Tencent Music Entertainment Group Announces Third Quarter 2023 Unaudited Financial Results
- Strong growth in online music services, with a 42.0% year-over-year increase in music subscriptions and a 15.6% year-over-year growth in net profit.
- Robust financial position with RMB30.96 billion (US$4.24 billion) in total cash, cash equivalents, and term deposits as of September 30, 2023.
- Efficiency gains across platforms and operating expenses decreased by 11.8% year-over-year, leading to an operating profit growth of 13.0% year-over-year.
- 10.8% year-over-year decrease in total revenues, mainly due to the decline in social entertainment services and others.
- Revenues from social entertainment services and others decreased by 48.8% year-over-year.
Third Quarter 2023 Financial Highlights
- Total revenues were
RMB6.57 billion (US ), representing a$900 million 10.8% year-over-year decrease, mainly due to the decline in revenues from social entertainment services and others. - Revenues from music subscriptions were
RMB3.19 billion (US ), representing$438 million 42.0% year-over-year growth. The number of paying users increased by20.8% year-over-year to 103.0 million, up 3.6 million from the second quarter of 2023. - Net profit was
RMB1.26 billion (US ), representing$173 million 15.6% year-over-year growth. Net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company wasRMB1.17 billion (US ), representing$160 million 10.1% year-over-year growth. Non-IFRS net profit[1] wasRMB1.50 billion (US ), representing$206 million 6.5% year-over-year growth. Non-IFRS net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company[1] wasRMB1.41 billion (US ), representing$193 million 2.1% year-over-year growth. - Diluted earnings per ADS was
RMB0.74 (US ).$0.10 - Total cash, cash equivalents and term deposits as of September 30, 2023 were
RMB30.96 billion (US ).$4.24 billion
Mr. Cussion Pang, Executive Chairman of TME, commented, "Our dual-engine content-and-platform strategy continues to pay off. In the third quarter, we reported strong growth in our online music services despite the topline headwinds from the social entertainment business. The accelerated year-over-year subscription revenue growth was supported by expansion in both subscriber base and ARPPU. Our evolving ecosystem and resilient businesses enabled us to deliver a group-wide margin expansion. These achievements further unlock the value of music and pave the way for our sustainable development in the long run."
Mr. Ross Liang, CEO of TME, said, "The third quarter results highlight efficiency gains across our platforms. Our ecosystem's strength, platform's scale and AI-empowered technological edges have enabled us to transition into an increasingly robust music powerhouse. Online music has more visibly become our core business, driving engagement and earnings growth, while we adjust our social entertainment offerings. We will continue to reimagine the way music connects with people, creating a more enjoyable user experience through technology and product innovation."
Third Quarter 2023 Operational Highlights
- Key Operating Metrics[2]
3Q23 | 3Q22 | YoY % | |||
MAUs – online music (million) | 594 | 620 | (4.2 %) | ||
Mobile MAUs – social entertainment (million) | 129 | 155 | (16.8 %) | ||
Paying users – online music (million) | 103.0 | 85.3 | 20.8 % | ||
Paying users – social entertainment (million) | 7.8 | 7.4 | 5.4 % | ||
Monthly ARPPU – online music (RMB) | 10.3 | 8.8 | 17.0 % | ||
Monthly ARPPU – social entertainment (RMB) | 86.2 | 177.3 | (51.4 %) |
Dual-engine content-and-platform strategy fortifies TME's music ecosystem, driving prosperity for stakeholders along the industry value chain.
- Leveraging our platform's strength, we invigorated our content ecosystem by fostering deeper, mutually beneficial partnerships with record labels and artists. 1) We introduced a series of music-based interactive features for TFBOYS's 10th anniversary single to enhance user engagement and their bond with the artists. 2) We forged a strategic partnership with CUBE Entertainment to further enrich our music catalog.
- We extended our tailored platform for artists at all stages to develop their careers. 1) We hosted an offline concert for Zhou Shen celebrating the 9th anniversary of his debut, highlighted by sales of sought-after tickets and great excitement among users. 2) We assisted TIA RAY, our strategic partner artist, and Kirsty, a rising indie musician cultivated by our
Tencent Musician Platform, with their appearances on China Central Television and provincial Satellite TV networks, boosting their influence nationwide. - We enhanced our technology capabilities in content creation, promotion and distribution. 1) Venus introduced its zero-shot AI-powered music production tool and Vocal Producer upgraded its function to support AI-generated music content in multiple languages. 2) Our music promotion and distribution tool kits, such as TME Music Cloud and Kugou's ToMoreMusic platform, made further advancements in assisting industry participants with efficient musical work promotions. With our technological capabilities, we also successfully boosted the popularity of Chinese songs overseas. For example, we helped Angela Zhang's Beast and Yang Junan's Summer Love chart on various popular music lists in
Singapore .
