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International Entertainment News

Thursday, August 06, 2009

Live Nation Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results

Live Nation Reports Second Quarter 2009 Results

- Strong concert line-up and innovative 'No Service Fee' promotions drove deferred revenue to a record $894 million at the end of the second quarter, up 14% year over year - - Ancillary revenue per attendee at core North American Music amphitheaters increased 4% - - LiveNation.com network ranked 7th most-visited music website -

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Live Nation (NYSE:LYV) released financial results for the three months ended June 30, 2009 today.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20081203/LAW048LOGO-b)

"During the first six months of 2009, we sold 16.3 million tickets which exceeded our plan by more than one million tickets," said Michael Rapino, President and Chief Executive Officer of Live Nation. "Highlighting the underlying strength of our business, our ticket sales going into the peak summer concert season surged, as reflected in our record level of deferred revenue. We are putting fans in seats as a result of our strong concert line-up and our value priced promotions. Our 'No Service Fee' promotions have been a huge success, generating nearly 500,000 ticket sales in the second quarter, with most of the benefits expected to play out in the third quarter. These promotions are highly effective for Live Nation as they are increasing awareness around our concert season. We believe that any reduction in margin that we sacrifice on the ticket purchase will be more than made up for in incremental ticket sales and additional on-site spending. We have now proven that we can motivate the casual fan to come to concerts, thereby growing our core business and reducing our historic 40% unsold inventory levels."

"The year-over-year variation in our North American Music financial results during the quarter was in line with our internal expectations as we move toward what we expect will be a strong third quarter concert season," Rapino continued. "We had never planned on exceeding our record results from 2008 in North American Music, but instead planned to grow our overall adjusted operating income through robust International growth. Our North American strategy was centered on increasing profits per show through cost management and incremental ticket sales on reduced show counts in 2009 in an effort to reduce our capital risk profile. We believe that the combination of these trends point to a robust third quarter and support our positive outlook for 2009, continuing our trend of annual adjusted operating income growth in order to increase free cash and reduce long-term debt."

   Highlights:    --  Reported revenue of $1.1 billion reflects a decline of $86.3 million       due to foreign currency exchange movements.  Revenue on a constant       currency basis was up 2% over the prior year.   --  International Music continued to show strength with increased margins       in the second quarter driven by higher promotion activity and improved       festival results.   --  Deferred revenue as of June 30, 2009 was $894.1 million as compared to       a balance of $782.3 million as of June 30, 2008.   --  Through our Ticketing segment, we have sold 7.6 million tickets       globally since the beginning of 2009, including 4.3 million tickets       sold in the second quarter of 2009.   --  Successfully launched our "No Service Fee Wednesday" promotion,       selling nearly 500,000 tickets to our shows in North America in the       second quarter.   --  Our LiveNation.com network was ranked 7th by Nielsen NetView among the       most-visited domestic music websites, with 4.3 million unique visitors       in June 2009.    --  We continue the process of seeking regulatory approval for our pending       merger with Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. and we currently expect       that this transaction will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2009.       For the second quarter of 2009, we incurred $14.9 million of       acquisition expenses for this transaction.  These costs are now       required to be expensed under new accounting rules in 2009 and       therefore reduced our operating income for the period.    

Key operating metrics related to our business for the second quarter and six months ended June 30 are outlined below:

