Spark Networks Information, Statistics, Facts and History

Facts Summary for Spark Networks SE

Spark Networks SE Logo
Headquarters:
Berlin, Germany
Business Started:
1997 (Spark Networks), 2008 (Affinitas GmbH) - In 2017 Affinitas GmbH and Spark Networks Inc. merged to form Spark Networks SE
Brands & Partnerships:
7 popular and 5+ minor (in 2019). Popular brands include Christian Mingle, JDate, JSwipe, eDarling, Elite Singles, Silver Singles, and Zoosk.
Employees:
201 [2014 #3]
Main Service Areas:
United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, International
Service Available Via:
Website, iOS and Android
Number of Active Members:
5,352,521 new registrations in 6 months [2018 #4]
Number of Paying Members:
Over 1 Million [2019 #1]

Spark Networks SE History Summary

In 1997 Joe Y. Shapira founded MatchNet plc. The first dating service created in 1997 was JDate.com with American Singles soon following. In January of 2005 MatchNet changed their name to Spark Networks and in May of the same year purchased MingleMatch Inc. The new acquisition gave Spark Networks control over brands like Christian Mingle (which launched in 2001) and all the other Mingle brands (like Single Parent Mingle). At this time Spark Networks had over 20 brands (including MatchNet, Glimpse.com, and SilverSingles). In 2006 Spark Networks was listed on the AMEX (now called the NYSE American) stock exchange and by 2007 they had $65 million in revenue for the year.

Since then competition started to really heat up in the dating industry especially with all of the new free dating sites. This put real pressure on paid dating services like those of Spark Networks. JDate and Christian Mingle continued to be Spark Networks top brands with Spark Networks spending well over $120 million in TV advertising to keep the brands on top over the next few years. Unfortunately they could not balance the marketing spending with revenue earned, resulting in Spark Networks scaling their advertising budget way back after a few years of loosing money.

By 2014 Spark Networks was up for sale and looking for a buyer. In a surprise move in 2017, Spark Networks announced the merger of Spark Networks, Inc. and Affinitas GmbH. They formed a new company called Spark Networks SE. The original Spark Networks headquarters in Beverly Hills, California was closed while the one for Affinitas GmbH in Berlin, Germany was kept as the official headquarters for the merged companies. With Affinitas GmbH now part of Spark Networks this brought in the popular dating brands like Elite Singles and eDarling which gives Spark Networks SE a presence in 29 countries worldwide.

In 2019 Spark Networks announced the acquisition of Zoosk. This purchase will double the amount of paying subscribers and makes them not only the second largest dating platform, but the second largest publicly-listed dating company in the world. (behind Match Group)

The Spark Networks stock is publicly listed on the NYSE American LLC exchange under the ticker symbol “LOV”.

Related Statistic Pages

Spark Networks SE Facts By Year

2023

  • General
    • Silver Singles is the recipient of the 2023 Dating Sites Reviews Editor's Top Pick Senior Award. [1]

References

  1. Summary of the 2023 Dating Sites Reviews Choice Awards

2020

  • General
    • Silver Singles is the recipient of the 2020 Dating Sites Reviews Editor's Top Pick Senior Award. [1]

References

  1. 2020 Dating Sites Reviews Choice Awards - Senior

2019

  • General
    • Spark Networks SE announced its entry into a agreement to acquire Zoosk, Inc. [1]
      • Spark Networks will more than double in size and reach over one million monthly paying subscribers.
      • Spark Networks will acquire 100% of Zoosk's shares with a combination of cash and stock valuing the company at approximately $255 million.
      • This acquistion creates the second largest online dating platform in North America and the second largest publicly-listed dating company in the world.
      • The agreement is expected to generate two-thirds of the combined company’s revenue in North America.
      • Zoosk, Inc. will become a subsidiary of Spark Networks SE.
      • The transaction is expected to close early in the third quarter of 2019.
    • Elite Singles ranks second in Newsweeks 2019 and 2020 America’s Best Customer Service for a dating service. [5]
    • Spark Networks announced that Eric Eichmann will take over as CEO of Spark Networks, replacing Jeronimo Folgueira. [6]
  • Finances
    • Spark Networks purchases Zoosk, Inc. for $258 million USD. [2]
    • In the last few years Spark has earned over $300 million in revenue. [2]
    • For the first half of 2019, Spark Networks reported revenue of €49.2 million, a decrease of 7.1% from €53.0 million in the first half of 2018. The decline in revenue is related to a 9% drop in Average Paying Subscribers year-on-year. [3]
    • The Zoosk acquisition more than doubled Spark’s revenue base and pushed the company closer to its goal of delivering over $50 million in 2020 adjusted EBITDA once the acquisition has been fully integrated. [4]
    • Shares of Spark Networks have lost more than a third of their value thus far in 2019 and over 50% since the deal to acquire Zoosk closed on July 1. [4]
    • To address its poor stock market performance, Spark Networks has released an open letter to its shareholders. The letter expresses disappointment at the company’s falling stock price and suggests that the losses were primarily due to “concentrated share sales by a minority of our shareholder base,” not the result of under-performance. In the second half of the letter, Spark Networks lays out a three-phase strategy for continued growth. [4]

