Hybe reports highest quarterly revenue and operating profit

The July-to-September quarter included BTS's Arirang stadium shows in Europe and the United States. Operating profit reversed an operating loss of 42.2 billion won a year earlier, Music Times reported.

Earnings

Hybe reported total revenue of about 1.53 trillion won, up 109.8% from the same period of 2025. Operating profit was 188.5 billion won. The revenue figure exceeded the 1.45 trillion won Hybe booked in the previous three months, Music Times reported.

Concert revenue was 726.8 billion won, the largest component cited by Music Times. Merchandise and licensing brought in 334.6 billion won, and albums and digital music another 282.8 billion won. Those three figures do not sum to total revenue; Music Times did not break out the remainder.

BTS tour drives the quarter

BTS is Hybe's main source of income, and the company's operating profit slumped during the band's hiatus. Billboard estimated that the group, its label Big Hit Music and Hybe would generate more than $1bn from the reunion, counting concerts, merchandise, licensing, album sales and streaming.

The Arirang tour was announced on 13 January 2026; Billboard reported in June that it would include 80 concerts in 34 cities. Big Hit Music said the album Arirang sold 3.98 million copies on its first day.

The reunion began with a free Seoul concert, the group's first full show since October 2022, when they paused for military service. Netflix said it drew 18.4 million viewers. The show was staged at Gwanghwamun Square and broadcast to more than 190 countries, the BBC reported. It topped Netflix's rankings in 24 countries, the company said.

Hybe said about 104,000 people attended, against the 260,000 local authorities had anticipated. Only around 22,000 ticket holders got into the main venue, with others watching on screens along nearby streets.

In 2024, when the group was on hiatus, Hybe's operating profit fell by almost 37.5%, a decline the company partly blamed on the BTS break.

What happens next

Hybe chief executive Lee Jae-sang said on the earnings call that discussions with the members cover group and solo projects beyond the current tour, Music Times reported. No release dates or detailed schedule for the second half of 2027 were announced. The company also expects to announce additional Arirang performances.