VIZIO HOLDING CORP. Reports Q3 2024 Financial Results

Rhea-AI Summary

VIZIO Holding Corp. (NYSE: VZIO) reported Q3 2024 financial results showing mixed performance. Total net revenue increased 4% YoY to $444.7 million, driven by Platform+ revenue growth of 26% to $197.0 million. Platform+ gross profit rose 16% to $115.8 million. However, net income decreased significantly to $0.5 million from $13.8 million in Q3'23. SmartCast metrics showed positive trends with ARPU up 18% to $37.17 and active accounts reaching 19.1 million. The company expanded its content offerings through new app launches and WatchFree+ mobile expansion.

Positive

• Platform+ revenue grew 26% YoY to $197.0 million
• Total gross profit increased 13% YoY to $109.1 million
• SmartCast ARPU grew 18% YoY to $37.17
• SmartCast Active Accounts increased 7% to 19.1 million
• Direct ad relationships expanded by 20% YoY

Negative

• Net income declined 96% YoY to $0.5 million from $13.8 million
• Device segment revenue decreased 8% YoY to $247.7 million
• Device segment reported increased losses of $6.7 million vs $3.3 million loss in Q3'23
• Adjusted EBITDA decreased 67% YoY to $8.8 million
• Operating expenses increased 37% YoY to $114.7 million

Insights

Financial Analyst

VIZIO's Q3 results show a compelling transformation into a platform-focused business model. Platform+ revenue grew 26% YoY to $197 million, now representing 44% of total revenue. The SmartCast ARPU increase of 18% to $37.17 demonstrates strong monetization of their user base.

However, device segment challenges persist with an 8% revenue decline and negative gross margins. The significant increase in operating expenses and acquisition-related costs of $10.6 million led to a sharp decline in net income to just $0.5 million from $13.8 million last year. The expanding SmartCast ecosystem (19.1M active accounts) and growing ad relationships (+20% YoY) suggest potential for continued platform revenue growth, but profitability remains a concern.

Market Research Analyst

VIZIO's strategic pivot to streaming and advertising is gaining momentum. The 12% increase in SmartCast Hours and expansion to 270+ built-in apps indicate strong user engagement. The launch of VIZIO Sports Zone and WatchFree+ mobile expansion demonstrate effective content strategy targeting key consumer segments.

The 20% growth in direct advertising relationships is particularly significant, suggesting increasing advertiser confidence in VIZIO's platform. However, the declining device segment performance (-8% revenue, negative margins) raises concerns about the company's ability to maintain its user acquisition pipeline, which is important for long-term platform growth.

Platform+ net revenue increased 26% year-over-year (YoY) to $197.0 million

Platform+ gross profit increased 16% YoY to $115.8 million

SmartCast Average Revenue Per User increased 18% YoY to $37.17

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VIZIO Holding Corp. (NYSE: VZIO) today announced the following results for the three months ended September 30, 2024:

Financial and operational highlights include the following, compared to Q3'23:

• Net revenue of $444.7 million, up 4%
• Platform+ net revenue of $197.0 million, up 26%
• Gross profit of $109.1 million, up 13%
• Platform+ gross profit of $115.8 million, up 16%
• Net income of $0.5 million, compared to $13.8 million
• Adjusted EBITDA¹ of $8.8 million which includes acquisition-related costs of $10.6 million and cash incentive awards in lieu of equity awards of $3.1 million in connection with our long-term incentive plan, compared to $26.9 million
• SmartCast Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) of $37.17, up 18%

Q3'24 Business highlights include:

• Reached 19.1 million SmartCast Active Accounts, which streamed 5.8 billion hours²
• Grew SmartCast Hours per average SmartCast Active Account to 101 per month, up 5% YoY
• Expanded our direct ad relationships by 20% compared to Q3'23³
• Unveiled the VIZIO Sports Zone, making it faster and easier for sports fans to find and stream games directly from the home screen
• Introduced WatchFree+ to the VIZIO mobile app, allowing users to take their favorite channels wherever they go
• Extended the WatchFree+ offering with channels from Military Heroes, Duck Dynasty, BBC Earth, and BritBox Mysteries
• Launched 26 new apps, including Lights Out Sports, Knight Time, Victory+, and Spirits Network bringing the total number of built-in apps to over 270

1		A reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA is provided below.
2		Streamed hours represent SmartCast Hours.
3		Direct ad relationships consists of the number of advertisers that purchased advertising inventory directly from VIZIO during the third quarter.

