LiveOne Bundle
Who Owns LiveOne?
Understanding a company's ownership is key to grasping its strategic direction and market influence. LiveOne, Inc., formerly LiveXLive Media, Inc., rebranded in October 2021 and now trades as LVO on Nasdaq.
Founded in 2009 by Robert Scott Ellin, LiveOne is a digital media company focused on live music, internet radio, and podcasting. Its platform includes the LiveOne App, offering access to live events and original content.
Who owns LiveOne?
LiveOne, Inc. is a publicly traded company on the Nasdaq Capital Market under the ticker symbol LVO. As of July 2025, its market capitalization is approximately $75.09 million. The company reported approximately 4.0 million total members, including free ad-supported memberships, as of September 30, 2024. Investors interested in the company's market positioning might find a LiveOne Porter's Five Forces Analysis insightful.
Who Founded LiveOne?
LiveOne, Inc. was founded in 2009 by Robert Scott Ellin, a seasoned entrepreneur with a track record in digital technology and media ventures. Ellin, who also manages Trinad Management, a Los Angeles-based hedge fund, conceived and launched LiveOne, securing initial capital and key distribution rights. As the founder, CEO, and Chairman, Ellin has been central to the company's strategic direction and operational leadership since its inception.
| Founder | Role | Background |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Scott Ellin | Founder, CEO, Chairman | Extensive experience in launching and scaling digital technology and media companies; previously Chairman of Digital Turbine; manages Trinad Management. |
Robert Scott Ellin founded LiveOne with a vision for a comprehensive music and entertainment platform. His early efforts focused on raising capital and securing essential festival and distribution agreements.
The company, then known as LiveXLive Media, expanded its reach through key acquisitions. In February 2016, it acquired Wantickets, entering the music ticketing market.
A significant move was the September 2017 acquisition of Slacker Radio for $50 million. By January 2018, Slacker Radio boasted 1.5 million monthly active users and 400,000 paid subscribers.
In December 2017, LiveOne (then LiveXLive Media) completed its Initial Public Offering (IPO). This transition made the company publicly traded, diversifying its ownership structure.
While specific initial equity splits are not publicly detailed, Robert Ellin's foundational role and leadership have been critical. The company's growth through acquisitions and its IPO have shaped its current ownership landscape.
The early strategic decisions and the integration of acquired assets under the founding team's guidance were pivotal. These actions laid the groundwork for the company's development into a multifaceted entertainment platform.
The early ownership of LiveOne was primarily shaped by its founder, Robert Scott Ellin, and the strategic decisions made during its formative years. The company's expansion through acquisitions, such as Wantickets and Slacker Radio, not only broadened its service offerings but also influenced its ownership structure. The IPO in December 2017 marked a significant shift, transforming it into a publicly traded entity with a wider base of shareholders. This period highlights how the founder's vision, coupled with key business developments, established the initial framework for LiveOne's corporate structure and ownership. Understanding this early phase is crucial for grasping the current LiveOne ownership and its trajectory, especially when considering its position within the broader Competitors Landscape of LiveOne.
The initial years of LiveOne were characterized by strategic growth and a transition to public ownership, laying the foundation for its current market presence.
- Founding by Robert Scott Ellin in 2009.
- Acquisition of Wantickets in February 2016.
- Acquisition of Slacker Radio for $50 million in September 2017.
- IPO launch in December 2017, becoming a public company.
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How Has LiveOne’s Ownership Changed Over Time?
LiveOne's ownership structure has seen considerable shifts since its public debut in late 2017. As of December 24, 2024, individual investors represent the largest bloc, holding 51% of the company's shares, which significantly impacts corporate governance and strategic decisions.
| Shareholder Type | Percentage Ownership (as of December 24, 2024) |
| Individual Investors | 51% |
| Institutional Investors | 27% |
| Hedge Funds | 10% |
| Insider Ownership | 11% |
The company's commitment to enhancing shareholder value is evident through its active share buyback programs. As of November 7, 2024, a $12 million buyback program was reaffirmed, resulting in the repurchase of approximately 4.4 million shares. Further demonstrating this commitment, by July 3, 2025, over 350,000 LiveOne shares and more than a million PodcastOne shares had been bought back, with nearly $6 million remaining in the program. LiveOne's strategic maneuvers also include increasing its stake in PodcastOne to 72% as of November 7, 2024, by acquiring 583,000 shares at an average price of $1.77, with additional purchases made in subsequent quarters. These actions underscore a dynamic approach to managing its corporate structure and investments.
Understanding who owns LiveOne is crucial for grasping its strategic direction and potential future developments.
- Individual investors hold the majority stake, influencing major company policies.
