Tribune Media Company Reports First Quarter 2015 Results

Tribune Media Company Reports First Quarter 2015 Results

NEW YORK, May 8, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Tribune Media Company (the "Company") (NYSE:TRCO) today reported its results for the three months ended March 29, 2015. The Company achieved substantial growth in operating revenues as it executed successfully on its strategy of growing its Television and Entertainment business while also expanding its Digital and Data business worldwide.

"We generated top-line line growth in the first quarter and made progress against many of our key strategic objectives," said Peter Liguori, Tribune Media's President and Chief Executive Officer. "First, we grew revenue market share across our stations, including, most importantly, our four largest markets. WGN America successfully continued its conversion from a superstation to a cable network and the network is telecast as a cable entity to 60% of our subscriber base, while generating a 52% increase in carriage revenues this quarter. Finally, the on-going expansion of our Digital and Data business yielded increased revenue and Adjusted EBITDA growth."

Liguori continued, "Our results in the first quarter and our outlook for the remainder of the year give us confidence that we are on track to achieve our revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance for the full year."

First Quarter 2015 Highlights


-- Consolidated operating revenues grew 6.0% as compared to the first
quarter of 2014, to $472.7 million, driven by acquisition-related growth
in the Digital and Data segment and increases in the Television and
Entertainment segment.
-- Consolidated operating profit grew 21% as compared to the first quarter
of 2014, to $60.9 million.
-- Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased 6.5% as compared to the first
quarter of 2014, to $129.0 million, due to strategic investments in
programming and the build-out of improved technology applications and
shared service operations.
-- Basic and Diluted earnings per share from continuing operations of
$0.37.
-- Cash distributions received from equity investments of $94.9 million.
First Quarter 2015 Results



Consolidated
Consolidated operating revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were $472.7 million compared to $446.1 million in the first quarter of 2014, representing an increase of $26.6 million, or 6.0%. Revenues increased primarily as a result of the impact of 2014 acquisitions in the Digital and Data segment, as well as increased retransmission consent revenues and carriage fees in the Television and Entertainment segment, partially offset by decreased advertising revenues associated with airing the Super Bowl on 14 Fox-affiliated stations in 2014 versus two NBC-affiliated stations in 2015.

Consolidated operating profit for the first quarter of 2015 increased by $10.6 million to $60.9 million from $50.3 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Basic and diluted earnings per common share from continuing operations for the first quarter of 2015 were $0.37 compared to $0.28 for the first quarter of 2014.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA decreased to $129.0 million from $138.0 million in the first quarter of 2014, representing a decrease of $9.0 million, or 6.5%. The decrease is primarily attributable to increased programming fees within the Television and Entertainment segment, implementation of improved technology applications and the establishment of new shared services operations within Corporate and Other, as well as operating expenses attributable to the acquisitions within the Digital and Data segment, partially offset by increased revenues as described above.

Cash distributions from equity investments in the first quarter of 2015 were $94.9 million compared to $120.3 million in the first quarter of 2014. Cash distributions were lower in the first quarter of 2015 due to a $12.4 million non-recurring cash payment from Television Food Network, G.P. received in the first quarter of 2014, as well as the impact of working capital changes which reduced cash available for distribution.

Television and Entertainment Segment
Television and Entertainment segment revenues were $410.3 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $400.2 million in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of $10.1 million, or 2.5%, and were comprised of:


-- Advertising revenues of $299.7 million as compared with $305.8 million
in the first quarter of 2014, representing a decrease of $6.1 million,
or 2.0%. Core advertising (local and national advertising revenues,
excluding political revenues) declined by $6.0 million, or 2.1%,
primarily as a result of an approximate $10 million decline in revenues
associated with airing the Super Bowl on two NBC-affiliated stations in
2015 as compared to 14 FOX-affiliated stations in 2014. Excluding this
impact, core advertising revenues increased 1.4%.
-- Local station retransmission consent fees of $68.8 million in the first
quarter of 2015, compared to $55.6 million in the first quarter of 2014,
an increase of $13.2 million, or 24%, as a result of contract renewals
with distribution partners at higher rates.
-- Carriage fees of $21.5 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to
$14.1 million in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of $7.4 million,
or 52%, as a result of obtaining higher rates for WGN America
distribution.
Television and Entertainment Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2014 was $135.0 million, compared to $139.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. Television and Entertainment Adjusted EBITDA was unfavorably impacted primarily by an increase in programming expenses associated with new original and syndicated content at WGN America.

