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8-K - FORM 8-K - MSG NETWORKS INC.d487632d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

MSG NETWORKS INC. REPORTS

FISCAL 2018 FIRST QUARTER RESULTS

Fiscal 2018 first quarter revenues of $157.5 million

Fiscal 2018 first quarter operating income of $76.4 million

Fiscal 2018 first quarter adjusted operating income of $81.7 million

NEW YORK, N.Y., November 2, 2017 - MSG Networks Inc. (NYSE: MSGN) today reported financial results for the fiscal first quarter ended September 30, 2017.

For the fiscal 2018 first quarter, MSG Networks Inc. generated revenues of $157.5 million, an increase of 3% as compared with the prior year period. In addition, the Company generated operating income of $76.4 million, adjusted operating income of $81.7 million and income from continuing operations of $41.2 million.(1)(2)

President and CEO Andrea Greenberg said, “We are pleased with our start to fiscal 2018 as we remain committed to building on last year’s financial, strategic and operational successes. We delivered solid financial results for our fiscal first quarter, a testament to the continued strength of our highly sought-after live content, as well as our ongoing focus on operational excellence. We also made significant strides in expanding our digital presence - achieving distribution of MSG GO with all our major affiliates and completing digital distribution agreements with two OTT operators. Looking ahead, we are confident that we can continue to generate meaningful revenue and adjusted operating income and create long-term value for our shareholders.”

 

Fiscal Year 2018 First Quarter Results        
(In thousands, except per share data)      Three Months Ended    
     September 30,  
     2017  

Revenues

   $ 157,456    

Operating income

     76,353    

Adjusted operating income

     81,725    

Income from continuing operations

     41,157    

Diluted EPS from continuing operations

   $ 0.54    
          

 

  1.

See page 3 of this earnings release for the definition of adjusted operating income included in the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures.

  2.

In the first quarter of fiscal year 2018, the Company adopted ASU No. 2017-07. The adoption of this standard resulted in the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost to be presented separately in the income statement from the service cost component and the non-service cost components to no longer be included in the subtotal for operating income. As this standard was applied retrospectively, the Company reclassified $0.4 million of net periodic benefit cost from selling, general and administrative expenses and direct operating expenses to a separate line item within other income (expense) in the accompanying consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2016. Furthermore, all prior period amounts presented throughout this release reflect reclassifications made as a result of the adoption of ASU No. 2017-07.

 

1


Summary of Reported Results from Continuing Operations

Fiscal 2018 first quarter total revenues of $157.5 million increased 3%, or $3.9 million, as compared with the prior year period. Affiliation fee revenue increased $3.8 million, primarily due to higher affiliation rates, partially offset by the impact of a low single-digit percentage decrease in subscribers versus the prior year period. Advertising revenue decreased $0.1 million, while other revenues increased $0.2 million as compared with the prior year period.    

Direct operating expenses of $63.1 million increased 4%, or $2.3 million, as compared with the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to higher rights fees expense.

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $15.6 million increased 2%, or $0.3 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to higher employee compensation and related benefits, partially offset by lower advertising and marketing costs and professional fees.

Operating income of $76.4 million increased 2%, or $1.4 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in revenues, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses and, to a lesser extent, higher selling, general and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expense).

Adjusted operating income of $81.7 million increased 3% or $2.4 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to higher revenues and, to a lesser extent, lower selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding share-based compensation expense), partially offset by higher direct operating expenses.

 

About MSG Networks Inc.

An industry leader in sports production, and content development and distribution, MSG Networks Inc. owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network (MSG) and MSG+, and a live streaming and video on demand platform, MSG GO. The networks are home to 10 professional sports teams, delivering live games of the New York Knicks; New York Rangers; New York Islanders; New Jersey Devils; Buffalo Sabres; New York Liberty; New York Red Bulls and the Westchester Knicks, as well as coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. Each year, MSG and MSG+ collectively telecast approximately 500 live professional games, along with a comprehensive lineup of other sporting events, including college football and basketball, and critically-acclaimed original programming. The gold standard for regional broadcasting, MSG Networks has won 162 New York Emmy Awards over the past ten years.

 

2


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We define adjusted operating income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income before 1) depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment and intangible assets, 2) share-based compensation expense or benefit, 3) restructuring charges or credits and 4) gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses. Because it is based upon operating income, adjusted operating income also excludes interest expense (including cash interest expense) and other non-operating income and expense items. We believe that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of the Company without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash.

We believe adjusted operating income is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of our Company. Adjusted operating income and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze our performance. Internally, we use revenues and adjusted operating income measures as the most important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. Adjusted operating income should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating activities, and other measures of performance and/or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Since adjusted operating income is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. For a reconciliation of operating income to adjusted operating income, please see page 6 of this release.

The Company defines Free Cash Flow (“Free Cash Flow”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations less capital expenditures, both of which are reported in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations excludes net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. The Company believes the most comparable GAAP financial measure is net cash provided by operating activities. The Company believes that Free Cash Flow is useful as an indicator of its overall ability to generate liquidity, as the amount of Free Cash Flow generated in any period is representative of cash that is generated for debt repayment, investment, and other discretionary and non-discretionary cash uses. The Company also believes that Free Cash Flow is one of several benchmarks used by analysts and investors for comparison of the Company’s generation of liquidity with other companies in the industry, although the Company’s measure of Free Cash Flow may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. For a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, please see page 8 of this release.

 

3


Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including financial community perceptions of the Company and its business, operations, financial condition and the industry in which it operates and the factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained therein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.

# # #

Contacts:

 

Kimberly Kerns

Communications

(212) 465-6442

  

Ari Danes, CFA

Investor Relations

(212) 465-6072

  

 

Conference Call Information:

The conference call will be Webcast live today at 10:00 a.m. ET at www.msgnetworks.com

Conference call dial-in number is 877-883-0832 / Conference ID Number 98595302

Conference call replay number is 855-859-2056 / Conference ID Number 98595302 until November 9, 2017

 

4


MSG NETWORKS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
     September 30,
           2017               2016      

Revenues

   $ 157,456     $ 153,578  

Direct operating expenses

     63,091       60,775  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     15,561       15,298  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,451       2,578  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

     76,353       74,927  

Other income (expense):

    

Interest income

     878       627  

Interest expense

     (10,643     (9,515

Other components of net periodic benefit cost

     (407     (420
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

     (10,172     (9,308
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     66,181       65,619  

Income tax expense

     (25,024     (25,258
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     41,157       40,361  

Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes

           (120
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 41,157     $ 40,241  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per share:

    

Basic

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.55     $ 0.54  

Loss from discontinued operations

            

Net income

   $ 0.55     $ 0.54  

Diluted

    

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.54     $ 0.54  

Loss from discontinued operations

            

Net income

   $ 0.54     $ 0.53  

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

    

Basic

     75,285       75,103  

Diluted

     75,779       75,412  

 

5


MSG NETWORKS INC.

ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE OPERATING INCOME

TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

(In thousands)

The following is a description of the adjustments to operating income in arriving at adjusted operating income as described in this earnings release:

 

   

Share-based compensation expense. This adjustment eliminates the compensation expense relating to restricted stock units and stock options granted under our employee stock plan and non-employee director stock plan in all periods.

 

   

Depreciation and amortization. This adjustment eliminates depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment and intangible assets in all periods.

 

    

Three Months

Ended

 
     September 30,  
         2017              2016      

Operating income

   $ 76,353      $ 74,927  

Share-based compensation expense

     2,921        1,776  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,451        2,578  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income

   $ 81,725      $ 79,281  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6


MSG NETWORKS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

                                                 
     September 30,
2017
  June 30,
2017
     (unaudited)    

ASSETS

    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 172,948     $ 141,087  

Accounts receivable, net

     105,725       105,030  

Net related party receivable

     7,087       17,153  

Prepaid income taxes

     10,191       14,322  

Prepaid expenses

     5,105       6,468  

Other current assets

     2,311       2,343  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current assets

     303,367       286,403  

Property and equipment, net

     10,431       11,828  

Amortizable intangible assets, net

     39,798       40,663  

Goodwill

     424,508       424,508  

Other assets

     41,416       41,642  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 819,520     $ 805,044  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 590     $ 1,241  

Net related party payable

     3,384       2,963  

Current portion of long-term debt

     72,414       72,414  

Income taxes payable

     11,241       11,483  

Accrued liabilities:

    

Employee related costs

     7,659       14,238  

Other accrued liabilities

     9,644       10,050  

Deferred revenue

     5,354       5,071  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     110,286       117,460  

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     1,222,328       1,240,431  

Defined benefit and other postretirement obligations

     28,873       29,979  

Other employee related costs

     3,948       3,930  

Other liabilities

     5,565       5,597  

Deferred tax liability

     351,246       351,854  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,722,246       1,749,251  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ Deficiency:

    

Class A Common stock, par value $0.01, 360,000 shares authorized; 61,648 and 61,497 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017, respectively

     643       643  

Class B Common stock, par value $0.01, 90,000 shares authorized; 13,589 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017

     136       136  

Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 45,000 shares authorized; none outstanding

     —         —    

Additional paid-in capital

     —         6,909  

Treasury stock, at cost, 2,611 and 2,762 shares as of September 30, 2017 and June 30, 2017, respectively

     (187,931     (198,800

Accumulated deficit

     (709,103     (746,539

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (6,471     (6,556
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficiency

     (902,726     (944,207
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficiency

   $ 819,520     $ 805,044  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7


MSG NETWORKS INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Summary Data from the Statements of Cash Flows

 

                                                 
     Three Months Ended
      September 30,
     2017   2016

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

   $ 52,419     $ 50,824  

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

     (484     (1,726

Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations

     (20,074     (12,252
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash provided by continuing operations

     31,861       36,846  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net cash used in discontinued operations

     —         (939
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     141,087       119,568  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 172,948     $ 155,475  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow

 

                                                 
     Three Months Ended
      September 30,
     2017   2016

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

   $ 52,419     $ 50,824  

Less: Capital expenditures

     (484     (1,726
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Free cash flow

   $ 51,935     $ 49,098  
  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capitalization

 

                        
          September 30, 2017    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 172,948  

Credit facility debt(a)

     1,302,500  
  

 

 

 

Net debt

   $ 1,129,552  
  

 

 

 

Reconciliation of operating income to AOI for trailing twelve-month period(b)

  

Operating Income

   $ 316,323  

Share-based compensation expense

   $ 11,076  

Depreciation and amortization

   $ 10,169  
  

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income

   $ 337,568  
  

 

 

 

Leverage ratio(c)

     3.3x  

 

(a)

Represents aggregate principal amount of the debt outstanding.

 

(b) 

Represents reported adjusted operating income for the trailing twelve months.

 

(c)

Represents net debt divided by annualized adjusted operating income, which differs from the covenant calculation contained in the Company’s credit facility.

 

8