Blockbuster Reports Significantly Improved First Quarter 2008 Results

Blockbuster Reports Significantly Improved First Quarter 2008 Results

- Domestic Same-Store Revenues Grew 2.9%

- Net Income Increased $94 Million Year-Over-Year

- Adjusted EBITDA Increased $91 Million Year-Over-Year

DALLAS, May 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI; BBI.B) today reported financial results for the first quarter ended April 6, 2008.

Net income for the first quarter of 2008 was $45.4 million, or $0.20 per diluted share, an improvement of $94.4 million as compared with a net loss of $49.0 million, or $0.27 per share, for the first quarter of 2007.

Total revenues decreased 5.4% to $1.39 billion for the first quarter of 2008 from $1.47 billion for the first quarter of 2007, as a result of fewer company-operated stores. Domestic same-store revenues increased 2.9% as compared to the first quarter of 2007, reflecting a 920 basis point improvement over the first quarter of 2007. This increase was driven by a 0.4% growth in same-store rental revenues and a 19.7% increase in same-store merchandise sales. International same-store revenues decreased 1.5% from the same period last year, reflecting a 0.9% increase in same-store rental revenues and a 4.9% decline in same-store merchandise sales. Worldwide same-store revenues grew 1.4% from the same period last year.

"The significant improvement in our first quarter results demonstrates the underlying strength of our core rental and emerging retail business," said Jim Keyes, Blockbuster Chairman and CEO. "BLOCKBUSTER Total Access(TM), our subscription rental offering, is now profitable and positioned for growth. Additionally, our stores achieved positive growth in both sales and margin. We are particularly pleased that domestic same-store revenues showed an improvement for the first time in five years primarily as a result of several initiatives we have put in place, including an increased availability of top new movies, improved store merchandising and more effective pricing. Going forward, we are confident we can continue to grow our core business, which will enable us to focus on aggressive development of our digital offerings. Our ability to provide convenient access to both physical and electronic media entertainment will provide Blockbuster a meaningful competitive advantage and allow us to create enhanced shareholder value over the long-term."

Consolidated First Quarter Financial Results

Total revenues for the first quarter of 2008 decreased $79.8 million to $1.39 billion as compared to the first quarter of last year primarily due to the closure or sale of 412 company-operated stores worldwide, including the divestiture of the GAMESTATION(R) chain in the U.K. This decrease was partially offset by a $19.5 million increase in domestic revenues. Additionally, total revenues for the first quarter of 2007 included approximately $20 million in termination fees received in connection with the termination of Blockbuster's Brazilian franchise agreement and subsequent licensing of the BLOCKBUSTER(R) brand in Brazil to Lojas Americanas.

Gross profit for the first quarter of 2008 decreased $20.8 million to $741.7 million as compared to the first quarter of 2007 largely as a result of the decline in international gross profit reflecting the impact of the divestiture of 217 GAMESTATION stores and the termination of the Brazilian franchise agreement discussed above. Domestic gross profit remained essentially flat at $519.6 million. Gross margin increased 150 basis points to 53.2% for the first quarter of 2008. Total selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for the first quarter of 2008 declined $100.5 million driven by (i) significantly reduced advertising expenses, (ii) a lower worldwide company-operated store-base and (iii) a reduction in corporate overhead.

Operating income for the first quarter of 2008 totaled $70.2 million, representing an $89.6 million increase, as compared to an operating loss of $19.4 million for the same period last year. This improvement in profitability drove a $124.5 million increase in cash flow provided by operating activities for the first quarter of 2008 to a deficit of $19.5 million from a $144.0 million deficit for the first quarter of 2007. Free cash flow (net cash flow used for operating activities less capital expenditures) for the first quarter of 2008 improved by $115.6 million as compared to the same period last year to a negative $39.4 million.

Additional financial and operational information, including the calculation of adjusted results and the reconciliations of other non-GAAP financial measures used herein, can be found in the tables accompanying this release.

