Attached files

file filename
8-K - 8-K - CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS INCa12-25754_18k.htm

EXHIBIT 99.1

 

CROWN MEDIA HOLDINGS ANNOUNCES OPERATING RESULTS

FOR THIRD QUARTER OF 2012

 

STUDIO CITY, CA — November 1, 2012 - Crown Media Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:CRWN) today reported its operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012.

 

Operating Highlights

 

·                  Strong Operating and Financial Results. Adjusted EBITDA increased 32% to $31.3 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012 compared to the same period last year, due to a 4% increase in total revenues combined with an 8% decrease in programming costs and marketing reductions for the quarter.

 

·                  Completed 2012/2013 Upfront Negotiations. We have concluded our 2012/2013 Upfront negotiations (fourth quarter of 2012 through third quarter of 2013), securing double digit increases in total Upfront sales versus a year ago. CPM (cost per thousand impressions) increases were locked in at mid-single digits, with first-time advertisers paying over 22% higher CPMs than the incumbent average.

 

·                  Solid Scatter Pricing Increases for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel. Both Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movie Channel secured scatter pricing above CPM  increases previously secured in the 2011/2012 Upfront. Hallmark Channel’s scatter CPMs are up 53% while Hallmark Movie Channel’s scatter CPMs are up 51% compared to the 2011/2012 Upfront.

 

·                  Hallmark Movie Channel Continues Growth in Key Demo. Hallmark Movie Channel’s October 13th premiere of “The Seven Year Hitch” — the network’s final original movie of 2012 — reached a new high for the network as its most watched original premiere among women 25-54 to-date according to Nielsen.

 

·                  Ratings Successes for Hallmark Channel. According to Nielsen, the September 8th premiere of Hallmark Channel’s original movie, “Puppy Love”, was highest rated original premiere for 2012 to-date and the #1-rated ad-supported cable movie of the day and the week. That entire week, September 3rd through 9th, marked the network’s 2nd highest week of the year among women 25—54 in primetime. This upward trend continued into the following week, September 10th — 16th, which became the network’s 2nd highest week of the year among women 25-54 for total day delivery.

 

“Crown Media saw a positive third quarter with solid increases in EBITDA and advertising revenue,” said Bill Abbott, President and CEO of Crown Media Family Networks. “During the third quarter, our family-friendly programming continued to be of high value to advertisers and viewers despite strong competition from the Summer Olympics. The September 8th premiere of Hallmark Channel original movie, “Puppy Love”, was the network’s highest rated original premiere for 2012 to-date while Hallmark Movie Channel’s October 13th premiere of “The Seven Year Hitch” was the most watched original premiere among women 25-54 in the network’s history. We are confident in our ability to capitalize on the strength of our brand during the upcoming holiday season and look forward to our holiday programming schedule, and to achieving our fourth quarter revenue goals.”

 

Financial Results

 

Historical financial information is provided in tables at the end of this release.

 

Operating Results

 

Crown Media reported revenue of $77.1 million for the third quarter of 2012, a 4% increase from $74.0 million for the third quarter of 2011. Advertising revenue increased 3% to $57.7 million from $56.0 million in the third quarter of 2011. Advertising revenue from the Hallmark Movie Channel increased 33% from $7.8 million for the

 



 

three months ended September 30, 2011, to $10.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 due to audience growth. Subscriber fee revenue increased 7% to $19.3 million from $18.0 million in the third quarter of 2011 due to contractual rate increases.

 

Crown Media reported revenue of $247.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, an 11% increase from $223.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Advertising revenue increased 11% to $188.1 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2012, from $169.6 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Subscriber fee revenue increased 9% to $59.0 million, from $53.9 million in the prior year’s period.

 

For the third quarter of 2012, cost of services decreased 7% to $33.0 million from $35.5 million during the same quarter of 2011. Within cost of services, programming expenses decreased 8% quarter over quarter to $29.7 million due to the expiration of a number of programming license agreements.

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, cost of services decreased 1% to $108.4 million from $109.7 million during the same period of 2011. Within cost of services, programming expenses decreased $2.3 million to $98.4 million.  Other cost of services including amortization of capital leases increased 11% from $9.0 million to $10.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012. The Company’s residual expense increased $1.4 million due to the usage of original programming.

