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8-K - 8-K - HEMISPHERE MEDIA GROUP, INC.a16-5768_18k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

GRAPHIC

 

Hemisphere Media Group Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2015 Financial Results

-2015 Net Revenues Increased 15.9% Year-over-Year -

-2015 Adjusted EBITDA Increased 16.2% Year-over-Year -

- Strong Subscriber and Advertising Revenue Growth Across Networks -

 

MIAMI — (March 4, 2016) — Hemisphere Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: HMTV) (“Hemisphere” or the “Company”), the only publicly traded pure-play U.S. media company targeting the high growth Spanish-language television and cable networks business in the U.S. and Latin America, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and year-ended December 31, 2015.

 

Alan Sokol, CEO of Hemisphere, stated, “2015 was a very strong year for our business.  The 16% increase in revenues and Adjusted EBITDA for the full year were the result of our unique business proposition and our ability to seize on the opportunity to serve the highly attractive and rapidly growing U.S. Hispanic and Latin America market.  As we look ahead to 2016, we are confident that our networks’ unique programming and solid audience ratings will result in robust retransmission and subscriber fee and advertising revenue growth.”

 

On April 1, 2014, Hemisphere closed on the acquisition of three Spanish-language television networks—Pasiones, Centroamerica TV and Television Dominicana (the “Acquired Cable Networks”). Results of the Acquired Cable Networks are included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations from the acquisition date. The Company’s results for the three months ended December 31, 2015 are comparable with the prior year period; however, the comparability of the Company’s results are affected for the full year ended December 31, 2015.

 

Net revenues increased $3.0 million, or 9.1%, for the three months ended December 31, 2015, and increased $17.8 million, or 15.9%, for the full year ended December 31, 2015. These increases, for both the three month and full year periods, were primarily driven by growth in advertising revenues and higher subscriber and retransmission fees. The increase for the full year ended December 31, 2015 was also due to the inclusion of the Acquired Cable Networks, which were not included in the prior year’s first quarter.

 

Operating expenses were $25.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 9.4%, as compared to operating expenses of $23.0 million for the same period in 2014. Operating expenses were $94.9 million for the full year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 10.4%, as compared to operating expenses of $86.0 million for the same period in 2014. These increases, for both the three month and full year periods, were driven primarily by increased investment in programming and higher sales and marketing costs, consistent with greater sales efforts across the Company’s networks, as well as the launch of advertising on Cinelatino. The increase for the full year ended December 31, 2015 was also due to the inclusion of the Acquired Cable Networks, which were not included in the prior year’s first quarter.

 

Net income was $4.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $0.6 million, as compared to net income of $4.3 million for the same period in 2014.  Net income was $13.7 million for the full year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of $3.2 million, as compared to $10.6 million for the same period in 2014.

 

Adjusted EBITDA was $16.9 million for the three months ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 5.5%, as compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $16.0 million for the same period in 2014. Adjusted EBITDA was $58.1 million for the full year ended December 31, 2015, an increase of 16.2%, as compared to Adjusted EBITDA of $50.0 million for the same period in 2014. These increases, in both the three month and full year periods, were due to growth in advertising revenues and subscriber and retransmission fees. The increase for the full year period was also due to the inclusion of the operating results of the Acquired Cable Networks, which were not included in the prior year’s first quarter.

 

The Company forecasts a low double-digit percentage increase in Adjusted EBITDA for 2016 driven by strong growth in subscriber and retransmission fees and advertising revenue.

 

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had $219.9 million in debt and $179.5 million of cash. The Company’s leverage ratio was approximately 3.8 times, and net leverage ratio was approximately 0.7 times. In December 2015, the Company repurchased 1.3 million warrants at a total cost of $1.8 million.

 



 

The following tables set forth the Company’s financial performance for the three months and year-ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, as well as select balance sheet data as of December 31, 2015 and 2014:

 

HEMISPHERE MEDIA GROUP, INC.

