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Note: We will be covering Thursday's investors call at 5 PM Eastern with interesting tweets and notes shared in this post after it wraps.
WWE's financial dominance is unmatched in the industry with the company announcing record-breaking yearly revenue and another strong quarter to end the year.
Ahead of their quarterly investors call Thursday afternoon, the company released their reports and touted a company-best $1.3 billion in net revenue -- an increase of 18% year-over-year (YOY). Their operating income also increased to a record $283.8 million, up 11% YOY.
The record numbers were fueled by their various rights deals with NBCUniversal and Fox for both Raw, SmackDown and domestic WWE Network rights. Additionally, they enjoyed a full year of ticketed shows and their return to Saudi Arabia for major events.
Their media net revenue increased by roughly $97 million YOY. In the case of live events, they increased $123.1 million YOY from 2021's $57.8 million. Ecommerce sales were up by roughly $33 million YOY.
Quarterly success
For the last quarter of 2022, WWE generated revenues of $325.3 million -- an increase of 5%. The increase (due to "network revenues related to the timing of premium live events as well as higher monetization of third-party original programming" were offset by declines in consumer product licensing and online sales in addition to staging of the event in Saudi Arabia this past year and the prior year.
Operating income for the quarter decreased by 22% to $62.7 million due to content creation costs, the Board's Special Committee investigation into Vince McMahon, and a higher stock compensation expense.
While live events were up slightly to $23.8 million YOY, online sales dipped to $21.8 million from $32.6 million YOY.
Big domestic viewership increases for PPVs
The company stated November's Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia, headlined by Roman Reigns vs. Logan Paul, was WWE's most viewed international event ever with a 70% YOY increase on Peacock.
Both Extreme Rules (36% YOY increase) and Survivor Series (46% YOY increase) broke domestic records for most viewership as well.
While not in Q4, they still reported numbers on last Saturday's WWE Royal Rumble as it saw a 52% YOY increase in domestic viewership with the highest gate in Rumble history.
We'll have more information and insights as the call begins at 5 PM Eastern.
