Discovery, Inc. Reports Full Year And Fourth Quarter 2018 Results

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 26, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery, Inc. ("Discovery" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today reported financial results for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2018.

2018 Operational Highlights

• Completed the acquisition and integration of Scripps Networks;
• Successfully broadcast the first of four Olympic Games across Europe;
• Announced a distinctive golf service in partnership with the PGA TOUR to become the new international home for golf;
• Formed a new streaming partnership with broadcaster ProSieben in Germany; and
• Secured additional, favorable U.S. streaming agreements with Hulu and Sling TV.

"2018 was a transformational year for Discovery, highlighted by our operational accomplishments, our strong progress in synergy generation and our overall solid financial performance, as we continued powering people's passions around the world," said David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer for Discovery. "Discovery is a differentiated global content company, and we are optimistic that we will continue to build on all of our operating momentum to drive additional shareholder value into the future."

Full Year Financial ResultsFull year revenues increased 54% to $10.6 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations(1) and the Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. ("Scripps Networks"), MotorTrend Group, LLC ("MTG") and Oprah Winfrey Network ("OWN") transactions (collectively, "the Transactions")(2), revenues increased 3%, as an 8% increase in International Networks and a 1% increase in U.S. Networks were partially offset by a significant decrease in Education and Other revenues due to the sale of the education business on April 30, 2018. On a pro forma(3) combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, total company revenues increased 3%, as International Networks increased 8% and U.S. Networks increased 2%, partially offset by a significant decrease in Education and Other revenues due to the sale of the education business.

Full year Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization ("Adjusted OIBDA")(4) increased 64% to $4.1 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Transactions and foreign currency fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA increased 1%, as U.S. Networks increased 3% and International Networks increased 2%, partially offset by a 16% decrease in Corporate and Other. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA increased 8%, as U.S. Networks increased 8% and International Networks increased 7%.

Full year net income available to Discovery increased to $594 million, compared with a $337 million loss in the prior year, due to higher operating results primarily due to the Transactions, partially offset by higher restructuring and other charges associated with the integration of Scripps Networks, higher tax expenses and higher interest expense. In addition, a non-cash goodwill impairment charge was recognized in the prior year. Diluted earnings per share(1) increased to $0.86, primarily due to higher net income. Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share ("Adjusted EPS")(1),(2), which excludes the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, net of tax was $2.11. Adjusted EPS excluding $618 million (or $0.89 per share) of after-tax restructuring and other charges was $3.00.

Free cash flow(3) increased to $2.4 billion for the full year as cash flow from operations increased to $2.6 billion while capital expenditures of $147 million were slightly higher compared with the prior year primarily due to the integration of Scripps Networks. Full year cash flow from operations increased primarily as a result of higher operating results primarily due to the Transactions, partially offset by higher content and restructuring costs and higher interest expense.

Fourth Quarter 2018 Financial ResultsFourth quarter revenues of $2.8 billion increased 51% on a reported basis compared with the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the Transactions(4) and foreign currency fluctuations, revenues decreased 2% as a 1% increase in U.S. Networks and flat revenues in International Networks were more than offset by a significant decrease in Education and Other revenues due to the sale of the education business. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, total company fourth quarter revenues decreased 1%, as a 2% increase in U.S. Networks and flat revenues in International Networks were more than offset by a significant decrease in Education and Other revenues due to the sale of the education business.

Fourth quarter Adjusted OIBDA increased 86% to $1.2 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the Transactions and foreign currency fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA increased 5% compared with the prior year quarter, as International Networks increased 13% and U.S. Networks increased 6%, partially offset by a 29% decrease in Corporate and Other. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, fourth quarter Adjusted OIBDA increased 16%, as U.S. Networks Adjusted OIBDA increased 17% and International Networks' Adjusted OIBDA increased 15%.

Fourth quarter net income available to Discovery was $269 million, compared with a loss of $1.1 billion in the prior year quarter, due to higher operating results, primarily due to the integration of Scripps Networks partially offset by higher restructuring and other charges, higher tax expenses and higher interest expense. In addition, a non-cash goodwill impairment charge was recognized in the prior year's quarter. Diluted earnings per share increased to $0.38 primarily due to higher DCI Net Income. Adjusted EPS, which excludes the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, net of tax was $0.74. Adjusted EPS excluding $62 million (or $0.08 per share) of after-tax restructuring and other charges was $0.82.

Free cash flow increased to $888 million for the fourth quarter of 2018 as cash flow from operations increased to $929 million while capital expenditures of $41 million were slightly higher compared with the prior year quarter primarily due to the integration of Scripps Networks. Fourth quarter cash flow from operations increased as a result of higher operating results due to the integration of Scripps Networks, partially offset by higher content and restructuring costs and higher interest expense.

