Motorsport Games to Report Third Quarter 2022 Financial Results
MIAMI, Nov. 15, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) (“Motorsport Games”), a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world will report financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022 on Friday, November 18, 2022, after market close. Management will host a conference call and webcast on the same day at 5:00 p.m. ET to discuss the results.
Participants may access the live webcast on the Company’s investor relations website at https://ir.motorsportgames.com under “Events.” The call may also be accessed by dialing 1 (877) 407-0784 from the U.S., or by dialing 1 (201) 689-8560 internationally.
About Motorsport Games: Motorsport Games, a Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make the joy of racing accessible to everyone. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”), as well as the industry leading rFactor 2 and KartKraft simulations. rFactor 2 also serves as the official sim racing platform of Formula E, while also powering F1 Arcade through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport Games is an award-winning esports partner of choice for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, BTCC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, among others. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure and every story inspires.
Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. owns and operates 61 stations (47 FM and 14 AM) in 15 large- and mid-size markets in the United States. Approximately 20 million consumers listen to the Company’s radio stations weekly over-the-air, online and on smartphones and tablets, and millions regularly engage with the Company’s brands and personalities through digital platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, text messaging, digital and web applications and email. The Overwatch League’s Houston Outlaws esports team is a wholly owned subsidiary. The Company also owns BeasleyXP, a national esports content hub, and AXLR-R8, a Rocket League Championship Series team, in its esports portfolio. For more information, please visit www.bbgi.com.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Favorable Q3 results. The company reported revenue of $63.8 million, slightly beating our estimate of $63.0 million and at the higher end of its previous guidance range. The revenues benefited from strong digital revenues, up 23%, offset by declines in national advertising. Adj. EBITDA of $7.2 million was slightly lower than our estimate of $7.8 million.
Digital traction. Digital revenue grew by 23.2% year-over-year and accounted for 16% of total revenue in Q3, an increase from 13% earlier in the year. Notably, Digital accounts for more than National advertising at 15% of total revenues. Additionally, digital margins grew from 14.4% in Q2 to 19.6% in Q3. Management reiterated its goal of digital revenue to account for 20% of total revenue in Q4.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Bowlero Corp. is the worldwide leader in bowling entertainment, media, and events. With more than 300 bowling centers across North America, Bowlero Corp. serves more than 26 million guests each year through a family of brands that includes Bowlero, Bowlmor Lanes, and AMF. In 2019, Bowlero Corp. acquired the Professional Bowlers Association, the major league of bowling, which boasts thousands of members and millions of fans across the globe. For more information on Bowlero Corp., please visit BowleroCorp.com.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Previewing Fiscal Q1. We are adjusting our forecast for Bowlero ahead of the company’s Q1 earnings release next Wednesday, November 16. For Q1, we are lowering our adj. EBITDA estimate, as we anticipate lower gross profit margins compared with the prior year period. We believe staffing costs in centers will be up over the prior year period, which was affected by COVID related staffing issues.
Building in more seasonality. In our updated model, we are giving more credence to the seasonality of the business. Notably, the reduction in our adj. EBITDA forecast for fiscal Q1 is offset by a higher adj. EBITDA forecast in fiscal Q2. Our Q1 adj. EBITDA forecast is lowered from $72.0 million to $63.9 million and our Q2 adj. EBITDA forecast is raised from $73.1 million to $81.2 million, illustrated in Figure #1 Forecast Revisions.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Harte Hanks (NASDAQ: HHS) is a leading global customer experience company whose mission is to partner with clients to provide them with CX strategy, data-driven analytics and actionable insights combined with seamless program execution to better understand, attract, and engage their customers. Using its unparalleled resources and award-winning talent in the areas of Customer Care, Fulfillment and Logistics, and Marketing Services, Harte Hanks has a proven track record of driving results for some of the world’s premier brands including Bank of America, GlaxoSmithKline, Unilever, Pfizer, HBOMax, Volvo, Ford, FedEx, Midea, Sony, and IBM among others. Headquartered in Chelmsford, Massachusetts , Harte Hanks has over 2,500 employees in offices across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific .
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Strong Q3 results. The company reported strong results despite a challenging macroeconomic environment. Third quarter revenue was $53.9 million, beating our estimate of $50.25 million by 7.2%. Adj. EBITDA of $5.3 million was a hair below our estimate of $5.5 million, largely due to the mix in lower margin revenue from its fulfillment & logistics segment.