                                         METRICS                                         -------   (Unaudited; $in    millions except    as noted)   ----------------                       Q2         Q2            6 months  6 months      Key Drivers     2009       2008  Variance   2009      2008     Variance      -----------     ----       ----  --------   ----      ----     --------                           Global Music                          ------------   Talent Costs and    Other Event    Direct Operating    Expenses         $831.5      $881.7  (5.7%)    $1,200.0   $1,270.7 (5.6%)   Talent and Other    Event Expenses    as % of Total    Revenue            81.1%       80.0%               80.0%      79.5%   Number of Live    Rights    (Concerts)    (est.)            5,713       5,832  (2.0%)      10,153     10,313 (1.6%)   Total    Attendance    (est.)       13,124,000  13,462,000  (2.5%)  20,175,000 21,365,000 (5.6%)   Ancillary    Revenue per    Attendee - NA    Music Amps    only*            $18.28      $17.67   3.5%       $18.17     $17.77  2.2%   Total Revenue    per Attendee     $78.16      $81.82  (4.5%)      $74.31     $74.83 (0.7%)   -------------     ------      ------  -----       ------     ------ -----                          Sponsorship                          -----------   Number of    Sponsors - as    of date (est.)      576         623  (7.5%)         576        623 (7.5%)   Sponsorship    Revenue    Recognized        $45.1       $45.1   0.1%        $66.1      $63.0  4.9%   Average Revenue    per Sponsor    (rounded, whole    $)              $78,000     $72,000   8.3%     $115,000   $101,000 13.9%   ---------------- -------     -------   ---      --------   -------- ----    * Excludes rentals                     FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - 2nd QUARTER                   ----------------------------------                               (Unaudited)                               -----------                        Q2 2009   Q2 2008   Growth                        -------   -------   ------                               $in millions   Revenue     North American      Music               $693.4    $691.8      0.2%     International Music   332.3     409.7    (18.9%)     Ticketing              20.2       7.3       **     Other                  17.1      20.9    (18.2%)                            ----      ----    ------                        $1,063.0  $1,129.7     (5.9%)                        ========  ========     =====                                                             Margins                                                             -------   Adjusted Operating                                   Q2 2009   Q2 2008    Income (Loss)                                                        -------   -------     North American      Music                $29.1     $48.9    (40.5%)      4.2%     7.1%     International Music    24.6      23.7      3.9%       7.4%     5.8%     Ticketing               1.8      (2.7)      **        8.9%   (37.0%)     Other                   5.9       3.8     55.3%        **       **     Corporate             (10.2)    (10.5)     2.5%                           -----     -----      ---        ---      ---                           $51.2     $63.2    (19.0%)      4.8%     5.6%                           =====     =====    ======       ===      ===   Operating Income (Loss)     North American      Music                 $6.7     $25.7    (73.9%)      1.0%     3.7%     International Music    14.5      15.9     (8.8%)      4.4%     3.9%     Ticketing              (1.4)     (4.3)    67.4%      (6.9%)  (58.8%)     Other                   4.5       1.8       **         **       **     Corporate             (12.8)    (11.3)   (13.3%)                           -----     -----    ------       ---      ---                            11.5      27.8    (58.6%)      1.1%     2.5%                            ----      ----    ------       ---      ---   Acquisition Transaction    Expenses:       Corporate           (14.9)        -       **                           -----       ---      ---        ---      ---                           $(3.4)    $27.8       **       (0.3%)    2.5%                           =====     =====      ===       =====     ===   

The highlights of our financial information for the second quarter of 2009, as compared to the second quarter of 2008, are as follows:

   Revenue change - Total decrease of $66.7 million, primarily driven by:   --  ($86.3) million - Foreign exchange movements, primarily in       International Music.   --  ($14.6) million - Decrease in International Music related to the       divestiture of F&P Italia.   --  $26.8 million - Acquisitions of De-Lux and Fantasma in North American       Music and small acquisitions in International Music.    --  $12.9 million - Increase in Ticketing due to higher revenue from the       launch of our new ticketing platform and related sponsorship revenue.    

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) change - Total decrease of $12.0 million, primarily driven by:

   --  ($7.6) million - Foreign exchange movements, primarily in       International Music.   --  ($19.8) million - Decline in North American Music primarily due to an       overall decrease in events, primarily in clubs and theaters, partially       offset by more arena shows which tend to have higher costs.   --  $6.3 million - Increase in International Music primarily due to strong       stadium, arena and theater events, growth in festival results and the       reopening of the O2 Dublin.    --  $4.5 million - Increase in Ticketing due to higher net revenue from       ticket service charges related to events that occurred during the       second quarter of 2009, along with ticketing-related sponsorships.    

