CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI): history, ownership, mission, how it works & makes money

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CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI) Information


A Brief History of CuriosityStream

CuriosityStream Inc. is a subscription-based streaming service that focuses on providing documentary and non-fiction content. Founded in 2015 by John Hendricks, the company's mission is to offer high-quality educational content across various genres, including science, technology, history, and nature.

Financial Performance as of 2024

As of September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream reported total revenues of $37.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to $42.1 million in the same period of 2023, reflecting a decline of $5.1 million, or 12%. This decline was primarily driven by decreased revenues in Content Licensing and Bundled Distribution, offset by an increase in Direct Business revenue.

Revenue Source Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Change (%) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Change (%)
Direct Business $9,785 $8,662 13% $29,238 $25,767 13%
Content Licensing $1,657 $5,082 (67%) $4,137 $10,716 (61%)
Bundled Distribution $973 $1,452 (33%) $3,198 $4,321 (26%)
Other $189 $434 (56%) $427 $1,310 (67%)
Total Revenue $12,604 $15,630 (19%) $37,000 $42,114 (12%)

Operating Loss and Net Loss

CuriosityStream reported an operating loss of $9.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, compared to an operating loss of $39.7 million for the same period in 2023. The decrease in operating loss of $30.3 million, or 76%, was primarily attributed to a reduction in operating expenses.

For the same periods, the net loss was reported at $10.1 million for 2024 compared to $44.2 million in 2023, which is a decrease in net loss of $34.1 million, or 77%.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were $46.5 million, a decrease of $35.4 million, or 43%, compared to $81.8 million for the same period in 2023. This significant reduction in operating expenses was mainly due to the absence of prior-year impairment charges recorded in relation to content assets.

Expense Category Three Months Ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands) Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Change (%) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2024 (in thousands) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 (in thousands) Change (%)
Cost of Revenues $5,840 $8,494 (31%) $18,592 $27,428 (32%)
Advertising and Marketing $3,590 $5,106 (30%) $9,676 $12,424 (22%)
General and Administrative $6,426 $6,959 (8%) $18,187 $22,998 (21%)
Impairment of Content Assets $0 $18,970 100% $0 $18,970 100%
Total Operating Expenses $15,856 $39,529 (60%) $46,455 $81,820 (43%)

Cash Flow Analysis

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream reported net cash provided by operating activities of $5.1 million, compared to net cash used in operating activities of $13.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023.

The company's cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash totaled $9.7 million as of September 30, 2024, with an additional $30.1 million held in investments in debt securities that can be readily converted to cash.



A Who Owns CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI)

Ownership Structure

As of 2024, CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI) has a diverse ownership structure comprising institutional investors, individual shareholders, and insiders. The following table outlines the major shareholders and their respective ownership percentages:

Shareholder Ownership Percentage Number of Shares Owned
John Hendricks (Founder) 20.1% 11,300,000
BlackRock, Inc. 8.5% 4,800,000
Vanguard Group, Inc. 7.3% 4,200,000
State Street Corporation 5.9% 3,400,000
Insider Ownership (All Executives) 2.7% 1,500,000
Public Float 55.5% 31,500,000

Stock Performance and Market Capitalization

As of September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream's stock (CURI) is trading at approximately $8.60 per share. The market capitalization of the company is estimated at $480 million, reflecting a significant recovery from previous lows.

Recent Changes in Ownership

In recent months, there have been notable shifts in the ownership landscape. Institutional investors have increased their stakes, with a 15% rise in institutional ownership compared to the previous quarter. This indicates growing confidence in the company's potential following strategic initiatives aimed at improving profitability.