Counter cyclical segments. The company has a unique revenue mix that carries counter cyclical qualities in its fulfillment & logistics and customer care segments. Fulfillment & logistics beat our revenue estimate of $19 million by 23.7%, and is expected to continue its strong performance through 2023.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
MIAMI, Nov. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — As previously announced, Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) (“Motorsport Games” or the “Company”) confirmed today that the 1-for-10 reverse stock split of the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock became effective as of 12:01 a.m. EST on November 10, 2022 (the “Effective Time”).
Motorsport Games effected the reverse stock split by filing a charter amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State. The reverse stock split was previously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders pursuant to Sections 228 and 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
The Company’s Class A common stock began trading on the NASDAQ on a split-adjusted basis when the market opened today, November 10, 2022, under a new CUSIP number, 62011B 201.
As a result of the reverse stock split, each 10 shares of the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time were automatically combined into 1 share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, subject to the elimination of fractional shares, as described below.
The same 1-for-10 reverse stock split ratio was used to effect the reverse stock split of both Motorsport Games Class A and Class B common stock, and accordingly, all stockholders were affected proportionately. The reverse stock split reduced the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock from approximately 11,673,587 shares of Class A common stock and 7,000,000 shares of Class B common stock to approximately 1,167,358 and 700,000 shares, respectively.
The number of shares of Class A common stock subject to the Company’s outstanding employee and director stock options, as well as the relevant exercise price per share, will be proportionately adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. Accordingly, the approximately 821,962 outstanding stock options will be reduced to approximately 82,196 outstanding stock options. The number of shares authorized for issuance under the Company’s stock plan will also be reduced from 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock to 100,000 shares of Class A common stock using the same 1-for-10 split ratio.
The Company has notified NASDAQ that the Company is not in compliance with the Nasdaq Listing Rules requiring minimum of 500,000 publicly held shares.
About Motorsport Games:
Motorsport Games, a Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make the joy of racing accessible to everyone. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”), as well as the industry leading rFactor 2 and KartKraft simulations. rFactor 2 also serves as the official sim racing platform of Formula E, while also powering F1 Arcade through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport Games is an award-winning esports partner of choice for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, BTCC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, among others. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure and every story inspires.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, unexpected developments with respect to the reverse stock split, including, without limitation, future decreases in the price of the Company’s Class A common stock whether due to, among other things, the announcement of the reverse stock split, the Company’s inability to make its Class A common stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional or other investors. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in Motorsport Games’ filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during 2022, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. Motorsport Games anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Motorsport Games assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Motorsport Games’ plans and expectations as of any subsequent date.
Website and Social Media Disclosure:
Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (ir.motorsportgames.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media and blogs, to communicate with our investors and the public about our company and our products. It is possible that the information we post on our websites, social media and blogs could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the websites, social media channels and blogs, including the following (which list we will update from time to time on our investor relations website):
Websites
Social Media
motorsportgames.com
Twitter: @msportgames & @traxiongg
traxion.gg
Instagram: msportgames & traxiongg
motorsport.com
Facebook: Motorsport Games & traxiongg
LinkedIn: Motorsport Games
Twitch: traxiongg
Reddit: traxiongg
The contents of these websites and social media channels are not part of, nor will they be incorporated by reference into, this press release.
SANTA MONICA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Entravision (NYSE: EVC), a leading global advertising solutions, media and technology company, today announced Chris Young, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer, will present at the 2022 Southwest IDEAS Investor Conference to be held November 16-17, 2022 in Dallas, Texas. Management is scheduled to present on Wednesday, November 16th at 11:00 am CT.
The presentation will be webcast live over the Internet, and links to the live webcast and replay will be available on Entravision’s Investor Relations website at investor.entravision.com.
About Entravision Communications Corporation
Entravision is a leading global advertising, media and ad-tech solutions company connecting brands to consumers by representing top platforms and publishers. Our dynamic portfolio includes digital, television and audio offerings. Digital, our largest revenue segment, is comprised of four business units: our digital sales representation business; Smadex, our programmatic ad purchasing platform; our branding and mobile performance solutions business; and our digital audio business. Through our digital sales representation business, we connect global media companies such as Meta, Twitter, TikTok and Spotify with advertisers in primarily emerging growth markets worldwide. Smadex is our mobile-first demand side platform, enabling advertisers to execute performance campaigns using machine learning. We also offer a branding and mobile performance solutions business, which provides managed services to advertisers looking to connect with global consumers, primarily on mobile devices, and our digital audio business provides digital audio advertising solutions for advertisers in the Americas. In addition to digital, Entravision has 49 television stations and is the largest affiliate group of the Univision and UniMás television networks. Entravision also manages 45 primarily Spanish-language radio stations that feature nationally recognized, Emmy award-winning talent. Shares of Entravision Class A Common Stock trade on the NYSE under ticker: EVC. Learn more about our offerings at entravision.com or connect with us on LinkedIn and Facebook.
