Sirius XM

SiriusXM replaced its Raw Comedy channel with Sebastian Maniscalco’s curated station, a change comedians say has narrowed the pool of artists played from over 800 to about 275 and shifted airtime toward established names. Critics and the nonprofit Stand Up for Standup warn the move cuts visibility and royalty income for up‑and‑coming comics. SiriusXM says the channel reflects a new creative direction and that the company continues to invest in comedians. » More on theverge.com

Sirius XM reported H1 revenue up 1%, EBITDA up 5% and free cash flow up 67% and is prioritizing subscription revenue and customer value over raw subscriber growth. Management highlighted record-low churn, pricing and packaging opportunities, and use of the 360L platform for personalization. A new YouTube advertising arrangement—reaching about 255 million Americans—is expected to ramp in the first half of next year and become a meaningful, profitable driver without large incremental investment. With leverage moving toward target, the company says share repurchases will likely be prioritized over dividend increases beginning in 2027, while its 35 MHz spectrum provides longer-term optionality. » More on finance.yahoo.com

Sirius XM reaffirmed free-cash-flow guidance of $1.375 billion for this year and $1.5 billion next year, citing $100 million in planned cost savings and lower satellite capital spending. The company is prioritizing retention and higher-value plans through initiatives like 360L, Companion and continuous-service features, while adding lower-priced offerings such as a $7 ad-supported Play plan and a $5 Sports Pass. Sirius XM is also broadening advertising distribution with partners including SoundCloud, Amazon, Apple and YouTube, and is exploring commercial options for its spectrum holdings. » More on finance.yahoo.com

At the Goldman Sachs conference, Sirius XM outlined a strategy launched at the end of 2024 that focuses on subscriptions, expanding advertising and portfolio efficiency, already resulting in lower churn, rising ARPU and higher free cash flow. The company reported $1.25 billion in free cash flow last year and expects $1.375 billion for 2025 and $1.5 billion for 2026; target leverage was reached earlier than planned. Growth drivers include in‑car usage with 360L, new pricing and content offerings and partnerships (including YouTube, Apple and Amazon), while a lower near‑term net increase in self‑paying subscribers is expected due to changed customer acquisition models. » More on de.investing.com

At the Bank of America conference SiriusXM said H1 2026 showed revenue +1%, EBITDA +5% and free cash flow +67%. The subscriber base remained stable, with focus shifting to ARPU growth and segmented pricing; advertising revenue, podcasting and programmatic advertising are growing. A partnership with YouTube is expected to contribute significantly to monetization of audio ad inventory from H2 2027. Capital allocation is set to shift more toward share buybacks in 2027; short-term risk remains auto sales and a tough compare in the advertising business. » More on de.investing.com