Leveraging LLMs, we enhanced music discovery and consumption efficiency, creating a more engaging user experience.
- Better connecting users with music through enhanced recommendation and personalization. 1) We continued upgrading our recommendation middle platform to enhance each of our Apps' ability to personalize music recommendations. 2) QQ Music's recent chorus-focused Quick Listen mode, together with Kugou Music's upgraded version, featuring quick discovery of multiple cover songs, effectively lowered the barriers to music discovery.
- Better facilitating users' content consumption through more use cases and entertainment scenarios. 1) We extended our mobile-end offerings, including seamless user interface, premium sound quality and tailored playlists, to further enrich in-car music consumption and user experience. We also cooperated with more automakers and car models to increase penetration. Moreover, we led the industry by partnering with Qualcomm to enhance music listening experience on mobile devices with the help of hardware's AI computing capabilities. 2) We customized music services for different entertainment sectors, creating unique touchpoints for original IPs. For example, we successfully co-produced both theme and end credits songs for the blockbuster movie No More Bets.
- Better connecting users with each other in a thriving community where they can bond through music and music-based interactive features. For example, QQ Music organized over 30 song-guessing contests featuring musical works by Jay Chou, Zhou Shen, BLACKPINK and Teens in Times.[3]
Third Quarter 2023 Financial Review
Total revenues decreased by
- Revenues from online music services delivered a strong year-over-year increase of
32.7% toRMB4.55 billion (US ). The increase was driven by strong growth in music subscription revenues, supplemented by growth in revenues from advertising services. Revenues from music subscriptions were$624 million RMB3.19 billion (US ), representing$438 million 42.0% year-over-year growth compared withRMB2.25 billion in the same period of 2022. This rapid growth was driven by further expansion in the online music paying user base and ARPPU. Specifically, the number of online music paying users increased by20.8% year-over-year to 103.0 million, while monthly ARPPU expanded toRMB10.3 , marking its sixth consecutive quarter of growth and another record-high amount. The increases in both the number of paying users and ARPPU were primarily attributable to our more appealing member privileges, interactive product features, attractive music content, disciplined promotions and member acquisition strategies, as well as high subscriber retention rate. The year-over-year increase in revenues from advertising was primarily because we provided a more diversified product portfolio and innovative ad formats, which are highly attractive to advertisers. - Revenues from social entertainment services and others decreased by
48.8% toRMB2.02 billion (US ) from$276 million RMB3.94 billion in the same period of 2022. The decrease was mainly caused by the adjustments to certain live-streaming interactive functions and more stringent compliance procedures as we implemented several service enhancement and risk control measures.
Cost of revenues decreased by
Gross margin increased by 3.1 percentage points to
Total operating expenses decreased by
- Selling and marketing expenses were
RMB219 million (US ), representing a year-over-year decrease of$30 million 10.6% , as we focused on the ROI of each promotion channel and improved the effectiveness of promotion measures. - General and administrative expenses were
RMB1.05 billion (US ), representing a year-over-year decrease of$144 million 12.0% . This decrease was primarily due to reduced employee-related expenses as a result of improved headcount efficiency and the expenses related to theHong Kong secondary listing incurred in the same period of 2022.
Driven by effective cost controls and improved operating efficiency, our operating profit grew to
For the third quarter of 2023, net profit was
Basic and diluted earnings per American Depositary Shares ("ADS") were
As of September 30, 2023, the combined balance of the Company's cash, cash equivalents and term deposits amounted to
Share Repurchase Program
Under the US
Social Responsibilities
In the third quarter, we joined hands with Tencent's Sustainable Social Value ("SSV") and launched our 2023 Youth Music Tech X program, inviting high school students to explore a technology-inspired music journey. Working side by side with the students, we commissioned a theme song, The Most Beautiful Sound in the World, to champion public care and support for hearing-impaired senior citizens. In addition, we organized a special music education project, "Music Garden Space," to help children from ethnic minorities and remote areas appreciate the beauty and power of music. These initiatives demonstrate the value and positive influence that we can bring to a wide range of communities.