Townsquare is a community-focused digital media and digital marketing solutions company with market leading local radio stations, principally focused outside the top 50 markets in the U.S. Our assets include a subscription digital marketing services business, Townsquare Interactive, providing website design, creation and hosting, search engine optimization, social media and online reputation management as well as other digital monthly services for approximately 26,800 SMBs; a robust digital advertising division, Townsquare IGNITE, a powerful combination of a) an owned and operated portfolio of more than 330 local news and entertainment websites and mobile apps along with a network of leading national music and entertainment brands, collecting valuable first party data, and b) a proprietary digital programmatic advertising technology stack with an in-house demand and data management platform; and a portfolio of 321 local terrestrial radio stations in 67 U.S. markets strategically situated outside the Top 50 markets in the United States. Our portfolio includes local media brands such as WYRK.com, WJON.com, and NJ101.5.com and premier national music brands such as XXLmag.com, TasteofCountry.com, UltimateClassicRock.com and Loudwire.com.
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
In line Q3 results. The company reported quarterly revenue of $120.6 million, up 8.4% year over year and in line with our estimate of $121.2 million. The revenue variance was due to softer Political advertising. Adj. EBITDA of $30.9 million was marginally higher than our estimate of $30.7 million. The company’s quarterly results demonstrated continued growth despite a difficult macroeconomic environment.
Strong financials. As of September 30th, the company had $27 million in cash and $524 million in long-term debt, and a net leverage ratio of 4.5 times. Management plans to reduce net leverage to 4 times by the end of year, and sits in a favorable position for opportunistic bond buy backs in a rising interest rate environment.
This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
MIAMI, Nov. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) (“Motorsport Games”), a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world, today announced that it is postponing its earnings release and conference call for the third quarter ended September 30, 2022, previously scheduled for November 10, 2022. The Company will issue a press release announcing the new date and time for the postponed earnings call.
About Motorsport Games: Motorsport Games, a Motorsport Network company, is a leading racing game developer, publisher and esports ecosystem provider of official motorsport racing series throughout the world. Combining innovative and engaging video games with exciting esports competitions and content for racing fans and gamers, Motorsport Games strives to make the joy of racing accessible to everyone. The Company is the officially licensed video game developer and publisher for iconic motorsport racing series across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and mobile, including NASCAR, INDYCAR, 24 Hours of Le Mans and the British Touring Car Championship (“BTCC”), as well as the industry leading rFactor 2 and KartKraft simulations. rFactor 2 also serves as the official sim racing platform of Formula E, while also powering F1 Arcade through a partnership with Kindred Concepts. Motorsport Games is an award-winning esports partner of choice for 24 Hours of Le Mans, Formula E, BTCC, the FIA World Rallycross Championship and the eNASCAR Heat Pro League, among others. Motorsport Games is building a virtual racing ecosystem where each product drives excitement, every esports event is an adventure and every story inspires.
MIAMI, Nov. 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Motorsport Games Inc. (NASDAQ: MSGM) (“Motorsport Games” or the “Company”) announced today that the 1-for-10 reverse stock split of the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock will become effective as of 12:01 a.m. EST on November 10, 2022 (the “Effective Time”).
Motorsport Games is effecting the reverse stock split by filing a charter amendment with the Delaware Secretary of State. The reverse stock split was previously approved by the Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders pursuant to Sections 228 and 242 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
The Company’s Class A common stock will begin trading on the NASDAQ on a split-adjusted basis when the market opens tomorrow, November 10, 2022, under a new CUSIP number, 62011B 201.
As a result of the reverse stock split, each 10 shares of the Company’s Class A and Class B common stock issued and outstanding immediately prior to the Effective Time will be automatically combined into 1 share of Class A common stock and Class B common stock, respectively, subject to the elimination of fractional shares, as described below.
The same 1-for-10 reverse stock split ratio is being used to effect the reverse stock split of both Motorsport Games Class A and Class B common stock, and accordingly, all stockholders will be affected proportionately. The reverse stock split will reduce the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock from approximately 11,673,587 shares of Class A common stock and 7,000,000 shares of Class B common stock to approximately 1,167,358 and 700,000 shares, respectively.
