Warner Music Group Corp. Reports Results for Fiscal Fourth Quarter and Full Year Ended September 30, 2025
Financial Highlights
- Quarterly Revenue Reaches an All-Time High, Underpinned by Double-Digit Growth Across Recorded Music and Music Publishing
- Market Share Gains Drive Sequential Acceleration in Recorded Music Streaming Growth, Led by High-Single Digit Growth in Subscription Streaming
- Music Publishing Performance Reflects Broad-Based Strength Highlighting Strong Second Half Improvement
- 2026 Outlook Supported by Healthy Music Industry Trends and Strategy to Accelerate Growth, with Cost Savings Expected to Contribute 150 to 200 Basis Points of Margin Improvement
For the three months ended September 30, 2025
-
Total revenue increased
15% , or13% in constant currency -
Digital revenue increased
8% , or6% in constant currency -
Net income was
versus$109 million in prior-year quarter$48 million -
Adjusted OIBDA increased
15% to versus$405 million in prior-year quarter (or$353 million 12% in constant currency) -
Cash provided by operating activities decreased
24% to from$231 million in prior-year quarter$304 million
For the twelve months ended September 30, 2025
-
Total revenue increased
4% , the same in constant currency -
Digital revenue increased
3% , the same in constant currency -
Net income was
versus$370 million in prior year$478 million -
Adjusted OIBDA increased
1% to versus$1,443 million in prior year (the same in constant currency)$1,432 million -
Cash provided by operating activities decreased
10% to from$678 million in prior year$754 million
"With our artists and songwriters hotter than ever, market share gains drove our quarterly revenues to an all-time high,” said Robert Kyncl, CEO, Warner Music Group. “Our powerful momentum is underpinned by increasing the value of music- through volume and rate increases- and now with incremental revenue opportunities in AI."
"We have made significant progress against our priorities to accelerate top and bottom-line growth and drive efficiency,” said Armin Zerza, CFO, Warner Music Group. “The double digit revenue jump we delivered in Q4, and our stronger second half performance, demonstrates that our strategy is working. We look forward to sustained profitable growth in 2026, as we continue to invest to deliver bigger opportunities for artists and songwriters and greater shareholder value."
Total WMG
Total WMG Summary Results |
|||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||
|
For the Three Months
|
|
For the Three
|
|
% Change |
|
For the Twelve
|
|
For the Twelve
|
|
% Change |
||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
(audited) |
|
(audited) |
|
|
||||||
Revenue |
$ |
1,868 |
|
$ |
1,630 |
|
15 |
% |
|
$ |
6,707 |
|
$ |
6,426 |
|
4 |
% |
Recorded Music revenue |
|
1,534 |
|
|
1,338 |
|
15 |
% |
|
|
5,408 |
|
|
5,223 |
|
4 |
% |
Music Publishing revenue |
|
337 |
|
|
295 |
|
14 |
% |
|
|
1,306 |
|
|
1,210 |
|
8 |
% |
|
143 |
|
|
143 |
|
— |
% |
|
|
694 |
|
|
823 |
|
-16 |
% |
|
Adjusted OIBDA(1) |
|
405 |
|
|
353 |
|
15 |
% |
|
|
1,443 |
|
|
1,432 |
|
1 |
% |
Net income |
|
109 |
|
|
48 |
|
— |
% |
|
|
370 |
|
|
478 |
|
-23 |
% |
Net cash provided by operating activities |
|
231 |
|
|
304 |
|
-24 |
% |
|
|
678 |
|
|
754 |
|
-10 |
% |
Free Cash Flow |
|
203 |
|
|
271 |
|
-25 |
% |
|
|
539 |
|
|
638 |
|
-16 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding this measure. |
|||||||||||||||||
Fourth-Quarter Results
Revenue was up
Digital revenue increased
Operating income remained constant at
Adjusted OIBDA increased
Net income increased by
Basic and Diluted earnings per share were
As of September 30, 2025, the Company reported a cash balance of
Cash provided by operating activities decreased
Full-Year Results
Total revenue increased
Digital revenue increased
Operating income decreased by
Adjusted OIBDA increased
Net income decreased by
Basic and Diluted earnings per share were
Cash provided by operating activities decreased
Recorded Music
Recorded Music Summary Results |
|||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||
|
For the Three
|
|
For the Three
|
|
% Change |
|
For the Twelve
|
|
For the Twelve
|
|
% Change |
||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
||||||
Revenue |
$ |
1,534 |
|
$ |
1,338 |
|
15 |
% |
|
$ |
5,408 |
|
$ |
5,223 |
|
4 |
% |
Digital revenue |
|
951 |
|
|
881 |
|
8 |
% |
|
|
3,594 |
|
|
3,519 |
|
2 |
% |
Operating income |
|
208 |
|
|
178 |
|
17 |
% |
|
|
850 |
|
|
916 |
|
-7 |
% |
Adjusted OIBDA(1) |
|
355 |
|
|
317 |
|
12 |
% |
|
|
1,269 |
|
|
1,282 |
|
-1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding this measure. |
|||||||||||||||||
Recorded Music Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
For the Three
|
|
For the Three
|
|
For the Three
|
|
For the Twelve
|
|
For the Twelve
|
|
For the Twelve
|
||||||
|
As reported |
|
As reported |
|
Constant |
|
