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8-K - FORM 8-K - BELO CORP | d85466e8vk.htm |
Exhibit 99.1
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, November 3, 2011
7:30 a.m. CDT
Thursday, November 3, 2011
7:30 a.m. CDT
TELEVISION COMPANY BELO CORP. (BLC) REPORTS RESULTS FOR
THIRD QUARTER 2011
THIRD QUARTER 2011
DALLAS Belo Corp. (NYSE: BLC), one of the nations largest pure-play, publicly-traded
television companies, today reported GAAP net earnings per share in the third quarter of 2011 of
$0.13 compared to GAAP net earnings per share of $0.13 in the third quarter of 2010. The third
quarter of 2011 includes a previously disclosed credit of $0.02 per share related to the
satisfactory resolution of a tax matter.
Dunia A. Shive, Belos president and Chief Executive Officer, said, Belo reported solid
earnings for the third quarter of 2011, while cycling against more than $11 million of political
revenue in the third quarter of 2010. Excluding political, Belos third quarter 2011 core spot
revenue was down 2 percent from the prior year, with July being the softest month of the quarter
and both August and September showing sequential improvement in year-to-year revenue comparisons.
The automotive category in the third quarter of 2011 was flat when compared with the third quarter
of 2010, with a 7 percent increase in the month of September and continued momentum into the fourth
quarter. The Company reduced its combined station and corporate operating costs by 3.7 percent
from the third quarter of 2010.
Third Quarter in Review
Operating Results
Total revenue decreased 7 percent in the third quarter of 2011 versus the third quarter of
2010. Total spot revenue, excluding political, was down 2 percent with local spot revenue flat and
national spot revenue down 5 percent. Political revenue in the third quarter of 2011 was $2.1
million compared to $11.2 million in the third quarter of 2010. Total spot revenue, including
political, was down 9 percent in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.
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Belo Announces Third Quarter 2011 Results
November 3, 2011
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November 3, 2011
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Other revenue, which includes barter and trade advertising, network compensation, Internet
advertising and retransmission revenue, was flat in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third
quarter of 2010 as a double-digit percentage increase in combined retransmission and Internet
revenue was offset by declines in network compensation and miscellaneous revenue.
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits decreased $0.8 million, or 1.5 percent, during
the third quarter of 2011 versus the third quarter of 2010 due primarily to lower accrued bonus
expense. Station programming and other operating costs were essentially flat in the third quarter
of 2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.
Corporate
Corporate operating costs of $5.1 million in the third quarter of 2011 were $3.6 million lower
than the third quarter of 2010 due primarily to lower expenses for pension, accrued bonuses and
technology support costs.
Combined station and corporate operating costs were down 3.7 percent in the third quarter of
2011 compared to the third quarter of 2010.
Other Items
Belos depreciation expense totaled $7.6 million in the third quarter of 2011, down from $8.4
million in the third quarter of 2010.
The Companys interest expense decreased $2.3 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to
the third quarter of 2010 due primarily to lower borrowings on its revolving credit facility and
lower ongoing fees resulting from the Companys election in 2010 to reduce the commitment amount
under that facility.
Income tax expense decreased $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to the third
quarter of 2010 due primarily to lower pre-tax earnings and a previously disclosed $2.5 million
benefit related to the satisfactory resolution of a tax matter.
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Belo Announces Third Quarter 2011 Results
November 3, 2011
Page Three
November 3, 2011
Page Three
Total debt at September 30, 2011, was $887 million, which consists entirely of fixed-rate
public debt. The Company had nothing drawn on its credit facility and $45 million in cash and
marketable securities at September 30, 2011. The Companys total leverage ratio, as defined in the
Companys credit facility, was 3.8 times at September 30, 2011. Belo invested $3.5 million in
capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2011 and currently expects full year capital
expenditures to be approximately $16 million.
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
A reconciliation of station adjusted EBITDA to earnings from operations and a reconciliation
of net earnings to pro forma net earnings are set forth in an exhibit to this release.
Outlook
Looking to the fourth quarter, Shive said, With the automotive category continuing to show
improvement, we are currently estimating spot revenue without political to be up 3 to 4 percent in
the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the fourth quarter of 2010. Our stations generated $35.7
million of political revenue in the fourth quarter of 2010, which we will cycle against in the
fourth quarter of 2011. As a result, we are currently estimating fourth quarter total revenue to
be down in the low teens versus the prior years fourth quarter.
Combined station and corporate operating costs are currently estimated to be down about 3
percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 compared to the fourth quarter of 2010.
