TelevisaUnivision‘s revenue tumbled 11% in the first quarter compared with the year-ago period, but cost-cutting and progress in streaming lifted profits.
Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) climbed 5% to $345 million in the quarter ended March 31. The Hispanic media giant credited “the optimization of our cost base” and profitability in its direct-to-consumer unit.
“Linear softness” and the absence of the Super Bowl in the quarter compared with the 2024 period dragged down revenue, the company said, as did the timing of distribution renewals in Mexico. Total revenue settled at $1.02 billion. Revenue in Mexico declined 23% to $315 million.
Excluding the Super Bowl, U.S. advertising revenue declined 6%.
Media companies have begun reporting first-quarter earnings this week against a turbulent economic backdrop. Comcast on Thursday posted a 7% decline in domestic advertising. President Trump’s on-again-off-again tariff regime has introduced a high level of uncertainty, with media and tech companies expected to take a hit in the advertising businesses as marketers regroup. TelevisaUnivision is preparing for a major presentation to ad buyers next month in New York during the industry’s traditional upfront week.
“As we continue to evolve the company in 2025, we are driving tighter alignment and integration between our teams in the U.S. and Mexico, and we are building a more agile and efficient organization,” CEO Daniel Alegre said in the earnings release. “Our reimagined content strategy is strengthening our connection to verticals that deeply resonate with our audience, while the continued growth of Vix has enabled us to execute a more robust cross-platform strategy.”