Digital and Data Segment
Digital and Data segment revenues in the first quarter of 2015 were $50.2 million, compared to $31.5 million in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of $18.7 million. This increase was primarily attributable to the impact of the acquisition of Gracenote, which was consummated January 31, 2014, and the acquisitions of HWW, Baseline and What's ON, which were consummated in the second half of 2014.

Digital and Data Adjusted EBITDA was $12.5 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $5.0 million in the first quarter of 2014, an increase of $7.5 million. This increase was primarily attributable to the impact of the acquisitions noted above.



Corporate and Other
Real estate revenues for the first quarter of 2015 were $12.2 million compared to $14.4 million in the first quarter of 2014, representing a decrease of $2.2 million, or 15%, primarily due to a reduction in space leased by Tribune Publishing at several properties and the sale of the production facility and land in Baltimore, MD in December 2014.

Corporate and Other Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2015 represented a loss of $18.5 million, compared to a loss of $6.7 million in the first quarter of 2014. These additional losses were a result of increased expenses primarily attributable to higher corporate costs driven by the implementation of improved technology applications as well as the establishment of new shared services operations following the separation of Tribune Publishing systems in connection with the Company's spin-off of its principal publishing operations in August 2014 and the decline in real estate revenues noted above.

Stock Repurchase Program







In October 2014 the Company announced a $400 million stock repurchase program. During the first fiscal quarter of 2015, the Company repurchased approximately 2.8 million shares of the Company's Class A common stock in open market transactions for $165 million. As of March 29, 2015, the Company had repurchased approximately 3.9 million shares of the Company's Class A common stock, at an aggregate purchase price of approximately $233 million, and the remaining authorized amount under the program totaled approximately $167 million.







Quarterly Dividend Policy







On March 6, 2015, the Company announced an intention to pay regular quarterly cash dividends on its Common Stock of $0.25 per share, starting in the second fiscal quarter of 2015, and this intention remains unchanged. The declaration of any future dividends are subject to the discretion of the Board taking into account, among other things, future earnings, cash flows, financial requirements and other factors, as well as restrictions contained in the credit agreement governing our Secured Credit Facility.







Financial Guidance

The following represents the Company's financial guidance for the full year 2015. The following statements, by their nature, are forward-looking and are subject to substantial risks and uncertainties, which are discussed below under "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements", and may differ materially from our actual results.







In 2015, we continue to expect solid revenue growth despite it being an off-cycle political year. We anticipate that Adjusted EBITDA in 2015 will be impacted by the cyclical loss of political advertising, continued measured programming investment in WGN America and increased operational costs in our Digital and Data segment. In addition, in 2015, the Company is incurring costs associated with general business and technology applications, which we believe will improve productivity and increase operating efficiencies in the long term. As indicated in the forward guidance for 2016 and beyond, these actions are expected to drive strong and sustainable profitability growth in the years ahead.

In our Television and Entertainment segment, programming expenses for WGN America and Tribune Studios in 2015 are currently expected to be approximately $144 million, a $14 million increase over the previous guidance of approximately $130 million. This change stems from a change in the timing of the amortization of original programming expenses, specifically in a shift of expenses from 2016 into 2015. We expect that this increase in programming expenses will be fully offset in 2015 by, among other things, an acceleration of cost saving actions.