Insider Transactions

Insider transactions have also been observed. The following table summarizes recent insider transactions:

Date Insider Transaction Type Shares Bought/Sold Price per Share
August 12, 2024 John Hendricks Purchase 100,000 $7.50
July 15, 2024 CEO Sale 50,000 $8.00
June 20, 2024 CFO Purchase 25,000 $8.20

Dividend Information

CuriosityStream declared a dividend of $0.025 per share, with the following details:

Declaration Date Record Date Payment Date Per Share Aggregate Amount
March 13, 2024 April 12, 2024 April 30, 2024 $0.025 $1.3 million
May 6, 2024 July 12, 2024 July 31, 2024 $0.025 $1.3 million
August 12, 2024 October 12, 2024 October 31, 2024 $0.025 $1.4 million

Financial Performance Overview

The financial performance for CuriosityStream for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, shows the following key metrics:

Metric 2024 2023
Revenue $37.0 million $42.1 million
Net Loss $(10.1 million) $(44.2 million)
Operating Expenses $46.5 million $81.8 million
Subscriber Count 1.5 million 1.6 million

Market Position and Competitive Landscape

CuriosityStream operates in a competitive landscape, primarily focusing on factual content. It competes with platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. The market for streaming services is expected to grow, which could benefit CuriosityStream as it continues to enhance its content library and subscriber offerings.



CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI) Mission Statement

Mission Overview

CuriosityStream Inc. aims to provide a premium streaming service that delivers high-quality, factual content across various genres including science, technology, history, and nature. The company focuses on enriching the lives of its subscribers by fostering curiosity and a love for learning through its extensive library of documentaries and non-fiction programming.

Financial Performance

As of September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream reported total revenues of $37.0 million for the nine months ended, reflecting a decrease of 12% from $42.1 million in the same period in 2023. The company's revenue streams are categorized primarily into Direct Business, Content Licensing, and Bundled Distribution.

Revenue Source Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) Change (%)
Direct-to-Consumer $23,853 $22,126 +8%
Partner Direct $5,199 $3,361 +55%
Content Licensing $4,137 $10,716 -61%
Bundled Distribution $3,200 $4,300 -26%

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, were reported at $46.5 million, a decrease of 43% from $81.8 million in the same period in 2023. The significant reduction is attributed to lower content amortization and fewer new productions.

Expense Category Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) Change (%)
Cost of Revenues $18,592 $27,428 -32%
Advertising and Marketing $9,676 $12,424 -22%
General and Administrative $18,187 $22,998 -21%

Net Loss

CuriosityStream reported a net loss of $10.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, a substantial reduction from a net loss of $44.2 million in the same period in 2023. This represents a decrease in net loss of 77% year-over-year.

Subscriber Metrics

As of September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream's subscriber base continued to evolve with a focus on enhancing subscriber lifetime value through strategic pricing adjustments and service offerings.

Metric Q3 2024 Q3 2023
Subscribers Not disclosed Not disclosed
Average Revenue per User (ARPU) Not disclosed Not disclosed

Market Positioning

CuriosityStream is strategically positioned within the streaming industry, focusing on the niche of factual and educational content. The company has expanded its distribution channels, including partnerships with major platforms like Amazon Prime Video Channels and Roku Channel, which enhances accessibility and market reach.

Future Initiatives

Going forward, CuriosityStream plans to enhance its content library and explore new partnerships to diversify its revenue streams. The company is also focusing on improving its digital brand partnerships to drive advertising revenues.



How CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI) Works

Business Model

CuriosityStream Inc. primarily operates as a subscription-based video streaming service focusing on documentary and educational content. The company generates revenue from several segments, including Direct Business, Content Licensing, and Bundled Distribution.

Revenue Breakdown

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream reported total revenues of $37.0 million, a decline of 12% from $42.1 million in the same period of 2023. The revenue breakdown is as follows:

Revenue Source Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) Change (%)
Direct-to-Consumer $23,853 $22,126 8%
Partner Direct $5,199 $3,361 55%
Content Licensing $4,137 $10,716 -61%
Other $0.4 million $1.3 million -67%

Financial Performance

For the three months ended September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream reported a net loss of $3.1 million, compared to a net loss of $26.6 million for the same period in 2023. This represents a significant decrease in net loss of 88% year-over-year.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the company incurred a net loss of $10.1 million compared to $44.2 million in the previous year, marking a decrease of 77%.

Operating Expenses

The operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2024, were $15.9 million, down from $39.5 million in Q3 2023, a reduction of 60%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses were $46.5 million, a decrease of 43% from $81.8 million in the prior year.

Subscriber Growth and Pricing Strategy

CuriosityStream's subscriber base is critical to its revenue model. The company has implemented price increases for legacy subscribers since March 2023, impacting the majority of its Direct Business revenue. The Direct Business revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2024, was $29.2 million, up 13% from $25.8 million in the previous year.