- Institutional investors and hedge funds also represent significant ownership percentages.
- Insider ownership indicates the confidence of the LiveOne management team in the company's prospects.
- Share buyback programs demonstrate a focus on returning value to shareholders.
- Strategic reviews, including potential mergers or acquisitions, are actively being explored to optimize shareholder returns.
LiveOne has been actively exploring strategic alternatives, including potential acquisitions, divestitures, mergers, or sales, to maximize shareholder value. This strategic review, announced on November 7, 2024, with advisory support from J.P. Morgan, was further highlighted on April 30, 2025, following the $207 million sale of Napster. The company is actively seeking inbound M&A opportunities for both LiveOne and its various subsidiaries. These strategic initiatives reflect a proactive approach to portfolio management and a commitment to optimizing the company's overall financial performance, which is intrinsically linked to its Revenue Streams & Business Model of LiveOne.
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Who Sits on LiveOne’s Board?
The governance of LiveOne, Inc. is overseen by its Board of Directors, whose members guide the company's strategic decisions. The current board includes eight nominees for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, with Robert S. Ellin serving as Founder, Chairman, and CEO, indicating a central leadership role.
| Director Nominee | Role | Independence |
|---|---|---|
| Robert S. Ellin | Founder, Chairman, CEO | No |
| Jay Krigsman | Director | |
| Craig Foster | Director | |
| Ramin Arani | Director | Independent |
| Patrick Wachsberger | Director | Independent |
| Kenneth Solomon | Director | Independent |
| Bridget Baker | Director | Independent |
| Kristopher Wright | Director | Independent |
LiveOne's voting power is primarily structured around its common stock, which operates on a one-share-one-vote principle. As of July 22, 2024, there were 98,957,316 shares of common stock outstanding, each carrying one vote. This structure means that the majority of common stockholders can collectively elect all directors, as there are no provisions for cumulative voting. However, the presence of Series A Preferred Stock introduces a significant layer to the voting power distribution. As of June 30, 2025, 14,428.27 shares of Series A Preferred Stock were outstanding, with each share typically holding 1,000 votes. This preferential voting right can concentrate considerable influence in the hands of preferred stockholders, such as Trinad Capital, a fund associated with Robert Ellin. Any modifications to the rights of the Series A Preferred Stock necessitate the approval of a majority of the votes cast by its holders, underscoring its impact on the overall corporate structure and control.
LiveOne's voting power is a blend of common and preferred stock influence. The one-share-one-vote for common stock is standard, but preferred stock holds significant sway.
- Common stock follows a one-share-one-vote system.
- Series A Preferred Stock carries 1,000 votes per share.
- Majority approval from preferred stockholders is needed for changes affecting their rights.
- This dual structure can lead to concentrated voting power.
- Understanding this is key to grasping Mission, Vision & Core Values of LiveOne.
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What Recent Changes Have Shaped LiveOne’s Ownership Landscape?
Over the past few years, LiveOne has undergone significant transformations, including a name change and strategic rebranding of its subsidiaries. The company has also been actively repurchasing its shares, indicating a focus on consolidating ownership and potentially increasing per-share value for remaining shareholders.
| Action | Amount | Date |
|---|---|---|
| Share Buyback Program Reaffirmed | $12 million | November 2024 |
| Shares Repurchased (approx.) | 4.4 million | November 2024 |
| LiveOne Shares Bought Back (as of July 3, 2025) | Over 350,000 | July 3, 2025 |
| PodcastOne Shares Bought Back (as of July 3, 2025) | Over 1 million | July 3, 2025 |
| Remaining Buyback Program Funds (as of July 3, 2025) | Just under $6 million | July 3, 2025 |
LiveOne's ownership structure has been influenced by its increasing stake in its podcasting arm. The company has been strategically acquiring shares of its podcasting subsidiary, aiming for greater control and integration. This move aligns with a broader strategy of enhancing shareholder value through various corporate actions.
LiveOne boosted its ownership in PodcastOne to 72% by November 2024. This was achieved through several share acquisitions, including 583,000 shares at an average of $1.77 and an additional 224,000 in Q2 Fiscal 2025.
The company has been exploring strategic alternatives, such as acquisitions or divestitures, to improve shareholder value. This review was partly influenced by the $207 million sale of Napster.
Robert Ellin, as Founder, CEO, and Chairman, continues to guide the company's direction. LiveOne is also focusing on B2B partnerships, generating over $50 million in new revenue by April 2025, and anticipates user base growth to over 550,000 by February 2025.
Significant restructuring efforts are in place, aiming for $40 million in annualized cost reductions starting December 2024. The company is also expanding its reach through integrations like Tesla's in-car entertainment system.
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