SeaWorld profits continue sinking, with a documentary as its anchor

Amelia Havanec

Amelia Havanec Jul 1, 2025

Jan 12, 2018

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                <h1>SeaWorld profits continue sinking, with a documentary as its anchor</h1>
                <h2><p>SeaWorld released their second quarter financial report today that shows an 84% plummet in profits since 2014 (a $37.4m to $5.8m drop). Unfortunately for the company, declines in spectator attendance, sales and profits have been occurring since a little documentary known as Blackfish released in 2013, depicting the</p></h2>
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               <p>By <a href="/author/amelia-havanec-crosscut-com/">Amelia Havanec</a></p> 
              <p><time datetime="2025-02-04T05:00:00-08:00">Jan 12, 2018</time></p>
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            <p><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2015/aug/06/seaworld-profits-plunge-customers?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">SeaWorld</a> released their <a href="http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/seaworld-entertainment-inc-reports-second-quarter-2015-results-300124561.html?ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">second quarter financial report</a> today that shows an 84% plummet in profits since 2014 (a $37.4m to $5.8m drop). Unfortunately for the company, declines in spectator attendance, sales and profits have been occurring since a little documentary known as <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OEjYquyjcg&ref=dev.cascadepbs.org">Blackfish</a> released in 2013, depicting the mistreatment of their captive killer whales. Unfortunately for the park's versions of Willy, they're not getting freed anytime soon. SeaWorld says the decline in numbers are due to “continued brand challenges.” PETA responded in a statement that, “Families just don’t want to buy tickets to see orcas going insane inside tiny tanks.” Burn. SeaWorld is still trying to make amends with their lost fan base by implementing a new attraction in San Antonio that will allow customers to swim with dolphins in a more “naturalistic” setting.</p>
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SeaWorld released their second quarter financial report today that shows an 84% plummet in profits since 2014 (a $37.4m to $5.8m drop). Unfortunately for the company, declines in spectator attendance, sales and profits have been occurring since a little documentary known as Blackfish released in 2013, depicting the mistreatment of their captive killer whales. Unfortunately for the park's versions of Willy, they're not getting freed anytime soon. SeaWorld says the decline in numbers are due to “continued brand challenges.” PETA responded in a statement that, “Families just don’t want to buy tickets to see orcas going insane inside tiny tanks.” Burn. SeaWorld is still trying to make amends with their lost fan base by implementing a new attraction in San Antonio that will allow customers to swim with dolphins in a more “naturalistic” setting.

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By Amelia Havanec

Amelia Havanec is Crosscut's Science and Tech Fellow. She came to Washington from her home state of Connecticut by way of New York, Florida, California and Michigan in pursuit of the perfect pint. Sh