CuriosityStream Reports First Quarter 2026 Financial Results and Raises Dividend
Rhea-AI Summary
CuriosityStream (Nasdaq:CURI) reported Q1 2026 revenue of $15.2 million, slightly above Q1 2025. Gross profit was $8.5 million with a 56.1% margin, up from 53.1%. The company posted a $1.3 million net loss, but delivered its fifth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA and ninth of positive Adjusted Free Cash Flow.
The board raised the quarterly dividend to $0.085 per share ($0.34 annually), payable June 19, 2026, and reported repurchasing 90,000 shares. CuriosityStream ended the quarter with $23.4 million in cash, restricted cash and securities, and no debt. 2026 revenue guidance is $75–$80 million with Adjusted EBITDA of $16–$20 million.
Positive
- Q1 2026 revenue of $15.2 million vs. $15.1 million in Q1 2025
- Gross margin improved to 56.1% from 53.1% year over year
- Fifth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA
- Ninth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted Free Cash Flow
- Raised quarterly dividend to $0.085 per share ($0.34 annually)
- Paid $4.9 million in ordinary dividends during the quarter
- Repurchased 90 thousand shares in Q1 2026
- Ended Q1 2026 with $23.4 million in cash and securities and no debt
- 2026 revenue guidance of $75–$80 million
- 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guidance of $16–$20 million
- Expanded data and video licensing rights to over three million hours of content
Negative
- Q1 2026 net loss of $1.3 million vs. $0.3 million net income in Q1 2025
- Q1 2026 Adjusted EBITDA of $0.9 million vs. $1.1 million a year earlier
- Operating cash flow of $1.2 million vs. $1.9 million in Q1 2025
- Adjusted free cash flow of $1.3 million vs. $2.0 million in Q1 2025
- Management noted a sequential revenue decline in Q1 2026
News Market Reaction – CURI
In the May 15 session, CURI declined 19.49%, reflecting a significant negative market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -22.0% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 27 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. Trading volume was above average at 1.9x the daily average, suggesting increased trading activity.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Key Figures
Previous Dividends,earnings Reports
| Date | Event | Sentiment | 24h Move | Catalyst |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 11 | Earnings & dividend update | Positive | +19.9% | Reported Q4/FY24 results with higher cash flow and increased annual dividend. |
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
The last combined dividends/earnings update on Mar 11, 2025 saw a strong positive reaction of 19.91%, suggesting investors previously rewarded similar capital-return plus earnings stories.
Over the past year, CuriosityStream has paired improving fundamentals with rising capital returns. The Mar 11, 2025 dividends/earnings release highlighted nine consecutive quarters of positive net cash from operations, record Adjusted Free Cash Flow of $3.3M, and an annual dividend increase to $0.16. Today’s update continues that pattern with further dividend growth, ongoing positive Adjusted Free Cash Flow, and revenue/margin progress, extending the company’s focus on cash generation and shareholder returns.
Key Terms
adjusted ebitda financial
adjusted free cash flow financial
non-gaap financial measures financial
held-to-maturity securities financial
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
Revenue of
$15.2 million Dividend Program Raised to
$0.085 per Quarter;$0.34 Annually90 thousand shares repurchased
56% gross margin, improving from53% in the prior-year quarter
SILVER SPRING, MD / ACCESS Newswire / May 14, 2026 / CuriosityStream Inc. (Nasdaq:CURI), a global factual entertainment company, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. In addition, the Company's Board of Directors raised the Company's second quarter cash dividend to
"While we were pleased with Q1's year-over-year operational improvement, Q1's sequential revenue decline was anticipated and, we believe, temporary," said Clint Stinchcomb, President & CEO of CuriosityStream. "We currently expect 2026 to represent a significant step-up in both revenue and cash flow compared to 2025, with subscription revenue increasing by single-digit percentages and with licensing becoming the larger growth engine as it surpasses subscriptions for the full year. In light of our plans to drive double-digit growth in both revenue and cash flow in 2026, our board has raised our dividend to
First Quarter 2026 Financial Results
Revenue of
$15.2 million , compared to$15.1 million in the first quarter of 2025;Gross profit of
$8.5 million or56.1% gross margin, compared to$8.0 million or53.1% gross margin in the first quarter of 2025;Net loss of
$1.3 million , inclusive of$2.2 million of non-cash stock-based compensation, compared to a net income of$0.3 million , inclusive of$0.9 million in non-cash stock-based compensation, in the first quarter of 2025.Adjusted EBITDA of
$0.9 million , a decline of$0.2 million , compared to Adjusted EBITDA of$1.1 million in the first quarter of 2025, and a fifth sequential quarter of positive EBITDA;Net cash provided by operating activities of
$1.2 million , compared to$1.9 million in the first quarter of 2025;Adjusted free cash flow of
$1.3 million , compared to$2.0 million in the first quarter of 2025;Total advertising and marketing and general and administrative expenses of
$10.0 million ;Paid an ordinary dividend of
$4.9 million ;Repurchased 90 thousand shares; and
Cash, restricted cash and held-to-maturity securities balance of
$23.4 million and no debt as of March 31, 2026.
