Sony Reports 21% Growth In Music Sales Despite 13% Decline In Pictures Revenue

Sony Group Corporation reported a strong start to its fiscal year, driven by robust performances across its gaming, music and imaging businesses, while its Pictures division also recorded growth on the back of higher licensing revenue and expanding streaming subscriptions.

For the April-June quarter, Sony posted an 8% year-on-year increase in sales to ¥2.84 trillion, while net profit rose 32% to ¥342.2 billion, prompting the company to raise its full-year operating profit forecast. The stronger outlook was supported by solid results from its Game & Network Services, Music and Imaging & Sensing Solutions businesses.

Sony's Music division continued to be a key growth driver, benefiting from strong catalogue performance and releases from both established and contemporary artists. According to the company, music revenue was supported by continued streaming demand and publishing income, with enduring global titles such as Michael Jackson's Thriller and Bad performing alongside newer releases from artists including Ella Langley and Bad Bunny.

The Pictures business also delivered improved results, aided by higher television licensing revenue and subscriber growth at anime streaming platform Crunchyroll, despite a lighter theatrical release slate during the quarter.

Meanwhile, Sony's gaming business remained its largest earnings contributor. Although PlayStation 5 hardware shipments declined year-on-year to 1.6 million units, the company highlighted continued engagement across the PlayStation ecosystem and expects major upcoming game launches to support future growth.

Despite the positive financial performance, Sony said it is still assessing the potential impact of the recent earthquake in Japan's Kumamoto region on its semiconductor operations. The company noted that the financial implications have not yet been factored into its latest guidance.