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Friday, May 11, 2007

Emmis Communications Reports 4th Quarter Results

Emmis Communications Reports 4th Quarter Results

INDIANAPOLIS, May 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Emmis Communications Corporation (NASDAQ:EMMS) today announced results for its fourth fiscal quarter and full year ended Feb. 28, 2007.

"Weakness in our two key radio operations, New York and Los Angeles, presented us difficulties throughout the year and the fourth quarter was no exception," Emmis Chairman and CEO Jeff Smulyan said. "Unfortunately, we will continue to face difficulties in these markets in the foreseeable future. However, I'm confident that the best people in the business, coupled with Emmis' 25 years of innovation and excellence, will lead us to better days."

For the fourth fiscal quarter, reported net revenue was $78.6 million, compared to $82.4 million for the same quarter of the prior year, a decrease of 4.6%. The decrease related primarily to revenue declines at Emmis' New York and Los Angeles radio stations.

Diluted net loss per common share from continuing operations for the quarter was ($0.23), compared to ($1.01) for the same quarter of the prior year. The prior year fourth-quarter results include charges that affect the comparability with the current year, including impairment losses and various charges related to the company's television divestitures.

For the fourth quarter, reported and pro forma radio net revenues decreased 6%, while publishing net revenues were down slightly.

For the fourth quarter, operating income was $4.3 million, compared to an operating loss of $35.5 million for the same quarter of the prior year. Prior year results included certain corporate bonus and severance payments related to our television divestitures ($6.1 million) and impairment losses ($35.7 million) totaling $41.8 million; excluding these charges, operating income for the fourth quarter of the prior year would have been $6.3 million. Emmis' station operating income for the fourth quarter was $15.0 million, compared to $19.0 million for the same quarter of the prior year.

Emmis has included supplemental pro forma net revenues, station operating expenses, and certain other financial data on its website, www.emmis.com under the "Investors" tab.

International radio net revenues and station operating expenses for the quarter ended Feb. 28, 2007, were $9.8 million and $7.0 million, respectively, and both were up 9% on a pro forma basis as compared to the same quarter of the prior year.

On February 20, 2007, Emmis entered into a definitive agreement to sell KGMB-TV (Honolulu) to HITV Operating Co, Inc. for $40.0 million in cash. The company expects the transaction to close in the first half of calendar 2007.

During the quarter, the company increased its ownership in Radio Fresh! in Bulgaria. Emmis moved from minority to majority shareholder in the highly rated national CHR station.

Subsequent to the quarter end, the company announced an investment in Exponentia, a Vancouver-based mobile and online games and applications developer.

The following table reconciles reported results to pro forma results (dollars in thousands):

                     3 months ended              12 months ending                       Feb. 28,         %          Feb. 28,           %                     2007       2006   Change     2007       2006    Change   Radio   Reported    net revenues    $57,299   $60,969   -6.0%   $271,929   $290,600   6.4%   Plus: Revenues    from assets    acquired             -        230                 -       2,383   Pro forma net    revenues        $57,299   $61,199   -6.4%   $271,929   $292,983  -7.2%    Publishing   Reported net    revenues        $21,335   $21,440   -0.5%    $87,606    $86,836   0.9%   Plus: Revenues    from assets    acquired              -         -                 -          -   Pro forma net    revenues        $21,335   $21,440   -0.5%    $87,606    $86,836   0.9%     Total Company   Reported net    revenues        $78,634   $82,409   -4.6%   $359,535   $377,436  -4.7%   Plus: Revenues    from assets acquired     -    230                 -       2,383   Pro forma    net revenues    $78,634   $82,639   -4.8%   $359,535   $379,819  -5.3%     

The company expects its radio net revenues for the quarter ending May 31, 2007, to decrease from the prior year in the mid- to high single digit range on a percentage basis. Conversely, the company expects its radio station operating expenses for the quarter ending May 31, 2007, to increase from the prior year in the mid- to high single digit range on a percentage basis. International radio operations continue to perform well, offsetting to some degree continued weakness in domestic radio operations.