The number of shares of Class A common stock subject to the Company’s outstanding employee and director stock options, as well as the relevant exercise price per share, will be proportionately adjusted to reflect the reverse stock split. Accordingly, the approximately 821,962 outstanding stock options will be reduced to approximately 82,196 outstanding stock options. The number of shares authorized for issuance under the Company’s stock plan also will be reduced from 1,000,000 shares of Class A common stock to 100,000 shares of Class A common stock using the same 1-for-10 split ratio.
Motorsport Games has retained its transfer agent, Worldwide Stock Transfer, LLC (“WST”), to act as exchange agent for the reverse stock split. WST will manage the exchange of old, pre-reverse stock split shares for new post-split shares. Stockholders who hold their shares in “street name” will be contacted by their banks or brokers with any instructions. For further information, stockholders and securities brokers should contact WST at (201) 820-2008.
Motorsport Games will not issue any fractional shares of its Class A or Class B common stock as a result of the reverse stock split. Instead, as soon as practicable after the Effective Time, WST will distribute payments to the record holders’ respective accounts pro rata in lieu of fractional shares based on the applicable NASDAQ closing trading price. Stockholders will not be entitled to receive interest for the period of time between the Effective Time and the date the stockholder receives their cash payment, if any, in lieu of fractional shares.
Upon the Effective Time, each certificate, if any representing shares of Motorsport Games common stock immediately prior to the reverse stock split will be deemed to represent the number of full shares of common stock resulting from the reverse stock split. Stockholders holding their shares in book entry form are not required to take any action, as their shares will be adjusted directly by WST.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements in this press release which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are provided pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any statements in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements. Words such as “continue,” “will,” “may,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “expected,” “plans,” “intend,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “estimate,” “predict,” “potential,” and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements, many of which are generally outside the control of Motorsport Games and are difficult to predict. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, unexpected developments with respect to the reverse stock split, including, without limitation, future decreases in the price of the Company’s Class A common stock whether due to, among other things, the announcement of the reverse stock split, the Company’s inability to make its Class A common stock more attractive to a broader range of institutional or other investors. Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements can be found in Motorsport Games’ filings with the SEC, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, its Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC during 2022, as well as in its subsequent filings with the SEC. Motorsport Games anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause its plans, intentions and expectations to change. Motorsport Games assumes no obligation, and it specifically disclaims any intention or obligation, to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by law. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and should not be relied upon as representing Motorsport Games’ plans and expectations as of any subsequent date.
Website and Social Media Disclosure:
Investors and others should note that we announce material financial information to our investors using our investor relations website (ir.motorsportgames.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls and webcasts. We use these channels, as well as social media and blogs, to communicate with our investors and the public about our company and our products. It is possible that the information we post on our websites, social media and blogs could be deemed to be material information. Therefore, we encourage investors, the media and others interested in our company to review the information we post on the websites, social media channels and blogs, including the following (which list we will update from time to time on our investor relations website):
Websites
Social Media
motorsportgames.com
Twitter: @msportgames & @traxiongg
traxion.gg
Instagram: msportgames &traxiongg
motorsport.com
Facebook: Motorsport Games &traxiongg
LinkedIn: Motorsport Games
Twitch: traxiongg
Reddit: traxiongg
The contents of these websites and social media channels are not part of, nor will they be incorporated by reference into, this press release.
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As one of the nation’s largest local TV broadcasters, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of 61 stations in 41 markets. The Scripps Networks reach nearly every American through the national news outlets Court TV and Newsy and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Defy TV, Grit, ION Mystery, Laff and TrueReal. Scripps is the nation’s largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, “Give light and the people will find their own way.”
Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.
Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.
Q3 miss. The company reported Q3 revenue of $612.1 million, below our estimate of $638.5 million. Adj. EBITDA of $149.1 million missed our forecast of $170.5. The disappointing quarter was due to lower-than-expected Political revenue.
Political below expectations. The company recorded $63.2 million in Political revenue, compared with our forecast of $90.0 million. Management attributed the slowed Political revenue pace to spending falloffs in Florida and Montana as certain races became less competitive than initially expected. Political dollars shifted to more competitive markets where the company did not have a large TV station footprint. Notably, Political was still up strongly over the prior election cycle.
This Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).
*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision.
Why Meta’s Share Price Collapse is Good News for the Future of Social Media
Facebook may not be the original social media platform, but it has stood the test of time – until recently. Meta, the company that owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, saw its value plummet by around $80 billion (£69 billion) in just one day at the end of October after its third-quarter profits halved amid the global slowdown. Meta is now valued at around $270 billion compared with more than $1 trillion last year.