A conference call to discuss this release and other matters of interest to shareholders and
analysts will follow at 10:00 a.m. CDT this morning. The conference call will be simultaneously
webcast on Belo Corp.s website (www.belo.com/invest). Following the conclusion of the
webcast, a replay of the conference call will be archived on Belos website. To access the
listen-only conference lines, dial 1-888-423-3276. A replay line will be open from 3:00 p.m. CDT
on November 3 until 11:59 p.m. CST November 17. To access the replay, dial 800-475-6701 or
320-365-3844. The access code for the replay is 220997.
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Belo Announces Third Quarter 2011 Results
November 3, 2011
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November 3, 2011
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About Belo Corp.
Belo Corp. (BLC), one of the nations largest pure-play, publicly-traded television companies,
owns and operates 20 television stations (nine in the top 25 markets) and their associated
websites. Belo stations, which include affiliations with ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and
the CW, reach more than 14 percent of U.S. television households in 15 highly-attractive markets.
Belo stations rank first or second in nearly all of their local markets. Additional information is
available at www.belo.com or by contacting Paul Fry, vice president/Investor Relations &
Treasury Operations, at 214-977-4465.
Statements in this communication concerning Belos business outlook or future economic
performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, investments,
future financings, impairments, pension matters, and other financial and non-financial items that
are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements as the term is defined under applicable
federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements.
Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, uncertainties regarding
the costs, consequences (including tax consequences) and other effects of the Companys spin-off
distribution of its newspaper businesses and related assets to A. H. Belo Corporation and the
associated agreements between the Company and A. H. Belo relating to various matters; changes in
capital market conditions and prospects, and other factors such as changes in advertising demand,
interest rates and programming and production costs; changes in viewership patterns and demography,
and actions by Nielsen; changes in the network-affiliate business model for broadcast television;
technological changes, and the development of new systems and devices to distribute and consume
television and other audio-visual content; changes in the ability to secure, and in the terms of,
carriage of Belo programming on cable, satellite, telecommunications and other program distribution
methods; development of Internet commerce; industry cycles; changes in pricing or other actions by
competitors and suppliers; Federal Communications Commission and other regulatory, tax and legal
changes, including changes regarding spectrum; adoption of new accounting standards or changes in
existing accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting
standard-setting bodies or authorities; the effects of Company acquisitions, dispositions, co-owned
ventures, and investments; pension plan matters; general economic conditions; and significant armed
conflict, as well as other risks detailed in Belos other public disclosures and filings with the
SEC including Belos Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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Belo Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
In thousands, except per share amounts | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||
(unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | (unaudited) | |||||||||||||
Net Operating Revenues |
$ | 151,999 | $ | 163,853 | $ | 469,848 | $ | 481,167 | ||||||||
Operating Costs and Expenses |
||||||||||||||||
Station salaries, wages and employee benefits |
52,467 | 53,273 | 160,828 | 156,408 | ||||||||||||
Station programming and other operating costs |
51,788 | 51,573 | 154,549 | 144,219 | ||||||||||||
Corporate operating costs |
5,112 | 8,738 | 18,103 | 26,202 | ||||||||||||
Pension settlement charge and contribution reimbursements
reimbursements |
| (300 | ) | 20,466 | (8,572 | ) | ||||||||||
Depreciation |
7,614 | 8,449 | 23,245 | 26,462 | ||||||||||||
Total operating costs and expenses |
116,981 | 121,733 | 377,191 | 344,719 | ||||||||||||
Earnings from operations |
35,018 | 42,120 | 92,657 | 136,448 | ||||||||||||
Other Income and (Expense) |
||||||||||||||||
Interest expense |
(17,771 | ) | (20,037 | ) | (53,804 | ) | (59,740 | ) | ||||||||
Other income, net |
986 | 21 | 1,815 | 129 | ||||||||||||
Total other income and (expense) |
(16,785 | ) | (20,016 | ) | (51,989 | ) | (59,611 | ) | ||||||||
Earnings before income taxes |
18,233 | 22,104 | 40,668 | 76,837 | ||||||||||||
Income tax expense |
4,520 | 8,159 | 13,182 | 29,825 | ||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 13,713 | $ | 13,945 | $ | 27,486 | $ | 47,012 | ||||||||
Net earnings per share Basic |
$ | 0.13 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.45 | ||||||||
Net earnings per share Diluted |
$ | 0.13 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 0.45 | ||||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding |
||||||||||||||||
Basic |
103,681 | 103,107 | 103,570 | 102,982 | ||||||||||||
Diluted |
104,039 | 103,502 | 103,959 | 103,397 | ||||||||||||
Dividends declared per share |
$ | 0.05 | $ | | $ | 0.10 | $ | | ||||||||
Belo Corp.