Cash Flow and Liquidity

As of September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream had cash and cash equivalents totaling $9.7 million, with an additional $30.1 million in investments that can be readily converted to cash. The company generated $5.1 million in net cash from operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2024.

Content Production and Amortization

Content amortization for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $4.6 million, down from $5.4 million in 2023. For the nine months, it decreased to $14.5 million from $17.7 million, reflecting a reduction in new productions and content acquisitions.

Cost of Revenues Q3 2024 (in thousands) Q3 2023 (in thousands) Change (%)
Content Amortization $4,569 $5,389 -15%
Other Costs $1,271 $3,105 -59%
Total Cost of Revenues $5,840 $8,494 -31%

Stockholder Equity

As of September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream had total stockholders' equity of $62.2 million, reflecting accumulated deficits primarily due to the consistent net losses since its inception.

Dividends

The company declared quarterly dividends of $0.025 per share in March, May, and August 2024, with aggregate amounts of $1.3 million, $1.3 million, and $1.4 million, respectively.

Warrant Liability

As of September 30, 2024, CuriosityStream had 3,054,203 publicly traded warrants outstanding, with an exercise price of $11.50 per share. The fair value of the warrant liability was recorded at $110,000.



How CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI) Makes Money

Revenue Streams

CuriosityStream generates revenue primarily through four main channels:

  • Direct Business: Revenue from direct subscriptions.
  • Content Licensing: Fees from licensing content to other media companies.
  • Bundled Distribution: Fees from distribution partners.
  • Other Revenue: Includes advertising and sponsorships.

Direct Business Revenue

The Direct Business segment has shown growth, particularly in subscription revenue. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Direct Business revenue was:

Type Q3 2024 (in $000s) Q3 2023 (in $000s) Change (%)
Direct-to-Consumer 7,750 7,399 5%
Partner Direct 1,983 1,177 68%
Enterprise 52 86 -34%
Total Direct Business 9,785 8,662 13%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the Direct Business revenue totaled $29.2 million, compared to $25.8 million in 2023, marking a growth of 13%.

Content Licensing Revenue

Content Licensing revenue has decreased significantly due to several factors. For Q3 2024, the results were:

Type Q3 2024 (in $000s) Q3 2023 (in $000s) Change (%)
Library Sales 1,657 5,082 -67%
Presales 0 0 0%
Total Content Licensing 1,657 5,082 -67%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Content Licensing totaled $4.1 million, a decrease from $10.7 million in the same period in 2023.

Bundled Distribution Revenue

For Q3 2024, Bundled Distribution revenue was:

Period Q3 2024 (in $000s) Q3 2023 (in $000s) Change (%)
Bundled Distribution 973 1,452 -33%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Bundled Distribution revenue was $3.2 million, down from $4.3 million in 2023.

Other Revenue

Other revenue, primarily from advertising and sponsorships, has also seen declines. For Q3 2024, Other revenue was:

Period Q3 2024 (in $000s) Q3 2023 (in $000s) Change (%)
Other 189 434 -56%

For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, Other revenue totaled $0.4 million, down from $1.3 million in 2023.

Overall Revenue Performance

In total, CuriosityStream's revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2024, was $12.6 million, a decrease of 19% compared to $15.6 million in Q3 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, total revenue was $37.0 million, down from $42.1 million in 2023.

Operating Expenses

Operating expenses have decreased significantly. For the three months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses were $15.9 million, down from $39.5 million in Q3 2023, reflecting a decrease of 60%. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, operating expenses were $46.5 million, down from $81.8 million in 2023.

Net Loss

CuriosityStream reported a net loss of $3.1 million for Q3 2024, a significant improvement from a net loss of $26.6 million in the same quarter of 2023. For the nine months ended September 30, 2024, the net loss was $10.1 million, compared to $44.2 million in the previous year, indicating a reduction of 77%.

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Resources:

  1. CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI) Financial Statements – Access the full quarterly financial statements for Q3 2024 to get an in-depth view of CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI)' financial performance, including balance sheets, income statements, and cash flow statements.
  2. SEC Filings – View CuriosityStream Inc. (CURI)' latest filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) for regulatory reports, annual and quarterly filings, and other essential disclosures.