As reported |
|
As reported |
|
Constant |
||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
||||||
Digital |
$ |
951 |
|
$ |
881 |
|
$ |
895 |
|
$ |
3,594 |
|
$ |
3,519 |
|
$ |
3,513 |
Physical |
|
130 |
|
|
134 |
|
|
137 |
|
|
527 |
|
|
519 |
|
|
524 |
Total Digital and Physical |
|
1,081 |
|
|
1,015 |
|
|
1,032 |
|
|
4,121 |
|
|
4,038 |
|
|
4,037 |
Artist services and expanded-rights |
|
327 |
|
|
195 |
|
|
199 |
|
|
835 |
|
|
684 |
|
|
688 |
Licensing |
|
126 |
|
|
128 |
|
|
130 |
|
|
452 |
|
|
501 |
|
|
504 |
Total Recorded Music |
$ |
1,534 |
|
$ |
1,338 |
|
$ |
1,361 |
|
$ |
5,408 |
|
$ |
5,223 |
|
$ |
5,229 |
Fourth-Quarter Results
Recorded Music revenue was up
Recorded Music operating income was
Adjusted OIBDA increased
Full-Year Results
Recorded Music revenue was up
Recorded Music operating income decreased to
Adjusted OIBDA decreased
Music Publishing
Music Publishing Summary Results |
|||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||
|
For the Three
|
|
For the Three
|
|
% Change |
|
For the Twelve
|
|
For the Twelve
|
|
% Change |
||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
||||||
Revenue |
$ |
337 |
|
$ |
295 |
|
14 |
% |
|
$ |
1,306 |
|
$ |
1,210 |
|
8 |
% |
Operating income |
|
57 |
|
|
53 |
|
8 |
% |
|
|
224 |
|
|
238 |
|
-6 |
% |
Adjusted OIBDA(1) |
|
97 |
|
|
83 |
|
17 |
% |
|
|
361 |
|
|
330 |
|
9 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding this measure. |
|||||||||||||||||
Music Publishing Revenue |
|||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
|||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||
|
For the Three
|
|
For the Three
|
|
For the Three
|
|
For the Twelve
|
|
For the Twelve
|
|
For the Twelve
|
||||||
|
As reported |
|
As reported |
|
Constant |
|
As reported |
|
As reported |
|
Constant |
||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
||||||
Performance |
$ |
61 |
|
$ |
43 |
|
$ |
45 |
|
$ |
228 |
|
$ |
198 |
|
$ |
198 |
Digital |
|
201 |
|
|
186 |
|
|
187 |
|
|
800 |
|
|
763 |
|
|
762 |
Mechanical |
|
17 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
15 |
|
|
63 |
|
|
58 |
|
|
58 |
Synchronization |
|
55 |
|
|
46 |
|
|
46 |
|
|
197 |
|
|
175 |
|
|
175 |
Other |
|
3 |
|
|
5 |
|
|
6 |
|
|
18 |
|
|
16 |
|
|
16 |
Total Music Publishing |
$ |
337 |
|
$ |
295 |
|
$ |
299 |
|
$ |
1,306 |
|
$ |
1,210 |
|
$ |
1,209 |
Fourth-Quarter Results
Music Publishing revenue increased
Music Publishing operating income increased to
Adjusted OIBDA increased
Full-Year Results
Music Publishing revenue increased
Music Publishing operating income decreased to
Adjusted OIBDA increased
This morning, management will be hosting a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 A.M. EST. The call will be webcast on www.wmg.com.
About Warner Music Group
With a legacy extending back over 200 years, Warner Music Group today is home to an unparalleled family of creative artists, songwriters, and companies that are moving culture across the globe. At the core of WMG’s Recorded Music division are four of the most iconic companies in history: Atlantic, Elektra, Parlophone and Warner Records. They are joined by renowned labels such as TenThousand Projects, 300 Entertainment, Asylum, Big Beat, Canvasback, East West, Erato, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Spinnin’ Records, Warner Classics and Warner Music Nashville. Warner Chappell Music - which traces its origins back to the founding of Chappell & Company in 1811 - is one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights spanning every musical genre from the standards of the Great American Songbook to the biggest hits of the 21st century.
"Safe Harbor" Statement under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995
This communication includes forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Warner Music Group about future events and financial performance. Words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "forecasts" and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and we disclaim any duty to update such statements. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith, and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, we cannot assure you that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Please refer to our Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and our other filings with the
We maintain an Internet site at www.wmg.com. We use our website as a channel of distribution for material company information. Financial and other material information regarding Warner Music Group is routinely posted on and accessible at http://investors.wmg.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Warner Music Group by enrolling your email address through the “email alerts” section at http://investors.wmg.com. Our website and the information posted on it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this communication.
