CTC Media Reports 2008 First Quarter Results

CTC Media Reports 2008 First Quarter Results

FIRST QUARTER - Consolidated Revenue Increases 31.3% to $136.7 Million - - OIBDA(1) Increases 24.7% to $55.2 Million - - Net Income of $41.7 Million, $0.26 Earnings Per Share -

MOSCOW, April 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CTC Media, Inc. (NASDAQ:CTCM) , a leading television broadcaster in Russia, today reported financial results for the three month period ended March 31, 2008.

          US$ 000's, except per share     Three Months Ended           data                                March 31                                            2007      2008      Change            Total operating revenues       $104,121  $136,746     31.3%           Total operating expenses        (65,605)  (83,714)    27.6%            OIBDA                            44,288    55,236     24.7%            Net income                      $28,123   $41,713     48.3%           Fully diluted           earnings per share                $0.18     $0.26     44.4%     First Quarter Financial Highlights    -- Consolidated revenue increased 31% to $136.7 million   -- Advertising revenue in Russia increased by 38% to $134.4 million   -- OIBDA increased 25% to $55.2 million, OIBDA margin of 40.4%   -- Net income increased 48% to $41.7 million   -- $0.26 fully diluted earnings per share, an increase of 46%     First Quarter Operational Highlights    -- Entered into definitive agreement to acquire the DTV group, which      operates a national free-to-air television network and a group of 24      owned-and-operated stations in Russia -- closed the acquisition in      April 2008;   -- Re-launched Channel 31 in Kazakhstan with a new schedule, programming      and brand image;   -- Turned our CTC unmanned repeater in Petrozavodsk into an      owned-and-operated station to gain access to local advertising market;      and   -- Received 'BB-' long-term corporate credit rating with stable outlook      from Standard & Poor's.    1. OIBDA is defined as operating income before depreciation and      amortization (exclusive of amortization of programming rights and      sublicensing rights). OIBDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please      refer to Attachment A for a reconciliation of OIBDA to net income.   

Alexander Rodnyansky, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We are extremely satisfied with the first quarter financial results, which once again proves that CTC Media continues to strengthen its position as the leading independent media company in Russia. The increase in our total operating revenue in the first quarter by 31% and especially the increase in our advertising revenue in Russia by 38% in the same period represent the best example of CTC effectively capitalizing on the growth of the Russian advertising market. In the increasingly fragmented free-to-air environment, CTC Media continues to deliver quality programming to its target audience, while the high affinity of our channels in Russia allows us to deliver a premium, loyal audience to advertisers.

"We continued to successfully execute on our growth strategy. We started commercial broadcasting of CTC-Uzbekistan and re-launched Channel 31 in Kazakhstan in the CTC format. The first several weeks of broadcasting in Kazakhstan proved to be tremendously successful, and we believe we are well positioned to further strengthen our position with Kazakh viewers and in the overall market in the years ahead.

"Another important milestone was entering into the definitive agreement to acquire the DTV group, with the subsequent closing of the deal in April 2008. As a result, CTC Media currently operates three free-to-air national TV channels in Russia, allowing us to provide a unique offer to advertisers and audiences. We are focused on improving DTV's programming line-up for the fall television season which we believe will make the channel even more attractive to its premium male audience.

"We are off to a terrific start in 2008. Our management team and employees are focused on executing our strategic plan, and we are positioned to continue to benefit from the strong growth of the Russian and CIS markets. We are prudently executing on a number of growth initiatives that will diversify our business, broaden our market exposure and seek to create additional value for shareholders."

Results for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2008

CTC Network's first quarter 2008 audience share was 8.8% as compared with 9.3% in the first quarter of 2007. CTC Network audience share in its target demographic (everyone aged 6-54) of 11.4% in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 11.5% in the first quarter of 2007 demonstrating CTC's increased affinity. CTC remains the fourth most watched broadcaster in Russia overall. Domashny's audience share demonstrated healthy growth from 1.9% in the first quarter of 2007 to 2.3% in the first quarter of 2008. Domashny Network audience share in its target demographic (females aged 25-60) of 2.9% was up from 2.3% in the first quarter of 2007.