Earnings call

The Blockbuster earnings call will be webcast today at 9 a.m. Central time. Following the conclusion of the webcast, a replay of the call will be available via the Company's website. Additionally, further detail on the Company's results can be found in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended January 6, 2008 and in the Company's upcoming Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 6, 2008. The filings and the webcast can be accessed at http://investor.blockbuster.com/.

About Blockbuster

Blockbuster Inc. (NYSE: BBI; BBI.B) is a leading global provider of in-home movie and game entertainment, with over 7,700 stores throughout the Americas, Europe, Asia and Australia. The Company may be accessed worldwide at http://www.blockbuster.com/.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release and our related earnings conference call include forward-looking statements related to our operations and business outlook and financial and operational strategies and goals. Specific forward-looking statements can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts. These forward-looking statements are based on management's current intent, belief, expectations, estimates and projections regarding our company and our industry. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause actual results to vary materially include, among others: (1) consumer appeal of our existing and planned product and service offerings, and the related impact of competitor pricing and product and service offerings; (2) overall industry performance and the accuracy of our estimates and judgments regarding trends impacting the home video industry; (3) our ability to obtain favorable terms from suppliers, including on such matters as copy depth and uses of product; (4) the studios' dependence on revenues generated from retail home video and their related determinations with respect to pricing and the timing of distribution of their product; (5) the variability in consumer appeal of the movie titles and games software released for rental and sale; (6) our ability to comply with operating and financial restrictions and covenants in our debt agreements and any adverse publicity relating thereto; (7) our ability to respond to changing consumer preferences, including with respect to new technologies and alternative methods of content delivery, and to effectively adjust our offerings if and as necessary; (8) the extent and timing of our continued investment of incremental operating expenses and capital expenditures to continue to develop and implement our initiatives and our corresponding ability to effectively control overall operating expenses and capital expenditures; (9) our ability to effectively and timely prioritize and implement our initiatives and to timely implement and maintain the necessary information technology systems and infrastructure to support our initiatives; (10) the risks and costs associated with our pursuit of desired acquisitions, including the proposed acquisition of Circuit City Stores, Inc., our ability to consummate such acquisitions and the integration and other risks that may accompany any acquisitions that are ultimately consummated; (11) our ability to capitalize on anticipated industry consolidation; (12) the application and impact of future accounting policies or interpretations of existing accounting policies; (13) the impact of developments affecting our outstanding and any future litigation and claims against us; and (14) other factors, as described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 6, 2008. This cautionary statement is provided pursuant to Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The forward-looking statements in this release and in our related earnings conference call are made only as of the date hereof and we undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement for any reason, even if new information becomes available or other events occur in the future.

