Lionsgate Reports Net Income of $36.3 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $53.0 Million for First Quarter of Fiscal 2010

Lionsgate Reports Net Income of $36.3 Million and Adjusted EBITDA of $53.0 Million for First Quarter of Fiscal 2010

Net Income Compares To $3.5 Million In Prior Year's First Quarter; Adjusted EBITDA Grows From $17.4 Million In Prior Year's First Quarter Company Reports First Quarter Revenues of $387.7 Million, 30% Increase Compared To $298.5 Million In Prior Year's First Quarter

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 10 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) , the leading next generation studio, continued its strong growth momentum, reporting revenues of $387.7 million and net income of $36.3 million for the fiscal 2010 first quarter ended June 30, 2009, the Company announced today. Basic net income per common share was $0.31 on 117.1 million weighted average common shares outstanding, compared to basic net income of $0.03 on 118.4 million weighted average common shares outstanding in the prior year's first quarter.

The Company reported adjusted EBITDA of $53.0 million in the first quarter compared to adjusted EBITDA of $17.4 million for the prior year's first quarter. Adjustments in the quarter were made for non-cash stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs) and restricted stock units, certain non-recurring charges and the deduction of Lionsgate's partners' share of EBITDA attributed to TV Guide. EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, income tax provision, depreciation and amortization, equity interests and gains on extinguishment of debt and the sale of equity securities.

First quarter revenues were $387.7 million, an increase of 30% compared to $298.5 million in the prior year's first quarter, reflecting strong growth in television production revenues, growth in overall Motion Picture Group revenues, highlighted by a strong performance from Mandate Pictures, and new revenue of $27.8 million reflecting the first full quarter of revenue from TV Guide Network and TV Guide.com.

"As anticipated, we had a strong and profitable growth quarter that puts us on track to meet our financial targets for the year," said Lionsgate Co-Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. "We are particularly pleased that, beyond the solid financial story, we saw significant positive developments across nearly all of our businesses, including new distribution and syndication orders for Debmar-Mercury shows, new television series entering the production pipeline, important programming acquisitions for TV Guide Network, the first in a series of anticipated carriage deals for Epix and new branded channel launches in Asia. The real story this quarter was the continued strong growth of our diversified asset base."

The Company's filmed entertainment backlog grew to a record $517.0 million in the first quarter. Filmed entertainment backlog represents the amount of future revenue from films, television programming and video product already licensed but not yet recorded. It does not include unsold rights to this product, typically referred to as library value. General and administrative expenses, including the addition of TV Guide Network and TV Guide.com, were $41.1 million in the first quarter compared to $38.3 million in the prior year's first quarter. Excluding TV Guide Network and TV Guide.com, general and administrative expenses in the quarter were $30.4 million, a decrease of 21% from $38.3 million in the prior year's first quarter.

Overall motion picture revenue for the quarter of $272.7 million increased $15.3 million, or 6%, compared to $257.4 million in the prior year's first quarter. Within the motion picture segment, theatrical revenue was $22.7 million, a decrease of 26% compared to the prior year first quarter, as the Company released only Crank: High Voltage in the quarter, with continued revenue from Fiscal 2009 fourth quarter hits Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail and The Haunting In Connecticut.

Lionsgate's home entertainment revenue was $151.0 million in the quarter, a decline of 6% from the prior year's first quarter. Solid revenues from a slate that included Madea Goes To Jail, My Bloody Valentine 3-D, New In Town, The Spirit and Transporter 3 compared to a slate in the prior year's first quarter that included an exceptional revenue performance from Rambo along with titles such as 3:10 To Yuma, The Eye and Witless Protection. DVD sales of The Spirit and New In Town overconverted their theatrical box office performance in the quarter, giving Lionsgate five of the industry's six overconverting DVD titles in the first six months of calendar 2009.

Television revenue included in motion pictures revenue was $20.6 million in the first quarter, a decline of 29% from the prior year's first quarter, with a slate of Bangkok Dangerous, Disaster Movie, My Best Friend's Girl, Saw V, Tyler Perry's The Family That Preys and "W." comparing to a slate of 3:10 To Yuma, Bratz: The Movie, Good Luck Chuck, Saw IV and War in the prior year's first quarter.