Comparison of Consolidated Operating Results for the

Three Months and Full Year Ended December 31

 

 

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

 

Year Ended December 31,

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

2015

 

2014

 

2015

 

2014

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

(Audited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net revenues

 

$

36,236

 

$

33,202

 

$

129,790

 

$

111,989

 

Operating Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues

 

11,580

 

10,383

 

41,189

 

36,450

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

9,222

 

8,134

 

36,037

 

31,608

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,289

 

4,474

 

17,218

 

16,552

 

Other expenses

 

64

 

 

446

 

1,282

 

Loss on disposition of assets

 

2

 

 

33

 

70

 

Total operating expenses

 

25,157

 

22,991

 

94,923

 

85,962

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

11,079

 

10,211

 

34,867

 

26,027

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(3,015

)

(3,053

)

(12,086

)

(11,925

)

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

(1,116

)

 

 

(3,015

)

(3,053

)

(12,086

)

(13,041

)

Income before income taxes

 

8,064

 

7,158

 

22,781

 

12,986

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

(3,130

)

(2,828

)

(9,042

)

(2,429

)

Net income

 

$

4,934

 

$

4,330

 

$

13,739

 

$

10,557

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of net income to Adjusted EBITDA:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

4,934

 

$

4,330

 

$

13,739

 

$

10,557

 

Add:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax expense

 

3,130

 

2,828

 

9,042

 

2,429

 

Interest expense, net

 

3,015

 

3,053

 

12,086

 

11,925

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

1,116

 

Loss on disposition of assets

 

2

 

 

33

 

70

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

4,289

 

4,474

 

17,218

 

16,552

 

Stock-based compensation

 

1,452

 

1,314

 

5,575

 

5,920

 

Transaction & non-recurring expenses

 

64

 

 

446

 

1,455

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 

$

16,886

 

$

15,999

 

$

58,139

 

$

50,024

 

 



 

Selected Balance Sheet Data:

 

 

 

As of

 

As of

 

(amounts in thousands)

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

 

 

(Audited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

179,532

 

$

142,010

 

Debt

 

$

219,923

 

$

221,791

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Leverage ratio (a):

 

3.8x

 

4.5x

 

Net leverage ratio (b):

 

0.7x

 

1.6x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


(a) Represents the sum of gross debt and the unamortized balance of original issue discount of $1.7 million as of December 31, 2015, divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months. This ratio differs from the calculation contained in the Company’s amended term loan.

 

(b) Represents the sum of net debt and the unamortized balance of original issue discount of $1.7 million as of December 31, 2015, divided by Adjusted EBITDA for the last twelve months. This ratio differs from the calculation contained in the Company’s amended term loan.

 

The following table presents estimated subscriber information (unaudited):

 

 

 

Subscribers (a)
(amounts in thousands)

 

 

 

December 31, 2015

 

December 31, 2014

 

U.S. Cable Networks:

 

 

 

 

 

WAPA America (b)

 

5,158

 

5,115

 

Cinelatino

 

4,443

 

4,297

 

Pasiones

 

4,374

 

4,004

 

Centroamerica TV

 

3,967

 

3,571

 

Television Dominicana

 

2,991

 

2,437

 

Total

 

20,933

 

19,424

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Latin America Cable Networks:

 

 

 

 

 

Cinelatino

 

11,891

 

10,544

 

Pasiones

 

10,198

 

8,702

 

Total

 

22,089

 

19,246

 

 


(a)                       Amounts presented are based on most recent remittances received from the Company’s distributors as of the respective dates shown above.

(b)                       Excluding digital basic subscribers, subscribers to WAPA America on Hispanic programming tiers increased 3.4% from December 31, 2014 to December 31, 2015.