                               BLOCKBUSTER INC.                       COMPARATIVE FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS                    (In millions, except per share amounts)                                                       Thirteen Weeks Ended                                              April 6, 2008     April 1, 2007                                                                (As restated)    Revenues:      Base rental revenues                         $901.7            $883.8      Previously rented product ("PRP")       revenues                                     174.6             168.3           Total rental revenues                  1,076.3           1,052.1      Merchandise sales                             309.8             392.2      Other revenues                                  8.0              29.6                                                  1,394.1           1,473.9    Cost of sales:      Cost of rental revenues                       410.5             414.5      Cost of merchandise sold                      241.9             296.9                                                    652.4             711.4    Gross profit                                     741.7             762.5    Operating expenses:      General and administrative                    601.1             655.5      Advertising                                    30.5              76.6      Depreciation and amortization of       intangibles                                   39.9              49.8                                                    671.5             781.9    Operating income                                  70.2             (19.4)       Interest expense                              (19.2)            (23.6)      Interest income                                 1.1               1.9      Other items, net                                0.4              (2.0)    Income (loss) before income taxes                 52.5             (43.1)      Provision for income taxes                     (6.8)             (8.5)   Income (loss) from continuing    operations                                       45.7             (51.6)        Income (loss) from discontinued        operations, net of tax                       (0.3)              2.6    Net income (loss)                                 45.4             (49.0)       Preferred stock dividends                      (2.8)             (2.8)    Net income (loss) applicable to    common stockholders                             $42.6            $(51.8)    Net income (loss) per common share:   Basic      Continuing operations                         $0.22            $(0.28)      Discontinued operations                        -                 0.01      Net income (loss)                             $0.22            $(0.27)     Weighted average common shares    outstanding:   Basic                                            191.4             189.4    Net income (loss) per common share:   Diluted      Continuing operations                         $0.21            $(0.28)      Discontinued operations                       (0.01)             0.01      Net income (loss)                             $0.20            $(0.27)     Weighted average common shares    outstanding:      Diluted                                       221.5             189.4                                   BLOCKBUSTER INC.                       SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION                             (Dollars in millions)    Revenues by Product Line:                                            Thirteen Weeks    Thirteen Weeks                                                Ended             Ended                                           April 6, 2008     April 1, 2007                                                    Percent           Percent                                          Revenues of Total Revenues of Total                                                              (As                                                            restated)    Domestic         Rental revenues           Movies                           $468.0   48.9%    $471.5   50.3%           Games                              54.6    5.7%      58.0    6.2%           Subscription rental               163.7   17.1%     154.2   16.5%           PRP                               139.1   14.5%     137.9   14.7%        Total rental revenues                825.4   86.2%     821.6   87.7%         Merchandise sales           Movies                             57.6    6.0%      54.2    5.8%           Games                              20.0    2.1%      11.7    1.2%           Other                              47.5    5.0%      43.4    4.6%        Total merchandise sales              125.1   13.1%     109.3   11.6%         Other revenues                         6.3    0.7%       6.4    0.7%    Total domestic revenues                  $956.8  100.0%    $937.3  100.0%     International         Rental revenues           Movies                           $199.8   45.7%    $185.8   34.6%           Games                              15.6    3.6%      14.3    2.7%           PRP                                35.5    8.1%      30.4    5.7%        Total rental revenues                250.9   57.4%     230.5   43.0%         Merchandise sales           Movies                             48.5   11.1%      50.8    9.5%           Games                              92.4   21.1%     189.6   35.3%           Other                              43.8   10.0%      42.5    7.9%        Total merchandise sales              184.7   42.2%     282.9   52.7%         Other revenues                         1.7    0.4%      23.2    4.3%    Total international revenues             $437.3  100.0%    $536.6  100.0%    Total consolidated revenues            $1,394.1          $1,473.9     Gross Profit by Product Line:                                          Thirteen Weeks    Thirteen Weeks                                               Ended             Ended                                          April 6, 2008     April 1, 2007                                                   Percent           Percent                                          Gross     of      Gross     of                                         Profit   Revenue  Profit   Revenue                                                            (As                                                          restated)    Domestic         Rental                            $488.9    59.2%   $479.6    58.4%        Merchandise                         24.4    19.5%     32.1    29.4%        Other                                6.3   100.0%      6.4   100.0%           Total domestic                  519.6    54.3%    518.1    55.3%     International         Rental                             176.9    70.5%    158.0    68.5%        Merchandise                         43.5    23.5%     63.2    22.3%        Other                                1.7   100.0%     23.2   100.0%           Total international             222.1    50.8%    244.4    45.6%     Total consolidated                     $741.7    53.2%   $762.5    51.7%                                 BLOCKBUSTER INC.                     SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION            Selling, General and Administrative (G&A) Comparison                            (Dollars in millions)     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses:                                           Thirteen Weeks   Thirteen Weeks                                              Ended            Ended                                          April 6, 2008    April 1, 2007                                                 Percent           Percent                                          SG&A      of     SG&A      of                                         Expense Revenue  Expense  Revenue                                                            (As                                                          restated)    Domestic         Advertising                       $19.0    1.4%    $63.1    4.3%         G&A expense - store (4 wall)      345.2   24.8%    364.4   24.7%         G&A expense - corporate and          other                             78.5    5.6%    102.3    6.9%   International         Advertising                        11.5    0.8%     13.5    0.9%         G&A expense                       177.4   12.7%    188.8   12.8%          Total SG&A                       $631.6   45.3%   $732.1   49.6%     Facilities Statistics                                         As of April 6, 2008                               Domestic                  International                                 Avg       Total            Avg       Total                       Total    Sq         Sq      Total   Sq         Sq                       Number Footage    Footage  Number Footage    Footage                               (in        (in             (in        (in                             thousands) thousands)      thousands) thousands)    Stores              3,963    5.6      22,029    2,041   3.0       6,037   Distribution    Centers               40    N/A       1,133        8   N/A         177   Corporate/Regional    Offices               12    N/A         420        8   N/A          91                                  BLOCKBUSTER INC.                      SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION                             (Dollars in millions)     Other Information:  Revenue                                                     Thirteen Weeks Ended                                               April 6, 2008    April 1, 2007                                                                (As restated)    Domestic same-store revenues increase    (decrease)         Rental revenues                             0.4 %            (4.7)%        Merchandise sales                          19.7 %           (15.0)%        Total revenues                              2.9 %            (6.3)%    International same-store revenues    increase (decrease)         Rental revenues                             0.9 %            (5.0)%        Merchandise sales                          (4.9)%            31.7 %        Total revenues                             (1.5)%            12.2 %    Worldwide same-store revenues increase    (decrease)         Rental revenues                             0.6 %            (4.7)%        Merchandise sales                           4.2 %            14.3 %        Total revenues                              1.4 %             0.0 %    Cash Flow Data:                                                      Thirteen Weeks Ended                                                April 6, 2008   April 1, 2007                                                                (As restated)   Net cash used for operating activities          $(19.5)          $(144.0)   Net cash used for investing activities           (19.9)             (2.6)   Net cash used for financing activities            (9.1)            (66.0)    Capital Expenditures                             $19.9             $11.0     Balance Sheet Information:                                               April 6, 2008  January 6, 2008    Cash and cash equivalents                       $137.7            $184.6   Merchandise inventories                          397.4             343.9   Rental library                                   444.8             441.1   Accounts payable                                 453.8             472.8   Total debt (including capital lease    obligations)                                    751.4             757.8                                  BLOCKBUSTER INC.                      SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION     Worldwide Store Count Information:                                                       Thirteen Weeks Ended                                              April 6, 2008     April 1, 2007    Domestic Company-Owned Stores:     Beginning                                      4,005             4,255     Additions/Purchases                                1                 3     Closures/Sales                                   (43)             (135)     Ending                                         3,963             4,123    International Company-Owned Stores:     Beginning                                      2,068             2,296     Additions/Purchases                                1                11     Closures/Sales                                   (28)              (14)     Ending                                         2,041             2,293    Franchised Stores:     Beginning                                      1,757             1,809     Additions/Purchases                                7                 3     Closures/Sales                                   (49)              (27)     Ending                                         1,715             1,785    Total Stores Worldwide:     Beginning                                      7,830             8,360     Additions/Purchases                                9                17     Closures/Sales                                  (120)             (176)     Ending                                         7,719             8,201                                 BLOCKBUSTER INC.            DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION                           (Dollars in millions)    For the quarter ended April 6, 2008, the Company reports adjusted net   income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per common share and adjusted   operating income (loss) excluding costs incurred for store closures. For   the quarter ended April 1, 2007, the Company reports adjusted net income   (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per common share and adjusted   operating income (loss) excluding charges related to costs incurred for   store closures, severance costs and proceeds from the termination of the   Brazilian franchise agreement.    Adjusted net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per common share   and adjusted operating income (loss) are non-GAAP financial measures   within the meaning of Regulation G of the Securities and Exchange   Commission and not measures of operating performance calculated in   accordance with GAAP.  As a result, adjusted net income (loss), adjusted   net income (loss) per common share and adjusted operating income (loss)   should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, income   (loss) from continuing operations, net income (loss) per common share and   operating income (loss) as indicators of operating performance.  Adjusted   net income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) per common share and   adjusted operating income (loss) as the Company calculates them, may not   be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.    Management believes excluding the recurring and non-recurring in nature   items listed below from the Company's financial results provides   investors with a clearer perspective of the current underlying operating   performance of the Company, a clearer comparison to current period   results and greater transparency regarding supplemental information used   by management in its financial and operational decision-making.    Management uses these non-GAAP financial measures as an internal measure   of business operating performance, to establish operational goals, to   allocate resources and to analyze trends.  Income (loss) from continuing   operations is the financial measure calculated and presented in   accordance with GAAP that is most comparable to adjusted net income   (loss).  Operating income (loss) is the financial measure calculated and   presented in accordance with GAAP that is most comparable to adjusted   operating income (loss).                                                 Thirteen Weeks  Thirteen Weeks                                                   Ended          Ended                                                April 6, 2008  April 1, 2007                                                               (As restated)    Reconciliation of adjusted net income    (loss):   Income (loss) from continuing    operations                                     $45.7          $(51.6)    Adjustments to reconcile income (loss)    from continuing operations to adjusted    net income (loss):      Termination of Brazilian franchise       agreement, net of tax (non-       recurring)                                    -             (17.0)      Store closure costs including lease       terminations (recurring)                      2.8             4.8      Severance costs (non-recurring)                -               1.8    Adjusted net income (loss)                       48.5           (62.0)       Preferred stock dividends                     (2.8)           (2.8)    Adjusted net income (loss) applicable    to common stockholders                         $45.7          $(64.8)    Adjusted net income (loss) per common    share                                          $0.21          $(0.34)    Weighted average common shares    outstanding - diluted                          221.5           189.4    Reconciliation of adjusted operating    income (loss):   Operating income (loss)                         $70.2          $(19.4)%    Adjustments to reconcile operating    income (loss) to adjusted operating    income (loss):      Termination of Brazilian franchise       agreement (non-recurring)                     -             (20.0)      Store closure costs including lease       terminations (recurring)                      2.8             4.8      Severance costs (non-recurring)                -               1.8    Adjusted operating income (loss)                $73.0          $(32.8)                                   BLOCKBUSTER INC.              DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION                             (Dollars in millions)    For the quarter ended April 6, 2008, the Company reports adjusted earnings   before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("adjusted EBITDA")   excluding costs incurred for stock compensation and store closures. For   the quarter ended April 1, 2007, the Company reports adjusted EBITDA   excluding charges related to costs incurred for store closures, severance   costs, stock compensation and proceeds from the termination of the   Brazilian franchise agreement.    Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of   Regulation G of the Securities and Exchange Commission and is not a   measure of operating performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.  As a   result, adjusted EBITDA should not be considered in isolation of, or as a   substitute for, net income (loss) as an indicator of operating   performance.  Adjusted EBITDA, as the Company calculates it, may not be   comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.    Management believes excluding the recurring and non-recurring in nature   items listed under EBITDA below from the Company's financial results   provides investors with a clearer perspective of the current underlying   operating performance of the Company, a clearer comparison to current   period results and greater transparency regarding supplemental information   used by management in its financial and operational decision-making.    In addition, management believes that adjusting the Company's financial   results to exclude income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax,   taxes, interest and other income and depreciation and amortization of   intangibles also provides investors with a clearer perspective of the   current underlying operating performance of the Company and a clearer   comparison to current period results.    