[Edaily Reporter Lee So-Hyun ] SOOP(067160)succeeded in improving its performance compared to the previous quarter in the third quarter of this year by boosting advertising revenue through gaming leagues and major events. However, revenue and operating profit declined by more than double digits compared to the same period last year as core platform revenue fell due to a decrease in broadcasting activities by major crews and the departure of some streamers.

SOOP announced on the 30th that it recorded revenue of 105.7 billion won and operating profit of 14.5 billion won on a consolidated basis for the third quarter of this year. Compared to the same period last year, revenue decreased by 16.0% and operating profit by 59.9%. Net income also fell by 64.0% to 10.6 billion won.

However, compared to the second quarter, revenue rose 1.8%, operating profit increased 15.0%, and net income climbed 21.0%, marking a rebound. As the burden of one-time expenses from the previous quarter eased and advertising revenue increased, the operating profit margin rose by 1.5 percentage points, from 12.2% in the second quarter to 13.7% in the third quarter.

Advertising Rebounds 35%… Platform Revenue Declines 21%

Advertising was the driving force behind the earnings recovery. Third-quarter advertising revenue totaled 36.8 billion won, a 35.4% increase from the previous quarter. However, this represents a 5.5% decrease compared to the same period last year.

Brand campaigns expanded, centered on major game leagues and large-scale events such as FC Online and the Valorant VCT Busan Roadshow, while new game releases, major campaigns, and offline marketing projects for corporate clients also increased.

In particular, as events in collaboration with game companies—such as tournament production and operation, showcases, and pop-ups—increased, content-based advertising revenue jumped 54.6% quarter-over-quarter to 19.5 billion won. Platform advertising rose 30.0% to 3.2 billion won, while other advertising increased 16.5% to 14.1 billion won.

In contrast, the platform business underperformed. Third-quarter platform revenue totaled 66.1 billion won, down 21.3% year-over-year and 10.8% quarter-over-quarter. SOOP attributed this to a decline in donation-based revenue resulting from reduced activity by key crew broadcasts and the departure of some streamers.

Expenses remained relatively stable. Third-quarter operating expenses totaled 91.2 billion won, up 1.7% year-over-year but down 0.1% quarter-over-quarter. While content production costs rose significantly compared to the previous quarter, personnel expenses, advertising commission fees, billing fees, line usage fees, and streamer support payments all decreased.

User Base Grew… Streamer Retention and Content Enhancements in Q4

In contrast to the decline in platform revenue, user metrics improved. The average monthly unique visitors (MUV) for the third quarter was 6,618,000, a 2.0% increase from 6,490,000 during the same period last year. The average MUV for January through September of this year was 6,436,000, a 3.0% increase from the same period last year. In particular, September’s MUV reached 6,599,000, a 6.0% increase compared to the same month last year.

In the fourth quarter, SOOP plans to expand its user engagement through major content such as the ASL, the LCK, the League of Legends World Championship, global esports events, and the Women’s Professional Volleyball League, while also responding to the resumption of activity by key streamers and year-end brand marketing demand.

Support measures for the streamer ecosystem are also being rolled out in earnest. In September, the company introduced the “Emblem System” to certify streamers’ cumulative performance, and starting in October, it has been operating “Partners Mentoring,” a program where MCNs and partner streamers assist new and returning streamers with content planning and platform adaptation.

On the service front, the company will unveil a UI/UX overhaul plan by the end of the year and implement it in phases starting in 2027. In the advertising business, the company plans to officially launch “SOOPHERE,” an integrated marketing brand that consolidates the advertising and marketing capabilities of SOOP and its affiliates, in the first quarter of next year. The vision is to connect content creators, streamers, and advertisers while integrating performance marketing capabilities to establish a unified advertising proposal and management system.

Following the cancellation of 300,000 treasury shares, dividends will be increased… “Meets the criteria for a high-dividend company”

The company is also strengthening its shareholder return policy. In a separate disclosure issued today, SOOP announced that it will prepare a dividend plan for the fiscal year 2026 year-end dividend that meets the requirements for a “high-dividend company” under the “Act on the Limitation of Special Tax Treatments,” while maintaining its principle of paying out at least 25% of net income on a consolidated basis as a cash dividend.

SOOP plans to distribute dividends in a manner that meets one of the following criteria, provided that the total cash dividend amount does not decrease compared to the 2024 fiscal year: △ a dividend payout ratio of 40% or higher, or △ a dividend payout ratio of 25% or higher combined with a year-over-year increase of at least 10% in the total cash dividend amount.

The specific dividend amount will be finalized following resolutions by the board of directors and the shareholders’ meeting. The company explained that this policy may change depending on market conditions and shifts in the business environment.

SOOP previously canceled 306,375 treasury shares—representing approximately 2.7% of its total outstanding shares—in September. The company also plans to develop additional measures to enhance corporate value, including strategies for utilizing the remaining treasury shares and medium- to long-term capital allocation policies.