Operating Income (Loss) change - Total decrease of $31.2 million, primarily driven by:

   --  ($12.0) million - Overall decrease in adjusted operating income (loss)       noted above.   --  ($3.9) million - Higher depreciation and amortization expense       primarily due to increases in our International Music and Ticketing       segments driven by the reopening of the O2 Dublin and the launch of       our ticketing platform.    --  ($14.9) million - Acquisition transaction expenses in Corporate which       are now required to be expensed under new accounting rules in 2009.        These costs are related to our planned merger with Ticketmaster.                   FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS - SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30               -----------------------------------------------                               (Unaudited)                               -----------                           6 months  6 months                             2009      2008    Growth                             ----      ----    ------                                  $in millions   Revenue     North American Music  $1,015.6  $1,026.8     (1.1%)     International Music      483.7     571.9    (15.4%)     Ticketing                 30.3      13.0       **     Other                     32.7      50.7    (35.5%)                               ----      ----    ------                           $1,562.3  $1,662.4     (6.0%)                           ========  ========     =====                                                                Margins                                                                -------   Adjusted Operating                                     6 months  6 months    Income (Loss)                                           2009      2008                                                            ----      ----     North American Music      $2.6     $25.0    (89.6%)      0.3%      2.4%     International Music       28.3      22.6     25.2%       5.8%      4.0%     Ticketing                 (3.9)     (6.0)    35.0%     (12.9%)   (46.1%)     Other                     10.9      10.1      7.7%        **        **     Corporate                (21.3)    (19.7)    (8.2%)                              -----     -----     -----       ---       ---                              $16.6     $32.0    (48.0%)      1.1%      1.9%                              =====     =====    ======       ===       ===   Operating Income (Loss)     North American Music    $(51.4)   $(19.8)      **       (5.1%)    (1.9%)     International Music       10.7       4.1       **        2.2%      0.7%     Ticketing                (10.6)     (8.2)   (29.3%)    (35.0%)   (63.0%)     Other                      8.1       5.9     37.3%        **        **     Corporate                (26.0)    (24.5)    (6.1%)                              -----     -----     -----      ----      ----                              (69.2)    (42.5)   (62.8%)     (4.4%)    (2.6%)                              -----     -----    ------      -----     -----   Acquisition Transaction    Expenses:       International Music     (0.1)        -       **       Corporate              (18.6)        -       **                              -----       ---      ---       ----      ----                             $(87.9)   $(42.5)      **       (5.6%)    (2.6%)                             ======    ======      ===       =====     =====   

The highlights of our financial information for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, as compared to the same period in 2008, are as follows:

   Revenue change - Total decrease of $100.1 million, primarily driven by:   --  ($134.9) million - Foreign exchange movements, primarily in       International Music.   --  ($38.3) million - Decline in North American Music primarily due to an       overall decrease in events and attendance at theaters, clubs and other       third-party venues, in addition to a decline in House of Blues special       events.   --  ($16.9) million - Decrease in International Music related to the       divestiture of F&P Italia.   --  $38.0 million - Acquisitions of De-Lux and Fantasma in North American       Music and DF Concerts and other small acquisitions in International       Music.   --  $22.2 million - Increase in International Music driven by stronger       promotion revenue, primarily in stadium, arena and theater events,       improved festival performance and the reopening of the O2 Dublin.    --  $17.3 million - Increase in Ticketing due to the launch of our new       ticketing platform, incremental sales from a new third-party venue and       ticketing-related sponsorship revenue.    

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) change - Total decrease of $15.4 million, primarily driven by:

   --  ($8.9) million - Foreign exchange movements, primarily in       International Music.   --  ($22.4) million - Decline in North American Music primarily due to an       overall decrease in events and attendance.   --  $9.9 million - Increase in International Music due to the reopening of       the O2 Dublin, stronger promotion activity and improved festival       performance in the United Kingdom.    --  $2.1 million - Improvement in Ticketing due to higher revenue from       ticket service charges related to events that occurred during the       first half of 2009, along with ticketing-related sponsorships.    