First Quarter 2026 Business Highlights
Subscription services launched with partners in the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and Germany;
Fourth straight quarter of expanded data and video licensing partnerships for AI training, having now built a differentiated content library of rights to over three million hours of content across multiple genres;
Building on the solid foundation of our advertising business with U.S. Hispanic and flagship FAST channels recently launched on Amazon, Roku, LG, and Truth+;
Strengthened content lineup with groundbreaking original series and specials including Loot: The Power of Diamonds, new episodes in the fifth season of Butterfly Effect, and Telescopes: The Truth is Out There, the 100th episode of our brand-defining Breakthrough strand.
Financial Outlook
CuriosityStream expects the following for the first half and full year of 2026:
First-half 2026 revenue in the range of
$35 -$41 million , and full-year 2026 revenue in the range of$75 t o$80 million .First-half 2026 Adjusted EBITDA1 in the range of
$5 -$7 million , and full-year 2026 Adjusted EBITDA1 in the range of$16 t o$20 million .
1 See Non-GAAP Financial Measures below.
Conference Call Information
CuriosityStream will host a Q&A conference call today to discuss the Company's first quarter 2026 results at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Pacific Time). A live audio webcast of the call will be available on the CuriosityStream Investor Relations website at https://investors.curiositystream.com. Participants may also dial-in toll free at (877) 407-9716 or International at (201) 493-6779 and reference conference ID# 13759951. An audio replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks following the call on the CuriosityStream Investor Relations website at https://investors.curiositystream.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 including, but not limited to, CuriosityStream's expectations or predictions of future financial or business performance or conditions, consumers' valuation of factual content, and the Company's continued success. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Generally, statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning possible or assumed future actions, business strategies, events or results of operations, are forward-looking statements. These statements may be preceded by, followed by or include the words "believes," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "forecasts," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "plans," "scheduled," "anticipates," "predicts" or "intends" or similar expressions. Such forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events, results or performance to differ materially from those indicated by such statements. Certain of these risks are identified and discussed under "Risk Factors" in CuriosityStream's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, that CuriosityStream filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 12, 2026, and in CuriosityStream's other SEC filings. These risk factors are important to consider in determining future results and should be reviewed in their entirety.
Forward-looking statements are based on the current belief of the management of CuriosityStream, based on currently available information, as to the outcome and timing of future events, and involve factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual results in future periods to differ materially from such statements. However, there can be no assurance that the events, results or trends identified in these forward-looking statements will occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and CuriosityStream is not under any obligation, and expressly disclaims any obligation to update, alter or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers should carefully review the statements set forth in the reports that CuriosityStream has filed or will file from time to time with the SEC.
In addition to factors previously disclosed in CuriosityStream's reports filed with the SEC and those identified elsewhere in this communication, the following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements or historical performance: (i) risks related to CuriosityStream's ability to maintain and develop new and existing revenue-generating relationships and partnerships or to significantly increase CuriosityStream's subscriber base and retain customers; (ii) the effects of pending and future legislation; (iii) risks of the internet, online commerce and media industry; (iv) the highly competitive nature of the internet, online commerce and media industry and CuriosityStream's ability to compete therein; (v) litigation, complaints, and/or adverse publicity; and (vi) privacy and data protection laws, privacy or data breaches, or the loss of data.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
To supplement our unaudited consolidated statement of operations, which is prepared in accordance with GAAP, we present Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow in this press release. Our use of non-GAAP financial measures, such as Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow, has limitations as an analytical tool, and these measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of financial results as reported under GAAP.
The Company is not able to provide expectations of net cash generated from operating activities, the closest comparable GAAP measure to Adjusted Free Cash Flow (a non-GAAP measure), on a forward-looking basis. The Company is unable to predict without unreasonable costs and efforts the ultimate amounts of certain cash receipts and outlays because, in part, such items may have not yet occurred, are out of the Company's control and/or cannot be reasonably predicted. These items are further described in the reconciliation tables and related descriptions below. Further, these items are uncertain, depend on various factors and could be material to the Company's results computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
We use these non-GAAP financial measures in conjunction with financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP for planning purposes, including in the preparation of our annual operating budget, as a measure of our core operating results and the effectiveness of our business strategy, and in evaluating our financial performance. These measures provide consistency and comparability with past financial performance, facilitate period-to-period comparisons of core operating results, and also facilitate comparisons with other peer companies, many of which use similar non-GAAP financial measures to supplement their GAAP results. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Free Cash Flow are widely used by investors and securities analysts to measure a company's operating performance. We exclude the following items from net income to calculate Adjusted EBITDA: interest and other income (expense), provision for income taxes, depreciation and non-content amortization, loss/(gain) on the change in fair value of our warrants, equity interests loss (gain), impairment of goodwill, intangible assets and content assets, restructuring charges and stock-based compensation. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is calculated as net cash flow used in operating activities less purchases of property and equipment, restructuring charges and nonrecurring license fees.
