Meredith Corporation Reports Record Earnings for Fiscal 2005

Meredith Corporation Reports Record Earnings for Fiscal 2005

Fourth Quarter Earnings Per Share Increase 15 Percent

DES MOINES, Iowa, July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP) today reported record earnings for fiscal 2005. The Company's earnings grew 23 percent to $128.1 million and earnings per share increased 25 percent to $2.50 before the $0.02 cumulative benefit of a change in accounting principle related to option expensing. Total revenues and total advertising revenues grew 5 percent.

Fourth quarter net earnings rose 12 percent to $42.2 million and earnings per share increased 15 percent to $0.83. Total revenues increased 8 percent and total advertising revenues grew 4 percent.

"Fiscal 2005 was an outstanding year for Meredith," said William T. Kerr, Chairman and CEO. "We produced the best earnings in our 103-year history, and on July 1, 2005 we completed the most significant Publishing transaction as well. The acquisition of Parents, Child, Fitness, Family Circle and Ser Padres magazines broadens our magazine portfolio to reach younger women and furthers our strategy to serve the Hispanic market. Additionally, we extended our marketing services capabilities and increased audience share at our television stations. These actions enhance our ability to sustain strong earnings growth in fiscal 2006 and beyond."

Operating Highlights

Publishing

For fiscal 2005, Publishing operating profit increased 10 percent to $174.3 million and operating profit margin improved from 18.1 percent to 19.2 percent. This performance reflects profit growth in magazines, books, integrated marketing and interactive media. Total revenues grew 4 percent and advertising revenues rose 2 percent. Publishing expenses increased 3 percent, including a 5 percent increase in paper costs.

The Company increased its circulation contribution in fiscal 2005. Meredith continued to invest in its long-term direct-to-publisher circulation model by increasing its direct mail volume considerably in fiscal 2005.

Meredith Integrated Marketing posted strong results in fiscal 2005, reflecting growth from new and existing clients. Meredith Books produced record operating profit, reflecting its expansion into the children's market and growth in traditional categories such as gardening, cooking, do-it-yourself and home design.

In the fourth quarter, Publishing revenues grew 10 percent. Operating profit rose 9 percent, primarily due to strong profit growth in books, partially offset by higher paper costs. Meredith also made strategic investments in the quarter in circulation initiatives and the September 2005 launch of Siempre Mujer-its Spanish-language women's lifestyle magazine.

Publishing advertising strengthened in the fourth quarter. Advertising revenues grew 8 percent as most of the Company's magazines and its interactive media operations posted strong gains. Meredith experienced strength in the food, cosmetics, travel and automotive categories, partially offset by declines in the home and household supply categories.

Broadcasting

For fiscal 2005, Broadcasting operating profit increased 25 percent to $86.7 million. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew 20 percent and EBITDA margin improved from 31.8 percent to 35.2 percent.

Total revenues increased 8 percent to $312.5 million in fiscal 2005, reflecting $18.8 million in net political advertising revenues compared with $6.1 million in fiscal 2004. Meredith also benefited from strength in local advertising and revenues from its new WB affiliate in Chattanooga and its joint sales agreement with the WB affiliate in Kansas City. Non-political advertising revenues grew 4 percent.

In the fourth quarter, operating profit and EBITDA declined 6 and 4 percent, respectively. Total revenues were flat, reflecting a $3.4 million decrease in net political advertising revenues from the prior year and a decline in national advertising, offset by strength in local advertising and revenues from the stations in Chattanooga and Kansas City. Non-political advertising revenues grew 4 percent.

Meredith continued its late news share improvement for certain key markets in the May ratings book for the important adult 25-54 demographic group. The Company's stations in its two largest markets-Atlanta and Phoenix-increased audience share 40 and 29 percent, respectively. In Kansas City, Meredith grew audience share 42 percent.

