HYBE's Q3 Earnings Top Q2 Records on BTS Tour Surge
By @sharedot · · 6 pages
- K-pop
- Hybe
- Bts
- Business
HYBE says BTS's world tour drove record Q3 revenue of $1.135 billion and $140 million operating profit, topping its own record quarter.
BTS' Tour Powers HYBE's Best Quarter Ever
HYBE's third-quarter results are the best in the company's history, with 1.5257 trillion Korean won ($1.135 billion) in revenue and 188.5 billion won ($140.35 million) in operating profit, according to Billboard.
The quarter outdid the records set just three months earlier, when TicketNews reports HYBE became the first time its quarterly revenue passed 1 trillion won with 1.45 trillion won ($993 million) in Q2.
Billboard attributes the surge largely to BTS' continuing world tour, which is running across Europe and North America.
Where the Record Money Came From
Billboard reports that direct artist activities — recorded music, concerts, appearances and ads — accounted for 70% of the quarter's revenue at 1.0753 trillion won ($800.06 million), while indirect activities like merchandise, licensing and fan club content added 450.4 billion won.
Touring alone generated 726.8 billion won ($541.7 million), and BTS' North American merchandise sales brought in 107 billion won ($79.66 million) per Billboard. Total merchandise and licensing revenue reached 334.6 billion won ($249.11 million), the outlet says.
Why Two Record Quarters in a Row Is Rare
Record-breaking quarters usually reset the bar, and HYBE clearing its own in back-to-back quarters is the surprising part for fans and analysts.
TicketNews notes Q2 was the first time the company ever topped 1 trillion won in quarterly revenue, driven by BTS' comeback album ARIRANG, 아리랑, which Billboard reports led U.S. vinyl and CD sales in the first half of 2026.
The Q3 figures per Billboard show the momentum was not a one-album spike but sustained touring and merchandising power.
What Comes Next for HYBE
Billboard reports KATSEYE sold out all 31 of its European and North American shows, with the group's third EP WILD topping the Billboard 200 and earning 170,000 equivalent album units in its first week, and the group continues touring Asia and Oceania in January.
HYBE artists ENHYPHEN, LE SSERAFIM, &TEAM, KATSEYE and CORTIS are also on the road, per Billboard. The company is expanding too: Billboard notes HYBE Americas launched Latin pop label Tru Records with Santos Bravos as its first signing, alongside the new HYBE Global Label Service.