Several issues have caused investors to turn away from the social media giant, including falling advertising revenue, a conflict with Apple over its app store charging policy, and competition for younger audiences from newer platforms such as TikTok.
Meta’s chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has also used his majority control to double down on his ambitions for the “metaverse”, a virtual reality project on which he has already spent more than $100 billion – with questionable results, according to the initial investor and media reaction. Zuckerberg has promised even more investment in the metaverse next year.
It’s tempting to describe this spending spree as a billionaire’s “insane fantasy”, but there is a simpler explanation. As dominant platforms compete for a limited amount of advertising revenue, regulation – particularly when it differs between countries or regions – has created space for more competitors. This is good news for new social media companies, but it also means that the only way Meta is likely to be able to keep its dominant position is by placing a massive bet on the technology of the future. Zuckerberg believes that means the metaverse, but this remains to be seen.
Tech’s Changing Fortunes
Even with its recent troubles, Meta owns the largest social network in the world. Those recent results that caused investors to flee in their droves still showed total revenues of $27 billion and profits of $4.4 billion.
To maintain its position as the market leader in the past, Meta has typically bought its most promising competitors as early as possible. Integrating these newly acquired startups into the company’s ecosystem helped to maximize advertising revenue and preclude competition.
Research shows that digital markets are typically dominated by a single firm, but also that these firms tend to be much more specialized than the major companies of the past. Meta is only active in social media and makes money almost exclusively by selling advertising.
Attempts by such firms to expand into other areas typically fail – know anyone with a Facebook phone? And while you may not remember Google’s attempt at social media, iPhone users are probably at least aware of Apple’s maps app.
So Facebook relies on consumers using devices produced by other tech companies to make money. But as global social media advertising revenue slows down, this is becoming more difficult. Apple has begun charging Meta for the revenue it makes from iPhone users, for example. And research shows that, when two companies compete to make money from the same captive source, their successive markups not only push prices higher for consumers but also keep profits lower for both firms.
Global Domination Fail
Meta’s strategy has, until recently, allowed it to rule social media in western markets – but not in China, a country of more than 300 million social media users. Since 2009, Facebook has been blocked by the country’s “great firewall”, the largest and most sophisticated system of censorship in the world.
Reported attempts to adapt Facebook to suit Chinese government media control have never been successful. And so, Chinese company ByteDance was able to launch a news platform called Toutiao in 2012 without having to compete with a dominant social network. In 2016, ByteDance launched Douyin, a social media platform for publishing short videos, which was subsequently released to the rest of the world in 2018 as TikTok.
Despite not being profitable, ByteDance’s market capitalization is now estimated at around $300 billion – versus Meta’s current £270 billion valuation. It is also popular among younger users, that tend to be much more avid social media users.
Meta cannot simply buy TikTok: it is too big, not publicly traded and under tight control by the Chinese government. Zuckerberg’s firm has instead tried to compete by launching similar features on Instagram. Ironically, the only large market where this strategy is really working is India, a country that banned TikTok in 2021 due to a military conflict with China.
Fair Competition
At the same time that TikTok has been expanding beyond Meta’s reach, western regulators have also started to examine the impact of the lack of competition in digital markets on innovation. While research shows that the winner-take-all nature of highly innovative markets is typically good for consumers, this is only true when all companies get a fair chance to become dominant.
In addition to recent rulings against tech company dominance by its highest court, the European Union also recently introduced the Digital Markets Act. This outlaws many practices used by dominant firms to preserve their status in a market.
This article was republished with permission from The Conversation, a news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It represents the research-based findings and thoughts of Renaud Foucart, Senior Lecturer in Economics, Lancaster University Management School, Lancaster University.
Report offers unparalleled insights into audience consumption of gaming and esports content, which continues to attract the most difficult demographic for companies to access
Insights highlight unique, untapped media activation opportunities as engagement continues to increase within the industry
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 8, 2022 / Video gaming and esports live streaming analytics company, Stream Hatchet, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. (GAME) (“Engine” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:GAME)(TSXV:GAME), today announced that it has published its Video Game Streaming Trends Third Quarter 2022 Report. This essential read provides an in-depth study on the current state of the live streaming and video games industry, offering unparalleled insights into the performance of the industry, as well as top performing creators, games, releases and more. Importantly, these insights highlight the opportunity to tap into an audience increasingly hard to reach for brands.