The Company posted strong audience share for most of its morning newscasts in the May book. In Portland and Hartford, Meredith's stations captured approximately one-third of the television audience. In Nashville, Kansas City and Saginaw, the Company's stations garnered approximately one-fourth of the viewers.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

The Company generated $170.9 million in cash flow from operations in fiscal 2005. During the year, Meredith repurchased $97.5 million of its stock, reduced debt $50 million, invested $35.4 million to enter a joint sales agreement with the WB affiliate in Kansas City and to acquire the WB affiliate in Chattanooga, and paid $25.8 million in dividends. The Company repurchased approximately 1.96 million shares in fiscal 2005 compared with approximately 750,000 shares in the prior-year. Capital expenditures were $23.8 million in fiscal 2005. Net interest expense decreased from $22.5 million in fiscal 2004 to $19 million in fiscal 2005.

All earnings per share figures in the text of this release are diluted. Both basic and diluted earnings per share can be found in the attached statements of earnings.

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

On July 1, 2005, Meredith closed its acquisition of Parents, Child, Fitness, Family Circle and Ser Padres magazines for $350 million in cash. The Company completed a new $300 million private placement of senior notes and financed the balance under existing credit facilities.

OUTLOOK

For fiscal 2006, Meredith expects earnings per share will approximate $2.80, representing 12 percent growth from the $2.50 it earned in fiscal 2005. The Company believes earnings per share will grow in the 8 to 10 percent range in the first half of fiscal 2006 and in the mid-teens in the second half of the year. This outlook is consistent with the guidance the Company provided at the Mid-Year Media Review, as well as its previously stated long-term financial objective for a non-political year.

For the full year, in Publishing, Meredith expects solid growth in advertising revenue and circulation contribution, modest accretion from its newly acquired magazines, and growth from its book and integrated marketing operations-partially offset by a mid-to-high teen increase in paper prices and a mid-single digit increase in postage rates. In Broadcasting, the Company anticipates its results will reflect the absence of political advertising, continued weakness in national advertising and strength in local advertising.

For the first quarter of fiscal 2006, the Company expects earnings per share will approximate $0.50 compared with $0.46 in the first quarter of fiscal 2005. On a comparable basis, excluding the newly acquired magazines, Publishing advertising revenues are anticipated to grow in the low-to-mid single digits. Total Publishing advertising revenues are expected to increase significantly primarily due to the addition of the new titles. Broadcast pacings, which are a snapshot in time and change frequently, are currently up slightly, reflecting the absence of political advertising and continued weakness in national advertising, offset by strength in local advertising.

CONFERENCE CALL WEB CAST

Meredith will host a conference call on July 27, 2005 at 9:30 a.m. EDT (8:30 a.m. CDT) to discuss fiscal 2005 results. A live web cast will be accessible to the public on the Company's web site http://www.meredith.com/ .

RATIONALE FOR USE AND ACCESS TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

Non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA should be construed not as alternative measures of, but as supplemental information regarding, the Company's net earnings and income from operations as defined under GAAP.

Management uses and presents GAAP and non-GAAP results to evaluate and communicate the performance of the Company. Because of EBITDA's focus on results from operations before depreciation and amortization, management believes that EBITDA provides an additional analytical tool to clarify the Company's results from core operations and delineate underlying trends. EBITDA is a common alternative measure of performance used by investors and financial analysts. Meredith does not use EBITDA as a measure of liquidity, nor is EBITDA necessarily indicative of funds available for management's discretionary use.

Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures are included in Table 1. The attached financial statements and reconciliation tables will be made available on the Company's web site. Interested parties should go to http://www.meredith.com/investors/index.html and click on "GAAP-Non-GAAP Reconciliation" in the navigation bar on the left side of the page.