Figure 1. Warner Music Group Corp. - Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations, Three and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 |
||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|||||
Revenue |
$ |
1,868 |
|
|
$ |
1,630 |
|
|
15 |
% |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cost of revenue |
|
(1,034 |
) |
|
|
(854 |
) |
|
21 |
% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
(494 |
) |
|
|
(495 |
) |
|
— |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
(125 |
) |
|
|
(81 |
) |
|
54 |
% |
Amortization expense |
|
(72 |
) |
|
|
(57 |
) |
|
26 |
% |
Total costs and expenses |
$ |
(1,725 |
) |
|
$ |
(1,487 |
) |
|
16 |
% |
Operating income |
$ |
143 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
|
— |
% |
Interest expense, net |
|
(43 |
) |
|
|
(40 |
) |
|
8 |
% |
Other income (expense), net |
|
6 |
|
|
|
(52 |
) |
|
— |
% |
Income before income taxes |
$ |
106 |
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
— |
% |
Income tax benefit (expense) |
|
3 |
|
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
— |
% |
Net income |
$ |
109 |
|
|
$ |
48 |
|
|
— |
% |
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
— |
|
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
-100 |
% |
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. |
$ |
109 |
|
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
— |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Class A – Basic and Diluted |
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
|
|
Class B – Basic and Diluted |
$ |
0.21 |
|
|
$ |
0.08 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(audited) |
|
|
|||||
Revenue |
$ |
6,707 |
|
|
$ |
6,426 |
|
|
4 |
% |
Costs and expenses: |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cost of revenue |
|
(3,632 |
) |
|
|
(3,355 |
) |
|
8 |
% |
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
|
(1,889 |
) |
|
|
(1,879 |
) |
|
1 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
(234 |
) |
|
|
(177 |
) |
|
32 |
% |
Amortization expense |
|
(258 |
) |
|
|
(224 |
) |
|
15 |
% |
Total costs and expenses |
$ |
(6,013 |
) |
|
$ |
(5,635 |
) |
|
7 |
% |
Net gain on divestitures |
|
— |
|
|
|
32 |
|
|
-100 |
% |
Operating income |
$ |
694 |
|
|
$ |
823 |
|
|
-16 |
% |
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Interest expense, net |
|
(162 |
) |
|
|
(161 |
) |
|
1 |
% |
Other expense, net |
|
(42 |
) |
|
|
(61 |
) |
|
-31 |
% |
Income before income taxes |
$ |
490 |
|
|
$ |
601 |
|
|
-18 |
% |
Income tax expense |
|
(120 |
) |
|
|
(123 |
) |
|
-2 |
% |
Net income |
$ |
370 |
|
|
$ |
478 |
|
|
-23 |
% |
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
(5 |
) |
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
-88 |
% |
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. |
$ |
365 |
|
|
$ |
435 |
|
|
-16 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Net income per share attributable to common stockholders: |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Class A – Basic and Diluted |
$ |
0.69 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
|
|
Class B – Basic and Diluted |
$ |
0.69 |
|
|
$ |
0.83 |
|
|
|
|
Figure 2. Warner Music Group Corp. - Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 |
||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
September 30,
|
|
September 30,
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|
|
|||||
Assets |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Current assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Cash and equivalents |
$ |
532 |
|
|
$ |
694 |
|
|
-23 |
% |
Accounts receivable, net |
|
1,340 |
|
|
|
1,255 |
|
|
7 |
% |
Inventories |
|
62 |
|
|
|
99 |
|
|
-37 |
% |
Royalty advances expected to be recouped within one year |
|
581 |
|
|
|
470 |
|
|
24 |
% |
Assets Held For Sale |
|
89 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Prepaid and other current assets |
|
166 |
|
|
|
125 |
|
|
33 |
% |
Total current assets |
$ |
2,770 |
|
|
$ |
2,643 |
|
|
5 |
% |
Royalty advances expected to be recouped after one year |
|
1,079 |
|
|
|
874 |
|
|
23 |
% |
Property, plant and equipment, net |
|
441 |
|
|
|
481 |
|
|
-8 |
% |
Operating lease right-of-use assets, net |
|
189 |
|
|
|
225 |
|
|
-16 |
% |
Goodwill |
|
2,061 |
|
|
|
2,021 |
|
|
2 |
% |
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net |
|
2,725 |
|
|
|
2,359 |
|
|
16 |
% |
Intangible assets not subject to amortization |
|
154 |
|
|
|
152 |
|
|
1 |
% |
Deferred tax assets, net |
|
111 |
|
|
|
52 |
|
|
— |
% |
Other assets |
|
299 |
|
|
|
348 |
|
|
-14 |
% |
Total assets |
$ |
9,829 |
|
|
$ |
9,155 |
|
|
7 |
% |
Liabilities and Equity |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Current liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Accounts payable |
$ |
257 |
|
|
$ |
289 |
|
|
-11 |
% |
Accrued royalties |
|
2,740 |
|
|
|
2,549 |
|
|
7 |
% |
Accrued liabilities |
|
666 |
|
|
|
641 |
|
|
4 |
% |
Accrued interest |
|
31 |
|
|
|
17 |
|
|
82 |
% |
Operating lease liabilities, current |
|
43 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
-4 |
% |
Deferred revenue |
|
286 |