                                                    Average Audience Shares                                                    Q1 2007        Q1 2008   CTC Network     -- all 4+ demographic                             9.3%           8.8%     -- target demographic (all aged 6-54)            11.5%          11.4%    Domashny Network     -- all 4+ demographic                             1.9%           2.3%     -- target demographic (females aged 25-60)        2.3%           2.9%    

CTC Media's total operating revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2008 increased 31.3% to $136.7 million from $104.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. CTC Media's total operating revenue includes advertising revenue in Russia that increased 37.6% in the three months ended March 31, 2008 to $134.4 million from $97.7 million in the year ago period. The increase in revenues reflects the continued growth of the Russian television advertising market and higher advertising rates driven in part by a reduction of airtime available for advertising (i.e. reduction of inventory available for sale) in Russia starting January 1, 2008.

Consolidated total operating expenses in the first quarter of 2008 increased by 27.6% and amounted to $83.7 million compared to $65.6 million in the first quarter of 2007. Total operating expenses decreased as a percentage of revenue by 1.8% period-on-period. In absolute terms, total operating expenses primarily went up due to increased programming amortization expense, which was driven by higher programming costs, particularly for foreign movies and Russian-produced content, and increase in impairment charges. Impairment charges increased from $0.7 million to $5.1 million, when comparing the three months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008, due to a one-off charge related to underperformance of two Russian series launched in the first quarter of 2008. The increase in operating expenses driven primarily from increased programming amortization expense was offset by a $3.6 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense principally caused by a change in the way in which we account for our broadcasting licenses. As of January 1, 2008, we no longer amortize broadcasting licenses over a 5-year useful life but treat them as intangible assets with an indefinite life and test them annually for impairment.

OIBDA increased 24.7% to $55.2 million for the first quarter of 2008 compared to $44.3 million in the first quarter of 2007. The OIBDA margin for the quarter was 40.4%, compared to 42.5% for the corresponding quarter of 2007.

Net income for the quarter was $41.7 million compared to $28.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007. Fully diluted income per share was $0.26 for the three months ended March 31, 2008, compared to $0.18 for the three months ended March 31, 2007.

Guidance

For the full year ending December 31, 2008, the Company reconfirms its guidance for consolidated total operating revenue in the range of $600 to $650 million, with a consolidated OIBDA margin in the range of 45-48%. This guidance range does not include expected revenues and OIBDA contribution from our CIS operations in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. The Company expects CIS operations to generate 2-3% of the CTC Media Group consolidated 2008 revenue. This guidance range also does not include expected revenues and OIBDA contribution from the recently acquired DTV network.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss its first quarter 2008 financial results today, Tuesday, April 29, at 9 a.m. ET, corresponding to 5 p.m. Moscow time, 2 p.m. London time. To access the conference call, please dial +1 973 582 2741 (International) or 8108 002 531 1012 (Russia) and reference pass code 42562935. A live webcast of the conference call will also be available on the investor relations section of the Company's corporate Web site, located at www.ctcmedia.ru/investors. A replay of the conference call will be available through Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at midnight ET. The replay can be accessed by dialing +1 706 645 9291 or +1 800 642 1687. The pass code for the replay is 42562935. The webcast will also be archived on the Company's Web site for two weeks.

About CTC Media, Inc.

CTC Media is a leading independent media company in Russia. It owns and operates the CTC television network, whose signal is carried by more than 350 affiliate stations, including 21 owned-and-operated stations; the Domashny television network, whose signal is carried by over 230 affiliate stations, including 13 owned-and-operated stations; and the DTV television network, whose signal is carried by a number of affiliate stations, including 24 owned- and-operated stations. The combined audience share for the CTC, Domashny and DTV networks in 2007 was 12.9% and for the first quarter of 2008 was 13.0%. CTC Media owns two TV content production companies: COSTAFILM and SOHO MEDIA, and operates Channel 31 in Kazakhstan and a TV company in Uzbekistan. The Company's common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol: "CTCM." For more information on CTC Media, please visit: www.ctcmedia.ru.

   Contacts:    CTC Media, Inc.   Ivan Philippov (media)   Katya Ostrova (investors)   +7 495 785 6333    Brainerd Communicators, Inc.   Jenna Focarino (media)   Michael Smargiassi (investors)   +1 212 986 6667   

