Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (NYSE: MSGE) today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended December 31, 2023.
The fiscal 2024 second quarter was highlighted by the Christmas Spectacular production’s record-setting holiday season run and robust growth across the Company’s bookings business. After extending its run by 8 performances due to strong demand, the Christmas Spectacular concluded its 90th holiday season in early January with over one million tickets sold across 193 shows, marking a return to pre-pandemic attendance levels. In addition, the Company hosted a busy schedule of events across its portfolio of venues and remains well-positioned to achieve a low double-digit percentage increase in the number of bookings events in fiscal 2024.
Financial results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2023 reflect the Company on a fully standalone basis. Results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2022, which were prior to the spin-off from Sphere Entertainment Co. (“Sphere Entertainment”), are presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) for the preparation of carve-out financial statements. These prior year results do not include all of the expenses that would have been incurred by MSG Entertainment had it been a standalone company for the periods presented. Therefore, results for the three and six months ended December 31, 2023 are not fully comparable with results for the prior year period.
For the fiscal 2024 second quarter, the Company reported revenues of $402.7 million, an increase of $46.8 million, or 13%, as compared to the prior year quarter. In addition, the Company reported operating income of $137.4 million and adjusted operating income of $151.0 million, increases of $24.0 million and $24.7 million, respectively, as compared to the prior year quarter.(1)
Executive Chairman and CEO James L. Dolan said, “We continue to see robust demand for our portfolio of live entertainment offerings, which led to record results for this year’s Christmas Spectacular production. Looking ahead, we remain on track to deliver solid growth in fiscal ’24 and believe we are well positioned to generate long-term value for shareholders.”
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Results for the Three and Six Months Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022: |
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Three Months Ended |
Six Months Ended |
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December 31, |
Change |
December 31, |
Change |
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$ millions |
2023 |
2022 |
$ |
% |
2023 |
2022 |
$ |
% |
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Revenues |
$ 402.7 |
$ 355.9 |
$ 46.8 |
13 % |
$ 544.9 |
$ 502.3 |
$ 42.5 |
8 % |
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Operating income |
$ 137.4 |
$ 113.4 |
$ 24.0 |
21 % |
$ 104.0 |
$ 102.1 |
$ 1.9 |
2 % |
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Adjusted Operating Income(1) |
$ 151.0 |
$ 126.3 |
$ 24.7 |
20 % |
$ 150.2 |
$ 137.8 |
$ 12.4 |
9 % |
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Note: Amounts may not foot due to rounding. NM — Absolute percentages greater than 200% and comparisons from positive to negative values or to zero values are considered not meaningful. |
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(1) |
See page 3 of this earnings release for the definition of adjusted operating income (loss) (“AOI”) included in the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures. |
Summary of Reported Results of Operations for the Fiscal 2024 Second Quarter
For the fiscal 2024 second quarter, the Company reported revenues of $402.7 million, an increase of $46.8 million, or 13%, as compared to the prior year quarter. Event-related revenues increased $44.3 million as compared to the prior year period. This primarily reflected an increase in the number of concerts and other live entertainment and sporting events held at the Company’s venues as compared to the prior year quarter and, to a lesser extent, higher per-event revenues in the current year period. Revenues from the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular production increased $17.9 million, primarily due to higher ticket-related revenues, which reflected higher per-show revenue and, to a lesser extent, nine additional performances as compared to the prior year quarter.
The increase in revenues was partially offset by a decrease in advertising sales commissions of $8.4 million in the current year period due to the termination of the Company’s advertising sales representation agreement with MSG Networks as of December 31, 2022. In addition, revenues related to the Company’s arena license agreements with the Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (“MSG Sports”) decreased $9.8 million. This included a $7.3 million decrease in arena license fee revenues and a $2.5 million decrease in revenues subject to the sharing of economics with MSG Sports, both primarily due to nine fewer Knicks and Rangers games played at the Madison Square Garden Arena (“The Garden”) in the current year period.
Fiscal 2024 second quarter direct operating expenses of $202.8 million increased $22.2 million, or 12%, as compared to the prior year quarter. This primarily reflected higher event-related expenses of $19.8 million, due to an increase in the number of events at the Company’s venues and, to a lesser extent, higher per-event expenses in the current year quarter. In addition, direct operating expenses associated with the Christmas Spectacular production increased $3.6 million as compared to the prior year quarter. The overall increase in direct operating expenses was partially offset by other net cost decreases.
Fiscal 2024 second quarter selling, general and administrative expenses of $48.4 million increased $5.1 million, or 12%, as compared with the prior year quarter. The fiscal 2024 second quarter reflects the results of the Company on a fully standalone basis. Results for the fiscal 2023 second quarter reflect the allocation of corporate and administrative costs based on the accounting requirements for the preparation of carve-out financial statements. These results do not include all of the expenses that would have been incurred by MSG Entertainment had it been a standalone company in the prior year period. This was the primary driver of the overall increase in selling, general and administrative expenses, partially offset by the impact of the Company’s transition services agreement with Sphere Entertainment.
Fiscal 2024 second quarter operating income of $137.4 million increased $24.0 million, or 21%, and adjusted operating income of $151.0 million increased $24.7 million, or 20%, both as compared to the prior year quarter. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the increase in revenues and, to a lesser extent, lower restructuring charges in the current year period, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses and, to a lesser extent, higher selling, general and administrative expenses. The increase in adjusted operating income was primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses and, to a lesser extent, higher selling, general and administrative expenses.
Financial Guidance
As a result of the positive momentum across its operations, the Company is increasing its fiscal 2024 guidance for revenues, operating income and adjusted operating income. The Company currently expects the following:
- Revenues of $930 million to $950 million.
- Operating income of $95 million to $105 million.
- Adjusted operating income of $170 million to $180 million(2).
An updated version of the MSG Entertainment investor presentation is now available at investor.msgentertainment.com.
(2) See appendix for a reconciliation of operating income to adjusted operating income for fiscal 2024 financial guidance.
About Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp.
Madison Square Garden Entertainment Corp. (MSG Entertainment) is a leader in live entertainment, delivering unforgettable experiences while forging deep connections with diverse and passionate audiences. The Company’s portfolio includes a collection of world-renowned venues – New York’s Madison Square Garden, The Theater at Madison Square Garden, Radio City Music Hall, and Beacon Theatre; and The Chicago Theatre – that showcase a broad array of sporting events, concerts, family shows, and special events for millions of guests annually. In addition, the Company features the original production, the Christmas Spectacular Starring the Radio City Rockettes, which has been a holiday tradition for 90 years. More information is available at www.msgentertainment.com.