Selected Quarterly Financial Results
(Unaudited, in millions, except percentages and SmartCast ARPU)
		Three Months Ended September 30,
		2024				2023				% Change
Financial Highlights
Net Revenue
Device		$	247.7			$	270.0			(8	)%
Platform+			197.0				156.2			26	%
Total Net Revenue			444.7				426.2			4	%
Gross Profit
Device			(6.7	)			(3.3	)		N	M
Platform+			115.8				99.8			16	%
Total Gross Profit			109.1				96.5			13	%
Operating Expenses1			114.7				83.8			37	%
Net Income		$	0.5			$	13.8			(96	)%
Adjusted EBITDA2,3		$	8.8			$	26.9			(67	)%
Operational Metrics
Smart TV Shipments			1.0				1.1			(5	)%
SmartCast Active Accounts (as of)			19.1				17.9			7	%
Total VIZIO Hours			9,468				8,913			6	%
SmartCast Hours			5,771				5,153			12	%
SmartCast ARPU		$	37.17			$	31.55			18	%

_________________________

1 Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024 include share-based compensation of $10.6 million. Operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2023 include share-based compensation of $11.4 million.

2 A reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA is provided below.

3 2024 Adjusted EBITDA includes acquisition-related costs of $10.6 million and cash incentive awards in lieu of equity awards of $3.1 million in connection with our long-term incentive plan.

NM-Not meaningful

About VIZIO

Founded and headquartered in Orange County, California, our mission at VIZIO Holding Corp. (NYSE: VZIO) is to deliver immersive entertainment and compelling lifestyle enhancements that make our products the center of the connected home. We are driving the future of televisions through our integrated platform of cutting-edge Smart TVs and powerful operating system. We also offer a portfolio of innovative sound bars that deliver consumers an elevated audio experience. Our platform gives content providers more ways to distribute their content and advertisers more tools to connect with the right audience.

Supplemental Financial and Other Information

Supplemental financial and other information can be accessed through our Investor Relations website at investors.vizio.com. We announce material information to the public about our company, products and services, and other matters through a variety of means, including filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, public conference calls, webcasts, our Investor Relations website (investors.vizio.com), our blog (accessible via vizio.com/en/newsroom) and our X account (@VIZIO) in order to achieve broad, non-exclusionary distribution of information to the public and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD.

Key Operational and Financial Metrics

We review certain key operational and financial metrics to evaluate our business, measure our performance, identify trends affecting our business, formulate business plans and make strategic decisions. We regularly review and may adjust our processes for calculating our internal metrics to improve their accuracy.

The metrics included in this press release, including the key operational and financial metrics defined below, as well as SmartCast Hours per SmartCast Active Account and direct advertising client relationships, are not based on any standardized industry methodology and are not necessarily calculated in the same manner or comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Similarly, these metrics may differ from estimates published by third parties or from similarly titled metrics of our competitors due to differences in methodology. The numbers that we use to calculate these metrics are based on internal data. While these numbers are based on what we believe to be reasonable judgments and estimates for the applicable period of measurement, there are inherent challenges in measuring usage and engagement. We regularly review and may adjust our processes for calculating our internal metrics to improve their accuracy.