|
|
|
246 |
|
|
16 |
% |
Liabilities Held For Sale |
|
49 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Other current liabilities |
|
129 |
|
|
|
110 |
|
|
17 |
% |
Total current liabilities |
$ |
4,201 |
|
|
$ |
3,897 |
|
|
8 |
% |
Acquisition Corp. long-term debt |
|
4,063 |
|
|
|
4,014 |
|
|
1 |
% |
Asset-based long-term debt |
|
302 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Operating lease liabilities, noncurrent |
|
200 |
|
|
|
228 |
|
|
-12 |
% |
Deferred tax liabilities, net |
|
164 |
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
-16 |
% |
Other noncurrent liabilities |
|
142 |
|
|
|
146 |
|
|
-3 |
% |
Total liabilities |
$ |
9,072 |
|
|
$ |
8,480 |
|
|
7 |
% |
Equity: |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Class A common stock |
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Class B common stock |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
— |
% |
Additional paid-in capital |
|
2,166 |
|
|
|
2,077 |
|
|
4 |
% |
Accumulated deficit |
|
(1,331 |
) |
|
|
(1,313 |
) |
|
1 |
% |
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net |
|
(189 |
) |
|
|
(247 |
) |
|
-23 |
% |
Total Warner Music Group Corp. equity |
$ |
647 |
|
|
$ |
518 |
|
|
25 |
% |
Noncontrolling interest |
|
110 |
|
|
|
157 |
|
|
-30 |
% |
Total equity |
|
757 |
|
|
|
675 |
|
|
12 |
% |
Total liabilities and equity |
$ |
9,829 |
|
|
$ |
9,155 |
|
|
7 |
% |
Figure 3. Warner Music Group Corp. - Summarized Statements of Cash Flows, Three and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 |
|||||||
(dollars in millions) |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
||||
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
231 |
|
|
$ |
304 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(67 |
) |
|
|
(110 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
(153 |
) |
|
|
(116 |
) |
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and equivalents |
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
9 |
|
Cash balances classified as assets held for sale |
|
(3 |
) |
|
$ |
— |
|
Net increase in cash and equivalents |
$ |
5 |
|
|
$ |
87 |
|
|
|
|
|
||||
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(audited) |
||||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
678 |
|
|
$ |
754 |
|
Net cash used in investing activities |
|
(340 |
) |
|
|
(311 |
) |
Net cash used in financing activities |
|
(497 |
) |
|
|
(396 |
) |
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and equivalents |
|
— |
|
|
|
6 |
|
Cash balances classified as assets held for sale |
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
Net (decrease) increase in cash and equivalents |
$ |
(162 |
) |
|
$ |
53 |
|
Figure 4. Warner Music Group Corp. - Digital Revenue Summary, Three and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 |
||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|||||
Recorded Music |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Subscription |
$ |
700 |
|
|
$ |
645 |
|
|
9 |
% |
Ad-Supported |
|
231 |
|
|
|
221 |
|
|
5 |
% |
Streaming |
$ |
931 |
|
|
$ |
866 |
|
|
8 |
% |
Downloads and Other Digital |
|
20 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
33 |
% |
Total Recorded Music Digital Revenue |
$ |
951 |
|
|
$ |
881 |
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Music Publishing |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Streaming |
$ |
199 |
|
|
$ |
182 |
|
|
9 |
% |
Downloads and Other Digital |
|
2 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
-50 |
% |
Total Music Publishing Digital Revenue |
$ |
201 |
|
|
$ |
186 |
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Streaming |
$ |
1,130 |
|
|
$ |
1,048 |
|
|
8 |
% |
Downloads and Other Digital |
|
22 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
16 |
% |
Intersegment Eliminations |
|
— |
|
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
-100 |
% |
Total Digital Revenue |
$ |
1,152 |
|
|
$ |
1,066 |
|
|
8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|||||
Recorded Music |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Subscription |
$ |
2,627 |
|
|
$ |
2,543 |
|
|
3 |
% |
Ad-Supported |
|
878 |
|
|
|
901 |
|
|
-3 |
% |
Streaming |
$ |
3,505 |
|
|
$ |
3,444 |
|
|
2 |
% |
Downloads and Other Digital |
|
89 |
|
|
|
75 |
|
|
19 |
% |
Total Recorded Music Digital Revenue |
$ |
3,594 |
|
|
$ |
3,519 |
|
|
2 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Music Publishing |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Streaming |
$ |
791 |
|
|
$ |
752 |
|
|
5 |
% |
Downloads and Other Digital |
|
9 |
|
|
|
11 |
|
|
-18 |
% |
Total Music Publishing Digital Revenue |
$ |
800 |
|
|
$ |
763 |
|
|
5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Consolidated |
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Streaming |
$ |
4,296 |
|
|
$ |
4,196 |
|
|
2 |
% |
Downloads and Other Digital |
|
98 |
|
|
|
86 |
|
|
14 |
% |
Intersegment Eliminations |
|
(1 |
) |
|
|
(2 |
) |
|
-50 |
% |
Total Digital Revenue |
$ |
4,393 |
|
|
$ |
4,280 |
|
|
3 |
% |
Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including the following non-GAAP financial measures:
