Pittsburgh Arts, Regional Theatre, New Work, Producing, Copyright, Labor Unions,
New Products, Coping Skills, J-O-Bs...
Theatre industry news, University & School of Drama Announcements, plus occasional course support for
Carnegie Mellon School of Drama Faculty, Staff, Students, and Alumni.
Friday, September 12, 2025
Sphere Entertainment Buys Back $27.5 Million in Stock
www.ticketnews.com: Sphere Entertainment Co. has repurchased more than 629,000 shares of its Class A common stock, the company announced, signaling confidence in the long-term prospects of its Las Vegas venue and media businesses.
It’s nice to see live entertainment starting to spring back now that Covid is over. Granted, this is a very different venue than your average local playhouse but at a time when so many live venues are struggling to stay afloat seeing a success story like this revitalizes some hope in the live entertainment industry. And a rising tide brings up all ships. While this venue won’t directly do much to help your local theatre groups it will remind many of the joy of seeing live performance. I believe that many upon being reminded of their love of live performance will continue to seek out shows in their local venues when they get back from Vegas. When I first heard of the sphere I couldn’t understand why they would spend so much on a flashy exterior but it seems now the gambit is paying off. I think this serves as a reminder that in show business sometimes putting a few more resources into the little things can help bring in a bigger audience and make it more memorable.
I think the sphere is a really interesting use of the technology that continues to evolve around video media. when it first opened I have to admit I was sceptical of it, but clearly they seem to be doing well. With big name shows happening at the sphere they're bound to bring in a lot of money, however the operating costs are insane. Playing a show at the sphere means creating so much new content in order to actually use the technology that makes it unique, however the sphere is the only place that that show can happen, they can't move it somewhere else. This isn't me advocating for adding more venues like the sphere elsewhere, but to only be able to put the show on once or twice means the costs of production are very high. However the sphere is clearly making money, and a pretty large amount of it at that, which is a boost for the entertainment industry I hope to see reflected at smaller or more local venues as well.
As a theatre student studying sound design, I’m fascinated by Sphere Entertainment’s decision to reinvest in its own future through a $27.5 million stock buyback. The Las Vegas Sphere is not just another venue—it represents a leap forward in how live performance and technology intersect. Its massive LED surface and immersive audio systems push the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling and audience engagement. From a sound design perspective, the Sphere’s use of beamforming and spatial audio is groundbreaking, creating an experience where every seat feels perfectly tuned. This kind of investment signals confidence not only in the company’s financial stability but also in the future of experimental performance spaces. For students like me, it’s inspiring to see how large-scale venues are prioritizing sound as an integral part of the theatrical experience, proving that audio design is at the heart of live entertainment innovation.
It’s nice to see live entertainment starting to spring back now that Covid is over. Granted, this is a very different venue than your average local playhouse but at a time when so many live venues are struggling to stay afloat seeing a success story like this revitalizes some hope in the live entertainment industry. And a rising tide brings up all ships. While this venue won’t directly do much to help your local theatre groups it will remind many of the joy of seeing live performance. I believe that many upon being reminded of their love of live performance will continue to seek out shows in their local venues when they get back from Vegas. When I first heard of the sphere I couldn’t understand why they would spend so much on a flashy exterior but it seems now the gambit is paying off. I think this serves as a reminder that in show business sometimes putting a few more resources into the little things can help bring in a bigger audience and make it more memorable.
ReplyDeleteI think the sphere is a really interesting use of the technology that continues to evolve around video media. when it first opened I have to admit I was sceptical of it, but clearly they seem to be doing well. With big name shows happening at the sphere they're bound to bring in a lot of money, however the operating costs are insane. Playing a show at the sphere means creating so much new content in order to actually use the technology that makes it unique, however the sphere is the only place that that show can happen, they can't move it somewhere else. This isn't me advocating for adding more venues like the sphere elsewhere, but to only be able to put the show on once or twice means the costs of production are very high. However the sphere is clearly making money, and a pretty large amount of it at that, which is a boost for the entertainment industry I hope to see reflected at smaller or more local venues as well.
ReplyDeleteAs a theatre student studying sound design, I’m fascinated by Sphere Entertainment’s decision to reinvest in its own future through a $27.5 million stock buyback. The Las Vegas Sphere is not just another venue—it represents a leap forward in how live performance and technology intersect. Its massive LED surface and immersive audio systems push the boundaries of what’s possible in storytelling and audience engagement. From a sound design perspective, the Sphere’s use of beamforming and spatial audio is groundbreaking, creating an experience where every seat feels perfectly tuned. This kind of investment signals confidence not only in the company’s financial stability but also in the future of experimental performance spaces. For students like me, it’s inspiring to see how large-scale venues are prioritizing sound as an integral part of the theatrical experience, proving that audio design is at the heart of live entertainment innovation.
ReplyDelete