International revenues of $32.5 million in the first quarter declined 5% from the prior year's first quarter. Principal revenue contributors in the quarter were My Best Friend's Girl, My Bloody Valentine 3-D and Saw V.

Mandate Pictures' revenue of $53.1 million in the first quarter increased sharply from $8.5 million in the prior year's first quarter as Drag Me To Hell, Juno and Passengers all made strong contributions. Lionsgate acquired Mandate Pictures in August 2007.

Television production revenue increased to $87.2 million in the first quarter, a gain of 112% compared to $41.1 million in the prior year's first quarter, reflecting strong contributions in domestic series licensing from Lionsgate Television and Debmar-Mercury, along with new revenue from the Company's joint venture with ISH Entertainment. Within the television production segment, international revenue and revenue from the home entertainment releases of television programming also increased. Revenue reflected the delivery of six episodes of Weeds Season 5 (Showtime) and 12 episodes of Nurse Jackie Season 1 (Showtime) in the quarter, increased revenue from Debmar-Mercury's distribution of Tyler Perry's House of Payne, its spinoff Meet The Browns and South Park, production of the ISH Entertainment series Paris Hilton's My New BFF and My Antonio, strong international revenues from Crash TV Series Season 1, Dead Zone, Paris Hilton's My New BFF and Scream Queens, and a powerful performance of Weeds Seasons 3 and 4 on DVD.

Lionsgate senior management will hold its analyst and investor conference call to discuss its fiscal 2010 first quarter financial results at 9:00 A.M. ET/6:00 A.M. PT, Tuesday, August 11, 2009. Interested parties may participate live in the conference call by calling 1-800-230-1074 (612-234-9960 outside the U.S. and Canada). A full digital replay will be available from Tuesday afternoon, August 11, through Tuesday, August 18, by dialing 1-800-475-6701 (320-365-3844 outside the U.S. and Canada) and using access code 108177.

About Lionsgate

Lionsgate (NYSE:LGF) is the leading next generation studio with a strong and diversified presence in the production and distribution of motion pictures, television programming, home entertainment, family entertainment, video-on-demand and digitally delivered content. The Company has built a strong television presence in production of prime time cable and broadcast network series, production, distribution and syndication of programming through Debmar-Mercury, reality programming through its joint venture with ISH Entertainment and an array of channel platforms, including its partnership with One Equity Partners and Allen Shapiro in TV Guide Network and TV Guide.com, its partnership with Viacom and MGM in the multiplatform premium channel Epix, its partnership with Sony and Comcast in the branded horror channel FEARnet and its recent launch of the KIX action channel and the Thrill horror/suspense channel in Asia. Its feature film business achieved a record box office performance in the January-March 2009 quarter, driven by the success of "Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail," "My Bloody Valentine 3-D" and "The Haunting In Connecticut." The Company's home entertainment business has grown to more than 7% market share and leads the industry in its box office-to-DVD revenue conversion rate. Lionsgate handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 12,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate brand remains synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

   More information on Lionsgate can be found at www.lionsgate.com.                               www.lionsgate.com     For further information, please contact:    Peter D. Wilkes   310-255-3726   pwilkes@lionsgate.com    

The matters discussed in this press release include forward-looking statements, including those regarding the timing of our upcoming film slate and the performance of our fiscal 2010. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results in the future could differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the substantial investment of capital required to produce and market films and television series, increased costs for producing and marketing feature films, budget overruns, limitations imposed by our credit facilities, unpredictability of the commercial success of our motion pictures and television programming, the cost of defending our intellectual property, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, technological changes and other trends affecting the entertainment industry, and the risk factors as set forth in Lionsgate's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 1, 2009. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances

                     LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.              UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET                                                  June 30,    March 31,                                                   2009        2009                                                   ----        ----                                                 (Amounts in thousands,                                                 except share amounts)                                 ASSETS   Cash and cash equivalents                    $114,669    $138,475   Restricted cash                                 9,895      10,056   Restricted investments                          6,987       6,987   Accounts receivable, net of reserve for    returns and allowances of $98,641 (March 31,    2009 - $98,947) and provision for doubtful    accounts of $10,132 (March 31, 2009 -    $9,847)                                      201,078     227,010   Investment in films and television    programs, net                                764,856     702,767   Property and equipment, net                    40,960      42,415   Finite-lived intangible assets, net            77,981      78,904   Goodwill                                      379,457     379,402   Other assets                                   85,937      81,234                                                  ------      ------     Total assets                             $1,681,820  $1,667,250                                              ==========  ==========                                LIABILITIES   Bank loans                                   $255,000    $255,000   Accounts payable and accrued liabilities      173,125     270,561   Participations and residuals                  337,259     371,857   Film and production obligations               301,107     304,525   Subordinated notes and other financing    obligations                                  262,237     281,521   Mandatorily redeemable preferred stock    units held by noncontrolling interest         85,508           -   Deferred revenue                              129,922     142,093                                                 -------     -------     Total liabilities                         1,544,158   1,625,557                                               ---------   ---------    Commitments and contingencies                SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY   Lions Gate Entertainment Corp. shareholders'    equity:     Common shares, no par value, 500,000,000      shares authorized, 117,165,122 and      116,950,512 shares issued at June 30,      2009 and March 31, 2009, respectively      513,019     494,724     Accumulated deficit                        (404,804)   (441,153)     Accumulated other comprehensive loss         (6,898)    (11,878)                                                  ------     -------       Total Lions Gate Entertainment Corp.        shareholders' equity                     101,317      41,693   Noncontrolling interest                        36,345           -                                                  ------         ---     Total equity                                137,662      41,693                                                 -------      ------       Total liabilities and equity           $1,681,820  $1,667,250                                              ==========  ==========                            LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.           UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS                                                    Three Months  Three Months                                                       Ended         Ended                                                      June 30,      June 30,                                                        2009          2008                                                        ----          ----                                                       (Amounts in thousands,                                                         except per share                                                             amounts)     Revenues                                           $387,707      $298,459   Expenses:     Direct operating                                  213,059       147,684     Distribution and marketing                         84,983        98,975     General and administration                         41,119        38,308     Depreciation and amortization                       8,195         1,386                                                         -----         -----       Total expenses                                  347,356       286,353                                                       -------       -------   Operating income                                     40,351        12,106                                                        ------        ------   Other expenses (income):     Interest expense       Contractual cash based interest                   5,040         3,378       Amortization of debt discount and deferred        financing costs and accretion of redeemable        preferred stock units                            5,669         4,509                                                         -----         -----           Total interest expense                       10,709         7,887     Interest and other income                            (426)       (2,155)     Gain on extinguishment of debt                     (7,458)            -                                                        ------           ---       Total other expenses, net                         2,825         5,732                                                         -----         -----   Income before equity interests and income    taxes                                               37,526         6,374   Equity interests loss                                (1,717)       (2,186)                                                        ------        ------   Income before income taxes                           35,809         4,188   Income tax provision                                  1,337           669                                                         -----           ---   Net Income                                           34,472         3,519     Add: Net loss attributable to      noncontrolling interest                            1,877             -                                                         -----           ---   Net Income attributable to Lions Gate    Entertainment Corp. Shareholders                   $36,349        $3,519                                                       =======        ======    Basic Net Income Per Common Share                     $0.31         $0.03                                                         =====         =====   Diluted Net Income Per Common Share                   $0.30         $0.03                                                         =====         =====   Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:     Basic                                             117,073       118,443     Diluted                                           136,595       121,076                           LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.           UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS                                                   Three Months  Three Months                                                      Ended         Ended                                                    June 30,      June 30,                                                      2009          2008                                                      ----          ----                                                    (Amounts in thousands)   Operating Activities:   Net Income attributable to Lions Gate    Entertainment Corp. shareholders                 $36,349        $3,519   Net loss attributable to noncontrolling    interest                                          (1,877)            -                                                      ------           ---   Net income                                         34,472         3,519   Adjustments to reconcile net income to    net cash used in operating activities:     Depreciation of property and equipment            4,337         1,062     Amortization of films and television      programs                                       153,942        69,047     Amortization of debt discount and deferred      financing costs and accretion of redeemable      preferred stock units                            5,669         4,509     Amortization of intangible assets                 3,858           324     Non-cash stock-based compensation                 3,729         3,419     Gain on extinguishment of debt                   (7,458)            -     Equity interests loss                             1,717         2,186   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:     Restricted cash                                     161        (5,550)     Accounts receivable, net                         29,835        61,961     Investment in films and television      programs                                      (216,292)     (200,897)     Other assets                                     (1,491)       (2,571)     Accounts payable and accrued liabilities        (98,614)      (62,039)     Participations and residuals                    (34,969)      (34,893)     Film obligations                                (19,130)       (7,445)     Deferred revenue                                (12,585)       17,551                                                     -------        ------   Net Cash Flows Used In Operating Activities      (152,819)     (149,817)                                                    --------      --------   Investing Activities:   Investment in equity method investees             (14,924)      (11,094)   (Increase) decrease in loans receivable             8,333        (3,100)   Purchases of property and equipment                (3,028)       (2,279)                                                      ------        ------   Net Cash Flows Used In Investing Activities        (9,619)      (16,473)                                                      ------       -------   Financing Activities:   Exercise of stock options                               -           825   Tax withholding requirements on equity    awards                                              (417)       (1,113)   Repurchase and cancellation of common shares            -       (16,420)   Proceeds from the sale of 49% interest in    TV Guide                                         122,355             -   Increase in production obligations                 83,226        70,545   Repayment of production obligations               (68,031)      (28,505)   Repayment of other financing obligations             (201)            -                                                        ----           ---   Net Cash Flows Provided By Financing    Activities                                       136,932        25,332                                                     -------        ------   Net Change In Cash And Cash Equivalents           (25,506)     (140,958)   Foreign Exchange Effects on Cash                    1,700           (41)   Cash and Cash Equivalents - Beginning Of    Period                                           138,475       371,589                                                     -------       -------   Cash and Cash Equivalents - End Of Period        $114,669      $230,590                                                    ========      ========                            LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.    RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA, AS DEFINED AND EBITDA, AS ADJUSTED                                            Three Months  Three Months                                              Ended         Ended                                             June 30,      June 30,                                               2009          2008                                               ----          ----                                              (Amounts in thousands)   Net income                                 $34,472        $3,519     Depreciation and amortization              8,195         1,386     Interest expense                          10,709         7,887     Interest and other income                   (426)       (2,155)     Income tax provision                       1,337           669     Equity interests loss                      1,717         2,186     Gain on extinguishment of debt            (7,458)            -                                               ------           ---   EBITDA                                     $48,546       $13,492     Stock based compensation                   3,995         3,885     EBITDA attributable to      noncontrolling interest                    (512)            -     Non-recurring charges                      1,012             -                                                -----           ---   EBITDA, as adjusted                        $53,041       $17,377                                              =======       =======    

