How did Paramount lose so much money?
Paramount Global lost $490 million from streaming in the final quarter of 2023, when Paramount+ added 4.1 million subscribers. The service now has 67.5 million subs; it is now expected to turn a profit in the U.S. in 2025.
Since then, of course, Paramount has been on a stock downswing, as the exorbitant costs to compete in the streaming wars and a seemingly tepid M&A market, have put the company in a difficult financial position. Paramount also slashed its dividend last year so that it could invest in streaming.
Warren Buffett May Have Lost $1.5 Billion on Paramount Investment - Business Insider.
Dissecting the Numbers. Paramount Global's Q1 2024 earnings report showcased a period of growth and transformation for the company. Total revenue reached $7.69 billion, marking a 6% year-over-year increase, driven by solid performance in the Direct-to-Consumer segment.
The studio posted a smaller streaming loss of $490 million, against a year-earlier $575 million loss, representing some upbeat news for Wall Street. Having reduced full year direct-to-consumer losses in 2023 had Paramount indicating it hit peak streaming losses in 2022, a year ahead of schedule.
The studio, like other Hollywood heavy hitters, has "been struggling to recover from last year's monthslong strikes by Hollywood writers and actors, a soft advertising market, and falling cable subscriptions in the United States that has eroded profit for its TV business," said Reuters.
Buffett trimmed Berkshire's position in Apple and completely cut its stake in Paramount Global. He made a few small stock purchases last quarter, but sold far more than he purchased.
The ownership structure of Paramount Global (PARAA) stock is a mix of institutional, retail and individual investors. Approximately 21.49% of the company's stock is owned by Institutional Investors, 14.09% is owned by Insiders and 64.42% is owned by Public Companies and Individual Investors.
Debt Is a Big Concern
30, Paramount Global had $16.97 billion in total debt and cash and short-term investments of $1.80 billion, for $15.17 billion in net debt.
By my very rough estimates, it could be something in the $1.5 billion range. The math: In 2022, Berkshire accumulated 91 million shares of Paramount B shares; Barron's estimates he paid "more than $30" per share. That's a $2.7 billion investment.
Who is Paramount owned by?
It was formed in 2019 through the merger of Viacom and CBS and is a subsidiary of National Amusem*nts, Inc. Originally known as ViacomCBS, the company was renamed Paramount Global in 2022. Its primary holdings are in film and television (including streaming services).
Paramount Pictures has agreed to transfer marketing and distribution rights to Disney for Marvel Studios' The Avengers and Iron Man 3. Disney will pay Paramount $115 million for the rights.
Sony Pictures, Apollo Offer to Buy Paramount for $26 Billion in Cash.
Check your Internet connection
You should also make sure you're streaming with a high speed connection of 2Mbps or more for video on demand and live TV — that's the minimum streaming requirement to watch Paramount+ — and 25Mbps for Ultra High Definition (UHD) or 4K resolution.
If a show or episode is not available, it's likely due to restrictions in streaming rights. But remember, with Paramount+, you have over 40,000 episodes and movies to choose from, along with live sports like the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League!
Paramount+ (formerly CBS All Access until 2021) is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service owned by Paramount Global.
After discussing a potential transaction for months, Paramount's controlling shareholder Shari Redstone backed away at the 11th hour last week, leaving the company her father built in a complicated position with high debt, significant exposure to declining linear television, and ongoing streaming losses.
Paramount's future hinges on being part of a much bigger (and more diversified) entertainment company. With chief executive Bob Bakish leaving to make way for three division-level executives, Paramount appears to be clearing its decks ahead of an acquisition-shaped sea change. Are the streaming wars over then?
Paramount has been struggling to remain profitable as traditional television becomes less popular and competition for streaming subscribers forces media companies to spend heavily on programming.
Chris McCarthy is President and CEO, Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and Paramount Media Networks, where he leads a global network of media assets that reach over one billion people in 180 countries and oversees some of the most iconic brands in entertainment including: Paramount, Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, ...
Who is the largest shareholder of Paramount Global?
| Name | Equities | % |
|---|---|---|
| Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co. 154.22 % | 62,773,465 | 154.22 % |
| BlackRock Advisors LLC 98.40 % | 40,053,520 | 98.40 % |
| Estate of Sumner Murray Redstone 77.39 % | 31,500,087 | 77.39 % |
| UBS Financial Services, Inc. 50.43 % | 20,524,585 | 50.43 % |
This is a huge move considering that Apple used to make up over 50% of Berkshire's portfolio and is now down to 40%. So why is Berkshire selling? It's all about realizing profits -- and taking advantage of an unusually low tax rate on corporate profits.
Paramount Global (also known simply as Paramount) is an American diversified multinational mass media and entertainment conglomerate controlled by National Amusem*nts and headquartered at One Astor Plaza in Times Square, Midtown Manhattan.
- Nickelodeon Group (international channels) Nickelodeon. Nick Jr. Nicktoons. TeenNick.
- MTV Entertainment Group (international channels) MTV. Comedy Central. Paramount Network. Smithsonian Channel.
The largest share of Paramount stocks is controlled by the largest financial whales, like Berkshire Hathaway, Vanguard, and Blackrock.