Operating Income (Loss) change - Total decrease of $45.4 million, primarily driven by:

   --  ($15.4) million - Overall decrease in Adjusted Operating Income (Loss)       noted above.   --  ($18.7) million - Acquisition transaction expenses in Corporate and       International Music which are now required to be expensed under new       accounting rules in 2009.  These costs are primarily related to our       planned merger with Ticketmaster.    --  ($13.0) million - Increase in depreciation and amortization expense       primarily due to an impairment of $8.2 million recorded during the       first quarter of 2009 related to an agreement to sell two theaters and       a club in Boston, along with increased depreciation related to our       ticketing and website platforms.     Other Information -   --  As of June 30, 2009, our cash and cash equivalents were $469.8 million       and our total long-term debt was $791.5 million, including $77.0       million outstanding on our revolving credit facility.  Free cash as of       June 30, 2009 was ($91.7) million and free cash flow was $23.0 million       for the second quarter of 2009 as compared to $31.2 million for the       same period in 2008.   --  We have 576 local, national and international corporate sponsors as of       June 30, 2009.  We continue to expand our sponsorship relationships       with key companies across the world such as Barclaycard, Microsoft IE8       and Comcast. By expanding into more strategic partnerships, we have       reduced our overall number of sponsors but increased our average       revenue per sponsor.  For the first six months of 2009, our average       revenue per sponsor increased by 14% as compared to the same period of       the prior year.   --  For the six months ended June 30, 2009, maintenance capital       expenditures were $8.7 million and capital expenditures for revenue       generating projects were $16.0 million, a total decline of $51.4       million compared to last year due to the 2008 development and       renovation of various venues, including the O2 Dublin, House of Blues       clubs in Houston and Boston and the Academy Music Group venue       expansion in Sheffield, along with the ticketing roll-out.    --  For the six months ended June 30, 2009, our net cash provided by       operating activities was $322.9 million, an increase of $70.5 million       over the same period in 2008.     About Live Nation:  

Live Nation's mission is to maximize the live concert experience. Our core business is producing, marketing and selling live concerts for artists via our global concert pipe. Live Nation is the largest producer of live concerts in the world, annually producing over 22,000 concerts for 1,600 artists in 33 countries. During 2008, the company sold over 50 million concert tickets and drove over 70 million unique visitors to LiveNation.com. Live Nation is transforming the concert business by expanding its concert platform into ticketing and building the industry's first artist-to-fan vertically integrated concert platform. The company is headquartered in Los Angeles, California and is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading under the symbol LYV. For additional information about the company, please visit www.livenation.com/investors.

Conference Call:

The company will host a teleconference today, August 6th, 2009 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time, which can be accessed by dialing 888-603-6873 (U.S.) or 973-321-1019 (Int'l) and referencing passcode 20824615. To access the call via webcast, please visit the Investor Relations section of the company's website at www.livenation.com/investors. Please visit the website approximately ten minutes prior to start time to ensure a connection. Additional statistical and financial information to be provided on the call, if any, will be posted supplementally under that same link. For those who are not available to listen to the live broadcast, a replay will be available shortly after the call on the Live Nation website through August 13, 2009.

