch represents a significant licensing opportunity with TV OEMs who need integrated AI discovery tools.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about plans for using technology to improve the guest experience and how the new operational initiatives and SOPs might influence the company's future expansion strategy and property targets.

Answer

COO Robert Origo mentioned exploring the Amazon Alexa platform for in-room tech in Q3/Q4, emphasizing a focus on simple, executable technology. CEO Shanoop Kothari explained that the company is now more guarded on expansion, focusing on stabilizing operations in the first half of the year. He stated that new ancillary revenue opportunities will be built into the growth strategy, with a methodical approach to initiatives requiring capital.

Daniel Kurnos inquired about plans for using technology to improve the guest experience and how the new operational initiatives might influence the company's future expansion strategy and property mix.

Answer

COO Robert Origo mentioned exploring in-room technology like the Amazon Alexa platform for Q3/Q4, emphasizing a focus on simple and reliable solutions. Executive Shanoop Kothari explained that the company is now more guarded on expansion, focusing on internal initiatives in the first half of the year. He stated that future growth will be built upon the success of the new ancillary revenue streams, with a more methodical approach to capital deployment in the second half.

Questioned the company's pricing leverage with top-tier retailers and the potential for ARPA expansion, while also asking about opportunities to improve consumer conversion and whether such improvements could justify future price increases.

Answer

Management sees significant opportunity with mid-tier operators (3-10 stores) and takes a tailored, ROI-focused approach with top MSOs. They confirmed that improving the consumer experience is a key focus, as it creates a mirroring benefit for retailers. These improvements in value delivery are the foundation for future monetization and pricing discussions, rather than being tied to a direct take-rate model.