Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd (BOM:538685) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Navigating Challenges with Digital Growth

Despite a decline in traditional media, Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd (BOM:538685) sees promising growth in digital media and strategic initiatives.

Author's Avatar
4 days ago
Summary
  • Consolidated Revenue (Q2 FY25): INR162 crores, declined by 18.5% YoY.
  • EBITDA Loss (Q2 FY25): INR27 crores.
  • Net Loss (Q2 FY25): INR26 crores.
  • Consolidated Revenue (H1 FY25): INR317 crores, declined by approximately 10% YoY.
  • EBITDA Loss (H1 FY25): INR40 crores.
  • Net Loss (H1 FY25): INR44 crores.
  • New Initiatives Expenses (Q2 FY25): INR15 crores.
  • New Initiatives Expenses (H1 FY25): INR23 crores.
  • Adjusted EBITDA Loss (Q2 FY25): INR12 crores (excluding new initiatives).
  • Adjusted EBITDA Loss (H1 FY25): INR17 crores (excluding new initiatives).
  • Digital Media Revenue (Q2 FY25): INR67 crores, increased by 17% YoY.
  • Digital Media Revenue (H1 FY25): INR124 crores, grew by 8% YoY.
  • Traditional Media Revenue (Q2 FY25): INR95 crores, declined by 33% YoY.
  • Traditional Media Revenue (H1 FY25): INR192 crores, declined by 19% YoY.
  • Inventory Reduction: Decreased from INR727 crores (Dec 2023) to INR618 crores (Sep 2024).
Article's Main Image

Release Date: October 18, 2024

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Digital media revenues increased by approximately 17% year-on-year for Q2 FY25, indicating robust growth in this segment.
  • ShemarooMe, the company's digital platform, continues to gain traction, particularly with its Gujarati content offerings.
  • Shemaroo Filmi Gaane achieved a significant milestone by becoming the 24th most subscribed channel globally on YouTube, with approximately 70 million subscribers.
  • The company successfully launched two original shows on its channel Shemaroo Umang, contributing to its content portfolio expansion.
  • Shemaroo Entertainment Ltd is focused on strengthening its balance sheet and maintaining operational efficiencies to unlock intrinsic value.

Negative Points

  • Consolidated revenue from operations declined by 18.5% year-on-year for Q2 FY25, primarily due to a higher base in traditional business.
  • EBITDA loss for the quarter was around INR27 crores, with a net loss of approximately INR26 crores.
  • Traditional media revenues declined by around 33% year-on-year for the first quarter, indicating challenges in this segment.
  • The company faced delays in deal closures in its traditional syndication business due to transitional changes in the media industry.
  • There is continued sluggish demand for broadcast advertising, putting pressure on traditional revenue streams.

Q & A Highlights

Q: How much debt is Shemaroo Entertainment planning to reduce in H2 FY25?
A: Hiren Gada, CEO, stated that the company aims to reduce debt by INR100 crores over FY25 and FY26. The exact amount for H2 FY25 is uncertain due to industry transitions affecting deal closures, but the company is confident in achieving its target.

Q: What is the expenditure on new initiatives for H1 FY25, and what is the target for the full financial year?
A: Hiren Gada, CEO, reported that INR23.2 crores were spent on new initiatives in H1 FY25. The target for the full year is around INR60 crores, down from INR42 crores in the previous year, indicating better control and direction towards profitability.

Q: What is the strategy for inventory write-offs in H2 FY25?
A: Amit Haria, CFO, explained that approximately 40% of the inventory as of December is planned to be written off over the coming quarters. An additional INR50 to INR60 crores is expected to be charged off in H2 FY25, similar to the amount in H1.

Q: How is Shemaroo Filmi Gaane performing, and what is the revenue outlook for this segment?
A: Hiren Gada, CEO, clarified that Shemaroo is primarily a video label, not a music label. The channel has grown significantly, becoming a leading channel for classic and retro music on YouTube. The company continues to invest in content acquisition to maintain its leading position and revenue stream.

Q: What is the current status and future strategy for the MarathiBana channel?
A: Arghya Chakravarty, COO, stated that the channel remains free-to-air but has exited the high-cost free dish option. The channel's viewership has stabilized, and the company is evaluating content strategies to enhance its position, awaiting better market conditions for further investments.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.