Accordingly, we expect the following financial results as it relates to full year 2015:

Consolidated


-- Net Revenues: $2.00 billion to $2.03 billion
-- Adjusted EBITDA: $480 million to $495 million
Television and Entertainment Segment


-- Total Net Revenues: $1.75 billion to $1.77 billion
-- Core Advertising (local and national advertising revenues): Low to
mid-single digit increases over 2014
-- Retransmission Consent Fees: $275 million to $277 million
-- Cable Network Carriage Fees: $85 million to $87 million
-- WGN America / Tribune Studios Programming Expenses: approximately $(144)
million
-- Adjusted EBITDA: $500 million to $515 million
Digital and Data Segment


-- Net Revenues: $200 million to $205 million
-- Adjusted EBITDA: $46 million to $48 million
Corporate and Other


-- Real Estate Revenues: approximately $50 million
-- Real Estate Expenses: approximately $(30) million
-- Corporate Expenses, excluding stock-based comp: $(86) million to $(88)
million
-- Adjusted EBITDA: $(66) million to $(68) million
Key Cash Flow Metrics


-- Capital Expenditures: Total of $100 million, including approximately $50
million of non-recurring capital expenditures
-- Cash Taxes((1)): $135 million to $140 million
-- Cash Interest: approximately $140 million
-- Depreciation & Amortization: approximately $260 million
-- Stock-based Compensation: approximately $35 million


(1) Excludes tax payment of
approximately $252 million
related to the gain on the sale
of Classified Ventures in the
fourth quarter of 2014, paid in
the first quarter of 2015.






Long Term Outlook


-- 2016 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA year-over-year growth of greater than
30%
In addition, the Company currently expects the following for the period of 2016 - 2019:


-- WGN America and Tribune Studios revenue growth to be greater than 20%
annually
-- WGN America and Tribune Studios programming expenses approximating 50%
of net revenues
-- Digital and Data net revenue growth of 10% to 12% annually
-- Digital and Data Adjusted EBITDA margins growing to low 30% range
Conference Call Information

The Company will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss its first quarter results and a presentation deck will be posted to our website in advance of the call. The conference call can be accessed on the Investor Relations homepage of Tribune Media's website at www.tribunemedia.com, or by dialing 888-317-6003 (domestic) or 412-317-6061 (international). The confirmation code is 0928075.

An audio webcast replay will be available in the Events and Presentations section of the Tribune Media website approximately one hour after completion of the call. A replay of the call will also be available until May 15, 2015 at 877-344-7529 (domestic) or 412-317-0088 (international). The confirmation code for the replay is 10064374.

Tribune Media Company (NYSE: TRCO) is home to a diverse portfolio of television and digital properties driven by quality news, entertainment and sports programming. Tribune Media is comprised of Tribune Broadcasting's 42 owned or operated local television stations reaching more than 50 million households, national entertainment network WGN America, available in approximately 73 million households, Tribune Studios, and Gracenote, one of the world's leading sources of TV and music metadata powering electronic program guides in televisions, automobiles and mobile devices. Tribune Media also includes Chicago's WGN-AM and the national multicast networks Antenna TV and THIS TV. Additionally, the Company owns and manages a significant number of real estate properties across the U.S. and holds other strategic investments in media. For more information please visit www.tribunemedia.com.



