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LM

Loop Media, Inc. (LPTV)·Q3 2024 Earnings Summary

Executive Summary

  • Revenue declined to $4.35M in Q3 2024 from $5.73M YoY as ad demand partner algorithm changes reduced fill rates; gross margin improved sequentially to 20.9% from 10.4% in Q2 but remained below 31.8% YoY .
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed to $(2.25)M from $(4.55)M in Q2 and $(3.68)M YoY; SG&A fell to $4.12M as cost-cutting drove a $1.6M sequential reduction and management targets maintaining SG&A under ~$4M per quarter .
  • Distribution was mixed: O&O QAUs fell to 30,486 (−7% q/q; −13% y/y), while Partner Screens rose to ~51,000 (+2% q/q; +38% y/y), totaling ~81,000 active players/screens; management is pivoting to targeted geographies and launching a live channels subscription (NFL RedZone/NFL Network) to support revenue growth .
  • No explicit revenue/EPS guidance was issued; operating focus is on cost structure, content license renegotiations, and SG&A discipline; Wall Street consensus via S&P Global was unavailable for this quarter due to platform limits, so beats/misses vs estimates cannot be determined (Values retrieved from S&P Global)*.

What Went Well and What Went Wrong

What Went Well

  • SG&A expense reduced to $4.12M (−28% q/q; −35% y/y) through headcount cuts, vendor renegotiations, and marketing reductions; management aims to keep SG&A near $4M per quarter into FY2025 .
  • Adjusted EBITDA loss improved to $(2.25)M from $(4.55)M in Q2 and $(3.68)M YoY, lowering the revenue threshold for breakeven; “we have reduced our cash burn from operations significantly” .
  • Strategic content expansion: immediate ability to offer 40 live channels under subscription for venues (including NFL RedZone & NFL Network), positioned as a near-term revenue catalyst into the sports season .

What Went Wrong

  • Revenue fell to $4.35M (−23–24% YoY), primarily due to a major ad demand participant changing algorithms and terms, reducing ad call frequency/fill rates; management does not expect prior absolute revenue levels without a significantly larger footprint .
  • Gross margin compressed YoY to 20.9% from 31.8% as fixed/content license fees became larger as a percentage of lower revenue; certain licenses are on non-revenue metrics, further pressuring COGS .
  • O&O QAUs declined to 30,486 (−7% q/q; −13% y/y) as natural attrition and targeted distribution reduced placements; total active players/screens fell to ~81,000 from ~83,000 in Q2 .

Financial Results

Income Statement and Profitability (Quarterly)

MetricQ1 2024Q2 2024Q3 2024
Revenue ($USD)$10,171,256 $4,002,463 $4,350,570
Gross Profit ($USD)$3,624,539 $418,163 $910,357
Gross Margin (%)35.6% 10.4% 20.9%
Net Loss ($USD)$(5,285,402) $(7,570,633) $(5,451,617)
Diluted EPS ($USD)$(0.09) $(0.11) $(0.07)
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD)$(1,482,189) $(4,545,084) $(2,247,970)

Year-over-Year Comparison (Q3 2024 vs Q3 2023)

MetricQ3 2023Q3 2024
Revenue ($USD)$5,734,976 $4,350,570
Gross Profit ($USD)$1,823,243 $910,357
Gross Margin (%)31.8% 20.9%
Net Loss ($USD)$(7,875,532) $(5,451,617)
Diluted EPS ($USD)$(0.14) $(0.07)
Adjusted EBITDA ($USD)$(3,682,106) $(2,247,970)

KPIs and Distribution

KPIQ1 2024Q2 2024Q3 2024
O&O QAUs (units)33,783 32,658 30,486
Partner Screens (count)~43,000 ~50,000 ~51,000
Total Active Players + Partner Screens~77,000 ~83,000 ~81,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents ($USD)$3,811,159 $2,197,359 $1,546,088
Net Debt ($USD)$7.1M $6.0M $6.2M

Guidance Changes

MetricPeriodPrevious GuidanceCurrent GuidanceChange
SG&A (excluding SBC & D&A) per quarterQ4 2024 onward; FY 2025“Maintain around $4M per quarter” “Maintain under ~$4M per quarter” Maintained
Vendor/third-party cost eliminationsFY 2025 start (Q1)“Eliminate ~$750k annual ongoing costs starting Q1 FY25” Ongoing execution; expectation reiterated Maintained
Content license restructuringFY 2024–2025“Restructure/eliminate fixed fee licenses to align with revenue” Continued; expected margin improvement over time Maintained
Distribution (QAUs growth)FY 2024 onward“Targeted distribution to grow QAUs q/q” Reiterated; pivot to targeted geographies and venues Maintained

No numeric revenue/EPS guidance was issued for Q3 2024 .