Certain statements in this press release that are not based on historical information are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, which include, among other things, guidance on CTC Media's operating revenues and OIBDA margins for the year ending December 31, 2008, our ability to execute on our growth strategy and our ability to strengthen our positions with respect to the newly acquired DTV network in Russian and Channel 31 in Kazakhstan, reflect the Company's current expectations concerning future results and events. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of CTC Media to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual future results to differ from those expressed by forward-looking statements include, among others, our ability to deliver audience share, particularly in primetime, to our advertisers; changes in the size of the Russian television advertising market;; free-to-air television remaining a significant advertising forum in Russia; our reliance on a single television advertising sales house for substantially all of our revenues; and restrictions on foreign involvement in the Russian television business. These and other risks are described in the "Risk Factors" section of CTC Media's annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 29, 2008. Other unknown or unpredictable factors could have material adverse effects on CTC Media's future results, performance or achievements. In light of these risks, uncertainties, assumptions and factors, the forward-looking events discussed herein may not occur. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. CTC Media does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

                    (See attached financial statements)     Attachment A                           SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES                  REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION   

OIBDA is defined as operating income before depreciation and amortization (exclusive of amortization of programming rights and sublicensing rights). The Company believes that this metric is an appropriate and useful measure for evaluating the core current operating performance of its business. This metric is used by management to further its understanding of the Company's operating performance in the ordinary, ongoing and customary course of operations. The Company also believes that it provides investors and equity analysts with a useful basis for analyzing operating performance against historical data and the results of comparable companies.

The most directly comparable GAAP measure to the non-GAAP measure of OIBDA is net income. Unlike net income, OIBDA excludes depreciation and amortization, other than amortization of programming rights and sublicensing rights. The purchase of programming rights is the Company's most significant expenditure that enables it to generate revenues and OIBDA includes the impact of the amortization of these rights. Expenditures for capital items such as property, plant and equipment have a materially less significant impact on the Company's ability to generate revenues. For this reason, the Company excludes the related depreciation expense for these items from OIBDA. Moreover, a significant portion of its intangible assets were acquired in business acquisitions. The amortization of intangible assets is therefore also excluded from OIBDA.

OIBDA also excludes other components of net income that the Company does not consider to be indicators of its core operating performance. Accordingly, it excludes from core operating performance certain items over which it does not have substantial managerial influence and that are not reflective of ordinary, ongoing and customary course activities. Such non-core items include foreign currency gains and losses, interest income and expense, gains on the sale of businesses, other non-operating gains and losses, equity in the income of investee companies that the Company does not control, income tax expense, and income attributable to minority interest shareholders.

Because OIBDA is not a GAAP measurement of financial performance, there are material limitations in its usefulness on a stand-alone basis, including the lack of comparability to the GAAP financial results of other companies. It should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, net income. The items excluded from OIBDA are significant components in assessing our overall financial performance.

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company's consolidated OIBDA to consolidated net income for the three-month periods to March 31, 2007 and 2008:

                                                       Three months ended                                                            March 31,                                                       2007           2008                                                  (in thousands of US dollars)    OIBDA                                           $ 44,288       $ 55,236   Depreciation and amortization    (exclusive of amortization of    programming rights and sublicensing rights)      (5,772)        (2,204)   Operating income                                  38,516         53,032   Foreign currency gains                                27            678   Interest income                                    2,084          3,792   Interest expense                                       -             (6)   Other non-operating income, net                       21             85   Equity in income of investee companies               511            293   Income before income tax and minority interest    41,159         57,874   Income tax expense                               (12,145)       (15,090)   Income attributable to minority interest            (891)        (1,071)   Net income                                      $ 28,123       $ 41,713    

In this press release, the Company provides guidance on the Company's consolidated OIBDA for the year ending December 31, 2008. The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company's projected OIBDA, based on the mid-point of the provided range, to projected operating income for the year ending December 31, 2008. To further reconcile operating income to net income, foreign currency gains (losses), interest income, interest expense, gains (losses) on the sale of businesses, other non-operating gains (losses), equity in income of investee companies, income tax expense and income attributable to minority interest would need to be added and/or subtracted, as appropriate, from operating income. The Company does not provide a quantitative reconciliation of projected consolidated OIBDA to projected consolidated net income because it believes that such a reconciliation is not available without unreasonable efforts.