Investors are cautioned that there are material limitations associated with the use of non-GAAP financial measures as an analytical tool. In particular, (1) although depreciation and amortization expense are non-cash charges, the assets subject to depreciation and amortization may have to be replaced in the future, and Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect cash capital expenditure requirements for such replacements or for new capital expenditure requirements; (2) Adjusted EBITDA does not reflect: (a) changes in, or cash requirements for, our working capital needs; or (b) tax payments that may represent a reduction in cash available to us; and (3) Adjusted Free Cash Flow does not reflect: (a) our cash flow available for discretionary payments; (b) our future contractual commitments (such as any debt service requirements or dividend payments); (c) funds available for investment or other discretionary uses; (d) certain capital expenditure requirements; or (e) the total increase or decrease in our cash balances for the stated period. The non-GAAP financial measures we use may be different from non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies, limiting their usefulness for comparison purposes. We compensate for these limitations by providing specific information regarding the GAAP items excluded from these non-GAAP financial measures. A reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial measures has been provided in the financial statements tables included in this press release and investors are encouraged to review the reconciliation.
About CuriosityStream Inc.
CuriosityStream Inc. (Nasdaq:CURI) is the entertainment brand for people who want to know more. The global media company is home to award-winning original and curated factual films, shows, and series covering science, nature, history, technology, society, and lifestyle. CuriosityStream is also a leader in high-integrity AI video model training and data licensing, extending the reach and value of its premium library. With millions of subscribers worldwide and thousands of titles, the company operates the flagship Curiosity Stream SVOD service, available in more than 175 countries worldwide; Curiosity Channel, the linear television channel available via global distribution partners; Curiosity University, featuring talks from the best professors at the world's most renowned universities as well as courses, short and long-form videos, and podcasts; Curiosity Now, Curiosity History, Curiosity Animals, Curiosity Explora, and other free, ad-supported channels; Curiosity Audio Network, with original content and podcasts; and Curiosity Studios, which oversees original programming. For more information, visit CuriosityStream.com.
Contact:
CuriosityStream Investor Relations
Brett Maas
IR@CuriosityStream.com
CuriosityStream Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited and in thousands) | March 31, | December 31, | ||||||
Assets | ||||||||
Current assets | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 16,900 | $ | 18,318 | ||||
Restricted cash | 60 | 60 | ||||||
Short-term investments in debt and other securities | 3,493 | 8,966 | ||||||
Accounts receivable, net | 5,809 | 8,893 | ||||||
Other current assets | 1,207 | 1,198 | ||||||
Total current assets | 27,469 | 37,435 | ||||||
Investments in debt securities | 2,959 | - | ||||||
Investments in equity method investees | 3,698 | 3,668 | ||||||
Property and equipment, net | 371 | 404 | ||||||
Content assets, net | 31,311 | 31,000 | ||||||
Operating lease right-of-use assets | 2,684 | 2,763 | ||||||
Other assets | 664 | 461 | ||||||
Total assets | $ | 69,156 | $ | 75,731 | ||||
Liabilities and stockholders' equity | ||||||||
Current liabilities | ||||||||
Content liabilities | $ | 306 | $ | 362 | ||||
Accounts payable | 6,415 | 9,449 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 13,455 | 12,094 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 8,618 | 8,409 | ||||||
Total current liabilities | 28,794 | 30,314 | ||||||
- | - | |||||||
Non-current operating lease liabilities | 3,347 | 3,460 | ||||||
Other liabilities | 554 | 470 | ||||||
Total liabilities | 32,695 | 34,244 | ||||||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) | ||||||||
Stockholders' equity | ||||||||
Common stock, | 5 | 5 | ||||||
Treasury stock | (562 | ) | (251 | ) | ||||
Additional paid-in capital | 379,136 | 377,577 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (342,118 | ) | (335,844 | ) | ||||
Total stockholders' equity | 36,461 | 41,487 | ||||||
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity | $ | 69,156 | $ | 75,731 | ||||
CuriosityStream Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
(unaudited and in thousands except per share amounts) | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
Revenues | $ | 15,161 | $ | 15,090 | ||||
Operating expenses | ||||||||