Smart TV Shipments. We define Smart TV Shipments as the number of Smart TV units shipped to retailers or direct to consumers in a given period. Smart TV Shipments currently drive the majority of our revenue and provide the foundation for increased adoption of our SmartCast operating system and the growth of our Platform+ revenue. The growth rate between Smart TV Shipments and Device net revenue is not directly correlated because VIZIO’s Device net revenue can be impacted by other variables, such as the series and sizes of Smart TVs sold during the period, the introduction of new products as well as the number of sound bars shipped.

SmartCast Active Accounts. We define SmartCast Active Accounts as the number of VIZIO Smart TVs where a user has activated the SmartCast operating system through an internet connection at least once in the past 30 days. We believe that the number of SmartCast Active Accounts is an important metric to measure the size of our engaged user base, the attractiveness and usability of our operating system, and subsequent monetization opportunities to increase our Platform+ net revenue.

Total VIZIO Hours. We define Total VIZIO Hours as the aggregate amount of time users spend utilizing our Smart TVs in any capacity. We believe this usage metric is useful to understanding our total potential monetization opportunities.

SmartCast Hours. We define SmartCast Hours as the aggregate amount of time viewers engage with our SmartCast platform to stream content or access other applications. This metric reflects the size of the audience engaged with our operating system as well as indicates the growth and awareness of our platform. It is also a measure of the success of our offerings in addressing increased user demand for OTT streaming. Greater user engagement translates into increased revenue opportunities as we earn a significant portion of our Platform+ net revenue through advertising, which is influenced by the amount of time users spend on our platform.

SmartCast ARPU. We define SmartCast ARPU as total Platform+ net revenue, less revenue attributable to legacy VIZIO V.I.A. Plus units, during the preceding four quarters divided by the average of (i) the number of SmartCast Active Accounts at the end of the current period; and (ii) the number of SmartCast Active Accounts at the end of the corresponding prior year period. SmartCast ARPU indicates the level at which we are monetizing our SmartCast Active Account user base. Growth in SmartCast ARPU is driven significantly by our ability to add users to our platform and our ability to monetize those users.

Device gross profit. We define Device gross profit as Device net revenue less Device cost of goods sold in a given period. Device gross profit is directly influenced by consumer demand, device offerings, and our ability to maintain a cost-efficient supply chain.

Platform+ gross profit. We define Platform+ gross profit as Platform+ net revenue less Platform+ cost of goods sold in a given period. As we continue to grow and scale our business, we expect Platform+ gross profit to increase over the long term.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To supplement our financial information presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America, or GAAP, VIZIO considers certain financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP, including Adjusted EBITDA. We define Adjusted EBITDA as total net income (loss) before interest income, net, other income (expense), net, (benefit from) provision for income taxes, depreciation and amortization and share-based compensation. We consider Adjusted EBITDA to be an important metric to assess our operating performance and help us to manage our working capital needs. Utilizing Adjusted EBITDA, we can identify and evaluate trends in our business as well as provide investors with consistency and comparability to facilitate period-to-period comparisons of our business. We believe that providing users with non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted EBITDA may assist investors in seeing VIZIO’s operating results through the eyes of management and in comparing VIZIO’s operating results over multiple periods with other companies in our industry.

We use Adjusted EBITDA in conjunction with net income (loss) as part of our overall assessment of our operating performance and the management of our working capital needs. Our definition of Adjusted EBITDA may differ from the definition used by other companies and therefore comparability may be limited. In addition, other companies may not publish Adjusted EBITDA or similar metrics. Furthermore, Adjusted EBITDA has certain limitations in that it does not include the impact of certain expenses that are reflected in our condensed consolidated statement of operations that are necessary to run our business. Thus, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or in isolation from, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, including net income (loss).

We compensate for these limitations by providing a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to net income (loss). We encourage investors and others to review our financial information in its entirety, not to rely on any single financial measure and to view Adjusted EBITDA in conjunction with net income (loss).

Forward-looking information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or VIZIO’s future financial or operating performance. In some cases, you can identify forward looking statements because they contain words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “going to,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential,” or “continue,” or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern our expectations, strategy, priorities, plans, or intentions.