SAFE HARBOR

This release contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on management's current knowledge and estimates of factors affecting the Company's operations. Statements in this announcement that are forward-looking include, but are not limited to, the statements regarding: first quarter fiscal 2006 expectations for Broadcast pacings, Publishing advertising revenues, and earnings per share, along with fiscal 2006 expectations for Publishing advertising revenues, circulation contribution, accretion from the new magazines, paper prices, postage rates; and political, national and local advertising at the Company's television stations.

Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could adversely affect future results include, but are not limited to, downturns in national and/or local economies; a softening of the domestic advertising market; world, national, or local events that could disrupt broadcast television; increased consolidation among major advertisers or other events depressing the level of advertising spending; the unexpected loss of one or more major clients; changes in consumer reading, purchase, and/or television viewing patterns; unanticipated increases in paper, postage, printing or syndicated programming costs; changes in television network affiliation agreements; technological developments affecting products or methods of distribution; changes in government regulations affecting the Company's industries; unexpected changes in interest rates; and any acquisitions and/or dispositions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ABOUT MEREDITH CORPORATION

Meredith ( http://www.meredith.com/ ) is one of the nation's leading media and marketing companies with businesses centering on magazine and book publishing, television broadcasting, integrated marketing and interactive media. The Meredith Publishing Group is the leading magazine publisher serving women, reaching more than 75 million American women. The group features 24 subscription magazines-including Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal, Parents, Child, Fitness, Family Circle and American Baby - and approximately 150 special interest publications. Meredith owns or operates 14 television stations, including properties in top-25 markets such as Atlanta, Phoenix and Portland, and an AM radio station.

Meredith has approximately 350 books in print and has established marketing relationships with some of America's leading companies including The Home Depot, DIRECTV, DaimlerChrysler, Wal-Mart and Carnival Cruise Lines. Meredith's consumer database, which contains approximately 80 million names, is one of the largest domestic databases among media companies and enables magazine and television advertisers to target marketing campaigns precisely. Additionally, Meredith has an extensive Internet presence that includes 32 web sites and strategic alliances with leading Internet destinations.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Unaudited

Three Months Ended June 30 Restated* Percent 2005 2004 Change (In thousands except per share)

Revenues Advertising $201,448 $193,083 4.3 % Circulation 64,588 65,466 (1.3)% All other 66,320 50,501 31.3 % Total revenues 332,356 309,050 7.5 %

Operating costs and expenses Production, distribution and editorial 135,353 125,024 8.3 % Selling, general and administrative 114,628 108,190 6.0 % Depreciation and amortization 9,297 8,961 3.7 % Total operating costs and expenses 259,278 242,175 7.1 %

Income from operations 73,078 66,875 9.3 %

Interest income 104 101 3.0 % Interest expense (4,369) (5,518) (20.8)%

Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 68,813 61,458 12.0 %

Income taxes 26,631 23,780 12.0 %

Earnings before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 42,182 37,678 12.0 %

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of taxes -- -- --

Net earnings $42,182 $37,678 12.0 %

Basic earnings per share Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $0.86 $0.75 14.7 % Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle -- -- -- Net basic earnings per share $0.86 $0.75 14.7 %

Basic average shares outstanding 49,281 50,335 (2.1)%

Diluted earnings per share Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $0.83 $0.72 15.3 % Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle -- -- -- Net diluted earnings per share $0.83 $0.72 15.3 %

Diluted average shares outstanding 50,557 52,062 (2.9)%

Dividends paid per share $0.140 $0.120 16.7 %

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Twelve Months Ended June 30 Restated* Percent 2005 2004 Change (In thousands except per share)

Revenues Advertising $737,079 $703,969 4.7 % Circulation 243,637 248,579 (2.0)% All other 240,573 209,104 15.0 % Total revenues 1,221,289 1,161,652 5.1 %

Operating costs and expenses Production, distribution and editorial 524,641 502,494 4.4 % Selling, general and administrative 433,289 431,824 0.3 % Depreciation and amortization 35,305 35,243 0.2 % Total operating costs and expenses 993,235 969,561 2.4 %