References

  1. Spark Networks Set To Acquire Zoosk In $255 Million Deal
  2. Spark Buys Zoosk for $258 Million
  3. Spark Networks Reports Earnings For The First Half Of 2019
  4. Spark Networks Pens Open Letter To Shareholders After Poor Stock Market Performance
  5. Newsweek Ranks Christian Cafe #1 in Customer Service for Online Dating
  6. Eric Eichmann Named CEO of Spark Networks

2018

  • General
    • Spark Networks announced the global expansion of Jdate and Christian Mingle. This offering the services in a number of new languages. [1]
  • Finances
    • After Facebook announced their new dating feature, Spark Networks stock closed 4 per cent lower. [2]
    • Spark Networks 2017 Final Financial Results: [3]
      • For the full year 2017, Spark Networks SE revenue increased 16.5% from 2016’s €73.5 million to €85.6 million.
      • Spark Networks expects $127 – $133 million of revenue and $13 – $18 million in Adjusted EBITDA in 2018.
      • Spark Networks has nearly half a million monthly paying subscribers across 29 countries.
      • EliteSingles is the largest and fastest growing brand in the Spark Networks portfolio.
      • EliteSingles showed 20% growth in 2017 and now accounts for ~60% of Spark Networks revenue.
      • Jdate and Christian Mingle are stable and expected to grow in 2018.
      • SilverSingles launched in six key markets in December 2017 and already accounts for 15% of Spark registrations.
    • Spark Networks 2018 First Half Financial Results: [4]
      • EliteSingles, the largest Spark Networks SE brand, accounted for nearly 60% of total revenues in the first half of 2018.
      • EliteSingles in North America grew in excess of 16% year-over-year.
      • SilverSingles (which relaunched in Dec of 2017) has over 35,000 paying subscribers and contributed 8% of total revenue in the month of June.
      • Total revenue was €53.0 million, an increase of 25.9% compared to the six months ended June 30, 2017.
      • Spark Networks has a net loss of €1.1 million, but this is a €557 thousand reduction from the net loss in the six months ended June 30, 2017.
      • Total Number Registrations: 5,352,521
      • Average Paying Subscribers: 489,024
    • Spark Networks USA headquarters is in Los Angeles. [5]
    • Spark Networks USA has agreed to pay $500,000 in penalties and up to $985,000 in restitution to customers after settling a consumer protection action. [5]

References

  1. Spark Networks Expands Christian Mingle and JDate Market
  2. Facebook Is Finally Getting Into The Online Dating Game
  3. Spark Networks SE Reports Second Half And Full Year 2017 Financial Results
  4. Spark Networks SE Reports First Half 2018 Results
  5. Spark Networks Ordered To Repay Nearly $1 Million To Customers

2017

References

  1. Spark Networks And EliteSingles To Merge In Late 2017

2016

  • General
    • ChristianMingle.com as well as its sister sites like CatholicMingle.com and BlackSingles.com will include options for gay and lesbian users within 2 years. This is part of a legal settlement which Spark Networks agreed too. [1]

References

  1. Judge Rules ChristianMingle Must Now Include LGBT Singles

2015

  • Finances
    • Quarter 1, 2015 revenue is $13.5 million. This is down 19% when compared to the year before. [1]
    • Revenue has dropped in part because direct marketing expenses for Q1, 2015 was $6.1 million which is a decrease of 47% compared to thes same quarter in 2014. [1]
    • Revenue in the second quarter of 2015 was $12.3 million, a decrease of 22% compared to the year ago period, and a 9% decrease from the prior quarter. [2]
    • The re-launch of both JDate and ChristianMingle is on schedule for Q4 2015. [3]
    • Spark Networks mobile presence now exceeds over 200,000 monthly active users across five brands. [3]
    • The company suffered a 22 percent drop in its year-on-year revenue, taking in a total of $11.7 million for the third quarter. Along with the dip in profit, Spark Networks also saw a net income loss of $822,000 for the quarter, compared to its $95,000 loss for Q2 of 2015. [3]