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)                             Three Months Ended           Six Months Ended                                 June 30,                    June 30,                                 --------                    --------                             2009        2008           2009           2008                             ----        ----           ----           ----                             (in thousands except share and per share data)    Revenue              $1,063,015  $1,129,735     $1,562,273     $1,662,424   Operating expenses:     Direct operating      expenses             842,558     891,716      1,218,723      1,294,027     Selling, general and      administrative      expenses             161,070     166,669        308,275        321,066     Depreciation and      amortization          36,885      33,042         80,298         67,271     Loss (gain) on sale of      operating assets        (718)          -           (986)           449     Corporate expenses     11,778      10,474         25,094         22,115     Acquisition      transaction      expenses              14,877           -         18,735              -                            ------         ---         ------            ---       Operating income        (loss)              (3,435)     27,834        (87,866)       (42,504)   Interest expense         15,951      16,321         33,264         34,087   Interest income            (589)     (3,266)        (1,671)        (5,428)   Equity in (earnings)    losses of    nonconsolidated    affiliates                (908)      1,396         (1,483)         1,108   Other expense (income)    - net                   (1,086)       (252)           609         (1,115)                            ------        ----            ---         ------   Income (loss) from    continuing operations    before income taxes    (16,803)     13,635       (118,585)       (71,156)   Income tax expense    (benefit):     Current                10,151      11,431         12,672         (5,552)     Deferred                 (146)      2,641         (1,292)         5,662                              ----       -----         ------          -----   Loss from continuing    operations             (26,808)       (437)      (129,965)       (71,266)   Income (loss) from    discontinued    operations, net of    tax                          -      (2,456)             -         28,906                               ---      ------            ---         ------   Net loss                (26,808)     (2,893)      (129,965)       (42,360)   Net income (loss)    attributable to    noncontrolling    interests                  390      (2,241)           (60)        (4,467)                               ---      ------            ---         ------   Net loss attributable    to Live Nation, Inc.) $(27,198)      $(652)     $(129,905)      $(37,893)                          ========       =====      =========       ========   Basic net income    (loss) per common    share attributable to    common  stockholders:     Income (loss) from      continuing operations      attributable to Live      Nation, Inc.          $(0.33)      $0.02         $(1.59)        $(0.89)     Income (loss) from      discontinued      operations      attributable to Live      Nation, Inc.               -       (0.03)             -           0.39                               ---       -----            ---           ----     Net loss attributable      to Live Nation, Inc.  $(0.33)     $(0.01)        $(1.59)        $(0.50)                            ======      ======         ======         ======   Diluted net income    (loss) per common    share attributable to    common stockholders:     Income (loss) from      continuing operations      attributable to Live      Nation, Inc.          $(0.33)      $0.02         $(1.59)        $(0.89)     Income (loss) from      discontinued      operations      attributable to Live      Nation Inc                 -       (0.03)             -           0.39                               ---       -----            ---           ----     Net loss attributable      to Live Nation, Inc.  $(0.33)     $(0.01)        $(1.59)        $(0.50)                            ======      ======         ======         ======    Weighted average    common shares    outstanding:     Basic              83,612,409  75,720,739     81,618,066     75,352,837                        ==========  ==========     ==========     ==========     Diluted            83,612,409  76,791,658     81,618,066     75,352,837                        ==========  ==========     ==========     ==========                             CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS                                                      June 30,    December 31,                                                       2009          2008                                                       ----          ----                                                    (unaudited)   (audited)                           ASSETS                        (in thousands)   CURRENT ASSETS   Cash and cash equivalents                         $469,830       $199,660   Accounts receivable, less allowance of    $6,104 as of June 30, 2009 and $10,376 as    of December 31, 2008                              250,545        217,286   Prepaid expenses                                   524,526        194,355   Other current assets                                53,942         28,517                                                       ------         ------     Total Current Assets                           1,298,843        639,818   PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT   Land, buildings and improvements                 1,015,719        990,433   Furniture and other equipment                      282,315        260,524   Construction in progress                            34,435         41,282                                                       ------         ------                                                    1,332,469      1,292,239   Less accumulated depreciation                      449,355        404,504                                                      -------        -------                                                      883,114        887,735   INTANGIBLE ASSETS   Intangible assets - net                            503,502        514,469   Goodwill                                           202,302        205,296   OTHER LONG-TERM ASSETS   Notes receivable, less allowance of $558 as    of June 30, 2009 and $562 as of December    31, 2008                                              427            672   Investments in nonconsolidated affiliates           17,287         18,519   Other