Adjusted OIBDA
We allocate resources and evaluate performance based on several factors, including Adjusted OIBDA. We define Adjusted OIBDA as operating income (loss) adjusted to exclude the following items: (i) non-cash depreciation of tangible assets, (ii) non-cash amortization of intangible assets, (iii) non-cash stock-based compensation and other related expenses, (iv) gains or losses on divestitures, (v) expenses related to restructuring and transformation initiatives, which includes costs associated with the Company’s financial transformation initiative to design and implement new information technology and upgrade our finance infrastructure, and (vi) executive transition costs. Items excluded are not viewed to contribute directly to management’s evaluation of operating results. We consider Adjusted OIBDA to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses. However, a limitation of the use of Adjusted OIBDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenues in our businesses. Accordingly, Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with
Figure 5. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted OIBDA, Three and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 |
||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|||||
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. |
$ |
109 |
|
|
$ |
41 |
|
|
— |
% |
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
— |
|
|
|
7 |
|
|
-100 |
% |
Net income |
$ |
109 |
|
|
$ |
48 |
|
|
— |
% |
Income tax (benefit) expense |
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
3 |
|
|
— |
% |
Income including income taxes |
$ |
106 |
|
|
$ |
51 |
|
|
— |
% |
Other (income) expense, net |
|
(6 |
) |
|
|
52 |
|
|
— |
% |
Interest expense, net |
|
43 |
|
|
|
40 |
|
|
8 |
% |
Operating income |
$ |
143 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
|
— |
% |
Amortization expense |
|
72 |
|
|
|
57 |
|
|
26 |
% |
Depreciation expense |
|
32 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
23 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
125 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
54 |
% |
Transformation initiative costs |
|
17 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
-15 |
% |
Executive transition costs |
|
4 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Non-cash stock-based compensation and other related costs |
|
12 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
-54 |
% |
Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
405 |
|
|
$ |
353 |
|
|
15 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating income margin |
|
7.7 |
% |
|
|
8.8 |
% |
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
21.7 |
% |
|
|
21.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|||||
Net income attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. |
$ |
365 |
|
|
$ |
435 |
|
|
-16 |
% |
Income attributable to noncontrolling interest |
|
5 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
-88 |
% |
Net income |
$ |
370 |
|
|
$ |
478 |
|
|
-23 |
% |
Income tax expense |
|
120 |
|
|
|
123 |
|
|
-2 |
% |
Income including income taxes |
$ |
490 |
|
|
$ |
601 |
|
|
-18 |
% |
Other expense, net |
|
42 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
-31 |
% |
Interest expense, net |
|
162 |
|
|
|
161 |
|
|
1 |
% |
Loss on extinguishment of debt |
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Operating income |
$ |
694 |
|
|
$ |
823 |
|
|
-16 |
% |
Amortization expense |
|
258 |
|
|
|
224 |
|
|
15 |
% |
Depreciation expense |
|
118 |
|
|
|
103 |
|
|
15 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
234 |
|
|
|
177 |
|
|
32 |
% |
Transformation initiative costs |
|
70 |
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
-8 |
% |
Executive transition costs |
|
8 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Net gain on divestitures |
|
— |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
-100 |
% |
Non-cash stock-based compensation and other related costs |
|
61 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
— |
% |
Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
1,443 |
|
|
$ |
1,432 |
|
|
1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Operating income margin |
|
10.3 |
% |
|
|
12.8 |
% |
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
21.5 |
% |
|
|
22.3 |
% |
|
|
|
Figure 6. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income to Adjusted OIBDA, Three and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 |
||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|||||
Total WMG operating income – GAAP |
$ |
143 |
|
|
$ |
143 |
|
|
— |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
(104 |
) |
|
|
(83 |
) |
|
25 |
% |
Total WMG OIBDA |
$ |
247 |
|
|
$ |
226 |
|
|
9 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
125 |
|
|
|
81 |
|
|
54 |
% |
Transformation initiative costs |
|
17 |
|
|
|
20 |
|
|
-15 |
% |
Executive transition costs |
|
4 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Non-cash stock-based compensation and other related costs |
|
12 |
|
|
|
26 |
|
|
-54 |
% |
Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