Non-GAAP Financial Measures


This press release includes a discussion of Adjusted EBITDA for the Company and our operating segments (Television and Entertainment, Digital and Data, and Corporate and Other) and presents Broadcast Cash Flow for our Television and Entertainment segment. Adjusted EBITDA and Broadcast Cash Flow are financial measures that are not recognized under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. ("GAAP"). Adjusted EBITDA for the Company is defined as net income before income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes, income taxes, investment transactions, interest and dividend income, interest expense, pension expense (credit), equity income and losses, depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation, certain special items (including severance), non-operating items, gain (loss) on sales of real estate and reorganization items. Adjusted EBITDA for the Company's operating segments is calculated as segment operating profit plus depreciation, amortization, pension expense (credit), stock-based compensation and certain special items (including severance). Broadcast Cash Flow for the Television and Entertainment segment is calculated as Television and Entertainment Adjusted EBITDA plus broadcast rights- amortization expense less broadcast rights- cash payments. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA and Broadcast Cash Flow are measures commonly used by investors to evaluate our performance with that of our competitors. We also present Adjusted EBITDA because we believe investors, analysts and rating agencies consider it useful in measuring our ability to meet our debt service obligations. We further believe that the disclosure of Adjusted EBITDA and Broadcast Cash Flow is useful to investors, as these non-GAAP measures are used, among other measures, by our management to evaluate our performance. By disclosing Adjusted EBITDA and Broadcast Cash Flow, we believe that we create for investors a greater understanding of, and an enhanced level of transparency into, the means by which our management operates our company. Adjusted EBITDA and Broadcast Cash Flow are not measures presented in accordance with GAAP, and our use of these terms may vary from that of others in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA and Broadcast Cash Flow should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating profit, revenues, cash provided by operating activities or any other measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance or liquidity. The tables at the end of this press release include reconciliations of consolidated and segment Adjusted EBITDA and Broadcast Cash Flow to the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. No reconciliation of the forecasted range for Adjusted EBITDA on a consolidated or segment basis for fiscal 2015 is included in this release because we are unable to quantify certain amounts that would be required to be included in the GAAP measure without unreasonable efforts and we believe such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors.



Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which may be beyond our control. Forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning our financial outlook and guidance, including our 2015 forecasted revenues, Adjusted EBITDA and other consolidated and segment financial performance guidance, our expectations for Adjusted EBITDA growth in 2016, our long-term outlook for WGN America and Tribune Studios revenue and programming expenses as well as Digital and Data segment revenue growth and Adjusted EBITDA margins, our expectation with respect to future cash dividends on our common stock, the conditions in our industry, our operations, our economic performance and financial condition, including, in particular, statements relating to our business and growth strategy and product development efforts. Important factors that could cause actual results, developments and business decisions to differ materially from these forward-looking statements are uncertainties discussed below and in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 6, 2015 and other filings with the SEC. "Forward-looking statements" include all statements that do not relate solely to historical or current facts, and can be identified by the use of words such as "may," "might," "will," "could" "should," "estimate," "project," "plan," "anticipate," "expect," "intend," "outlook," "seek," "designed," "assume," "implied," "believe" and other similar expressions. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain and subject to a number of risks and uncertainties.

The following list represents some, but not necessarily all, of the factors that could cause actual results to differ from projected or historical results or those anticipated or predicted by these forward-looking statements: competition and other economic conditions including fragmentation of the media landscape and competition from other media alternatives; changes in advertising demand and audience shares; changes in the overall market for television advertising, including through regulatory and judicial rulings; our ability to protect our intellectual property and other proprietary rights; availability and cost of broadcast rights; our ability to adapt to technological changes; our ability to develop and grow our online businesses; availability and cost of quality network, syndicated and sports programming affecting our television ratings; the loss or modification of our network affiliation agreements; our ability to renegotiate retransmission consent agreements; our ability to expand our operations internationally; the incurrence of costs to address contamination issues at sites owned, operated or used by our business; adverse results from litigation, governmental investigations or tax-related proceedings or audits; our ability to settle unresolved claims filed in connection with our and certain of our direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries' Chapter 11 cases and resolve the appeals seeking to overturn the bankruptcy court order confirming the First Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization for Tribune Company and its Subsidiaries; our ability to satisfy pension and other postretirement employee benefit obligations; our ability to attract and retain employees; the effect of labor strikes, lock-outs and labor negotiations; our ability to realize benefits or synergies from acquisitions or divestitures or to operate our businesses effectively following acquisitions or divestitures; the financial performance of our equity method investments; the impairment of our existing goodwill and other intangible assets; changes in accounting standards; our ability to pay cash dividends on our common stock; increased interest rate risk due to our variable rate indebtedness; our indebtedness and ability to comply with covenants applicable to our debt financing and other contractual commitments; our ability to satisfy future capital and liquidity requirements; our ability to access the credit and capital markets at the times and in the amounts needed and on acceptable terms and other events beyond our control that may result in unexpected adverse operating results. In addition, in light of these risks and uncertainties, the matters referred to in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release may not in fact occur. Any forward-looking information presented herein is made only as of the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.







