Reasons for Comscore Cuts Laid Bare in Q2 Results

Comscore has reported second quarter revenue down 11.4% to $79.2 million, and adjusted EBITDA down a whopping 85% to $1.3 million (from $8.9 million in Q2 2025). Around a third of the revenue loss (only) is the result of divesting the Movies business during the period.

Movies business revenue in Q2 2025 was $9.6m and in Q2 2026 a much-reduced $6.2m - even excluding this division the revenue fall would still have topped 7%. Nevertheless the results show how the sale has helped Comscore's financial position: of the aggregate base purchase price of $70.0 million in cash, $40.1m has been used to fully repay outstanding obligations under the company's senior secured credit facility. As of June 30th Comscore says its remaining debt obligations consisted of outstanding principal on finance leases related to equipment purchases - allowing it a fresh start.

Splitting out the results, revenue from the Content & Ad Measurement business declined 11.7%, due to lower Syndicated Audience revenue - this was strongly impacted by the divestiture, but also came from lower performance in national TV, local TV and syndicated digital products. Research & Insight Solutions revenue decreased 9.2%, driven by lower renewals and lower deliveries of some custom digital products. Cross-Platform revenue decreased less sharply, just 2.1%, with lower usage in Proximic almost offset by growth from new business in CCM - nevertheless this is probably one of the results driving yesterday's announcement of drastic cost-cutting over the next year, given that cross-media and Proximic had previously been growth areas for the business as a whole - in 2025, cross-platform offerings grew 24.4%.

CEO Matt McLaughlin (pictured) admitted the 'top- and bottom-line results for the quarter were not acceptable, reinforcing the urgency with which we are taking action to realign our priorities.' McLaughlin believes the 'significant opportunities' before Comscore include 'launching new and enhanced products, closing multimillion-dollar deals in local TV, expanding our Proximic footprint, and delivering AI and Creator solutions.'

CFO Mary Margaret Curry states: 'given the divestiture of our Movies business and the significant transformation we are undertaking, we do not anticipate near-term growth... We expect to enter 2027 with a leaner, more flexible cost model that allows us to stabilize our business and plan for future growth.'

The company, which forecasts full year 26 revenue in the range $315 to $325 million, is online at www.comscore.com .

All articles 2006-23 written and edited by Mel Crowther and/or Nick Thomas, 2024- by Nick Thomas, unless otherwise stated.