405 |
|
|
$ |
353 |
|
|
15 |
% |
Operating income margin |
|
7.7 |
% |
|
|
8.8 |
% |
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
21.7 |
% |
|
|
21.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Recorded Music operating income – GAAP |
$ |
208 |
|
|
$ |
178 |
|
|
17 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
(51 |
) |
|
|
(43 |
) |
|
19 |
% |
Recorded Music OIBDA |
$ |
259 |
|
|
$ |
221 |
|
|
17 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
88 |
|
|
|
77 |
|
|
14 |
% |
Executive transition costs |
|
4 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Non-cash stock-based compensation and other related costs |
|
4 |
|
|
|
19 |
|
|
-79 |
% |
Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
355 |
|
|
$ |
317 |
|
|
12 |
% |
Recorded Music operating income margin |
|
13.6 |
% |
|
|
13.3 |
% |
|
|
|
Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
23.1 |
% |
|
|
23.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Music Publishing operating income – GAAP |
$ |
57 |
|
|
$ |
53 |
|
|
8 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
(34 |
) |
|
|
(29 |
) |
|
17 |
% |
Music Publishing OIBDA |
$ |
91 |
|
|
$ |
82 |
|
|
11 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
5 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Non-cash stock-based compensation and other related costs |
|
1 |
|
|
|
1 |
|
|
— |
% |
Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
97 |
|
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
17 |
% |
Music Publishing operating income margin |
|
16.9 |
% |
|
|
18.0 |
% |
|
|
|
Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
28.8 |
% |
|
|
28.1 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
|
For the Twelve Months
|
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
% Change |
|||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
|
|||||
Total WMG operating income – GAAP |
$ |
694 |
|
|
$ |
823 |
|
|
-16 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
(376 |
) |
|
|
(327 |
) |
|
15 |
% |
Total WMG OIBDA |
$ |
1,070 |
|
|
$ |
1,150 |
|
|
-7 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
234 |
|
|
|
177 |
|
|
32 |
% |
Transformation initiative costs |
|
70 |
|
|
|
76 |
|
|
-8 |
% |
Executive transition costs |
|
8 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Net gain on divestitures |
|
— |
|
|
|
(32 |
) |
|
-100 |
% |
Non-cash stock-based compensation and other related costs |
|
61 |
|
|
|
61 |
|
|
— |
% |
Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
1,443 |
|
|
$ |
1,432 |
|
|
1 |
% |
Operating income margin |
|
10.3 |
% |
|
|
12.8 |
% |
|
|
|
Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
21.5 |
% |
|
|
22.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Recorded Music operating income – GAAP |
$ |
850 |
|
|
$ |
916 |
|
|
-7 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
(189 |
) |
|
|
(179 |
) |
|
6 |
% |
Recorded Music OIBDA |
$ |
1,039 |
|
|
$ |
1,095 |
|
|
-5 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
198 |
|
|
|
166 |
|
|
19 |
% |
Executive transition costs |
|
4 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Net gain on divestitures |
|
— |
|
|
|
(17 |
) |
|
-100 |
% |
Non-cash stock-based compensation and other related costs |
|
28 |
|
|
|
38 |
|
|
-26 |
% |
Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
1,269 |
|
|
$ |
1,282 |
|
|
-1 |
% |
Recorded Music operating income margin |
|
15.7 |
% |
|
|
17.5 |
% |
|
|
|
Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
23.5 |
% |
|
|
24.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||
Music Publishing operating income – GAAP |
$ |
224 |
|
|
$ |
238 |
|
|
-6 |
% |
Depreciation and amortization expense |
|
(127 |
) |
|
|
(102 |
) |
|
25 |
% |
Music Publishing OIBDA |
$ |
351 |
|
|
$ |
340 |
|
|
3 |
% |
Restructuring and impairments |
|
5 |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
% |
Net gain on divestitures |
|
— |
|
|
|
(14 |
) |
|
-100 |
% |
Non-cash stock-based compensation and other related costs |
|
5 |
|
|
|
4 |
|
|
25 |
% |
Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
361 |
|
|
$ |
330 |
|
|
9 |
% |
Music Publishing operating income margin |
|
17.2 |
% |
|
|
19.7 |
% |
|
|
|
Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
27.6 |
% |
|
|
27.3 |
% |
|
|
|
Constant Currency
Because exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe the presentation of revenue on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported revenue helps improve the ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant-currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period. We use results on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. We calculate constant-currency results by applying current-year foreign currency exchange rates to prior-year results. However, a limitation of the use of the constant-currency results as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the impact of exchange rates on our revenue. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with
Figure 7. Warner Music Group Corp. - Revenue by Geography and Segment, Three and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 As Reported and Constant Currency |
