Viacom’s Q4 and fiscal year results indicate some setbacks for the global media conglomerate, with quarterly revenues dropping 5% to US$3.788 billion and 2015 revenues down 4% to US$13.268 billion.
As for its two main business segments, revenues slid 24% in Filmed Entertainment to US$1.025 billion in Q4 and declined by 23% to US$2.883 for the year. However, its Media Networks saw 5% growth to US$2.787 billion in Q4 and 3% to US$10.49 billion for the year – a new company record – driven by the success of series like Henry Danger (pictured) on Nickelodeon.
Q4 growth in Media Networks was spurred by 45% growth in international advertising revenues, thanks largely to acquisition Channel 5 in Europe. Additionally, affiliate fees increased domestically by 15% and globally by 10%. But gains were partially offset by domestic and worldwide ad revenue declines of 7% and 1%, respectively, driven by lower ratings experienced by Viacom’s linear networks.
Losses in Viacom’s Filmed Entertainment segment in Q4 were largely attributed to a 54% drop in home entertainment sales and a 20% decline in theatrical revenues, compared to the success of last year’s Transformers: Age of Extinction.
Some other bright spots for Viacom over the past 12 months include a return of US$2.1 billion to shareholders through repurchases and dividends, as well as its full-year adjusted diluted EPS increasing to an all-time high of US$5.44, despite falling by 10% in Q4 to US$1.54. Viacom also launched 21 channels internationally during its past fiscal year, including six in India.