 

Selling, general and administrative expense increased 2% to $13.7 million for the third quarter of 2012 from $13.5 million during the same quarter of 2011 due to the increases in research expenses and performance-based employee costs. Selling, general and administrative expense increased 1% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, to $42.3 million from $41.7 million during the same period of 2011. Research costs increased $1.1 million and performance-based employee costs increased $1.5 million. During 2011 the Company recorded non-recurring banking fees of $2.5 million attributable to its June 2010 recapitalization.

 

Marketing expense decreased to $0.4 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, from $2.6 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2011. Marketing expenses of $1.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, decreased $1.8 million from $3.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. The Company expects its marketing expenses to increase during the fourth quarter of 2012 due to the promotion of its original holiday programming.

 

Interest expense increased $0.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2011. Interest expense on the Term A and Term B loans was $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Interest expense on the Note was $6.8 million and $8.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Interest expense on the Term Loan was $2.8 million and $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

 

Interest expense increased $20.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2011, due to the 2010 Recapitalization and the treatment of this transaction under troubled debt restructuring accounting.  Interest expense on the Term A and Term B loans was $1.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011. Interest expense on the Note was $6.8 million and $24.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively. Interest expense on the Term Loan was $2.8 million and $9.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2012, respectively.

 

The Company recorded income tax provisions of $6.6 million and $22.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2012. Income tax benefit was $191.7 million and $235.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2011, the Company released $191.8 million and $236.0 million of valuation allowance.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was $31.3 million for the third quarter of 2012 compared to $23.7 million for the same period last year. Cash provided by operating activities totaled $12.2 million for the third quarter of 2012 compared to $11.9 million for the same period last year. The net income to common shareholders for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, totaled $11.5 million, or $0.03 per share, compared to $163.2 million, or $0.45 per share, in the third quarter of 2011.

 



 

Adjusted EBITDA was $99.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $74.6 million for the same period last year. Cash provided by operating activities totaled $20.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, compared to $26.0 million for the same period last year.  Net income to common shareholders for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, totaled $37.2 million, or $0.10 per share, compared to $226.0 million, or $0.63 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Conference Call and Webcast to be Held Thursday, November 1st at 11:00 a.m. ET

 

Crown Media Holdings’ management will conduct a conference call today at 11:00 a.m., Eastern Time to discuss the results of the third quarter of 2012. Investors and interested parties may listen to the call via a live webcast accessible on the Company’s investor relations page, http://ir.crownmedia.net/, or by dialing (877) 307-0246 (Domestic) or (224) 357-2394 (International) and using the conference number 43915280. For those listeners accessing the call through the Company’s website, please register and download audio software at the site at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call. The webcast will be archived on the site, and a telephone replay of the call will be available for 7 days following the call beginning at 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, November 1st at (855) 859-2056  (Domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (International), using the conference number 43915280.

 

About Crown Media Holdings

 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc. is the corporate parent for the portfolio of cable networks and related businesses under Crown Media Family Networks. The company currently operates and distributes Hallmark Channel in both high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) to nearly 87 million subscribers in the U.S. Hallmark Channel is the nation’s leading network in providing quality family programming with an ambitious slate of original TV movies, general entertainment, and an array of home and lifestyle content. Hallmark Channel’s sibling network, Hallmark Movie Channel, is available in 48 million homes in HD and SD. One of America’s fastest-growing cable networks, Hallmark Movie Channel provides family-friendly movies with a mix of classic theatrical films, presentations from the acclaimed Hallmark Hall of Fame library, original Hallmark Channel movies and special events. In addition, Crown Media Family Networks includes the online offerings of HallmarkChannel.com and HallmarkMovieChannel.com.

 

Forward-looking Statements

 

Statements contained in this press release may contain forward-looking statements as contemplated by the 1995 Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on management’s current expectations, estimates and projections. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “estimates,” variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied in the forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include: competition for distribution of channels, viewers, advertisers, and the acquisition of programming; fluctuations in the availability of programming; fluctuations in demand for the programming Crown Media airs on its channels; our ability to address our liquidity needs; our incurrence of losses; our substantial indebtedness affecting our financial condition and results; and other risks detailed in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Risk Factors stated in the Company’s most recent 10-K and 10-Q Reports. Crown Media Holdings is not undertaking any obligation to release publicly any updates to any forward looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

 

Use of Adjusted EBITDA

 

Crown Media evaluates operating performance based on several factors, including Adjusted EBITDA. Our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA adds back non-cash expenses and other items mentioned below.