Emmis will host a call regarding this information on Friday, May 11, at 9 a.m. Eastern at 1.517.623.4891, with a replay available through Friday, May 18, at 1.203.369.3658. Listen online at www.emmis.com.

Emmis generally evaluates the performance of its operating entities based on station operating income. Management believes that station operating income is useful to investors because it provides a meaningful comparison of operating performance between companies in the industry and serves as an indicator of the market value of a group of stations or publishing entities. Station operating income is generally recognized by the broadcast and publishing industries as a measure of performance and is used by analysts who report on the performance of broadcasting and publishing groups. Station operating income does not take into account Emmis' debt service requirements and other commitments, and, accordingly, station operating income is not necessarily indicative of amounts that may be available for dividends, reinvestment in Emmis' business or other discretionary uses.

Station operating income is not a measure of liquidity or of performance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, and should be viewed as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, our results of operations presented on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Moreover, station operating income is not a standardized measure and may be calculated in a number of ways. Emmis defines station operating income as revenues net of agency commissions and station operating expenses, excluding non-cash compensation.

Emmis Communications -- Great Media, Great People, Great Service(R) Emmis is an Indianapolis-based diversified media firm with radio broadcasting, television broadcasting and magazine publishing operations. Emmis owns 21 FM and 2 AM domestic radio stations serving the nation's largest markets of New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, as well as St. Louis, Austin, Indianapolis and Terre Haute, Ind. In May 2005, Emmis announced its intent to seek strategic alternatives for its 16 television stations, and has announced the sale of 15 of them. Emmis also owns a radio network, international radio stations, regional and specialty magazines, an interactive business and ancillary businesses in broadcast sales.

The information in this news release is being widely disseminated in accordance with the Securities & Exchange Commission's Regulation FD.

Note: Certain statements included in this release or in the attached financial data which are not statements of historical fact, including but not limited to those identified with the words "expect," "will" or "look" are intended to be, and are, by this Note, identified as "forward-looking statements," as defined in the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from any future result, performance or achievement expressed or implied by such forward-looking statement. Such factors include, among others:

    -- general economic and business conditions;    -- fluctuations in the demand for advertising and demand for different       types of advertising media;    -- our ability to service our outstanding debt;    -- increased competition in our markets and the broadcasting industry;    -- our ability to attract and secure programming, on-air talent, writers       and photographers;    -- inability to obtain (or to obtain timely) necessary approvals for       purchase or sale transactions or to complete the transactions for       other reasons generally beyond our control;    -- increases in the costs of programming, including on-air talent;    -- inability to grow through suitable acquisitions;    -- new or changing regulations of the Federal Communications Commission       or other governmental agencies;    -- competition from new or different technologies;    -- war, terrorist acts or political instability; and    -- other factors mentioned in documents filed by the company with the       Securities and Exchange Commission.   

Emmis does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

A conference call regarding this earnings release is scheduled for 9 a.m. Eastern, Friday, May 11, 2007. Dial in at 1.517.623.4891 or listen online at www.emmis.com