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, income tax provision, depreciation and amortization, equity interests, and gains on extinguishment of debt and the sale of equity securities. EBITDA as defined, is a non-GAAP financial measure.

EBITDA as adjusted represents EBITDA as defined above adjusted for stock based compensation, EBITDA attributable to noncontrolling interest, and certain non-recurring charges. Stock based compensation represents compensation expenses associated with stock options, restricted share units and stock appreciation rights. Non-recurring charges represent legal and other professional fees associated with a shareholder activist matter.

Management believes EBITDA as defined, and EBITDA as adjusted to be a meaningful indicator of our performance that provides useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations. Presentation of EBITDA as defined, and EBITDA as adjusted, is a non-GAAP financial measure commonly used in the entertainment industry and by financial analysts and others who follow the industry to measure operating performance. While management considers EBITDA as defined, and EBITDA as adjusted, to be an important measure of comparative operating performance, it should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. EBITDA as defined and EBITDA as adjusted, do not reflect cash available to fund cash requirements. Not all companies calculate EBITDA as defined or EBITDA as adjusted, in the same manner and the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies.

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact: alynch@lionsgate.com

Source: Lionsgate

CONTACT: Peter D. Wilkes of Lionsgate, +1-310-255-3726,
pwilkes@lionsgate.com

Web Site: http://www.lionsgate.com/

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Profile: International Entertainment