Beasley Broadcast’s Earnings Call: Digital Growth Amid Challenges

Beasley Broadcast ((BBGI)) has held its Q3 earnings call. Read on for the main highlights of the call.

The recent earnings call for Beasley Broadcast Group painted a mixed picture, with significant achievements in digital revenue growth and operating margin expansion, yet challenges remain due to overall revenue decline and leadership changes. The sentiment expressed during the call was cautiously optimistic, highlighting both the strides made in digital transformation and the hurdles posed by declining revenues in traditional segments.

Digital Revenue Growth

Beasley Broadcast Group reported a notable increase in digital revenue, which now accounts for approximately 25% of the company’s total revenue, up from 19% the previous year. On a same-station basis, digital revenue saw a remarkable 28% year-over-year growth, underscoring the company’s successful push towards digital transformation.

Audio Plus Performance

The company’s Audio Plus segment demonstrated impressive growth, with revenue exceeding $1.2 million in the third quarter, marking over 200% growth from the previous quarter. This surge was primarily driven by strong performances in key markets such as Philadelphia, Detroit, and Boston.

Digital Operating Margin Expansion

Beasley achieved significant expansion in its digital operating margin, which increased from 7% in the prior year to 21% in the third quarter. This improvement reflects the company’s enhanced portfolio optimization and monetization efficiency.

Local Direct Revenue Increase

Local direct revenue saw a modest increase of 3.5% year-over-year, now representing nearly 60% of the company’s total local business. This growth highlights the company’s efforts to strengthen its local market presence.

Cost Reduction Achievements

The company successfully reduced station operating expenses by 8% year-over-year, with corporate expenses down nearly 50%, partly due to one-time reclassification benefits. These cost reduction efforts have contributed to a leaner operational model.

Overall Revenue Decline

Despite successes in digital and cost management, Beasley Broadcast Group faced an 11% decline in total company revenue on a same-station basis, or a 7.5% decline year-over-year, excluding $2.7 million of political revenue from Q3 2024. This decline highlights the challenges in the broader market environment.

Agency Revenue Decrease

The company experienced a significant decrease in agency revenues, with national agency revenue ex-political declining approximately 16% year-over-year and local agency revenue falling 17% year-over-year.

Category-Specific Revenue Weakness

Specific sectors such as entertainment, retail, and auto saw notable declines, with revenues down nearly 40%, 22%, and 8%, respectively. These declines indicate sector-specific challenges that the company needs to address.

Leadership Changes

The resignation of CFO Lauren Burrows was announced during the call, with Caroline Beasley stepping in as Principal Financial Officer to ensure continuity. This leadership change comes at a critical time as the company navigates its strategic transformation.

Forward-Looking Guidance

CEO Caroline Beasley provided forward-looking guidance that emphasized the company’s strategic focus on digital growth and transformation. Despite the revenue shortfall, the company remains committed to scaling high-margin digital products and enhancing earnings quality. The focus will be on direct, data-driven sales relationships to navigate industry headwinds and achieve long-term growth and profitability.

In conclusion, Beasley Broadcast Group’s earnings call highlighted a dual narrative of digital success and traditional revenue challenges. While the company has made significant strides in digital transformation and cost reduction, it faces ongoing challenges in agency and category-specific revenues. The leadership changes and forward-looking strategies underscore the company’s commitment to adapting and thriving in a rapidly evolving market landscape.