Tribune Media Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations

(In thousands of dollars, except per share data)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
------------------

March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014
-------------- --------------


Operating Revenues

Television and Entertainment $410,300 $400,201

Digital and Data 50,202 31,485

Other 12,235 14,416
------ ------

Total operating revenues 472,737 446,102


Operating Expenses

Programming 93,516 80,631

Direct operating expenses 102,988 100,273

Selling, general and
administrative 150,473 137,553

Depreciation 17,054 16,711

Amortization 47,771 60,674

Total operating expenses 411,802 395,842
------- -------


Operating Profit 60,935 50,260


Income on equity investments,
net 36,934 38,263

Interest and dividend income 367 171

Interest expense (39,212) (40,519)

Gain on investment transaction 687 -

Other non-operating gain - 157

Reorganization items, net (992) (2,216)

Income from Continuing
Operations Before Income Taxes 58,719 46,116

Income tax expense 22,302 17,649
------ ------

Income from Continuing
Operations 36,417 28,467

Income from Discontinued
Operations, net of taxes - 12,601
--- ------

Net Income $36,417 $41,068
======= =======


Basic Earnings Per Common Share
from:

Continuing Operations $0.37 $0.28

Discontinued Operations - 0.13
=== ====

Net Earnings Per Common Share $0.37 $0.41


Diluted Earnings Per Common
Share from:

Continuing Operations $0.37 $0.28

Discontinued Operations - 0.13
=== ====

Net Earnings Per Common Share $0.37 $0.41








Tribune Media Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of dollars, except for share and per share data)


March 29, 2015 December 28, 2014
-------------- -----------------

(Unaudited)

Assets


Current Assets

Cash and cash equivalents $1,171,830 $1,455,183

Restricted cash and cash
equivalents 17,595 17,600

Accounts receivable (net of
allowances of $5,382 and
$7,313) 415,033 440,722

Broadcast rights 127,901 147,423

Deferred income taxes 28,974 29,675

Prepaid expenses and other 82,566 70,220

Total current assets 1,843,899 2,160,823
--------- ---------


Properties

Property, plant and equipment 968,384 953,438

Accumulated depreciation (119,351) (102,841)

Net properties 849,033 850,597
------- -------


Other Assets

Broadcast rights 159,975 157,014

Goodwill 3,916,266 3,918,136

Other intangible assets, net 2,348,016 2,397,794

Investments 1,654,944 1,717,192

Other 188,470 194,899
------- -------

Total other assets 8,267,671 8,385,035
--------- ---------

Total Assets $10,960,603 $11,396,455
=========== ===========






Tribune Media Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands of dollars, except for share and per share data)


March 29, 2015 December 28, 2014
-------------- -----------------

(Unaudited)

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity


Current Liabilities

Accounts payable $64,781 $77,295

Debt due within one year 4,034 4,088

Income taxes payable 12,612 252,570

Employee compensation and benefits 65,252 80,270

Contracts payable for broadcast rights 158,532 178,685

Deferred revenue 33,416 34,352

Dividends payable and accrued payments to
warrant holders 648,644 -

Other 64,386 56,920
------ ------

Total current liabilities 1,051,657 684,180
--------- -------


Non-Current Liabilities

Long-term debt 3,490,187 3,490,897

Deferred income taxes 1,153,885 1,156,214

Contracts payable for broadcast rights 272,152 279,819

Contract intangible liability, net 30,613 34,425

Pension obligations, net 461,813 469,116

Postretirement, medical, life and other
benefits 20,767 21,456

Other obligations 64,009 64,917

Total non-current liabilities 5,493,426 5,516,844
--------- ---------


Shareholders' Equity

Preferred stock ($0.001 par value per share)