 

Our measure of Adjusted EBITDA differs from the normal definition of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) used by most companies. We define Adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, subscriber acquisition fee amortization, and other non-cash expenses. For this purpose, restricted stock unit compensation and long term incentive plan expense are treated as non-cash items, although they may result in cash payments during subsequent periods. See “Selected Unaudited

 



 

Financial Information” below for a reconciliation to GAAP net income. Management views Adjusted EBITDA as a critical measure of our operating performance and monitors this measure closely. We disclose Adjusted EBITDA so that our investors can have some of the same information available to our management to evaluate their investment in our Company.

 

We also believe that an Adjusted EBITDA provides an indication of the Company’s ability to generate cash flows from operating activities since our non-cash expenses are excluded from our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA. The Adjusted EBITDA calculation allows the Company to assess how much is available to pay debt service and gives a further indication of how much remains to fund discretionary expenditures such as the acquisition of programming or additional subscriber base. However, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, historical operating income or loss, net loss, cash flow from operations and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

 

Adjusted EBITDA differs significantly from cash flows from operating activities reflected in the consolidated statement of cash flows. Cash flow from operating activities is net of interest and taxes paid and is a more comprehensive determination of periodic income on a cash basis, exclusive of non-cash items of income and expenses such as depreciation and amortization. In contrast, Adjusted EBITDA is derived from accrual basis income and is not reduced for cash invested in working capital. Consequently, Adjusted EBITDA is not affected by the timing of receivable collections or when accrued expenses are paid. We are not aware of any uniform standards for determining EBITDA or our Adjusted EBITDA and believe that our calculation of Adjusted EBITDA is probably calculated differently than presentations of EBITDA by other entities because our calculation was based upon the definition in a bank credit agreement.

 

For additional information, please contact:

 

Investors and Press

 

Crown Media Family Networks

Annie Howell, 212.445.6690

anniehowell@crownmedia.com

 

# # #

 



 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc.

Unaudited Consolidated Income Statement Information

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

Revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Advertising

 

$

57,739

 

$

55,953

 

$

186,207

 

$

169,243

 

Advertising by Hallmark Cards

 

 

 

1,911

 

358

 

Subscriber fees

 

19,294

 

18,013

 

58,952

 

53,894

 

Other revenue

 

22

 

82

 

499

 

298

 

Total revenue

 

77,055

 

74,048

 

247,569

 

223,793

 

Cost of services:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-affiliate programming

 

29,066

 

31,879

 

96,322

 

99,465

 

Hallmark affiliate programming

 

651

 

455

 

2,068

 

1,241

 

Amortization of capital lease

 

289

 

289

 

868

 

868

 

Other cost of services

 

3,013

 

2,844

 

9,171

 

8,158

 

Total cost of services

 

33,019

 

35,467

 

108,429

 

109,732

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

13,718

 

13,469

 

42,342

 

41,740

 

Marketing expense

 

430

 

2,615

 

1,669

 

3,508

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

373

 

345

 

1,069

 

1,097

 

Income from operations before interest and income tax expense

 

29,515

 

22,152

 

94,060

 

67,716

 

Interest expense

 

(11,451

)

(10,556

)

(34,655

)

(13,886

)

Income from operations before income tax expense

 

18,064

 

11,596

 

59,405

 

53,830

 

Income (provision) tax benefit

 

(6,566

)

191,685

 

(22,164

)

235,093

 

Net income before gain from sale of discontinued operations

 

11,498

 

203,281

 

37,241

 

288,923

 

(Loss) gain from sale of discontinued operations

 

 

(1

)

 

188

 

Net income

 

11,498

 

203,280

 

37,241

 

289,111

 

Income to Preferred Stockholder

 

 

(40,076

)

 

(63,096

)

Net income to common stockholders

 

$

11,498

 

$

163,204

 

$

37,241

 

$

226,015

 

Net income per share - basic

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.63

 

Net income per share - diluted

 

$

0.03

 

$

0.45

 

$

0.10

 

$

0.63

 

Weighted average shares outstanding

 

359,676

 

359,676

 

359,676

 

359,676

 

 



 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc.

Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

 

 

 

As of September 30,

 

As of December 31,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

34,436

 

$

35,181

 

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $262 and $181, respectively

 

69,686

 

83,798

 

Programming rights

 

80,227

 

98,158

 

Prepaid program license fees

 

37,591

 

11,533

 

Deferred tax assets

 

12,000

 

14,200

 

Prepaid and other assets

 

2,159

 

1,174

 

Total current assets

 

236,099

 

244,044

 

Programming rights

 

151,464

 

154,428

 

Property and equipment, net

 

10,881

 

11,236

 

Deferred tax assets

 

203,336

 

221,800

 

Debt issuance costs, net

 

10,749

 

11,711

 

Other assets

 

4,009

 

1,217

 

Goodwill

 

314,033

 

314,033

 

Total assets

 

$

930,571

 

$

958,469

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities

 

$

13,073

 

$

15,391

 

Audience deficiency reserve

 

7,073

 

10,256

 

Programming rights payable

 

104,517

 

135,768

 

Payables to Hallmark Cards affiliates

 

12,369

 

4,051

 

Interest payable

 

6,654

 

17,135

 

Current maturities of long-term debt

 

7,300

 

19,600

 

Total current liabilities

 

150,986

 

202,201

 

Accrued liabilities

 

20,093

 

16,667

 

Programming rights payable

 

15,953

 

8,737

 

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

 

480,798

 

487,368

 

Total liabilities

 

667,830

 

714,973

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

 

 

 

 

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

Class A common stock, $.01 par value; 500,000,000 shares authorized; 359,675,936 shares issued and outstanding as of both September 30, 2012 and December 31, 2011

 

3,597

 

3,597

 

Paid-in capital

 

2,064,245

 

2,082,241

 

Accumulated deficit

 

(1,805,101

)

(1,842,342

)

Total stockholders’ equity

 

262,741

 

243,496

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

 

$

930,571

 

$

958,469

 

 



 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc.

Selected Unaudited Financial Information

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

11,498

 

$

203,280

 

$

37,241

 

$

289,111

 

Loss (gain) from sale of discontinued operations

 

 

1

 

 

(188

)

Subscriber acquisition fee amortization expense

 

243

 

298

 

894

 

894

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

662

 

634

 

1,937

 

1,965

 

Interest expense

 

11,451

 

10,556

 

34,655

 

13,886

 

Income tax provision (benefit)

 

6,566

 

(191,685

)

22,164

 

(235,093

)

Bank fees

 

 

 

 

2,500

 

Long term incentive plan expense

 

812

 

607

 

2,112

 

1,474

 

Restricted stock unit compensation

 

43

 

(18

)

198

 

28

 

Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization

 

$

31,275

 

$

23,673

 

$

99,201

 

$

74,577

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Programming and other amortization

 

29,173

 

31,081

 

92,790

 

94,052

 

Provision for allowance for doubtful account

 

28

 

(40

)

56

 

261

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change to program license fees

 

(24,598

)

(20,998

)

(69,525

)

(108,582

)

Change to prepaid program license fees

 

(6,214

)

(2,777

)

(26,058

)

(14,306

)

Change in license fees payable

 

(1,619

)

(3,444

)

(23,287

)

14,919

 

Interest paid

 

(18,787

)

(385

)

(43,794

)

(2,572

)

Changes in other operating assets and liabilities, net of adjustments above

 

2,976

 

(15,233

)

(9,198

)

(32,342

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

12,234

 

$

11,877

 

$

20,185

 

$

26,007

 

 



 

Crown Media Holdings, Inc.

Selected Unaudited Cash Flow Statement Information

(in thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2012

 

2011

 

2012

 

2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

12,234

 

$

11,877

 

$

20,185

 

$

26,007

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(653

)

(123

)

(981

)

(824

)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(823

)

2,174

 

(19,949

)

(34,746

)

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

10,758

 

13,928

 

(745

)

(9,563

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

23,678

 

7,074

 

35,181

 

30,565

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

34,436

 

$

21,002

 

$

34,436

 

$

21,002