Income from operations 228,054 192,091 18.7 %

Interest income 803 225 256.9 % Interest expense (19,805) (22,726) (12.9)%

Earnings before income taxes and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 209,052 169,590 23.3 %

Income taxes 80,903 65,631 23.3 %

Earnings before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 128,149 103,959 23.3 %

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, net of taxes 893 -- 100.0 %

Net earnings $129,042 $103,959 24.1 %

Basic earnings per share Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $2.57 $2.07 24.2 % Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 0.02 -- 100.0 % Net basic earnings per share $2.59 $2.07 25.1 %

Basic average shares outstanding 49,777 50,214 (0.9)%

Diluted earnings per share Before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $2.50 $2.00 25.0 % Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle 0.02 -- 100.0 % Net diluted earnings per share $2.52 $2.00 26.0 %

Diluted average shares outstanding 51,220 51,926 (1.4)%

Dividends paid per share $0.520 $0.430 20.9 %

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries Segment Information - Unaudited

Three Months Ended June 30 Restated* Percent 2005 2004 Change (In thousands)

Revenues Publishing $252,819 $229,094 10.4 % Broadcasting: Non-political advertising 77,715 74,805 3.9 % Political advertising 151 3,596 (95.8)% Other revenues 1,671 1,555 7.5 % Total broadcasting 79,537 79,956 (0.5)%

Total revenues $332,356 $309,050 7.5 %

Operating Profit Publishing $56,615 $52,105 8.7 % Broadcasting 24,003 25,538 (6.0)% Unallocated corporate (7,540) (10,768) 30.0 %

Income from operations $73,078 $66,875 9.3 %

Depreciation & Amortization Publishing $2,801 $2,499 12.1 % Broadcasting 6,062 5,652 7.3 % Unallocated corporate 434 810 (46.4)%

Total depreciation & amortization $9,297 $8,961 3.7 %

EBITDA Publishing $59,416 $54,604 8.8 % Broadcasting 30,065 31,190 (3.6)% Unallocated corporate (7,106) (9,958) 28.6 %

Total EBITDA $82,375 $75,836 8.6 %

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Twelve Months Ended June 30 Restated* Percent 2005 2004 Change (In thousands)

Revenues Publishing $908,790 $873,052 4.1 % Broadcasting: Non-political advertising 287,514 275,851 4.2 % Political advertising 18,834 6,055 211.0 % Other revenues 6,151 6,694 (8.1)% Total broadcasting 312,499 288,600 8.3 %

Total revenues $1,221,289 $1,161,652 5.1 %

Operating Profit Publishing $174,251 $158,028 10.3 % Broadcasting 86,662 69,372 24.9 % Unallocated corporate (32,859) (35,309) 6.9 %

Income from operations $228,054 $192,091 18.7 %

Depreciation & Amortization Publishing $9,832 $9,904 (0.7)% Broadcasting 23,263 22,315 4.2 % Unallocated corporate 2,210 3,024 (26.9)%

Total depreciation & amortization $35,305 $35,243 0.2 %

EBITDA Publishing $184,083 $167,932 9.6 % Broadcasting 109,925 91,687 19.9 % Unallocated corporate (30,649) (32,285) 5.1 %

Total EBITDA $263,359 $227,334 15.8 %

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited Restated* June 30 June 30 Assets 2005 2004 (In thousands) Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $29,788 $58,723 Accounts receivable, net 176,669 164,876 Other current assets 98,038 90,415 Total current assets 304,495 314,014

Property, plant and equipment, net 192,956 195,799

Other assets 90,407 90,843 Intangibles, net 707,068 673,968 Goodwill 196,382 191,303

Total assets $1,491,308 $1,465,927

Restated* June 30 June 30 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 2005 2004 (In thousands) Current liabilities Current portion of long-term debt $125,000 $75,000 Accounts payable and accruals 167,988 143,632 Other current liabilities 146,092 152,118