Authorized: 40,000,000 shares; No shares issued and outstanding at Mar. 29, 2015 and at Dec. 28, 2014

- -

Class A Common Stock ($0.001 par value per
share)

Authorized: 1,000,000,000 shares; 96,299,803 shares issued and 92,392,399 shares outstanding at Mar. 29,
2015 and 95,708,401 shares issued and 94,732,807 shares outstanding at Dec. 28, 2014

96 96

Class B Common Stock ($0.001 par value per
share)

Authorized: 200,000,000 shares; Issued and outstanding: 2,391,960 shares at Mar. 29, 2015 and 2,438,083
shares at Dec. 28, 2014

2 2

Treasury stock, at cost: 3,907,404 shares at
Mar. 29, 2015 and 975,594 shares at Dec. 28,
2014 (232,988) (67,814)

Additional paid-in-capital 4,595,295 4,591,470

Retained earnings 105,991 718,218

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (52,876) (46,541)
------- -------

Total shareholders' equity 4,415,520 5,195,431
--------- ---------

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $10,960,603 $11,396,455
=========== ===========






Tribune Media Company and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
------------------

March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014
-------------- --------------


Operating Activities

Net income $36,417 $41,068

Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities:


Stock-based compensation 7,845 9,248

Pension credits, net of contributions (7,303) (9,534)

Depreciation 17,054 24,233

Amortization of contract intangible
assets and liabilities (3,461) (3,963)

Amortization of other intangible assets 47,771 62,258

Income on equity investments, net (36,934) (37,928)

Distributions from equity investments 94,906 120,270

Amortization of debt issuance costs and
original issue discount 3,330 3,340

Gain on investment transaction (687) -

Other non-operating gain, net - (157)

Change in excess tax benefits from
stock-based awards 402 (976)

Transfers from restricted cash 5 46

Changes in working capital items,
excluding effects from acquisitions:

Accounts receivable, net 25,802 66,777

Prepaid expenses and other current
assets (12,036) (11,508)

Accounts payable (5,343) (5,671)

Employee compensation and benefits,
accrued expenses and other current
liabilities (7,225) (45,713)

Deferred revenue (938) 13,661

Income taxes (239,850) 26,044

Change in broadcast rights, net of
liabilities (11,259) (4,737)

Deferred income taxes 172 (5,039)

Other, net (2,974) (6,021)

Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities (94,306) 235,698
------- -------


Investing Activities

Capital expenditures (16,299) (17,601)

Acquisitions, net of cash acquired (109) (158,814)

Increase in restricted cash related to
acquisition of Local TV - 201,922

Transfers to restricted cash, net - (1,069)

Investments (411) (1,805)

Proceeds from sales of investments and
real estate 5,617 -

Net cash (used in) provided by
investing activities (11,202) 22,633
------- ------


Financing Activities

Repayment of Senior Toggle Notes - (172,237)

Repayments of long-term debt (1,067) (914)

Common stock repurchases (172,777) -

Change in excess tax benefits from
stock-based awards (402) 976

Tax withholdings related to net share
settlements of share-based awards (3,618) (3,201)

Proceeds from stock option exercises 19 -

Net cash used in financing activities (177,845) (175,376)
-------- --------


Net (Decrease) Increase in Cash and
Cash Equivalents (283,353) 82,955

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of
period 1,455,183 640,697

Cash and cash equivalents, end of
period $1,171,830 $723,652
========== ========


Supplemental Schedule of Cash Flow
Information

Cash paid during the period for:

Interest $35,593 $28,462

Income taxes, net of refunds $261,914 $4,855






Tribune Media Company - Consolidated

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
------------------

March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014
-------------- --------------

