Wrapping up Q1 earnings, we look at the numbers and key takeaways for the traditional media & publishing stocks, including IMAX (NYSE: IMAX) and its peers.

The sector faces structural headwinds from declining linear TV viewership, shifts in advertising spend toward digital platforms, and ongoing challenges in monetizing print and broadcast content. However, for companies that invest wisely, tailwinds can include AI, the power of which can result in more personalized content creation and more detailed audience analysis. These can create a flywheel of success where one feeds into the other. Still there are outstanding questions around AI-generated content oversight, and the regulatory framework around this could evolve in unseen ways over the next few years.

The 4 traditional media & publishing stocks we track reported a very strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.3% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was 0.5% below.

Thankfully, share prices of the companies have been resilient as they are up 9.2% on average since the latest earnings results.

Best Q1: IMAX (NYSE: IMAX)

Originally developed for World Expo '67 in Montreal as an innovative projection system, IMAX (NYSE: IMAX) provides proprietary large-format cinema technology and systems that deliver immersive movie experiences with enhanced image quality and sound.

IMAX reported revenues of $86.67 million, up 9.5% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.9%. Overall, it was a stunning quarter for the company with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

“IMAX is off to an excellent start in 2025 — the fundamentals of our business have never been stronger, with record global box office and strong system sales and installations growth in the First Quarter,” said Rich Gelfond, CEO of IMAX.

IMAX scored the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth of the whole group. Unsurprisingly, the stock is up 16.8% since reporting and currently trades at $28.10.

We think IMAX is a good business, but is it a buy today? Read our full report here, it’s free.

Wiley (NYSE: WLY)

With roots dating back to 1807 when Charles Wiley opened a small printing shop in Manhattan, John Wiley & Sons (NYSE: WLY) is a global academic publisher that provides scientific journals, books, digital courseware, and knowledge solutions for researchers, students, and professionals.

Wiley reported revenues of $442.6 million, down 5.5% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 1.7%. The business had an exceptional quarter with a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Although it had a fine quarter compared its peers, the market seems unhappy with the results as the stock is down 1.3% since reporting. It currently trades at $40.21.

Is now the time to buy Wiley? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Weakest Q1: Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI)

With over 2,400 hours of local news produced weekly and 640 broadcast channels reaching millions of American homes, Sinclair (NASDAQ: SBGI) operates a network of 185 local television stations across 86 U.S. markets, producing news programming and distributing content from major networks.

Sinclair reported revenues of $776 million, down 2.8% year on year, in line with analysts’ expectations. It was a mixed quarter as it posted full-year revenue guidance exceeding analysts’ expectations but a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

As expected, the stock is down 1.4% since the results and currently trades at $15.48.

Read our full analysis of Sinclair’s results here.

EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS)

Following its 2023 acquisition of DISH Network, EchoStar (NASDAQ: SATS) provides satellite communications, pay-TV services, wireless networks, and broadband solutions across consumer and enterprise markets.

EchoStar reported revenues of $3.87 billion, down 3.6% year on year. This number was in line with analysts’ expectations. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also produced an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

EchoStar had the weakest performance against analyst estimates among its peers. The stock is up 22.8% since reporting and currently trades at $29.29.

Read our full, actionable report on EchoStar here, it’s free.

Market Update

Thanks to the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has been on a steady path downward, easing back toward that 2% sweet spot. Fortunately (miraculously to some), all this tightening didn’t send the economy tumbling into a recession, so here we are, cautiously celebrating a soft landing. The cherry on top? Recent rate cuts (half a point in September 2024, a quarter in November) have propped up markets, especially after Trump’s November win lit a fire under major indices and sent them to all-time highs. However, there’s still plenty to ponder — tariffs, corporate tax cuts, and what 2025 might hold for the economy.

Want to invest in winners with rock-solid fundamentals? Check out our Top 5 Growth Stocks and add them to your watchlist. These companies are poised for growth regardless of the political or macroeconomic climate.

StockStory is growing and hiring equity analyst and marketing roles. Are you a 0 to 1 builder passionate about the markets and AI? See the open roles here.