SOOP improved its results from the previous quarter on the back of higher advertising revenue in the third quarter, but both revenue and operating profit fell from a year earlier.

SOOP said on Thursday it posted third-quarter 2026 consolidated revenue of 105.7 billion won, operating profit of 14.5 billion won and net profit of 10.6 billion won.

Revenue fell 16 percent from a year earlier. Operating profit dropped 59.9 percent and net profit declined 64 percent.

From the previous quarter, revenue rose 1.8 percent, operating profit gained 15 percent and net profit increased 21 percent.

The advertising business led the quarter-on-quarter improvement. Third-quarter advertising revenue was 36.8 billion won, up 35.4 percent from the previous quarter.

Brand campaigns increased around major game leagues and large events such as FC Online and the Valorant VCT Busan Roadshow. Marketing expanded for new titles from game companies and large campaigns, as well as offline marketing projects for corporate clients.

As more game company-linked events were held, including tournament production and operations, showcases and pop-ups, content-based advertising revenue rose 54.6 percent from the previous quarter to 19.5 billion won.

SOOP plans to expand user engagement in the fourth quarter through major content such as ASL, LCK and the League of Legends World Championship, global esports and women's professional volleyball, while responding to the resumption of activity by major streamers and year-end brand marketing demand.

It is also strengthening streamer support. In September it introduced an "Emblem System" that certifies cumulative activity performance, and since October it has been running "Partners Mentoring" involving multi-channel networks and partner streamers.

On the service side, it plans to unveil a user interface and user experience revamp plan by the end of this year and apply it in phases from 2027.

In its advertising business, it aims to officially launch an integrated marketing brand, "SOOPIER", in the first quarter of 2027 by combining the advertising and marketing capabilities of SOOP and its affiliates.

In September, SOOP retired 306,375 treasury shares, about 2.7 percent of total shares outstanding. It plans to continue its policy of paying cash dividends of at least 25 percent of consolidated net profit, and to prepare measures to enhance corporate value, including the use of remaining treasury shares and mid- to long-term capital allocation.