Total current liabilities 439,080 370,750

Long-term debt 125,000 225,000 Other noncurrent liabilities 275,401 260,206

Total liabilities 839,481 855,956

Shareholders' equity Common stock 39,700 40,802 Class B stock 9,596 9,683 Other shareholders' equity 602,531 559,486

Total shareholders' equity 651,827 609,971

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $1,491,308 $1,465,927

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Restated* Years Ended June 30 2005 2004 (In thousands)

Net cash provided by operating activities $170,904 $163,025

Cash flows from investing activities Acquisitions of businesses (35,387) - Additions to property, plant, and equipment (23,845) (24,535) Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment 2,050 - Other 3,401 (2,363) Net cash (used) by investing activities (53,781) (26,898)

Cash flows from financing activities Long-term debt incurred 85,000 20,000 Repayment of long-term debt (135,000) (95,000) Proceeds from common stock issued 23,438 26,315 Purchases of Company stock (97,458) (37,416) Dividends paid (25,828) (21,608) Excess tax benefits from share- based payments 3,288 8,011 Other 502 - Net cash (used) by financing activities (146,058) (99,698)

Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (28,935) 36,429 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 58,723 22,294 Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $29,788 $58,723

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures Table 1

Consolidated EBITDA, which is reconciled to net earnings in the following tables, is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Segment EBITDA is a measure of segment earnings before depreciation and amortization. Segment EBITDA margin is defined as segment EBITDA divided by segment revenues.

Three months ended June 30 2005 Unallocated Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total (In thousands) Revenues $252,819 $79,537 $- $332,356

Operating profit $56,615 $24,003 $(7,540) $73,078 Depreciation and amortization 2,801 6,062 434 9,297 EBITDA $59,416 $30,065 $(7,106) 82,375 Less: Depreciation and amortization (9,297) Net interest expense (4,265) Income taxes (26,631) Net earnings $42,182

Segment EBITDA margin 23.5% 37.8%

Three months ended June 30 2004 - Restated* Unallocated Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total (In thousands) Revenues $229,094 $79,956 $- $309,050

Operating profit $52,105 $25,538 $(10,768) $66,875 Depreciation and amortization 2,499 5,652 810 8,961 EBITDA $54,604 $31,190 $(9,958) 75,836 Less: Depreciation and amortization (8,961) Net interest expense (5,417) Income taxes (23,780) Net earnings $37,678

Segment EBITDA margin 23.8% 39.0%

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries Table 1 continued Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Twelve months ended June 30 2005 Unallocated Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total (In thousands) Revenues $908,790 $312,499 $- $1,221,289

Operating profit $174,251 $86,662 $(32,859) $228,054 Depreciation and amortization 9,832 23,263 2,210 35,305 EBITDA $184,083 $109,925 $(30,649) 263,359 Less: Depreciation and amortization (35,305) Net interest expense (19,002) Income taxes (80,903) Earnings before cumulative effect of change in accounting principle $128,149

Segment EBITDA margin 20.3% 35.2%

Twelve months ended June 30 2004 - Restated* Unallocated Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total (In thousands) Revenues $873,052 $288,600 $- $1,161,652

Operating profit $158,028 $69,372 $(35,309) $192,091 Depreciation and amortization 9,904 22,315 3,024 35,243 EBITDA $167,932 $91,687 $(32,285) 227,334 Less: Depreciation and amortization (35,243) Net interest expense (22,501) Income taxes (65,631) Net earnings $103,959

Segment EBITDA margin 19.2% 31.8%

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Source: Meredith Corporation

CONTACT: Shareholders and Financial Analysts, Jim Jacobson, Director of Investor Relations, +1-515-284-2633, jim.jacobson@meredith.com , or media, Art Slusark, Vice President-Corporate Communications, +1-515-284-3404, art.slusark@meredith.com , both of Meredith Corporation

Web site: http://www.meredith.com/

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