Exchange Rate
This announcement contains translations of certain RMB amounts into
Non-IFRS Financial Measure
The Company uses non-IFRS net profit for the period, which is a non-IFRS financial measure, in evaluating its operating results and for financial and operational decision-making purposes. TME believes that non-IFRS net profit helps identify underlying trends in the Company's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of certain expenses that the Company includes in its profit for the period. TME believes that non-IFRS net profit for the period provides useful information about its results of operations, enhances the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in its financial and operational decision-making.
Non-IFRS net profit for the period should not be considered in isolation or construed as an alternative to operating profit, net profit for the period or any other measure of performance or as an indicator of its operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review non-IFRS net profit for the period and the reconciliation to its most directly comparable IFRS measure. Non-IFRS net profit for the period presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures to the Company's data. TME encourages investors and others to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.
Non-IFRS net profit for the period represents profit for the period excluding amortization of intangible and other assets arising from business acquisitions or combinations, share-based compensation expenses, net losses/gains from investments and related income tax effects.
Please see the "Unaudited Non-IFRS Financial Measure" included in this press release for a full reconciliation of non-IFRS net profit for the period to its net profit for the period.
[1] Non-IFRS net profit and non-IFRS net profit attributable to equity holders of the Company were arrived at after excluding the combined effect of amortization of intangible assets and other assets arising from business acquisitions or combinations, share-based compensation expenses, net losses/gains from investments, and related income tax effects. |
[2] Starting from the first quarter of 2023, online music MAUs began to include unique mobile and certain IoT devices. Accordingly, comparative figures were updated to conform to the current presentation. "Online music MAUs" for any given period (i) refers to the monthly average of the sum of the MAUs for that period; and (ii) includes QQ Music, Kugou Music, Kuwo Music and other music products, through which such product is accessed at least once in that month; duplicate access of different services by the same device is not eliminated from the calculation. |
[3] Names of artists and bands contained in this press release are sorted according to the following rules: (i) grouped by artists and bands; and (ii) in alphabetical order by given names. |
About Tencent Music Entertainment
Tencent Music Entertainment Group (NYSE: TME and HKEX: 1698) is the leading online music and audio entertainment platform in
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the
Investor Relations Contact
Tencent Music Entertainment Group
ir@tencentmusic.com
+86 (755) 8601-3388 ext. 818415
TENCENT MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP | ||||||||||||||
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT | ||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | |||||||||
(in millions, except per share data) | (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||
Revenues | ||||||||||||||
Online music services | 3,430 | 4,553 | 624 | 8,924 | 12,303 | 1,686 | ||||||||
Social entertainment services and others | 3,935 | 2,016 | 276 | 11,990 | 8,556 | 1,173 | ||||||||
7,365 | 6,569 | 900 | 20,914 | 20,859 | 2,859 | |||||||||
Cost of revenues | (4,962) | (4,227) | (579) | (14,588) | (13,705) | (1,878) | ||||||||
Gross profit | 2,403 | 2,342 | 321 | 6,326 | 7,154 | 981 | ||||||||
Selling and marketing expenses | (245) | (219) | (30) | (878) | (642) | (88) | ||||||||
General and administrative expenses | (1,192) | (1,049) | (144) | (3,318) | (3,110) | (426) | ||||||||