 

Non-GAAP Reconciliations

 

Within Hemisphere’s fourth quarter and year-end 2015 press release, Hemisphere makes reference to the non-GAAP financial measure - “Adjusted EBITDA.” Whenever such information is presented, Hemisphere has complied with the provisions of the rules under Regulation G and Item 2.02 of Form 8-K. The specific reasons why Hemisphere’s management believes that the presentation of this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful information to investors regarding Hemisphere’s financial condition, results of its operations and cash flows has been provided in the Form 8-K filed in connection with this press release.

 

Conference Call

 

Hemisphere will conduct a conference call to discuss its fourth quarter and year-end financial results at 10:00AM ET on Friday, March 4, 2016.  A live broadcast of the conference call will be available online via the Company’s Investor Relations website located at http://ir.hemispheretv.com/. Alternatively, interested parties can access the conference call by dialing (877) 497-1436, or from outside the United States at (262) 558-6292, at least five minutes prior to the start time. The conference ID for the call is 59360789.

 



 

A replay of the call will be available beginning at approximately 12:00PM ET on Friday, March 4, 2016 by dialing (855) 859-2056, or from outside the United States by dialing (404) 537-3406. The conference ID for the replay is 59360789.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This press release may contain certain statements about Hemisphere that are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include, but are not limited to, statements relating to Hemisphere’s future financial and operating results (including growth and earnings), plans, objectives, expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Hemisphere and are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstance, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Without limitation, any statements preceded or followed by or that include the words “targets,” “plans,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “likely,” “may,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “expect,” “positioned,” “strategy,” “future,” or words, phrases or terms of similar substance or the negative thereof, are forward- looking statements. In addition, these statements are based on a number of assumptions that are subject to change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed under the heading “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” in Hemisphere’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), as they may be updated in any future reports filed with the SEC. If one or more of these factors materialize, or if any underlying assumptions prove incorrect, Hemisphere’s actual results, performance, or achievements may vary materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date hereof, and Hemisphere undertakes no obligation to update publicly such statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

 

About Hemisphere Media Group, Inc.

 

Hemisphere Media Group (NASDAQ:HMTV) is the only publicly traded pure-play U.S. media company targeting the high growth Spanish-language television and cable networks business in the U.S. and Latin America. Headquartered in Miami, Florida, Hemisphere owns and operates five leading U.S. Hispanic cable networks, two Latin American cable networks, and the leading broadcast television network in Puerto Rico. Hemisphere’s networks consist of:

 

·                  Cinelatino, the leading Spanish-language movie channel with over 16 million subscribers across the U.S., Latin America and Canada, including 4.4 million subscribers in the U.S. and 11.9 million subscribers in Latin America, featuring the largest selection of contemporary Spanish-language blockbusters and critically-acclaimed titles from Mexico, Latin America, Spain and the Caribbean.

·                  WAPA, Puerto Rico’s leading broadcast television network with the highest primetime and full day ratings in Puerto Rico. Founded in 1954, WAPA produces more than 75 hours per week of top-rated news and entertainment programming.

·                  WAPA America, the leading cable network targeting Puerto Ricans and other Caribbean Hispanics living in the U.S., featuring the highly-rated news and entertainment programming produced by WAPA. WAPA America is distributed in the U.S. to 5.2 million subscribers.

·                  Pasiones, dedicated to showcasing the most popular telenovelas and drama series, distributed in the U.S. and Latin America. Pasiones has 4.4 million subscribers in the U.S. and 10.2 million subscribers in Latin America.

·                  Centroamerica TV, the leading network targeting Central Americans living in the U.S., the third-largest U.S. Hispanic group, featuring the most popular news, entertainment and soccer programming from Central America. Centroamerica TV is distributed in the U.S. to 4.0 million subscribers.

·                  Television Dominicana, the leading network targeting Dominicans living in the U.S., featuring the most popular news, entertainment and baseball programming from the Dominican Republic. Television Dominicana is distributed in the U.S. to 3.0 million subscribers.

 

Contact:

Erica Bartsch

Sloane & Company

212.446.1875

ebartsch@sloanepr.com