There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from statements made in this press release. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, our actual results could differ materially from the results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to other risks and uncertainties, including those more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, as filed on February 28, 2024, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2024, as filed on May 8, 2024, and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024, as filed on August 7, 2024. Additional information will also be set forth in our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024. The forward-looking statements in this press release are based on information available to VIZIO as of the date hereof, and VIZIO disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

VIZIO HOLDING CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Unaudited, in millions except per share amounts)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024				2023				2024				2023
Net revenue:
Device	$	247.7			$	270.0			$	709.9			$	753.4
Platform+		197.0				156.2				526.0				423.9
Total net revenue		444.7				426.2				1,235.9				1,177.3
Cost of goods sold:
Device		254.4				273.3				723.0				754.7
Platform+		81.2				56.4				223.3				164.5
Total cost of goods sold		335.6				329.7				946.3				919.2
Gross profit:
Device		(6.7	)			(3.3	)			(13.1	)			(1.3	)
Platform+		115.8				99.8				302.7				259.4
Total gross profit		109.1				96.5				289.6				258.1
Operating expenses:
Selling, general and administrative		85.2				63.6				241.1				180.4
Marketing		11.5				9.2				29.8				26.9
Research and development		16.8				9.8				47.4				31.7
Depreciation and amortization		1.2				1.2				3.7				3.3
Total operating expenses		114.7				83.8				322.0				242.3
(Loss) income from operations		(5.6	)			12.7				(32.4	)			15.8
Interest income, net		4.0				3.5				11.1				9.0
Other income (expense), net		1.1				(0.1	)			4.4				0.1
Total non-operating income, net		5.1				3.4				15.5				9.1
(Loss) income before income taxes		(0.5	)			16.1				(16.9	)			24.9
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes		(1.0	)			2.3				(5.5	)			9.9
Net income (loss)	$	0.5			$	13.8			$	(11.4	)		$	15.0
Net income (loss) per share attributable to Class A and Class B stockholders:
Basic	$	0.00			$	0.07			$	(0.06	)		$	0.08
Diluted	$	0.00			$	0.07			$	(0.06	)		$	0.08
Weighted-average Class A and Class B common shares outstanding:
Basic		201.6				196.7				199.6				196.0
Diluted		211.7				199.9				199.6				200.2

VIZIO HOLDING CORP.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Unaudited, in millions except par values)
	September 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	224.5			$	221.6
Short-term investments		134.5				129.9
Accounts receivable, net		323.9				381.2
Inventories		49.1				6.8
Income tax receivable		23.7				9.0
Prepaid and other current assets		55.2				45.9
Total current assets		810.9				794.4
Property, equipment and software, net		17.5				19.7
Goodwill		44.8				44.8
Deferred income taxes		49.6				49.6
Other assets		66.1				52.2
Total assets	$	988.9			$	960.7
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable due to related parties	$	52.0			$	109.1
Accounts payable		221.6				157.8
Accrued expenses		178.0				178.6
Accrued royalties		29.3				40.7
Other current liabilities		8.8				5.8
Total current liabilities		489.7				492.0
Other long-term liabilities		18.9				19.4
Total liabilities		508.6				511.4
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders’ equity:
Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 100.0 shares authorized and no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023		—				—
Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,350.0 shares authorized as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023 Class A, 127.2 and 125.3 shares issued and 127.2 and 121.5 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively, Class B, 75.3 and 76.2 shares issued and 75.3 and 76.2 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively Class C, no shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023		—				—
Additional paid-in capital		456.8				414.3
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(0.4	)			(0.3	)
Retained earnings		23.9				35.3
Total stockholders’ equity		480.3				449.3
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity	$	988.9			$	960.7

