Paramount Global (PARA)

Sector: Communication Services|Industry: Entertainment|Market Cap: $7.29B|Employees: 22K


Paramount Global operates as a media, streaming, and entertainment company worldwide. It operates through TV Media, Direct-to-Consumer, and Filmed Entertainment segments. The TV Media segment operates CBS Television Network, a domestic broadcast television network; CBS Stations, a television station; and international free-to-air networks comprising Network 10, Channel 5, Telefe, and Chilevisión; domestic premium and basic cable networks, such as Paramount+ with Showtime, MTV, Comedy Central, Paramount Network, The Smithsonian Channel, Nickelodeon, BET Media Group, and CBS Sports Network; and international extensions of these brands. This segment also offers domestic and international television studio operations, including CBS Studios, Paramount Television Studios, and Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios; CBS Media Ventures, which produces and distributes first-run syndicated programming; and digital properties consisting of CBS News Streaming and CBS Sports HQ. The Direct-to-Consumer segment provides a portfolio of domestic and international pay and free streaming services, including Paramount+, Pluto TV, BET+, and Noggin. The Filmed Entertainment segment produces and acquires films, series, and short-form content for release and licensing around the world, including in theaters, on streaming services, on television, through digital home entertainment, and DVDs/Blu-rays; and operates a portfolio consisting of Paramount Pictures, Paramount Players, Paramount Animation, Nickelodeon Studio, Awesomeness, and Miramax. It also offers production, distribution, and advertising solutions. The company was formerly known as ViacomCBS Inc. and changed its name to Paramount Global in February 2022. The company was founded in 1914 and is headquartered in New York, New York. Paramount Global is a subsidiary of National Amusements, Inc.

  1. Filings
  2. Company Profile

Business Summary

Paramount Global is a leading global media, streaming, and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. The company's portfolio includes iconic consumer brands such as CBS, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, and Pluto TV. Paramount holds an extensive library of television and film titles and offers innovative streaming services, digital video products, and capabilities in production, distribution, and advertising solutions. The company focuses on producing world-class content with global appeal, distributing content across platforms, and monetizing content across multiple revenue streams to maximize return on investment. Paramount is focused on driving to Direct-to-Consumer profitability and maximizing cash flow from its traditional businesses.

Key Statistics

  • Employees: 21,900 full- and part-time employees (as of December 31, 2023)
  • Geographic Footprint: 33 countries worldwide
  • Headquarters: New York, New York
  • Founded: 1986
  • Number of locations/facilities: Multiple office, studio, production, and warehouse spaces globally
  • Revenue: $29.65 billion (FY2023)
  • Key Subsidiaries/Brands: CBS, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, Paramount+, and Pluto TV

Leadership

  • CEO: Robert M. Bakish
  • CFO: Naveen Chopra
  • General Counsel: Christa A. D'Alimonte
  • Other Key Executives: Doretha (DeDe) Lea (Executive Vice President, Global Public Policy and Government Relations), Julia Phelps (Executive Vice President, Chief Communications and Corporate Marketing Officer), Nancy Phillips (Executive Vice President, Chief People Officer)

Robert M. Bakish has been CEO since December 2019. Naveen Chopra has been CFO since August 2020. Christa A. D'Alimonte has been General Counsel since December 2019.

Key Financial Metrics

  • Annual Revenue: $29.65 billion (FY2023)
  • Net Loss: $1.28 billion (FY2023)
  • Total Assets: Not explicitly stated, but can be inferred from the balance sheet
  • Number of Employees: 21,900 full- and part-time employees (as of December 31, 2023)
  • Key Financial Highlights: Revenues decreased by 2% year-over-year, driven by lower revenues from linear networks, content licensing, and theatrical releases, partially offset by growth from streaming services. Operating loss of $451 million compared to an operating income of $2.34 billion in the prior year, impacted by programming charges of $2.37 billion. Adjusted OIBDA decreased 27% to $2.39 billion.

Products and Services

Paramount Global's main product categories and service lines include:

  • TV Media: Domestic and international broadcast and cable networks, owned television stations, and television studio operations.
  • Direct-to-Consumer: Domestic and international pay and free streaming services, including Paramount+, Pluto TV, BET+, and Noggin.
  • Filmed Entertainment: Production and acquisition of films, series, and short-form content for theatrical release, streaming services, television, and digital home entertainment.

Flagship offerings include the CBS Television Network, Paramount+, Pluto TV, and franchises such as Star Trek, Mission: Impossible, and Transformers.

Key Business Segments

Paramount Global operates through three main segments:

  • TV Media: Generated approximately 68% of consolidated revenues in 2023.
  • Direct-to-Consumer: Generated approximately 22% of consolidated revenues in 2023.
  • Filmed Entertainment: Generated approximately 10% of consolidated revenues in 2023.

Business Strategy

Paramount's current strategic priorities include producing world-class content with global appeal, distributing content across platforms to reach viewers globally, and monetizing content across multiple revenue streams to maximize return on investment. The company is focused on driving Direct-to-Consumer profitability and maximizing cash flow from its traditional businesses. Key strategic initiatives include expanding global streaming reach, optimizing the business, and right-sizing the asset base. The company is also committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and is focused on environmental, social, and governance initiatives.

Industry Context

Paramount operates in highly competitive industries and markets, competing for creative talent, intellectual property, audiences, advertisers, and distribution. Key competitors include other media, technology, and entertainment companies with substantial resources. The company faces competition from broadcast and cable networks, streaming services, film and television studios, production groups, independent producers, and syndicators. The industry is experiencing trends such as audience fragmentation, reduced linear viewership, and a shift in advertising expenditures towards streaming and digital platforms. The company is transitioning to a multiplatform measurement environment.

Risk Factors

  • Streaming Business Risks: The company's streaming business is intensely competitive and cash intensive, and there is no assurance it will be profitable or successful. The company must attract, engage, and retain users, and generate revenues.
  • Advertising Revenue Risks: Advertising revenues are subject to market conditions, changes in consumer behavior, and deficiencies in audience measurement. The advertising market can fluctuate, and the company is dependent on demand for its content and advertising rates.
  • Competition Risks: The company faces increasing competition to attract creative talent, produce and acquire high-quality content, and distribute content on various platforms. Competitive pressures have increased and may continue to increase, leading to significant cost increases.
  • Technological and Distribution Model Risks: The unpredictable and constantly shifting nature of consumer behavior, as well as evolving technologies and distribution models, have affected, and could continue to adversely affect, the business. Declines in linear viewership are expected to continue and may accelerate, which could adversely affect advertising and affiliate revenues.
  • Regulatory Risks: The company is subject to various laws and regulations in the U.S. and foreign jurisdictions, including those relating to intellectual property, content regulation, privacy, data protection, and anticompetitive conduct. Failures to comply with or changes in these laws could have an adverse effect on the business.

Last Updated

2024-02-28

(Generated from latest 10-K filing)