long-term assets                             231,109        210,214                                                      -------        -------     Total Assets                                  $3,136,584     $2,476,723                                                   ==========     ==========           LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   CURRENT LIABILITIES   Accounts payable                                  $100,824        $53,563   Accrued expenses                                   472,785        378,992   Deferred revenue                                   894,089        225,664   Current portion of long-term debt                   52,467         48,637   Other current liabilities                           54,405         64,381                                                       ------         ------     Total Current Liabilities                      1,574,570        771,237   Long-term debt, net of discount                    738,996        775,483   Other long-term liabilities                        141,027        146,360   Series A and Series B redeemable preferred    stock                                              40,000         40,000   Commitments and contingent liabilities   STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY   Common stock                                           859            785   Additional paid-in capital                       1,088,112      1,063,564   Retained deficit                                  (503,511)      (373,606)   Cost of shares held in treasury                     (9,514)        (7,861)   Accumulated other comprehensive loss                (1,245)          (961)                                                       ------           ----     Total Live Nation, Inc. stockholders' equity     574,701        681,921   Noncontrolling Interests                            67,290         61,722                                                       ------         ------     Total Stockholders' Equity                       641,991        743,643                                                      -------        -------     Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity    $3,136,584     $2,476,723                                                   ==========     ==========                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)                                                       Six Months Ended                                                           June 30,                                                           --------                                                      2009          2008                                                      ----          ----                                                        (in thousands)   CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES   Net loss                                       $(129,965)     $(42,360)   Reconciling items:     Depreciation                                    54,539        37,914     Amortization of intangibles                     25,759        29,853     Deferred income tax expense (benefit)           (1,292)        5,662     Amortization of debt issuance costs              1,712         1,456     Amortization of debt discount                    4,298         3,900     Non-cash compensation expense                    6,525         5,864     Gain on sale of operating assets                  (986)      (21,117)     Equity in losses (earnings) of      nonconsolidated affiliates                     (1,483)        1,425   Changes in operating assets and    liabilities, net of effects of    acquisitions and dispositions:     Increase in accounts receivable                (41,119)     (100,290)     Increase in prepaid expenses                  (315,819)     (177,960)     Increase in other assets                       (45,023)      (55,857)     Increase (decrease) in accounts payable,      accrued expenses and other liabilities        138,211        33,261     Increase in deferred revenue                   627,574       530,607     Increase (decrease) in other - net                   -            43                                                        ---           ---       Net cash provided by operating activities    322,931       252,401   CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES   Collection of notes receivable                       316            88   Advances to notes receivable                        (132)            -   Distributions from nonconsolidated    affiliates                                        2,119         3,799   Investments made in nonconsolidated    affiliates                                         (654)         (250)   Purchases of property, plant and equipment       (24,637)      (76,082)   Proceeds from disposal of operating    assets, net of cash divested                     16,478        23,127   Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash    acquired                                        (13,030)      (31,315)   Purchases of intangible assets                    (7,763)       (5,981)   Decrease (increase) in other - net                   165            (4)                                                        ---           ---       Net cash used in investing activities        (27,138)      (86,618)   CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES   Proceeds from long-term debt, net of debt    issuance costs                                  235,200        18,748   Payments on long-term debt                      (283,808)      (81,945)   Contributions from noncontrolling interest    partners                                              -         8,847   Distributions to noncontrolling interest    partners                                           (301)         (402)   Issuance of treasury stock                         1,553             -   Payments for purchases of common stock            (5,803)       (3,628)                                                     ------        ------       Net cash used in financing activities        (53,159)      (58,380)   Effect of exchange rate changes on cash    and cash equivalents                             27,536         6,974                                                     ------         -----       Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash        equivalents                                 270,170       114,377   Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of    period                                          199,660       338,991                                                    -------       -------   Cash and cash equivalents at end of period      $469,830      $453,368                                                   ========      ========    