Management uses adjusted EBITDA as an internal measure of business   operating performance, to establish operational goals, to allocate   resources and to analyze trends.  Net income (loss) is the financial   measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP that is most   comparable to adjusted EBITDA.                                                  Thirteen Weeks Thirteen Weeks                                                      Ended          Ended                                                 April 6, 2008  April 1, 2007                                                                (As restated)    Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA:   Net income (loss)                                 $45.4            $(49.0)   Adjustments to reconcile net income    (loss) to adjusted EBITDA:      (Income) loss from discontinued      operations, net of tax                           0.3              (2.6)      Taxes                                            6.8               8.5      Interest and other income, net                  17.7              23.7      Depreciation and amortization of       intangibles                                    39.9              49.8    EBITDA                                           $110.1             $30.4       Lease termination costs incurred for       store closures (recurring)                      0.2               3.0      Termination of Brazilian franchise       agreement (non-recurring)                       -               (20.0)      Severance costs (non-recurring)                  -                 1.8      Stock compensation (recurring)                   4.2               8.1    Adjusted EBITDA                                  $114.5             $23.3                                 BLOCKBUSTER INC.            DISCLOSURES REGARDING NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION                           (Dollars in millions)    Free cash flow reflects the Company's net cash flow provided by (used for)   operating activities less capital expenditures.  The Company uses free   cash flow, among other things, to evaluate its operating performance and   as a measure of liquidity.  Management believes free cash flow provides   investors with an important perspective on the cash available for debt   service, acquisitions and stockholders after making the capital   investments required to support ongoing business operations and long-term   value creation.  The Company believes the presentation of free cash flow   is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view   performance in a manner similar to the method used by management and helps   improve their ability to understand the Company's operating performance.   In addition, free cash flow is also a measure used by the Company's   investors and analysts for purposes of valuation and comparing the   operating performance of the Company to other companies in its industry.    Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure within the meaning of   Regulation G of the Securities and Exchange Commission and not a measure   of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP.  As a result, free cash   flow should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net   income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance or net cash flow   provided by (used for) operating activities as a measure of liquidity.   Free cash flow, as the Company calculates it, may not be comparable to   similarly titled measures employed by other companies.  In addition, free   cash flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary   use and is not necessarily a measure of the Company's ability to fund its   cash needs.  As the Company uses free cash flow as a measure of   performance and as a measure of liquidity, the tables below reconcile free   cash flow to both net income (loss) and net cash flow provided by (used   for) operating activities, the most directly comparable financial measures   reported under GAAP.    The following table provides a reconciliation of net cash flow provided   by (used for) operating activities to free cash flow:                                                       Thirteen Weeks Ended                                                 April 6, 2008  April 1, 2007                                                                (As restated)   Net cash provided by (used for)    operating activities                           $(19.5)          $(144.0)    Adjustments to reconcile net cash flow    used for operating activities to free    cash flow:      Capital expenditures                          (19.9)            (11.0)    Free cash flow                                  $(39.4)          $(155.0)     The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to   free cash flow:                                                        Thirteen Weeks Ended                                                 April 6, 2008  April 1, 2007                                                                (As restated)   Net income (loss)                                $45.4            $(49.0)    Adjustments to reconcile net income    (loss) to free cash flow:      Depreciation and amortization of       intangibles                                   39.9              49.9      Non-cash share-based compensation       expense                                        4.2               8.1      Capital expenditures                          (19.9)            (11.0)      Rental library purchases, net of       rental amortization                           (2.5)             24.4      Changes in working capital                   (106.9)           (175.6)      Changes in deferred taxes and other             0.4              (1.8)    Free cash flow                                  $(39.4)          $(155.0)  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: randy.hargrove@blockbuster.com

Source: Blockbuster Inc.

CONTACT: Karen Raskopf, Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications,
r Randy Hargrove, Senior Director, Corporate Communications, +1-214-854-3190,
r investors Angelika Torres, Director, Investor Relations, +1-214-854-4279,
ll of Blockbuster Inc.

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

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Profile: International Entertainment