The Stream Hatchet team works with a consortium of industry-leading analysts and business leaders to understand and report on key trends related to the impact of live streaming audiences on gaming creators, esports and the broader video games industry.
Key findings include:
Viewership is nearly double pre-pandemic levels. Additionally, esports viewership is up 40% year-over-year compared to Q3 2021 last year; the industry has seen consistent growth over the last 4 years.
Facebook Gaming lost meaningful marketing share in Q3 ‘22, dropping from 14% in Q3 ‘21 to 5%. Amazon-owned Twitch continues to increase its market share to 72%, holding a steady command of the streaming landscape, while YouTube Gaming grew modestly to 15%, reclaiming its second largest market share position.
VTubers (Virtual YouTubers), a term to describe virtual avatars that stream content on platforms like YouTube and Twitch, continue to grow in live streaming now representing 50% of the top female streaming creators in Q3. The top 10 VTubers grew an average of 30% in Q3 2022 as compared to Q2 2022.
Gambling live streaming viewership on Twitch hit its peak in Q3 2022. Since, the platform announced a ban on streaming unlicensed gambling sites in the U.S. The ban went into effect in October, and Stream Hatchet will continue to monitor the impact into Q4 2022.
“The collection of this data is extremely valuable as it not only illustrates Stream Hatchet’s ability to provide market leading data across the video game and live-streaming landscape, but also offers marketers, researchers, and analyst actionable insights on how best to reach the 18- to 35-year-old demographic, which continues to be increasingly difficult to reach,” said Eduard Monstserrat, CEO at Stream Hatchet. “As brands strategize on how to connect with this hard-to-reach demographic, they are able to leverage our insights to better understand the top performing streamers and media properties. We power insightful, informed decisions leading to innovation and growth through the aggregation of dynamic, granular data.”
About Stream Hatchet Stream Hatchet is the market leader in live-streaming viewership data analytics for the world’s leading video game streaming platforms. Stream Hatchet provides deep insights to leading brands, creator networks, esports leagues, game publishers, and other businesses measuring the impact of video game live streaming. Stream Hatchet is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Engine Gaming and Media.
About Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. (NASDAQ:GAME) (TSXV:GAME) provides unparalleled live streaming data and social analytics, influencer relationship management and monetization, and programmatic advertising to support the world’s largest video gaming companies, brand marketers, ecommerce companies, media publishers and agencies to drive new streams of revenue. The company’s subsidiaries include Stream Hatchet, the global leader in gaming video distribution analytics; Sideqik, a social influencer marketing discovery, analytics, and activation platform; and Frankly Media, a digital publishing platform used to create, distribute, and monetize content across all digital channels. Engine generates revenue through a combination of software-as-a-service subscription fees, managed services, and programmatic advertising. For more information, please visit www.enginegaming.com.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 7, 2022 / Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. (“Engine” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:GAME)(TSXV:GAME),a data-driven, gaming, media and influencer marketing platform company, today announced that it will issue a press release promptly after the market close on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, summarizing its financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter of 2022 ended August 31, 2022. The Company will also host a conference call the same day at 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss its financial results in further detail. The call will conclude with Q&A from participants.
Please dial in at least 10 minutes before the start of the call to ensure timely participation.
A playback of the call will be available through December 6, 2022, on Engine Gaming and Media, Inc.’s Investor Relations website at ir.enginemediainc.com
About Engine Gaming and Media, Inc.
Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. (NASDAQ:GAME)(TSXV:GAME) provides unparalleled live streaming data and social analytics, influencer relationship management and monetization, and programmatic advertising to support the world’s largest video gaming companies, brand marketers, ecommerce companies, media publishers and agencies to drive new streams of revenue. The company’s subsidiaries include Stream Hatchet, the global leader in gaming video distribution analytics; Sideqik, a social influencer marketing discovery, analytics, and activation platform; and Frankly Media, a digital publishing platform used to create, distribute, and monetize content across all digital channels. Engine generates revenue through a combination of software-as-a-service subscription fees, managed services, and programmatic advertising. For more information, please visit www.enginegaming.com.
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Engine to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “estimates”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken, occur or be achieved. In respect of the forward-looking information contained herein, Engine has provided such statements and information in reliance on certain assumptions that management believed to be reasonable at the time. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements stated herein to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information contained in this news release.
The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. Engine does not assume any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by us or on our behalf, except as required by applicable law.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Company Contact:
Lou Schwartz 647-725-7765
Investor Relations Contact:
Shannon Devine MZ North America Main: 203-741-8811 GAME@mzgroup.us