Total operating expenses | (1,437) | (1,268) | (174) | (4,196) | (3,752) | (514) | ||||||||
Interest income | 186 | 273 | 37 | 487 | 775 | 106 | ||||||||
Other gains, net | 109 | 78 | 11 | 438 | 168 | 23 | ||||||||
Operating profit | 1,261 | 1,425 | 195 | 3,055 | 4,345 | 596 | ||||||||
Share of net profit of investments accounted for | 8 | 49 | 7 | 22 | 107 | 15 | ||||||||
Finance cost | (24) | (35) | (5) | (77) | (111) | (15) | ||||||||
Profit before income tax | 1,245 | 1,439 | 197 | 3,000 | 4,341 | 595 | ||||||||
Income tax expense | (152) | (176) | (24) | (366) | (530) | (73) | ||||||||
Profit for the period | 1,093 | 1,263 | 173 | 2,634 | 3,811 | 522 | ||||||||
Attributable to: | ||||||||||||||
Equity holders of the Company | 1,061 | 1,168 | 160 | 2,526 | 3,614 | 495 | ||||||||
Non-controlling interests | 32 | 95 | 13 | 108 | 197 | 27 | ||||||||
Earnings per share for Class A and Class B | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 0.33 | 0.37 | 0.05 | 0.78 | 1.16 | 0.16 | ||||||||
Diluted | 0.33 | 0.37 | 0.05 | 0.78 | 1.14 | 0.16 | ||||||||
Earnings per ADS (2 Class A shares | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 0.67 | 0.75 | 0.10 | 1.57 | 2.31 | 0.32 | ||||||||
Diluted | 0.66 | 0.74 | 0.10 | 1.55 | 2.28 | 0.31 | ||||||||
Shares used in earnings per Class A and | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 3,176,110,236 | 3,134,975,498 | 3,134,975,498 | 3,224,870,392 | 3,127,809,736 | 3,127,809,736 | ||||||||
Diluted | 3,206,799,580 | 3,173,371,472 | 3,173,371,472 | 3,255,991,564 | 3,172,090,075 | 3,172,090,075 | ||||||||
ADS used in earnings per ADS computation | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 1,588,055,118 | 1,567,487,749 | 1,567,487,749 | 1,612,435,196 | 1,563,904,868 | 1,563,904,868 | ||||||||
Diluted | 1,603,399,790 | 1,586,685,736 | 1,586,685,736 | 1,627,995,782 | 1,586,045,038 | 1,586,045,038 | ||||||||
TENCENT MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP | ||||||||||||||
UNAUDITED NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURE | ||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | |||||||||
(in millions, except per share data) | (in millions, except per share data) | |||||||||||||
Profit for the period | 1,093 | 1,263 | 173 | 2,634 | 3,811 | 522 | ||||||||
Adjustments: | ||||||||||||||
Amortization of intangible and other assets arising | 130 | 101 | 14 | 372 | 334 | 46 | ||||||||
Share-based compensation | 226 | 185 | 25 | 656 | 553 | 76 | ||||||||
Gains from investments** | - | (3) | (0) | (141) | (30) | (4) | ||||||||
Income tax effects*** | (38) | (43) | (6) | (106) | (123) | (17) | ||||||||
Non-IFRS Net Profit | 1,411 | 1,503 | 206 | 3,415 | 4,545 | 623 | ||||||||
Attributable to: | ||||||||||||||
Equity holders of the Company | 1,379 | 1,408 | 193 | 3,307 | 4,348 | 596 | ||||||||
Non-controlling interests | 32 | 95 | 13 | 108 | 197 | 27 | ||||||||
Earnings per share for Class A and Class B | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 0.43 | 0.45 | 0.06 | 1.03 | 1.39 | 0.19 | ||||||||
Diluted | 0.43 | 0.44 | 0.06 | 1.02 | 1.37 | 0.19 | ||||||||
Earnings per ADS (2 Class A shares equal to 1 | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 0.87 | 0.90 | 0.12 | 2.05 | 2.78 | 0.38 | ||||||||
Diluted | 0.86 | 0.89 | 0.12 | 2.03 | 2.74 | 0.38 | ||||||||
Shares used in earnings per Class A and | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 3,176,110,236 | 3,134,975,498 | 3,134,975,498 | 3,224,870,392 | 3,127,809,736 | 3,127,809,736 | ||||||||
Diluted | 3,206,799,580 | 3,173,371,472 | 3,173,371,472 | 3,255,991,564 | 3,172,090,075 | 3,172,090,075 | ||||||||
ADS used in earnings per ADS computation | ||||||||||||||
Basic | 1,588,055,118 | 1,567,487,749 | 1,567,487,749 | 1,612,435,196 | 1,563,904,868 | 1,563,904,868 | ||||||||
Diluted | 1,603,399,790 | 1,586,685,736 | 1,586,685,736 | 1,627,995,782 | 1,586,045,038 | 1,586,045,038 | ||||||||
* Represents the amortization of identifiable assets, including intangible assets such as domain name, trademark, copyrights, supplier resources, corporate customer relationships and non-compete agreement | ||||||||||||||