Forward-Looking Statements, Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Reconciliations:

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the potential health and growth of Live Nation's business, including its prospects for the third quarter and full year 2009 and the anticipated benefits of its "No Service Fee" promotions; the company's anticipated achievement of its strategic objectives; the company's anticipated earnings growth during 2009; the company's planned capital expenditures and potential sales of select non-strategic assets; the company's anticipated debt reduction and improved operating leverage; and the anticipated timing of the closing of the company's pending merger with Ticketmaster Entertainment, Inc. Live Nation wishes to caution you that there are some known and unknown factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to operational challenges in achieving strategic objectives and executing on the company's plans, the risk that the company's markets do not evolve as anticipated, the potential impact of the economic slowdown and operational challenges associated with selling tickets and staging events.

Live Nation refers you to the documents it files from time to time with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, specifically the section titled "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of the company's most recent Annual Report filed on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and its Current Reports on Form 8-K, which contain and identify other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the company's projections or forward-looking statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which speak only as of the date on which they are made. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements by or concerning Live Nation are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements above. Live Nation does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements because of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures as defined by SEC Regulation G. A reconciliation of each such measure to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, together with an explanation of why management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information to investors, is provided below.

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is a non-GAAP financial measure that the company defines as operating income (loss) before acquisition transaction expenses, depreciation and amortization, loss (gain) on sale of operating assets and non-cash compensation expense. The company uses Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to evaluate the performance of its operating segments. The company believes that information about Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) assists investors by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of the company's portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect net income, thus providing insights into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results. Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) is not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A limitation of the use of Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in the company's business. Accordingly, Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies; thus, Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure that the company defines as Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) less net cash interest expense, less cash taxes, less maintenance capital expenditures, less distributions to noncontrolling interest partners plus distributions from investments in nonconsolidated affiliates net of contributions to investments in nonconsolidated affiliates. The company uses free cash flow, among other measures, to evaluate the ability of its operations to generate cash that is available for purposes other than maintenance capital expenditures. The company believes that information about free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to service debt and make acquisitions. Free cash flow is not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A limitation of the use of free cash flow as a performance measure is that it does not necessarily represent funds available for operations and it is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Accordingly, free cash flow should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, operating income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies; thus, free cash flow as presented above may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

Free Cash is a non-GAAP financial measure that the company defines as cash and cash equivalents less event-related deferred revenue, less accrued artist fees, less collections on behalf of others plus prepaids related to artist settlements and events. The company uses free cash as a proxy for how much cash it has available to, among other things, optionally repay debt balances, make acquisitions and finance venue and other revenue generating expenditures. Free cash is not calculated or presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. A limitation of the use of free cash as a performance measure is that it does not necessarily represent funds available for operations and it is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Accordingly, free cash should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for, cash and cash equivalents and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Furthermore, this measure may vary among other companies; thus, free cash as presented herein may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies.