References

  1. Spark Networks Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
  2. Spark Networks Reports Second Quarter 2015 Financial Results
  3. Spark Networks Reports Third Quarter 2015 Financial Results

2014

  • Finances
    • Quarter 4, 2013 revenue is $17.2 million (up 6% compared to year before). For the 12 months in 2013 revenue is $69.4 million (up 12% compared to 2012). [1]
    • Christian Networks is responsible for 58% of revenue in 2013. [1]
    • Spark Networks is for sale. [2]
    • Spark Networks is cutting their job force of 201 full time employees by an undisclosed amount. [3]

References

  1. Spark Networks Releases Fourth Quarter 2014 Financials
  2. Online Dating Company Spark Networks Is For Sale
  3. Spark Networks Is Breaking Up With Its Employees

2013

  • General
    • Asian Singles Connection was shut down in the last year. [1]
    • Single Parents Mingle was closed late in 2012. It now redirects to Christian Mingle. [2]
    • Revenue grew 45% last quarter. Some analysts predict that Spark Networks stock price will double. [4]
  • Members
    • 55% of members are over the age of 36 and 25% are over the age of 50. [3]

References

  1. Asian Singles Connection Closes
  2. Single Parents Mingle Closes
  3. ChristianMingle’s Future Looking Bright
  4. Is Spark Networks The Next Netflix?

2012

  • Finances
    • Quarter 4, 2011 revenue is $12.9 million. For the 12 months in 2011 it is $48.5 million. [1]
    • Quarter 1 revenue is $14.6 million. [2]
  • Members
    • Fourth quarter of 2011 had a total of 212,850 paying subscribers. [1]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 87,101 paying subscribers.
      • The Christian Networks had a total of 123,139 paying subscribers.
    • First quarter of 2012 had a total of 240,706 paying subscribers. [2]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 86,433 paying subscribers.
      • The Christian Networks had a total of 124,158 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Networks had a total of 30,115 paying subscribers.

References

  1. Spark Networks Fourth Quarter 2011 Financials
  2. Spark Networks First Quarter 2012 Financials

2011

  • General Information
    • HurryDate.com officially holds the record for hosting the largest speed dating event. 414 daters participated in the event held in Chicago on Feb. 8, 2011. [1]
    • Spark Networks renames "SingleSeniorsMeet.com" to "SilverSingles.com". [2]
  • Finances
    • Quarter 4, 2010 revenue is $10.1 million. For the 12 months in 2010 it is $40.9 million. [3]
  • Members
    • Fourth quarter of 2010 had a total of 160,744 paying subscribers. [3]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 89,723 paying subscribers.
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 5,174 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 65,172 paying subscribers.

References

  1. New Guinness World Record for Speed Dating
  2. Single Seniors Meet now SilverSingles.com
  3. Spark Networks Fourth Quarter 2010 Financials

2010

  • General Information
    • Great Hill Partners Offers To Take Spark Networks Private. They currently own about 25% of the stock. The rest would cost about $64 million. [1]
    • Spark Networks renames "More To Love" back to "BBW Personals Plus". [2]
    • Spark Networks renames "PrimeSingles.net" to "SingleSeniorsMeet.com". [3]
    • JDate launches a mobile service (in Beta) which allows members to receive text alerts and, send and receive emails. [4]
    • Spark Networks Customer Call Center receives about 1,700 calls daily. [5]
  • Finances
    • Quarter 1 revenue is $10.5 million. [6]
    • Quarter 2 revenue is $10.3 million. [7]
    • Quarter 3 revenue is $9.9 million with a net profit of $1.2 million. [8]
  • Members
    • First quarter of 2010 had a total of 169,833 paying subscribers. [6]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 93,235 paying subscribers.
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 7,813 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 68,124 paying subscribers.
    • Second quarter of 2010 had a total of 160,239 paying subscribers. [7]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 89,055 paying subscribers.
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 6,434 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 64,083 paying subscribers.
    • Third quarter of 2010 had a total of 158,422 paying subscribers. [8]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 89,792 paying subscribers.
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 5,888 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 62,026 paying subscribers.

