LiveOne Inc (NASDAQ:LVO) Misses Q1 2026 Revenue Estimates and Posts Wider Loss

LiveOne Inc (NASDAQ:LVO) reported its fiscal first-quarter 2026 results, missing analyst revenue estimates while posting a wider-than-expected loss. The digital media company, which operates in podcasting, music streaming, and live event production, reported revenue of $19.2 million, falling short of the consensus estimate of $21.2 million. Earnings per share (EPS) came in at -$0.04, worse than the projected -$0.0202.

Financial Performance vs. Estimates

• Revenue: Reported $19.2M vs. estimated $21.2M (miss by 9.4%)
• EPS: Reported -$0.04 vs. estimated -$0.0202 (wider loss than expected)
• Operating Loss: $4.0M, compared to $0.8M in the prior-year quarter
• Adjusted EBITDA: -$1.8M, down from $2.9M in Q1 2025

The decline in revenue was primarily attributed to reduced contributions from Slacker, the company’s music streaming subsidiary. Despite cost-cutting measures, including a 31% reduction in staff, profitability deteriorated year-over-year.

Market Reaction

The stock has seen mixed reactions in pre-market trading, with a slight uptick of 1.6%, though it remains down 4.7% over the past week and 17.4% over the last month. The muted pre-market movement suggests investors are weighing cost reductions and strategic partnerships against the weaker-than-expected financials.

Key Highlights from the Earnings Release

• Partnerships: Secured a $16.5M deal with Amazon via PodcastOne and expanded B2B collaborations, including a Fortune 250 streaming network deal expected to generate over $26M in revenue.
• Web3 Initiatives: Added industry veterans to monetize content through NFTs and digital assets, alongside a $10.2M equity raise for Bitcoin yield strategies.
• Content Expansion: Sold three TV shows to major streaming platforms and announced plans for a reality Olympics series, building on the success of the $27M-revenue "Social Gloves" event.
• Debt Reduction: Eliminated $14.1M in short-term liabilities year-over-year, improving the balance sheet.

Outlook vs. Analyst Estimates

While the company did not provide explicit forward guidance, analysts currently project:

• Q2 2026 Revenue: $21.6M
• Full-Year 2026 Revenue: $100.9M
• Full-Year EPS: -$0.136

CEO Robert Ellin emphasized momentum in partnerships and Web3 initiatives, but the lack of a formal outlook leaves uncertainty around near-term profitability.

Conclusion

LiveOne’s Q1 results reflect ongoing challenges in its core audio business, offset by strategic shifts toward high-margin partnerships and digital assets. The market’s tepid reaction suggests a wait-and-see approach as the company executes its turnaround plan.

For detailed earnings estimates and historical performance, visit LiveOne’s earnings page.

Disclaimer: This article is not investment advice. Investors should conduct their own research before making decisions.