Cost of revenues | 6,657 | 7,080 | ||||||
Advertising and marketing | 3,515 | 2,934 | ||||||
General and administrative | 6,533 | 4,997 | ||||||
16,705 | 15,011 | |||||||
Operating loss | (1,544 | ) | 79 | |||||
Change in fair value of warrant liability | - | (7 | ) | |||||
Interest and other income | 210 | 426 | ||||||
Equity method investment income (loss) | 30 | (151 | ) | |||||
(Loss) income before income taxes | (1,304 | ) | 347 | |||||
Provision for income taxes | 24 | 28 | ||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (1,328 | ) | $ | 319 | |||
Net (loss) income per share | ||||||||
Basic | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.01 | |||
Diluted | $ | (0.02 | ) | $ | 0.01 | |||
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding | ||||||||
Basic | 58,949 | 57,132 | ||||||
Diluted | 58,949 | 57,132 | ||||||
CuriosityStream Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
(unaudited and in thousands) | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
Cash flows from operating activities | ||||||||
Net (loss) income | $ | (1,328 | ) | $ | 319 | |||
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities | ||||||||
Change in fair value of warrant liability | - | 8 | ||||||
Additions to content assets | (4,026 | ) | (1,828 | ) | ||||
Change in content liabilities | (56 | ) | (276 | ) | ||||
Amortization of content assets | 3,678 | 3,513 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization expenses | 41 | 41 | ||||||
Amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts associated with investments in debt securities, net | (32 | ) | (195 | ) | ||||
Stock-based compensation | 2,241 | 863 | ||||||
Equity method investment (income) loss | (30 | ) | 151 | |||||
Other non-cash items | 161 | 120 | ||||||
Changes in operating assets and liabilities | ||||||||
Accounts receivable | 3,084 | (1,619 | ) | |||||
Other assets | (227 | ) | 3 | |||||
Accounts payable | (3,081 | ) | (757 | ) | ||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 583 | 2,058 | ||||||
Deferred revenue | 202 | (479 | ) | |||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,210 | 1,922 | ||||||
Cash flows from investing activities | ||||||||
Purchases of property and equipment | - | (77 | ) | |||||
Sales of investments in debt securities | $ | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||
Maturities of investments in debt securities | $ | 4,500 | 7,400 | |||||
Purchases of investments in debt securities | $ | (2,954 | ) | (6,253 | ) | |||
Net cash provided by investing activities | $ | 2,546 | 2,070 | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities | ||||||||
Repurchases of common stock | (311 | ) | - | |||||
Dividends paid | $ | (4,862 | ) | (2,277 | ) | |||
Payments related to tax withholding | $ | (1 | ) | (358 | ) | |||
Net cash used in financing activities | $ | (5,174 | ) | (2,635 | ) | |||
Net (decrease) increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash | (1,418 | ) | 1,357 | |||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period | 18,378 | 7,951 | ||||||
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period | 16,960 | 9,308 | ||||||
Supplemental disclosure: | ||||||||
Cash paid for taxes, net | $ | 61 | $ | 34 | ||||
Cash paid for operating leases | $ | 97 | $ | 141 | ||||
CuriosityStream Inc.
Reconciliation from Net (Loss) Income to Adjusted EBITDA
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
(unaudited and in thousands) | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
Net Loss | $ | (1,328 | ) | $ | 319 | |||
Change in fair value of warrant liability | - | 7 | ||||||
Interest and other income | (210 | ) | (426 | ) | ||||
Provision for income taxes | 24 | 28 | ||||||
Equity method investment income (loss) | (30 | ) | 151 | |||||
Depreciation and amortization1 | 41 | 41 | ||||||
Restructuring2 | - | 25 | ||||||
Other nonrecurring3 | 171 | 93 | ||||||
Stock-based compensation | 2,241 | 863 | ||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 909 | $ | 1,101 | ||||
1 Amounts do not include amortization of content assets.
2 Consists primarily of severance and workforce optimization expenses resulting from a 2024 reduction in force.
3 Consists of nonrecurring license and risk mitigation expenses.
CuriosityStream Inc.
Reconciliation from Net Cash Flow provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Free Cash Flow
Three Months Ended | ||||||||
(In thousands) | 2026 | 2025 | ||||||
Net cash flow provided by operating activities | $ | 1,210 | $ | 1,922 | ||||
Restructuring payments1 | - | 45 | ||||||
Other nonrecurring payments2 | 65 | 38 | ||||||
Adjusted Free Cash Flow | $ | 1,275 | $ | 2,005 | ||||
1 Consists primarily of severance and workforce optimization payments resulting from 2024 reductions in force.
2 Consists primarily of payments related to risk mitigation efforts.
SOURCE: CuriosityStream
View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire