WEGENER Reports Results for First Quarter of Fiscal 2005

WEGENER Reports Results for First Quarter of Fiscal 2005 DULUTH, Ga., Jan. 18 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- WEGENER Corporation (NASDAQ:WGNR), a leading global provider of television, audio and data distribution network solutions, today announced financial results for the first quarter ended December 3, 2004. First quarter revenues were $6.4 million, resulting in net earnings of $112,000, or $0.01 per share. This compares to revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 2004, which were $4.8 million, with a net loss of ($449,000) or ($0.04) per share. The eighteen (18) month backlog on December 3, 2004, stood at $13.2 million. The total backlog at quarter end was $30.4 million. "We are enthusiastic about our first quarter performance and believe that our fiscal 2005 planning process has started producing results," stated Robert Placek, WEGENER CEO and Chairman of the Board. "As we have previously indicated, there may be fluctuations in operating performance from quarter to quarter due to limited order visibility. Due to an expected shortfall in revenue, we currently believe the operating results for our second fiscal quarter will be a net loss. However, our review of the balance of fiscal 2005 indicates, while significant bookings are required for each quarter, we are still positioned to increase revenues over last year and return to profitability in this fiscal year. "Our iPump(R) Media Server continues to gain traction in the marketplace as more customers appreciate the many benefits of our store-forward technology solution. We are in discussions with several customers who are planning to upgrade their networks by integrating our technology," continued Mr. Placek. "We continue to invest in our SMD 515 Streaming Media Decoder Settop for the telecom market. This is a very large market opportunity and WEGENER is well-positioned to capture market share in this new and rapidly growing sector. Any significant revenues from this product line will not be realized, if at all, until fiscal 2006," concluded Mr. Placek. WEGENER SMD 515 Settop enables phone companies to offer television services, including high definition, to existing DSL consumers. ABOUT WEGENER COMMUNICATIONS WEGENER is an international provider of digital solutions for video, audio and IP data networks. Applications include IP data delivery, broadcast television, cable television, radio networks, business television, distance education, business music and financial information distribution. COMPEL(TM), WEGENER's patented network control system, provides networks with unparalleled ability to regionalize programming and commercials. COMPEL network control capability is integrated into WEGENER digital satellite receivers. WEGENER can be reached at +1.770.814.4000 or on the World Wide Web at http://www.wegener.com/ . WEGENER, COMPEL, MEDIAPLAN, ENVOY, UNITY, and iPUMP are trademarks of WEGENER Communications, Inc. All Rights Reserved. This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and the Company intends that such forward- looking statements be subject to the safe harbors created thereby. Forward- looking statements may be identified by words such as "believes," "expects," "projects," "plans," "anticipates," and similar expressions, and include, for example, statements relating to expectations regarding future sales, income and cash flows. Forward-looking statements are based upon the Company's current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to: customer acceptance and effectiveness of recently introduced products, development of additional business for the Company's digital video and audio transmission product lines, effectiveness of the sales organization, the successful development and introduction of new products in the future, delays in the conversion by private and broadcast networks to next generation digital broadcast equipment, acceptance by various networks of standards for digital broadcasting, general market conditions which may not improve during fiscal year 2005 and beyond, and success of the Company's research and development efforts aimed at developing new products. Discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties are provided in detail in the Company's periodic filings with the SEC, including the Company's most recent Form 10-K. Since these statements involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, the Company's actual results could differ materially from expected results. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement was made. The Company does not undertake and specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements. WEGENER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES Summarized Operations Data (in $000's except per share amounts) (Unaudited) Three Months Ended December 3, November 28, 2004 2003 Revenue $6,406 $4,750 Earnings (loss) before income taxes 174 (702) Income tax expense (benefit) 62 (253) Net earnings (loss) $112 $(449) Net earnings (loss) per share Basic $0.01 $(0.04) Diluted $0.01 $(0.04) Shares used in per share calculation Basic 12,536 12,397 Diluted 12,703 12,397 WEGENER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in $000's except share data) December 3, September 3, 2004 2004 Assets (Unaudited) Current Assets Cash and cash equivalents $956 $1,521 Accounts receivable 4,390 2,480 Inventories 3,784 3,840 Deferred income taxes 2,091 2,199 Other 260 283 Total current assets 11,481 10,323 Property and equipment, net 2,598 2,699 Capitalized software costs, net 1,748 1,668 Deferred income taxes 2,016 1,970 Other assets 839 836 $18,682 $17,496 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities Accounts payable $1,992 $1,294 Accrued expenses 2,160 1,719 Customer deposits 867 960 Total current liabilities 5,019 3,973 Commitments and contingencies Shareholders' equity Common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 12,546,051 and 12,526,051 shares respectively, issued and outstanding 125 125 Additional paid-in capital 19,848 19,820 Deficit (6,310) (6,422) Total shareholders' equity 13,663 13,523 $18,682 $17,496 Source: WEGENER Corporation CONTACT: C. Troy Woodbury, Jr., Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of WEGENER Corporation, +1-770-814-4000, or fax, +1-770-623-9648, or info@wegener.com Web site: http://www.wegener.com/ ------- Profile: International Entertainment