VIZIO HOLDING CORP.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Unaudited, in millions)
	Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024				2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income	$	(11.4	)		$	15.0
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash used in operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		8.4				5.6
Realized gain on investments		(1.5	)			—
Amortization of premium and discount on investments		(4.9	)			(3.3	)
Change in fair value of investment securities		(0.6	)			—
Unrealized gain on conversion of convertible equity investments		(3.0	)			—
Share-based compensation expense		37.7				30.4
Change in allowance for doubtful accounts		(0.5	)			0.9
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable		57.8				11.4
Other receivables due from related parties		—				2.2
Inventories		(42.3	)			(2.1	)
Income taxes receivable		(14.7	)			1.7
Prepaid and other current assets		(9.3	)			(3.7	)
Other assets		(13.9	)			(15.5	)
Accounts payable due to related parties		(57.1	)			(43.7	)
Accounts payable		63.6				19.4
Accrued expenses		(0.5	)			(29.4	)
Accrued royalties		(11.4	)			(6.6	)
Income taxes payable		—				1.0
Other current liabilities		3.0				1.2
Other long-term liabilities		(0.5	)			0.4
Net cash used in operating activities		(1.1	)			(15.1	)
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment		(2.8	)			(2.0	)
Purchase of investments		(107.6	)			(164.5	)
Sale of investments		2.0				—
Maturity of investments		107.9				105.9
Net cash used in investing activities		(0.5	)			(60.6	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		3.4				1.9
Withholding taxes paid on behalf of employees on net settled share-based awards		—				(0.6	)
Proceeds from sale of stock under employee stock purchase plan		1.2				1.2
Net cash provided by financing activities		4.6				2.5
Effects of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(0.1	)			—
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		2.9				(73.2	)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		221.6				288.7
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	224.5			$	215.5
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for income taxes	$	8.4			$	5.1
Cash paid for interest	$	0.1			$	0.1
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities	$	3.8			$	3.3
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating lease liabilities	$	2.7			$	1.8
Additions to property and equipment financed by accounts payable	$	0.2			$	0.7

VIZIO HOLDING CORP.
Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA
(Unaudited, in millions)
	Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
	2024				2023				2024				2023
Net income (loss)	$	0.5			$	13.8			$	(11.4	)		$	15.0
Adjusted to exclude the following:
Interest income, net		(4.0	)			(3.5	)			(11.1	)			(9.0	)
Other income (expense), net		(1.1	)			0.1				(4.4	)			(0.1	)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes		(1.0	)			2.3				(5.5	)			9.9
Depreciation and amortization		2.8				1.9				8.4				5.6
Share-based compensation		11.6				12.3				37.7				30.4
Adjusted EBITDA1	$	8.8			$	26.9			$	13.7			$	51.8

_________________________

1 For the three months ended September 30, 2024, Adjusted EBITDA includes acquisition-related costs of $10.6 million and cash incentive awards in lieu of equity awards of $3.1 million in connection with our long-term incentive plan. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Adjusted EBITDA includes acquisition-related costs of $24.7 million and cash incentive awards in lieu of equity awards of $3.6 million in connection with our long-term incentive plan.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241101202974/en/

Investors and Analysts:

Michael Marks

IR@vizio.com

Media:

PR@vizio.com

Source: VIZIO Holding Corp

FAQ

What was VIZIO's (VZIO) Platform+ revenue growth in Q3 2024?

VIZIO's Platform+ revenue grew 26% year-over-year to $197.0 million in Q3 2024.

How much did VIZIO's (VZIO) net income decrease in Q3 2024?

VIZIO's net income decreased 96% year-over-year from $13.8 million to $0.5 million in Q3 2024.

What was VIZIO's (VZIO) SmartCast ARPU in Q3 2024?

VIZIO's SmartCast ARPU increased 18% year-over-year to $37.17 in Q3 2024.

How many SmartCast Active Accounts did VIZIO (VZIO) have in Q3 2024?

VIZIO reported 19.1 million SmartCast Active Accounts in Q3 2024, a 7% increase year-over-year.