The end of an earnings season can be a great time to discover new stocks and assess how companies are handling the current business environment. Let’s take a look at how iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) and the rest of the broadcasting stocks fared in Q1.

Broadcasting companies have been facing secular headwinds in the form of consumers abandoning traditional television and radio in favor of streaming services. As a result, many broadcasting companies have evolved by forming distribution agreements with major streaming platforms so they can get in on part of the action, but will these subscription revenues be as high quality and high margin as their legacy revenues? Only time will tell which of these broadcasters will survive the sea changes of technological advancement and fragmenting consumer attention.

The 7 broadcasting stocks we track reported a strong Q1. As a group, revenues beat analysts’ consensus estimates by 1.1% while next quarter’s revenue guidance was in line.

Luckily, broadcasting stocks have performed well with share prices up 17.7% on average since the latest earnings results.

Weakest Q1: iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT)

Occasionally featuring celebrity hosts like Ryan Seacrest on its shows, iHeartMedia (NASDAQ: IHRT) is a leading multimedia company renowned for its extensive network of radio stations, digital platforms, and live events across the globe.

iHeartMedia reported revenues of $807.1 million, up 1% year on year. This print exceeded analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. Despite the top-line beat, it was still a slower quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ adjusted operating income and EPS estimates.

“We are pleased with our Q1 results given the uncertain environment in which we are operating now, and we think these results demonstrate the resilience and relevance of our products and the tremendous growth opportunity we have with our podcast business in particular.” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc.

Interestingly, the stock is up 43.3% since reporting and currently trades at $1.82.

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

Best Q1: FOX (NASDAQ: FOXA)

Founded in 1915, Fox (NASDAQ: FOXA) is a diversified media company, operating prominent cable news, television broadcasting, and digital media platforms.

FOX reported revenues of $4.37 billion, up 26.8% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 4.3%. The business had an exceptional quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

FOX scored the biggest analyst estimates beat and fastest revenue growth among its peers. The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 10.8% since reporting. It currently trades at $55.71.

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

AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX)

Originally the joint-venture of four cable television companies, AMC Networks (NASDAQ: AMCX) is a broadcaster producing a diverse range of television shows and movies.

AMC Networks reported revenues of $555.2 million, down 6.9% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 2.6%. It was a slower quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates and a miss of analysts’ Affiliate revenue estimates.

AMC Networks delivered the weakest performance against analyst estimates and slowest revenue growth in the group. The stock is flat since the results and currently trades at $6.14.

Read our full analysis of AMC Networks’s results here.

Paramount (NASDAQ: PARA)

Owner of Spongebob Squarepants and formerly known as ViacomCBS, Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA) is a major media conglomerate offering television, film production, and digital content across various global platforms.

Paramount reported revenues of $7.19 billion, down 6.4% year on year. This result surpassed analysts’ expectations by 1.3%. Overall, it was a very strong quarter as it also logged a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates and a decent beat of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 11.6% since reporting and currently trades at $13.04.

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

E.W. Scripps (NASDAQ: SSP)

Founded as a chain of daily newspapers, E.W. Scripps (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media enterprise operating a range of local television stations, national networks, and digital media platforms.

E.W. Scripps reported revenues of $524.4 million, down 6.6% year on year. This print topped analysts’ expectations by 0.7%. It was a very strong quarter as it also put up a solid beat of analysts’ EBITDA estimates and a solid beat of analysts’ adjusted operating income estimates.

The stock is up 28.2% since reporting and currently trades at $3.30.

Read our full, actionable report on E.W. Scripps here, it’s free.

Market Update

As a result of the Fed’s rate hikes in 2022 and 2023, inflation has come down from frothy levels post-pandemic. The general rise in the price of goods and services is trending towards the Fed’s 2% goal as of late, which is good news. The higher rates that fought inflation also didn't slow economic activity enough to catalyze a recession. So far, soft landing. This, combined with recent rate cuts (half a percent in September 2024 and a quarter percent in November 2024) have led to strong stock market performance in 2024. The icing on the cake for 2024 returns was Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. Presidential Election in early November, sending major indices to all-time highs in the week following the election. Still, debates around the health of the economy and the impact of potential tariffs and corporate tax cuts remain, leaving much uncertainty around 2025.

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

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