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets
September 30, | December 31, | |||||||
In thousands | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||
(unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets |
||||||||
Current assets |
||||||||
Cash and temporary cash investments |
$ | 45,422 | $ | 8,309 | ||||
Accounts receivable, net |
130,272 | 144,992 | ||||||
Income tax receivable |
32,812 | 37,921 | ||||||
Other current assets |
18,669 | 19,574 | ||||||
Total current assets |
227,175 | 210,796 | ||||||
Property, plant and equipment, net |
145,295 | 164,439 | ||||||
Intangible assets, net |
725,399 | 725,399 | ||||||
Goodwill |
423,873 | 423,873 | ||||||
Other assets |
65,597 | 65,883 | ||||||
Total assets |
$ | 1,587,339 | $ | 1,590,390 | ||||
Liabilities and Shareholders Equity |
||||||||
Current liabilities |
||||||||
Accounts payable |
$ | 15,280 | $ | 20,744 | ||||
Accrued expenses |
36,331 | 52,274 | ||||||
Short-term pension obligation |
17,830 | 36,571 | ||||||
Accrued interest payable |
18,372 | 10,405 | ||||||
Income taxes payable |
3,471 | 13,701 | ||||||
Dividends payable |
5,184 | | ||||||
Deferred revenue |
4,236 | 3,505 | ||||||
Total current liabilities |
100,704 | 137,200 | ||||||
Long-term debt |
886,778 | 897,111 | ||||||
Deferred income taxes |
254,920 | 206,765 | ||||||
Pension obligation |
51,581 | 155,510 | ||||||
Other liabilities |
17,259 | 23,162 | ||||||
Total shareholders equity |
276,097 | 170,642 | ||||||
Total liabilities and shareholders equity |
$ | 1,587,339 | $ | 1,590,390 | ||||
Belo Corp.
Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations
Non-GAAP to GAAP Reconciliations
Station Adjusted EBITDA
Three months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||||
In thousands (unaudited) | 2011 | 2010 | 2011 | 2010 | ||||||||||||
Station Adjusted EBITDA (1) |
$ | 47,744 | $ | 59,007 | $ | 154,471 | $ | 180,540 | ||||||||
Corporate operating costs |
(5,112 | ) | (8,738 | ) | (18,103 | ) | (26,202 | ) | ||||||||
Depreciation |
(7,614 | ) | (8,449 | ) | (23,245 | ) | (26,462 | ) | ||||||||
Pension settlement charge
and contribution
reimbursements |
| 300 | (20,466 | ) | 8,572 | |||||||||||
Earnings from operations |
$ | 35,018 | $ | 42,120 | $ | 92,657 | $ | 136,448 | ||||||||
Note 1: | Belos management uses Station Adjusted EBITDA as the primary measure of profitability to evaluate operating performance and to allocate capital resources and bonuses to eligible operating company employees. Station Adjusted EBITDA represents the Companys earnings from operations before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, pension settlement charge and contribution reimbursements, and corporate operating costs. Other income (expense), net is not allocated to television station earnings from operations because it consists primarily of equity in earnings (losses) from investments in partnerships and joint ventures and other non-operating income (expense). |
Pro Forma Net Earnings
In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited)
In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited)
Three months ended | Three months ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2011 | September 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Earnings | EPS | Earnings | EPS | |||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 13,713 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 13,945 | $ | 0.13 | ||||||||
Pension
contribution
reimbursement, net
of tax |
| | (183 | ) | (0.00 | ) | ||||||||||
Pro forma net
earnings |
$ | 13,713 | $ | 0.13 | $ | 13,762 | $ | 0.13 | ||||||||
Nine months ended | Nine months ended | |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2011 | September 30, 2010 | |||||||||||||||
Earnings | EPS | Earnings | EPS | |||||||||||||
Net earnings |
$ | 27,486 | $ | 0.26 | $ | 47,012 | $ | 0.45 | ||||||||
Pension settlement
charge and
contribution
reimbursements, net
of tax |
13,323 | 0.13 | (5,229 | ) | (0.05 | ) | ||||||||||
Pro forma net
earnings |
$ | 40,809 | $ | 0.39 | $ | 41,783 | $ | 0.40 | ||||||||