Revenues $472,737 $446,102



Net Income $36,417 $41,068

Income from discontinued
operations, net of taxes - 12,601
------

Income from Continuing
Operations 36,417 28,467

Income tax expense 22,302 17,649

Reorganization items, net 992 2,216

Other non-operating gain - (157)

Gain on investment transaction (687) -

Interest expense 39,212 40,519

Interest and dividend income (367) (171)

Income on equity investments,
net (36,934) (38,263)
------- -------

Operating Profit 60,935 50,260

Depreciation 17,054 16,711

Amortization 47,771 60,674

Stock-based compensation 7,845 8,449

Severance and related charges 901 2,439

Transaction-related costs 1,638 5,699

Loss on sales of real estate 106 -

Other 33 1,558

Pension credit (7,303) (7,804)
------

Adjusted EBITDA $128,980 $137,986
======== ========






Tribune Media Company - Television and Entertainment

Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Adjusted EBITDA and Broadcast Cash Flow

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
------------------

March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014
-------------- --------------

Advertising $299,702 $305,763

Retransmission consent fees 68,813 55,565

Carriage fees 21,502 14,128

Barter/trade 9,226 10,311

Copyright royalties 4,265 6,532

Other 6,792 7,902
----- -----

Total Revenues (1) $410,300 $400,201


Operating Profit (1) $79,348 $64,697

Depreciation 11,423 12,376

Amortization 41,510 56,655

Stock-based compensation 2,493 2,523

Severance and related charges 196 1,414

Transaction-related costs - 417

Other 13 1,556

Pension expense - 43
---

Adjusted EBITDA (1) $134,983 $139,681
======== ========


Broadcast rights -
Amortization 72,008 55,694

Broadcast rights -Cash
Payments (84,715) (60,818)
------- -------

Broadcast Cash Flow $122,276 $134,557




(1) At the beginning of fiscal 2015,
the Company moved its Zap2it.com
entertainment website business from
the Digital and Data reportable
segment to the Television and
Entertainment reportable segment.
Certain previously reported amounts
have been reclassified to conform to
the current presentation; the impact
of this reclassification was
immaterial.






Tribune Media Company - Digital and Data

Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Adjusted EBITDA

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
------------------

March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014
-------------- --------------

Video $26,222 $20,772

Music 23,980 10,713
------ ------

Total Revenues (1) $50,202 $31,485


Operating Profit (Loss) (1) $3,734 $(2,086)

Depreciation 2,105 1,813

Amortization 6,261 4,019

Stock-based compensation 551 649

Severance and related
charges (173) 632

Adjusted EBITDA (1) $12,478 $5,027
======= ======






(1) At the beginning of fiscal 2015,
the Company moved its Zap2it.com
entertainment website business from
the Digital and Data reportable
segment to the Television and
Entertainment reportable segment.
Certain previously reported amounts
have been reclassified to conform to
the current presentation; the impact
of this reclassification was
immaterial.






Tribune Media Company - Corporate and Other

Reconciliation of Operating Profit to Adjusted EBITDA

(In thousands of dollars)

(Unaudited)


Three Months Ended
------------------

March 29, 2015 March 30, 2014
-------------- --------------

Total Revenues $12,235 $14,416



Operating Loss $(22,147) $(12,351)

Depreciation 3,526 2,522

Stock-based compensation 4,801 5,277

Severance and related
charges 878 393

Transaction-related costs 1,638 5,282

Loss on sales of real estate 106 -

Other 20 2

Pension credit (7,303) (7,847)
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Adjusted EBITDA $(18,481) $(6,722)
======== =======


SOURCE Tribune Media Company

Tribune Media Company

CONTACT: INVESTOR CONTACT, Donna Granato, VP/Corporate Finance, Investor Relations, 212/210-2703, dgranato@tribunemedia.com, or MEDIA CONTACT, Gary Weitman, SVP/Corporate Relations, 312/222-3394, gweitman@tribunemedia.com

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


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Profile: intent