   Reconciliations of Non-GAAP Measures to Their Most Directly Comparable   GAAP Measures (Unaudited)           Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to Operating                                 Income (Loss)          ---------------------------------------------------------------                                         Loss                                       (gain)   Deprecia-                  Adjusted  Non-cash     on       tion     Acquisi-                 operating  compensa-  sale of    and        tion   Operating                  income     tion     operating amortiza- transaction income   ($in millions) (loss)    expense    assets     tion     expenses   (loss)                            Three months ended June 30, 2009                           --------------------------------   North American    Music         $29.1      $0.7      $(0.8)      $22.5         $-     $6.7   International    Music          24.6       0.7        0.1         9.3          -     14.5   Ticketing        1.8       0.1          -         3.1          -     (1.4)   Other            5.9         -          -         1.4          -      4.5   Corporate      (10.2)      2.0          -         0.6       14.9    (27.7)                  -----       ---        ---         ---       ----    -----     Total Live      Nation      $51.2      $3.5      $(0.7)      $36.9      $14.9    $(3.4)                  =====      ====      =====       =====      =====    =====                            Three months ended June 30, 2008                           --------------------------------    North American    Music         $48.9      $2.3      $(0.1)      $21.0         $-    $25.7   International    Music          23.7       0.1          -         7.7          -     15.9   Ticketing       (2.7)        -          -         1.6          -     (4.3)   Other            3.8         -          -         2.0          -      1.8   Corporate      (10.5)        -        0.1         0.7          -    (11.3)                  -----       ---        ---         ---        ---    -----     Total Live      Nation      $63.2      $2.4         $-       $33.0         $-    $27.8                  =====      ====        ===       =====        ===    =====                             Six months ended June 30, 2009                           ------------------------------    North American    Music          $2.6      $1.8      $(0.9)      $53.1         $-   $(51.4)   International    Music          28.3       0.8       (0.1)       16.9        0.1     10.6   Ticketing       (3.9)      0.1          -         6.6          -    (10.6)   Other           10.9         -          -         2.8          -      8.1   Corporate      (21.3)      3.8          -         0.9       18.6    (44.6)                  -----       ---        ---         ---       ----    -----     Total Live      Nation      $16.6      $6.5      $(1.0)      $80.3      $18.7   $(87.9)                  =====      ====      =====       =====      =====   ======                            Six months ended June 30, 2008                           ------------------------------    North American    Music         $25.0      $3.9      $(0.1)      $41.0         $-   $(19.8)   International    Music          22.6       0.3          -        18.2          -      4.1   Ticketing       (6.0)      0.2          -         2.0          -     (8.2)   Other           10.1         -       (0.1)        4.3          -      5.9   Corporate      (19.7)      2.4        0.6         1.8          -    (24.5)                  -----       ---        ---         ---        ---    -----     Total Live      Nation      $32.0      $6.8       $0.4       $67.3         $-   $(42.5)                  =====      ====       ====       =====        ===   ======         Reconciliation of Adjusted Operating Income (Loss) to Free Cash Flow       --------------------------------------------------------------------    ($in millions)                                     Q2 2009       Q2 2008   -------------                                      -------       -------    Adjusted operating income                           $51.2         $63.2   Less:  Cash interest expense - net                  (12.3)        (10.4)              Cash taxes                               (10.2)         (9.9)              Maintenance capital expenditures          (5.7)        (12.8)              Distributions to noncontrolling               interest partners                        (0.3)         (0.2)   Distributions from (contributions to) investments in    nonconsolidated affiliates                           0.3           1.3                                                         ---           ---              Free cash flow                           $23.0         $31.2              --------------                           -----         -----                                                          6 months      6 months   ($in millions)                                        2009          2008   -------------                                         ----          ----   Adjusted operating income                             $16.6         $32.0   Less:  Cash interest expense - net                    (25.6)        (23.3)              Cash taxes                                 (12.7)        (13.5)              Maintenance capital expenditures            (8.7)        (19.0)              Distributions to noncontrolling               interest partners                          (0.3)         (0.4)   Distributions from (contributions to) investments    in nonconsolidated affiliates                          1.5           3.5                                                           ---           ---              Free cash flow                            $(29.2)       $(20.7)              --------------                            ------        ------           Reconciliation of Cash and Cash Equivalents to Free Cash         --------------------------------------------------------                                                                 June 30,   ($in millions)                                                  2009   --------------                                                  ----   Cash and cash equivalents                                      $469.8   Deferred revenue - event related                              $(838.8)   Accrued artist fees                                            $(20.7)   Collections on behalf of others                                $(82.8)   Prepaids related to artist settlements/events                  $380.8                                                                  ------      Free cash                                                   $(91.7)      ---------                                                   ------  

First Call Analyst:
FCMN Contact:

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http://photoarchive.ap.org/
photodesk@prnewswire.com

Source: Live Nation

CONTACT: Media, John Vlautin, +1-310-867-7000,
johnvlautin@livenation.com, or Investors, Linda Bandov, +1-310-867-7000,
lindabandov@livenation.com, both of Live Nation, Inc.; or Brad Edwards of
Brainerd Communicators, Inc., +1-212-986-6667, edwards@braincomm.com, for Live
Nation, Inc.

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


Profile: International Entertainment

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