   EMMIS COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA     (Unaudited, dollars in thousands, except per share data)                                       Three months ended  Twelve months ended                                         February 28,        February 28,                                        2007      2006      2007      2006   OPERATING DATA:     Net revenues:       Radio                           $57,299   $60,969  $271,929  $290,600       Publishing                       21,335    21,440    87,606    86,836         Total net revenues             78,634    82,409   359,535   377,436     Operating expenses:       Radio                            43,440    43,111   176,686   171,957       Publishing                       20,706    21,361    79,333    80,077         Total station operating          expenses                      64,146    64,472   256,019   252,034     Corporate expenses                  6,809    12,950    30,432    36,871     Depreciation and amortization       3,423     4,821    13,338    17,099     Impairment loss                       -      35,681       -      35,681     (Gain) loss on disposal of      assets                                (1)        9         4        94      Operating income (loss)             4,257   (35,524)   59,742    35,657     Interest expense                   (9,539)  (21,513)  (43,160)  (70,586)     Loss on debt extinguishment (a)       (32)   (6,952)  (13,435)   (6,952)     Other income (expense), net        (2,692)    2,925       (22)    3,040      Income (loss) before income      taxes, minority interest and      discontinued operations           (8,006)  (61,064)    3,125   (38,841)     Provision (benefit) for income      taxes                             (3,004)  (25,265)    2,015   (16,346)     Minority interest expense      (income), net of tax               1,201      (485)    4,577     3,026      Income (loss) from continuing      operations                        (6,203)  (35,314)   (3,467)  (25,521)     Income (loss) from discontinued      operations, net of tax            (4,282)  174,256   117,048   383,292     Net income (loss)                 (10,485)  138,942   113,581   357,771     Preferred stock dividends           2,246     2,246     8,984     8,984     Net income (loss) available to      common shareholders             $(12,731) $136,696  $104,597  $348,787      Basic net income (loss) per      common share:       Continuing operations            $(0.23)   $(1.01)   $(0.33)   $(0.80)       Discontinued operations, net        of tax                           (0.11)     4.70      3.14      8.93         Net income available to          common shareholders           $(0.34)    $3.69     $2.81     $8.13      Diluted net income (loss) per      common share:       Continuing operations            $(0.23)   $(1.01)   $(0.33)   $(0.80)       Discontinued operations, net        of tax                           (0.11)     4.70      3.14      8.93         Net income available to          common shareholders           $(0.34)    $3.69     $2.81     $8.13      Weighted average shares      outstanding:         Basic                          37,368    37,056    37,265    42,876         Diluted                        37,368    37,056    37,265    42,876      (a) Twelve months ended February 28, 2007 reflects (i) costs of our        senior floating rate notes and senior discount notes and senior        subordinated notes redemptions in the quarter ended May 31, 2006 (ii)        costs associated with permanent paydowns of our senior credit        facility in the quarter ended August 31, 2006 and (iii) costs of our        senior subordinated notes redemption and costs related to the        amendment and restatement of our senior credit facility in the        quarter ended November 30, 2006.      OTHER DATA:     Station operating income (See      below)                            15,002    18,968   106,799   130,084     Cash paid for taxes                   878     5,006     6,866     5,045     Capital expenditures                2,995     3,958     5,301    12,132     Noncash compensation by segment:              Radio                       $437      $646    $2,383    $3,442              Publishing                    77       385       900     1,240              Corporate                    750      (345)    4,465     4,185                     Total              $1,264      $686    $7,748    $8,867    COMPUTATION OF STATION OPERATING    INCOME:     Operating income (loss)            $4,257  $(35,524)  $59,742   $35,657     Plus:  Depreciation and      amortization                       3,423     4,821    13,338    17,099     Plus:  Corporate expenses           6,809    12,950    30,432    36,871     Plus:  Station noncash      compensation                         514     1,031     3,283     4,682     Plus:  (Gain) loss on disposal      of assets                             (1)        9         4        94     Plus:  Impairment loss                -      35,681       -      35,681     Station operating income          $15,002   $18,968  $106,799  $130,084      SELECTED BALANCE SHEET    INFORMATION:                   February 28, February 28,                                          2007      2006    Total Cash and Cash Equivalents     $20,747  $140,822    Senior Debt                        $498,000  $296,174   Senior Subordinated Debt                -     375,000   Senior Discount Notes                   -       1,406   Senior Floating Rate Notes              -     120,000    Total Senior, Senior     Subordinated and Holding     Company Debt                     $498,000  $792,580  

Source: Emmis Communications Corporation

CONTACT: Patrick Walsh, CFO, or Kate Snedeker, Media & Investor
Relations, both of Emmis Communications Corporation, +1-317-266-0100

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


Profile: International Entertainment

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