                                                            Year Ending                                                         December 31, 2008                                                            (Projected)                                                          (in thousands)   OIBDA                                                     $290,625   Depreciation and amortization (exclusive of    amortization of programming rights and    sublicensing rights)                                       (9,868)   Operating income                                          $280,757      Attachment B                      CTC MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES                     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME       (in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)                                                      Three Months Ended                                                          March 31,                                                     2007           2008    REVENUES:   Advertising                                     $ 97,651      $ 135,056   Sublicensing                                       5,830          1,078   Other revenue                                        640            612             Total operating revenues             $ 104,121        136,746    EXPENSES:     Direct operating expenses (exclusive      of amortization of programming rights      and sublicensing rights, shown below,      exclusive of depreciation and amortization      of $5,086 and $1,419 and inclusive of      stock-based compensation of $26 and $213      for the three months ended March 31, 2007      and 2008, respectively)                        (4,335)        (6,526)     Selling, general and administrative      (exclusive of depreciation and      amortization of $686 and $786 and      inclusive of stock-based compensation      of $3,044 and $3,146 for the three      months ended March 31, 2007 and 2008      respectively)                                 (16,742)       (19,338)     Amortization of programming rights             (34,353)       (54,423)     Amortization of sublicensing rights             (4,403)        (1,223)     Depreciation and amortization      (exclusive of amortization of      programming rights and sublicensing      rights)                                        (5,772)        (2,204)             Total operating expenses               (65,605)       (83,714)   OPERATING INCOME                                  38,516         53,032   FOREIGN CURRENCY GAINS                                27            678   INTEREST INCOME                                    2,084          3,792   INTEREST EXPENSE                                       -             (6)   OTHER NON-OPERATING INCOME, net                       21             85   EQUITY IN INCOME OF INVESTEE COMPANIES               511            293        Income before income tax and         minority interest                           41,159         57,874   INCOME TAX EXPENSE                               (12,145)       (15,090)   INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO MINORITY INTEREST            (891)        (1,071)   NET INCOME                                      $ 28,123       $ 41,713    Net income attributable to    preferred stockholders                              $ -            $ -   Net income attributable to    common stockholders                            $ 28,123       $ 41,713   Net income per share attributable to    common stockholders - basic                      $ 0.19         $ 0.27   Net income per share attributable to    common stockholders - diluted                    $ 0.18         $ 0.26     Weighted average common shares    outstanding - basic                         151,528,988    152,124,975   Weighted average common shares    outstanding - diluted                       157,678,698    159,227,810                          CTC MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                        (in thousands of US dollars)                                                  Three Months Ended March 31,                                                      2007           2008   CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:   Net income                                       $28,123        $41,713   Adjustments to reconcile net income    to net cash provided by operating activities:       Deferred tax (benefit)                        (1,637)        (4,594)       Depreciation and amortization                  5,772          2,204       Amortization of programming rights            34,353         54,423       Amortization of sublicensing rights            4,403          1,223       Stock based compensation expense               3,070          3,359       Gain on disposal of property and equipment        (3)             -       Equity in income of unconsolidated investees    (511)          (293)       Income attributable to minority interest         891          1,071       Foreign currency (gains)                         (27)          (678)       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:         Trade accounts receivable                  (10,683)       (12,925)         Prepayments                                   (689)          (434)         Other assets                                 (435)        (5,836)         Accounts payable and accrued liabilities     3,179          8,636         Deferred revenue                             5,747            702         Other liabilities                              238          9,521         Dividends received from equity investees       286              -         Acquisition of programming and          sublicensing rights                       (24,681)       (69,333)                Net cash provided by                 operating activities                47,396         28,759   CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:           Acquisitions of property and equipment    (1,377)        (1,272)           Acquisitions of intangibles                  (74)        (2,388)           Acquisitions of businesses,            net of cash acquired                     (6,857)       (55,032)           Proceeds from sale of property            and equipment                                22              -           Other                                          1            (77)                Net cash used in investing                 activities                          (8,285)       (58,769)   CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:           Proceeds from exercise of stock options       19          1,283           Decrease in restricted cash                   20              5           Dividends paid to minority interest            -            (18)                Net cash provided by                 (used in) financing activities          39          1,270   EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON    CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS                         1,410          9,419                Net increase (decrease)                 in cash and cash equivalents        40,560        (19,320)   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING OF    PERIOD                                          176,542        307,073   CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END OF PERIOD     $ 217,102       $287,753                         CTC MEDIA, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES                        CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS       (in thousands of US dollars, except share and per share data)                                                   December 31,    March 31,                                                    2007           2008   ASSETS    CURRENT ASSETS:     Cash and cash equivalents                    $ 307,073      $ 287,753     Trade accounts receivable, net of      allowance for doubtful accounts      (December 31, 2007 - $435;      March 31, 2008 - $672)                         11,690         27,488     Taxes reclaimable                                4,843         10,465     Prepayments                                     35,128         51,365     Programming rights, net                         63,023         73,479     Deferred tax assets                             12,938         15,814     Other current assets                             3,342          5,515            TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS                    438,037        471,879    RESTRICTED CASH                                      180            175   PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net                       24,768         27,111   INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net:     Broadcasting licenses                           74,254        252,395     Trade names                                      6,828          7,128     Network affiliation agreements                   1,333            833     Other intangible assets                            801          5,691     Net intangible assets                           83,216        266,047   GOODWILL                                          78,674         82,138   PROGRAMMING RIGHTS, net                           36,161         47,308   SUBLICENSING RIGHTS, net                           2,591          2,217   INVESTMENTS IN AND ADVANCES TO INVESTEES           6,557          7,096   PREPAYMENTS                                       12,026          8,337   DEFERRED TAX ASSETS                               11,326         14,305   OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS                           1,144          1,938            TOTAL ASSETS                          $ 694,680       $928,551    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY    CURRENT LIABILITIES:     Accounts payable                              $ 25,846       $ 45,421     Accrued liabilities                              4,653         36,729     Taxes payable                                   14,507         25,140     Deferred revenue                                11,866         15,600     Deferred tax liabilities                         1,350          1,683            TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES                58,222        124,573   LONG TERM LOANS                                      224            235   DEFERRED TAX LIABILITIES                          21,160         74,869   MINORITY INTEREST                                  3,182         48,058   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:     Common stock; $0.01 par value;      shares authorized 175,772,173;      shares issued and outstanding      December 31, 2007 - 152,124,096,      March 31, 2008 - 152,144,096)                   1,521          1,521     Additional paid-in capital                     348,752        352,450     Retained earnings                              209,867        251,580     Accumulated other comprehensive income          51,752         75,265            TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY              611,892        680,816             TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS'              EQUITY                              $ 694,680      $ 928,551                          SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION                        (in thousands of US dollars)                      Three Months Ended March 31, 2007                                      CTC          Domashny     CTC Station                                   Network         Network        Group    Operating revenue               $76,613          $8,532       $16,303   Operating income (loss)          39,403             430         7,617   Identifiable assets             338,201          33,612        94,578   Capital expenditures               (172)            (24)         (689)   Depreciation and amortization      (260)           (151)       (1,532)   Amortization of programming    rights                         (27,919)         (5,308)       (1,170)   Amortization of sublicensing    rights                          (4,403)              -             -                            Domashny     Business   Eliminations                           Station      Segment       and        Consolidated                             Group      Results      Other          Results    Operating revenue        $3,198     $104,646        $(525)      $104,121   Operating income (loss)  (2,501)      44,949       (6,433)        38,516   Identifiable assets      68,980      535,371        4,421        539,792   Capital expenditures       (428)      (1,313)        (138)        (1,451)   Depreciation and    amortization            (3,305)      (5,248)        (524)        (5,772)   Amortization of    programming rights          (1)     (34,398)          45        (34,353)   Amortization of    sublicensing rights          -       (4,403)           -         (4,403)                        Three Months Ended March 31, 2008                                                       CTC        Domashny                            CTC       Domashny      Station       Station                          Network      Network       Group         Group    Operating revenue      $98,029      $15,467     $ 20,014       $3,449   Operating income/(loss) 45,536        4,534       10,632          (57)   Total assets           547,192       42,872      105,844       66,693   Capital expenditures      (767)         (56)      (1,909)        (854)   Depreciation and    amortization             (244)        (172)        (501)        (625)   Amortization of    programming rights    (45,057)      (7,824)      (1,407)          (6)   Amortization of    sublicensing rights    (1,223)           -            -            -                                         Business   Eliminations                              CIS       segment       and        Consolidated                             Group      results      other          results    Operating revenue          $650     $137,609        $(863)      $136,746   Operating income/(loss)    (368)      60,277       (7,245)        53,032   Total assets            179,589      942,190      (13,639)       928,551   Capital expenditures          -       (3,586)         (74)        (3,660)   Depreciation and    amortization              (131)      (1,673)        (531)        (2,204)   Amortization of    programming rights        (289)     (54,583)         160        (54,423)   Amortization of    sublicensing rights          -       (1,223)           -         (1,223)  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

Source: CTC Media, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Ivan Philippov, or Investors, Katya Ostrova, both of CTC
Media, Inc., +7-495-785-6333; or Media, Jenna Focarino, or Investors, Michael
Smargiassi, both of Brainerd Communicators, Inc, +1-212-986-6667

Web site: http://www.ctcmedia.ru/

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Profile: International Entertainment