Entertainment
For the fiscal 2023 second quarter, the Entertainment segment generated revenues of $356.5 million, an increase of $108.9 million, or 44%, as compared to the prior year period. Revenues from the presentation of the Christmas Spectacular production increased $71.1 million, primarily due to higher ticket-related revenues, which reflected 73 additional performances as compared to the prior year period and, to a lesser extent, higher per-show paid attendance. Revenues subject to the sharing of economics with Madison Square Garden Sports Corp. (“MSG Sports”) pursuant to the Company’s arena license agreements increased $17.1 million, primarily reflecting higher suite license fee revenues and higher Knicks and Rangers food, beverage and merchandise sales. In addition, event-related revenues increased $7.6 million as compared to the prior year period, mainly reflecting higher revenues from concerts.
Fiscal 2023 second quarter direct operating expenses of $181.0 million increased $33.7 million, or 23%, as compared to the prior year quarter. Expenses associated with the sharing of economics with MSG Sports pursuant to the arena license agreements increased $11.0 million, reflecting the increase in related revenues. Direct operating expenses associated with the Christmas Spectacular production increased $10.6 million, primarily due to the increase in the number of performances as compared to the prior year period. In addition, event-related direct operating expenses increased $5.3 million, primarily related to the increase in the number of concerts held at the Company’s venues, as compared to the prior year period.
Fiscal 2023 second quarter selling, general and administrative expenses of $109.6 million increased $18.0 million, or 20%, as compared with the prior year quarter. This increase primarily reflected higher employee compensation and related benefits of $9.5 million, primarily due to the Company’s MSG Sphere initiative, and higher professional fees of $4.7 million, which reflects an increase in costs related to the Company’s potential spin-off of its live entertainment business, partially offset by a decrease in costs, primarily litigation-related and net of insurance recovery, associated with the acquisition of MSG Networks by MSG Entertainment and a decrease in costs related to the Company’s MSG Sphere initiative.
Fiscal 2023 second quarter operating income of $39.7 million improved by $50.0 million, and adjusted operating income of $66.3 million increased by $51.3 million, both as compared to the prior year period. The improvements in operating income and adjusted operating income were primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses, and higher selling, general and administrative expenses. In addition, operating income results also reflected the impact of restructuring charges in the current year period.
MSG Networks
For the fiscal 2023 second quarter, the MSG Networks segment generated revenues of $158.9 million, a decrease of $1.1 million, or 1%, as compared to the prior year period. Affiliation fee revenue decreased $7.5 million, primarily due to a decrease in subscribers of approximately 10.5%, partially offset by net favorable affiliate adjustments of approximately $4.1 million and the impact of higher affiliation rates in the current year quarter. Advertising revenue increased $6.3 million, primarily due to a higher number of live professional sports telecasts as compared to the prior year period, an increase in per-game advertising sales and higher sales related to MSG Networks’ non-ratings-based advertising initiatives.
Fiscal 2023 second quarter direct operating expenses of $90.4 million increased $4.5 million, or 5%, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to higher rights fees expense of $3.1 million and, to a lesser extent, an increase in other programming and production costs of $1.4 million. The increase in rights fees expense is primarily due to annual contractual rate increases in the current year period. The increase in other programming and production costs includes the impact of a higher number of live professional sports telecasts as compared to the prior year period.
Fiscal 2023 second quarter selling, general and administrative expenses of $38.1 million increased $0.9 million, or 2%, as compared to the prior year quarter. This primarily reflects a $4.7 million increase in expenses, primarily litigation-related, associated with the acquisition of MSG Networks by MSG Entertainment and a $1.7 million increase in advertising sales commissions and other expenses, partially offset by lower employee compensation and related benefits of $2.8 million and lower advertising and marketing expenses of $2.7 million.
Fiscal 2023 second quarter operating income of $24.8 million decreased $10.3 million, or 29%, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to the increase in direct operating expenses, the impact of restructuring charges in the current year period, and, to a lesser extent, the decrease in revenues. Adjusted operating income of $39.3 million decreased $4.5 million, or 10%, as compared to the prior year quarter, primarily due to the increase in direct operating expenses and, to a lesser extent, the decrease in revenues, partially offset by lower selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding the net impact of higher merger and acquisition-related costs and lower share-based compensation expense).
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