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.