||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
For the Three Months
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
% Change |
|||||||
|
As reported |
|
As reported |
|
Constant |
|
Constant |
|||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Recorded Music |
$ |
616 |
|
|
$ |
558 |
|
|
$ |
558 |
|
|
10 |
% |
Music Publishing |
|
173 |
|
|
|
157 |
|
|
|
157 |
|
|
10 |
% |
International revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Recorded Music |
|
918 |
|
|
|
780 |
|
|
|
803 |
|
|
14 |
% |
Music Publishing |
|
164 |
|
|
|
138 |
|
|
|
142 |
|
|
15 |
% |
Intersegment eliminations |
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
200 |
% |
Total Revenue |
$ |
1,868 |
|
|
$ |
1,630 |
|
|
$ |
1,659 |
|
|
13 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Revenue by Segment: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Recorded Music |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Digital |
$ |
951 |
|
|
$ |
881 |
|
|
$ |
895 |
|
|
6 |
% |
Physical |
|
130 |
|
|
|
134 |
|
|
|
137 |
|
|
-5 |
% |
Total Digital and Physical |
|
1,081 |
|
|
|
1,015 |
|
|
|
1,032 |
|
|
5 |
% |
Artist services and expanded-rights |
|
327 |
|
|
|
195 |
|
|
|
199 |
|
|
64 |
% |
Licensing |
|
126 |
|
|
|
128 |
|
|
|
130 |
|
|
-3 |
% |
Total Recorded Music |
|
1,534 |
|
|
|
1,338 |
|
|
|
1,361 |
|
|
13 |
% |
Music Publishing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Performance |
|
61 |
|
|
|
43 |
|
|
|
45 |
|
|
36 |
% |
Digital |
|
201 |
|
|
|
186 |
|
|
|
187 |
|
|
7 |
% |
Mechanical |
|
17 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
|
15 |
|
|
13 |
% |
Synchronization |
|
55 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
|
46 |
|
|
20 |
% |
Other |
|
3 |
|
|
|
5 |
|
|
|
6 |
|
|
-50 |
% |
Total Music Publishing |
|
337 |
|
|
|
295 |
|
|
|
299 |
|
|
13 |
% |
Intersegment eliminations |
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(3 |
) |
|
|
(1 |
) |
|
200 |
% |
Total Revenue |
$ |
1,868 |
|
|
$ |
1,630 |
|
|
$ |
1,659 |
|
|
13 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
For the Twelve Months
|
|
For the Twelve Months
|
|
For the Twelve Months
|
|
% Change |
|||||||
|
As reported |
|
As reported |
|
Constant |
|
Constant |
|||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Recorded Music |
$ |
2,181 |
|
|
$ |
2,210 |
|
|
$ |
2,210 |
|
|
-1 |
% |
Music Publishing |
|
693 |
|
|
|
660 |
|
|
|
660 |
|
|
5 |
% |
International revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Recorded Music |
|
3,227 |
|
|
|
3,013 |
|
|
|
3,019 |
|
|
7 |
% |
Music Publishing |
|
613 |
|
|
|
550 |
|
|
|
549 |
|
|
12 |
% |
Intersegment eliminations |
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
40 |
% |
Total Revenue |
$ |
6,707 |
|
|
$ |
6,426 |
|
|
$ |
6,433 |
|
|
4 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Revenue by Segment: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Recorded Music |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Digital |
$ |
3,594 |
|
|
$ |
3,519 |
|
|
$ |
3,513 |
|
|
2 |
% |
Physical |
|
527 |
|
|
|
519 |
|
|
|
524 |
|
|
1 |
% |
Total Digital and Physical |
|
4,121 |
|
|
|
4,038 |
|
|
|
4,037 |
|
|
2 |
% |
Artist services and expanded-rights |
|
835 |
|
|
|
684 |
|
|
|
688 |
|
|
21 |
% |
Licensing |
|
452 |
|
|
|
501 |
|
|
|
504 |
|
|
-10 |
% |
Total Recorded Music |
|
5,408 |
|
|
|
5,223 |
|
|
|
5,229 |
|
|
3 |
% |
Music Publishing |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Performance |
|
228 |
|
|
|
198 |
|
|
|
198 |
|
|
15 |
% |
Digital |
|
800 |
|
|
|
763 |
|
|
|
762 |
|
|
5 |
% |
Mechanical |
|
63 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
|
58 |
|
|
9 |
% |
Synchronization |
|
197 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
|
175 |
|
|
13 |
% |
Other |
|
18 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
|
16 |
|
|
13 |
% |
Total Music Publishing |
|
1,306 |
|
|
|
1,210 |
|
|
|
1,209 |
|
|
8 |
% |
Intersegment eliminations |
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
(5 |
) |
|
40 |
% |
Total Revenue |
$ |
6,707 |
|
|
$ |
6,426 |
|
|
$ |
6,433 |
|
|
4 |
% |
Figure 8. Warner Music Group Corp. - Adjusted OIBDA by Segment, Three and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 As Reported and Constant Currency |
||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
For the Three Months
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
For the Three Months
|
|
% Change |
|||||||
|
As reported |
|
As reported |
|
Constant |
|
Constant |
|||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|||||||
Total WMG Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
405 |
|
|
$ |
353 |
|
|
$ |
361 |
|
|
12 |
% |
Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
21.7 |
% |
|
|
21.7 |
% |
|
|
21.8 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
355 |
|
|
$ |
317 |
|
|
$ |
323 |
|
|
10 |
% |
Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
23.1 |
% |
|
|
23.7 |
% |
|
|
23.7 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
97 |
|
|
$ |
83 |
|
|
$ |
85 |
|
|
15 |
% |
Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