References

  1. Great Hill Partners Offers To Take Spark Networks Private
  2. MoreToLove renamed back to BBWpersonalsplus
  3. SingleSeniorsMeet.com is the New Name for PrimeSingles.net
  4. JDate.com Launches JDate Mobile
  5. Spark Networks is Niche Dating
  6. Spark Networks First Quarter 2010 Financials
  7. Spark Networks Second Quarter 2010 Financials
  8. Spark Networks Third Quarter 2010 Financials

2009

  • General Information
    • The dating site Engage was sold to Spark Networks. [1]
    • AmericanSingles.com was renamed and rebranded as Spark.com. [5]
  • Finances
    • Quarter 1 revenue is $12 million. [2]
    • Quarter 2 revenue is $11.2 million. [3]
    • Quarter 3 revenue is $11.1 million. [4]
    • Quarter 4 revenue is $11.1 million. [6]
    • For the year 2009 revenue totaled $45.4 million with a net loss of $6.4 million. [6]
  • Members
    • First quarter of 2009 had a total of 168,004 paying subscribers. [2]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 84,644 paying subscribers.
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 17,810 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 64,393 paying subscribers.
    • Second quarter of 2009 had a total of 163,217 paying subscribers. [3]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 82,769 paying subscribers.
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 14,022 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 65,409 paying subscribers.
    • Third quarter of 2009 had a total of 164,289 paying subscribers. [4]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 86,051 paying subscribers.
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 11,452 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 66,786 paying subscribers.
    • Fourth quarter of 2009 had a total of 168,646 paying subscribers. [6]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 90,657 paying subscribers.
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 9,594 paying subscribers.
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 67,725 paying subscribers.

References

  1. Engage Sold to Spark Networks
  2. Spark Networks First Quarter 2009 Financials
  3. Spark Networks Second Quarter 2009 Financials
  4. Spark Networks Third Quarter 2009 Financials
  5. AmericanSingles.com Now Spark.com
  6. Spark Networks Fourth Quarter 2009 Financials

2008

  • Finances
    • Year 2008 revenue total is $57.3 million with a net income of $4.8. [7]
    • Quarter 4 revenue is $13.2 million with a net loss of $164,000. [7]
    • Quarter 3 revenue is $14 million. [6]
    • Quarter 2 revenue is $15 million. [5]
    • Quarter 1 revenue is $15 million. [1]
  • General Information
    • 23 Dating Sites owned by Spark Networks. [3]
    • In Spark Networks, The General Market Networks segment consists of the AmericanSingles.com website, its co-branded and private label websites, and Date.co.uk and Date.ca. [5]
    • In Spark Networks, The Jewish Networks segment consists of JDate.com, JDate.co.il and Cupid.co.il websites and their respective co-branded websites. [5]
    • In Spark Networks, The Other Affinity Networks segment consists of all of the Utah-based properties. This includes the MingleMatch Network of sites like ChristianMingle.com, BlackSingles.com and BBWPersonalsPlus. [5]
  • Members
    • Fourth quarter of 2008 had a total average of 177,011 paying subscribers. [7]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 87,205 paying subscribers. [7]
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 23,094 paying subscribers. [7]
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 65,395 paying subscribers. [7]
    • Third quarter of 2008 had a total average of 187,682 paying subscribers. [6]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 91,703 paying subscribers. [6]
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 27,814 paying subscribers. [6]
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 66,600 paying subscribers. [6]
    • Second quarter of 2008 had a total average of 190,455 paying subscribers. [5]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 91,598 paying subscribers. [5]
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 33,573 paying subscribers. [5]
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 63,309 paying subscribers. [5]
    • First quarter of 2008 had a total of 192,652 paying subscribers. [1]
      • The Jewish Network had a total of 92,719 paying subscribers. [1]
      • The General Market Networks had a total of 37,435 paying subscribers. [1]
      • The Other Affinity Networks had a total of 60,133 paying subscribers. [1]

2007

  • Finances
    • Total revenue for the year is $65.2 million. [4]

2006

  • Finances
    • Spark Networks listed on the AMEX Stock Echange under the ticker "LOV". [9]

2005

  • General Information
    • 193 Employees. [2]
    • On May 23, 2005, MingleMatch, Inc. (which was founded in 2000) became a subsidiary of Spark Networks, Inc. under the Other Affinity Networks label. MingleMatch dating sites included the Mingle brands like Christian Mingle, Black Singles Connection, Christian Mingle, LDS Mingle, BBW Personals Plus, Military Singles Connection and Single Parents Mingle. [8]

References

  1. Spark Networks First Quarter 2008 Financials
  2. Hoovers
  3. Spark Networks Site List
  4. Spark Networks Investor Relations
  5. Spark Networks Second Quarter 2008 Financials
  6. Spark Networks Third Quarter 2008 Financials
  7. Spark Networks Fourth Quarter and Year 2008 Financials
  8. MatchNet plc / Mergers - Acquisitions - Takeovers / Spark Networks announces acquisition of MingleMatch
  9. Spark Networks latest Financials

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