Earnings Call Themes & Trends

TopicPrevious Mentions (Q1 2024)Previous Mentions (Q2 2024)Current Period (Q3 2024)Trend
Cost-cutting/SG&A disciplineFocus on lowering costs; SG&A $6.2M SG&A reduced to $5.7M; workforce changes SG&A $4.1M; target to maintain ~$4M/qtr Improving
Ad demand partner changesPolitical spend absent; organic revenue; cautious on Q2 seasonality Major ad demand participant changed algorithms; restored demand but at lower frequency Continued impact; lower fill frequency persists; footprint growth needed to offset Headwind persists
Distribution strategy (targeted geographies)Shift to targeted venues/markets; QAUs reduced sequentially Continued targeted approach; QAUs −3% q/q QAUs −7% q/q; emphasis on smaller markets density Mixed (short-term contraction; strategic pivot)
Content/licensing restructuringMargin expansion path via mix and renegotiations Vendor/content license restructuring program initiated Ongoing; expected margin improvement; eliminating fixed fee licenses Positive over time
New products/subscriptions (Live channels)Local ad product in beta; second half contribution N/ALive channels subscription incl. NFL RedZone/NFL Network to drive venue value Positive catalyst
Balance sheet/cash burnCash $3.8M; net debt $7.1M Cash $2.2M; net debt $6.0M Cash $1.5M; net debt $6.2M; cash burn reduced Tight liquidity; burn improving

Management Commentary

  • “We will continue to streamline our operations and create further cost efficiencies… including a two-tier music video service and a non-music subscription offering that includes live channels ranging from live sports events (including The NFL Redzone and The NFL Network)… to support growth opportunities” — Justis Kao, CEO .
  • “Our revenue… was $4.4 million, a decrease… driven by a major ad demand participant changing their terms… we do not expect to experience the same level of absolute revenue… unless and until we significantly increase our distribution footprint” — Neil Watanabe, CFO .
  • “We have reduced our cash burn from operations significantly and reduce the level of revenue that is required to become flat or breakeven” — Neil Watanabe .
  • “It’s the perfect time to launch this subscription opportunity for venues… With the NFL season about to start…” — Justis Kao .

Q&A Highlights

  • Q3 2024 call transcript comprised prepared remarks without a captured Q&A session; no additional guidance clarifications recorded .
  • In prior quarter context: Q1 Q&A addressed player attrition (minimal revenue impact from removed players), political ad pacing (second-half lift), partner margin mix, and local ad product beta timing .

Estimates Context

  • Wall Street consensus estimates for Q3 2024 (Revenue/EPS/EBITDA) via S&P Global were unavailable due to platform limits at the time of request; therefore, we cannot assess beats/misses vs consensus for this quarter (Values retrieved from S&P Global)*.
  • Given management commentary that ad demand frequency is structurally lower under new algorithms unless footprint expands, future consensus may need to reflect lower ad-fill assumptions until distribution accelerates .

Key Takeaways for Investors

  • Sequential operating improvement: SG&A down to $4.1M and Adjusted EBITDA loss narrowed to $(2.25)M, reducing breakeven revenue threshold; cost actions appear durable into FY2025 .
  • Ad-tech algorithm shock remains the central headwind; revenue stabilization likely requires footprint expansion and demand partner re-education toward CTV budgets (higher CPM/fill) .
  • Distribution mix pivot: O&O QAUs declined, but Partner Screens grew to ~51k; targeted market strategy favors density and higher-value venues—expect slower near-term unit growth but potential for improved monetization .
  • Product catalyst: live channels subscription (NFL RedZone/NFL Network) enhances value proposition for venues ahead of sports season; watch for subscription uptake and ARPU impacts .
  • Liquidity tight with cash at $1.5M and net debt $6.2M; continued cash burn reduction is critical—monitor vendor savings (~$750k annual) and license renegotiations for margin relief .
  • No numeric revenue/EPS guidance; focus your model on operating leverage and margin trajectory rather than top-line acceleration until distribution trend inflects .
  • Given absence of consensus data this quarter, near-term trading likely hinges on operational milestones (subscription uptake, QAU stabilization, margin improvements) and disclosures around delisting proceedings in August (outside earnings scope but market-relevant) .

Non-GAAP Adjustments Note

Adjusted EBITDA excludes interest, taxes, depreciation/amortization, stock-based compensation, non-recurring expenses, restructuring costs, loss on extinguishment of debt, employee retention credits, and other income; use alongside GAAP metrics for a complete view .