** Including the net gains on deemed disposals/disposals of investments, fair value changes arising from investments, impairment provision of investments and other expenses in relation to equity | ||||||||||||||
*** Represents the income tax effects of Non-IFRS adjustments. |
TENCENT MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP | ||||||
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET | ||||||
As at December 31, 2022 | As at September 30, 2023 | |||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | ||||
Audited | Unaudited | Unaudited | ||||
(in millions) | ||||||
ASSETS | ||||||
Non-current assets | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment | 323 | 436 | 60 | |||
Land use rights | 2,480 | 2,456 | 337 | |||
Right-of-use assets | 398 | 390 | 53 | |||
Intangible assets | 2,368 | 2,136 | 293 | |||
Goodwill | 19,493 | 19,542 | 2,678 | |||
Investments accounted for using equity method | 4,330 | 4,370 | 599 | |||
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income | 3,168 | 5,502 | 754 | |||
Other investments | 304 | 321 | 44 | |||
Prepayments, deposits and other assets | 709 | 580 | 79 | |||
Deferred tax assets | 347 | 375 | 51 | |||
Term deposits | 6,530 | 8,769 | 1,202 | |||
40,450 | 44,877 | 6,151 | ||||
Current assets | ||||||
Inventories | 14 | 5 | 1 | |||
Accounts receivable | 2,670 | 2,502 | 343 | |||
Prepayments, deposits and other assets | 2,958 | 3,338 | 458 | |||
Other investments | 37 | 37 | 5 | |||
Term deposits | 11,291 | 9,806 | 1,344 | |||
Restricted Cash | 34 | 10 | 1 | |||
Cash and cash equivalents | 9,555 | 12,381 | 1,697 | |||
26,559 | 28,079 | 3,849 | ||||
Total assets | 67,009 | 72,956 | 9,999 | |||
EQUITY | ||||||
Equity attributable to equity holders of the | ||||||
Share capital | 2 | 2 | 0 | |||
Additional paid-in capital | 36,456 | 36,595 | 5,016 | |||
Shares held for share award schemes | (202) | (297) | (41) | |||
Treasury shares | (6,349) | (6,539) | (896) | |||
Other reserves | 6,140 | 8,507 | 1,166 | |||
Retained earnings | 12,052 | 15,666 | 2,147 | |||
48,099 | 53,934 | 7,392 | ||||
Non-controlling interests | 1,028 | 1,234 | 169 | |||
Total equity | 49,127 | 55,168 | 7,561 | |||
LIABILITIES | ||||||
Non-current liabilities | ||||||
Notes payables | 5,536 | 5,712 | 783 | |||
Other payables and other liabilities | 6 | - | - | |||
Deferred tax liabilities | 211 | 206 | 28 | |||
Lease liabilities | 306 | 320 | 44 | |||
Deferred revenue | 106 | 137 | 19 | |||
6,165 | 6,375 | 874 | ||||
Current liabilities | ||||||
Accounts payable | 4,998 | 5,050 | 692 | |||
Other payables and other liabilities | 4,022 | 3,204 | 439 | |||
Current tax liabilities | 404 | 491 | 67 | |||
Lease liabilities | 123 | 113 | 15 | |||
Deferred revenue | 2,170 | 2,555 | 350 | |||
11,717 | 11,413 | 1,564 | ||||
Total liabilities | 17,882 | 17,788 | 2,438 | |||
Total equity and liabilities | 67,009 | 72,956 | 9,999 |
TENCENT MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP | ||||||||||||
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS | ||||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30 | Nine Months Ended September 30 | |||||||||||
2022 | 2023 | 2022 | 2023 | |||||||||
RMB | RMB | US$ | RMB | RMB | US$ | |||||||
Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | Unaudited | |||||||
(in millions) | (in millions) | |||||||||||
Net cash provided by operating activities | 1,252 | 1,441 | 198 | 4,987 | 5,360 | 735 | ||||||
Net cash used in investing activities | (1,243) | (1,142) | (157) | (338) | (1,670) | (229) | ||||||
Net cash used in financing activities | (1,668) | (849) | (116) | (3,036) | (962) | (132) | ||||||
Net (decrease)/increase in cash and cash equivalents | (1,659) | (550) | (75) | 1,613 | 2,728 | 374 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period | 10,044 | 12,950 | 1,775 | 6,591 | 9,555 | 1,310 | ||||||
Exchange differences on cash and cash equivalents | 197 | (19) | (3) | 378 | 98 | 13 | ||||||
Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period | 8,582 | 12,381 | 1,697 | 8,582 | 12,381 | 1,697 | ||||||
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SOURCE Tencent Music Entertainment Group
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