FuboTV reports Q1 2024 results: strong subscriber growth

Fubo this month announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. Fubo exceeded expectations in North America, with double-digit year-over-year (YoY) growth in paid subscribers (18%) and total revenue (24%). They delivered $394 million in total revenue and added 1.511 million paid subscribers.

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) grew 10% YoY to $84.54, indicating subscribers are paying more on average. This is a key metric for profitability (explained below).

The Rest of World (ROW) segment also saw growth, with subscriber numbers rising 5% YoY to 397,000 and total revenue up 7% YoY to $8.4 million.

Fubo achieved 7% gross margin (globally), a significant improvement year-over-year. This shows the company is becoming more efficient in generating revenue from its costs.

The company had a net loss of $56.3 million, but this is an improvement compared to the same period last year. They are still working towards profitability.

Profitability and growth

Fubo maintains they will achieve profitability by 2025. Their subscriber growth projections are conservative, reflecting a focus on customer acquisition costs and unit economics (explained below).

Unit economics refers to the profitability of acquiring and retaining a single customer. A company wants to make more money from a customer than it costs to acquire them.

Key metrics explained

• ARPU (Average Revenue Per User): This metric shows how much revenue Fubo generates, on average, from each subscriber every month. It considers both subscription fees and advertising revenue. A higher ARPU indicates Fubo is effectively monetizing its subscribers.
• Subscriber Acquisition Cost: This is the cost Fubo incurs to acquire a new subscriber. Fubo is aiming to balance subscriber growth with keeping these costs under control to improve profitability.

Lawsuit and Competition

Fubo continues its antitrust lawsuit against the planned sports streaming joint venture by Disney, Fox, and Warner Bros. Discovery. They believe this venture would limit competition and harm consumers.

Looking Forward:

Fubo remains focused on core business operations and strategic priorities, which include technological advancements, content acquisition, and features to improve the user experience.

The company projects continued revenue growth that outpaces subscriber growth, reflecting their focus on ARPU expansion and improved unit economics.

FuboTV's Q1 2024 results show positive signs for the company's future. They are balancing subscriber growth with a focus on profitability. The lawsuit against the sports streaming joint venture adds uncertainty, but Fubo remains confident in its ability to compete.