Activision Blizzard Announces Fourth-Quarter and 2019 Financial Results. Word is: "For the quarter ended December 31, 2019, Activision Blizzard’s net revenues presented in accordance with GAAP were $1.99 billion, as compared with $2.38 billion for the fourth quarter of 2018. GAAP net revenues from digital channels were $1.44 billion. GAAP operating margin was 23%. GAAP earnings per diluted share were $0.68, as compared with $0.89 for the fourth quarter of 2018. On a non-GAAP basis, Activision Blizzard’s operating margin was 30% and earnings per diluted share were $0.62, as compared with $0.90 for the fourth quarter of 2018." Here are the highlights:

Selected Business Highlights
Strong execution against our strategy enabled Activision Blizzard to exceed its fourth quarter outlook and enter 2020 with momentum. Our increased investment and focus on the creative and commercial resources of our biggest franchises is delivering results, enabling us to accelerate the delivery of content in our pipeline, pursue new business models, broaden our communities, and delight our players.

Activision

• Activision had 128 million MAUs.
• Call of Duty® Mobile installs exceeded 150 million, with the game reaching the top of the download charts in more than 150 countries and regions, and ending the fourth quarter in the top-15 grossing games in U.S. app stores.
• Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare®unit sell-through increased by a double-digit percentage versus Call of Duty®: Black Ops 4, with growth across both PC and console. PC sell-through on Battle.net grew 50% year-over-year. Modern Warfare saw strong growth in full-game downloads with console digital mix at nearly 50%. In-game net bookingsC grew by a double-digit percentage versus Black Ops 4.
• In 2019, Call of Duty again generated more upfront console sales than any other franchise worldwide, a feat accomplished for 10 of the last 11 years.
• In January, the Call of Duty LeagueTM debuted with 12 city-based teams competing at its launch weekend in Minnesota. The league launched with deeply experienced team owners, high profile sponsors, and streaming distribution through YouTube, Activision Blizzard’s new broadcasting partner for esports leagues and events.

Blizzard

• Blizzard had 32 million MAUs.
• World of Warcraft® exited 2019 with an active player community3 more than twice the size of its Q2-ending level.
• Hearthstone® launched the Descent of DragonsTM expansion and rolled out the new Battlegrounds game mode in the fourth quarter, which drove sequential growth in engagement. Net bookingsB also grew sequentially for the franchise.
• Overwatch®launched on the Nintendo Switch, further expanding a community that has surpassed 50 million players globally since launch.
• In February, the Overwatch LeagueTM will return with 20 established teams from around the world competing in a homestand format with matches broadcast live on YouTube.