28.8 |
% |
|
|
28.1 |
% |
|
|
28.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
|
For the Twelve Months
|
|
For the Twelve Months
|
|
For the Twelve Months
|
|
% Change |
|||||||
|
As reported |
|
As reported |
|
Constant |
|
Constant |
|||||||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
|||||||
Total WMG Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
1,443 |
|
|
$ |
1,432 |
|
|
$ |
1,434 |
|
|
1 |
% |
Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
21.5 |
% |
|
|
22.3 |
% |
|
|
22.3 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
1,269 |
|
|
$ |
1,282 |
|
|
$ |
1,283 |
|
|
-1 |
% |
Recorded Music Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
23.5 |
% |
|
|
24.5 |
% |
|
|
24.5 |
% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||
Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA |
$ |
361 |
|
|
$ |
330 |
|
|
$ |
331 |
|
|
9 |
% |
Music Publishing Adjusted OIBDA margin |
|
27.6 |
% |
|
|
27.3 |
% |
|
|
27.3 |
% |
|
|
|
Figure 9. Warner Music Group Corp. - Notable Items, As Reported |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in millions) |
FY 2024 |
|
FY 2025 |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
Three
|
|
Three
|
|
Three
|
|
Three
|
|
Three
|
|
Three
|
|
Three
|
|
Three
|
|||||||||
Revenue |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Recorded Music |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Streaming - Digital License Renewal |
$ |
30 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
Streaming - BMG Termination (a) |
|
16 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
4 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Streaming - DSP True-up Payments |
|
— |
|
|
21 |
|
|
22 |
|
|
— |
|
|
(7 |
) |
|
|
11 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Download and Other Digital - BMG Termination (a) |
|
— |
|
|
1 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Download and Other Digital - Copyright Settlement |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
16 |
|
|
— |
Physical - BMG Termination (a) |
|
16 |
|
|
14 |
|
|
10 |
|
|
7 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Licensing - Licensing Extension |
|
75 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Adjusted OIBDA |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Recorded Music |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||
Digital License Renewal |
$ |
12 |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
|
$ |
— |
BMG Termination (a) |
|
1 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
1 |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
DSP True-up Payments |
|
— |
|
|
11 |
|
|
12 |
|
|
— |
|
|
(4 |
) |
|
|
7 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
Copyright Settlement |
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
9 |
|
|
— |
Licensing Extension |
|
74 |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
|
|
— |
(a) The BMG Termination impact shown in FY 2024 represents the incremental revenue and Adjusted OIBDA compared to the current year. |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
Free Cash Flow
Our definition of Free Cash Flow is defined as cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures. We use Free Cash Flow, among other measures, to evaluate our operating performance. Management believes Free Cash Flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to fund our debt service requirements, ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, strategic acquisitions and investments, and any dividends, prepayments of debt or repurchases or retirement of our outstanding debt or notes in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases, any repurchases of our common stock or otherwise. As a result, Free Cash Flow is a significant measure of our ability to generate long-term value. It is useful for investors to know whether this ability is being enhanced or degraded as a result of our operating performance. We believe the presentation of Free Cash Flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method management uses.
Free Cash Flow is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with
Figure 10. Warner Music Group Corp. - Calculation of Free Cash Flow, Three and Twelve Months Ended September 30, 2025 versus September 30, 2024 |
|||||
(dollars in millions) |
|||||
|
|
|
|
||
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
|
For the Three Months Ended
|
||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
231 |
|
$ |
304 |
Less: Capital expenditures |
|
28 |
|
|
33 |
|
|
|
|
||
Free Cash Flow |
$ |
203 |
|
$ |
271 |
|
|
|
|
||
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
|
For the Twelve Months Ended
|
||
|
(unaudited) |
|
(unaudited) |
||
Net cash provided by operating activities |
$ |
678 |
|
$ |
754 |
Less: Capital expenditures |
|
139 |
|
|
116 |
|
|
|
|
||
Free Cash Flow |
$ |
539 |
|
$ |
638 |
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251120128490/en/
Media Contact:
James Steven
(212) 275-2213
James.Steven@wmg.com
Investor Contact:
Kareem Chin
Investor.Relations@wmg.com
Source: WMG