TOKYO – Sony, headquartered in Japan, has announced a significant decline in first-quarter profits attributed to weaker performances in its movies and financial sectors. The company’s operating profit for the April-June period plummeted by 31% to 253 billion yen ($1.8 billion), aligning with earlier estimations.

The movies division saw a drastic two-thirds decrease in profits, primarily due to reduced sales of television content and amplified marketing expenses following the release of multiple films in theaters.

Having evolved from its origins as a consumer electronics giant, Sony has strategically shifted its focus towards entertainment, cultivating movies, music, and games. Simultaneously, it remains a prominent manufacturer of image sensors.

In a recent development, Sony disclosed its contemplation of a partial spin-off of its financial segment, encompassing life insurance and banking. This move is aimed at facilitating investments in its burgeoning entertainment ventures.

Anticipating the easing of supply chain challenges, Sony has set an ambitious target of selling 25 million PlayStation 5 consoles during this financial year, potentially achieving a historic record for a PlayStation device. The cumulative sales of the PlayStation 5 have already surpassed 40 million units.

Meanwhile, Nintendo reported noteworthy success with its game title “The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom,” which has contributed to bolstering sales of its well-established Switch console. Since its release in May, the game has propelled the sale of 18.5 million units.