SEGMENT RESULTS

 

Full Year Financial ResultsU.S. Networks' revenues for the full year of 2018 increased 85% to $6.4 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, revenues increased 1%, as a 3% increase in advertising revenues and a 1% increase in distribution revenues were partially offset by a 27% decrease in Other revenues due to lower program and merchandising sales. On a pro forma combined basis, U.S. Networks' revenues for the full year increased 2%. Pro forma advertising revenues increased 3% primarily driven by the continued monetization of our digital content offerings and an increase in pricing, partially offset by the impact of audience declines on our linear networks. Pro forma distribution revenues increased 1%, reflecting increases in contractual affiliate rates, partially offset by a decline in subscribers and to a lesser extent, the timing of lower contributions from content deliveries under licensing agreements.

Operating expenses for U.S. Networks increased to $2.9 billion on a reported basis compared with $1.4 billion in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, operating expenses decreased 1%, as costs of revenues decreased 4% while SG&A expenses increased 4%. On a pro forma combined basis, total operating expenses decreased 4%, as costs of revenues decreased 5% and SG&A expenses decreased 3%. The decrease in pro forma combined operating expenses was primarily attributable to higher content impairment expenses recorded in the prior year, lower personnel costs due to restructuring as well as content synergies following the acquisition of Scripps Networks.

U.S. Networks' Adjusted OIBDA increased 73% to $3.5 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, U.S. Networks' Adjusted OIBDA increased 3%. On a pro forma combined basis, Adjusted OIBDA increased 8%, driven by an increase in revenues combined with a decrease in operating expenses.

Fourth Quarter Financial ResultsU.S. Networks' revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased 93% to $1.7 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, revenues increased 1%, as distribution revenues increased 3%, advertising revenues remained consistent and Other revenues decreased $9 million compared with the prior year quarter. On a pro forma combined basis, U.S. Networks' revenues for the fourth quarter increased 2%. Pro forma advertising revenues increased 3%, primarily driven by continued monetization of digital content offerings and an increase in pricing, partially offset by the impact of audience declines on our linear networks. Pro forma distribution revenues increased 1% primarily reflecting increases in contractual affiliate rates, partially offset by a decline in overall subscribers. On a pro forma combined basis, total portfolio subscribers for December 2018 were 4% lower than December 2017 and subscribers to our fully distributed networks were flat with the prior year, primarily due to additional carriage on streaming platforms toward the end of the year, which offset the overall trend of subscriber declines.

Operating expenses for U.S. Networks increased to $758 million on a reported basis compared with $414 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, operating expenses decreased 6%, as costs of revenues decreased 15% and SG&A expenses increased 11%. On a pro forma combined basis, total operating expenses decreased 13%, as costs of revenues decreased 18% and SG&A expenses decreased 4%. The decrease in pro forma combined operating expenses was primarily attributable to content synergies and higher impairments recorded in the prior year quarter along with lower personnel costs due to restructuring and the integration of Scripps Networks.

U.S. Networks' Adjusted OIBDA for the fourth quarter increased to $964 million on a reported basis compared with $478 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the Transactions, U.S. Networks' Adjusted OIBDA increased 6%. On a pro forma combined basis, Adjusted OIBDA increased 17%, driven by an increase in revenues combined with a decrease in operating expenses.

 

Full Year Financial ResultsInternational Networks' revenues for the full year of 2018 increased 26% to $4.1 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Scripps Networks and foreign currency fluctuations, International Networks' revenues increased 8%, driven by a 5% increase in distribution revenues, a 2% increase in advertising revenues and a significant increase in Other revenues due to the sublicensing of the Olympic Games in the first quarter. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, International Networks' revenues increased 8%, driven by a 5% increase in distribution revenues and a 3% increase in advertising revenues, and an 88% increase in other revenues due to the sublicensing of the Olympics. Pro forma distribution revenue growth was primarily driven by increases in subscribers to our linear networks and higher digital subscription revenues in Europe and increases in pricing in Latin America and Europe, partially offset by pricing declines in Asia. Pro forma advertising revenue growth was primarily attributable to revenues associated with the Olympics in the first quarter, strength in certain European markets, and to a lesser extent, continued monetization of our digital distribution offerings, partially offset by linear viewership declines in Latin America.

Operating expenses for International Networks increased to $3.1 billion compared with $2.4 billion on a reported basis in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Scripps Networks and foreign currency fluctuations, operating expenses increased 11%, as costs of revenues increased 12% and SG&A increased 7%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, operating expenses increased 8%. Costs of revenues increased 11%, primarily attributable to spending on the Olympics, partially offset by content synergies from the integration of Scripps Networks. SG&A increased 2%, due to increased marketing spend, particularly related to our digital distribution offerings, and Olympics-related expenses, partially offset by cost savings from the integration of Scripps Networks.

International Networks' Adjusted OIBDA increased 25% to $1.1 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Scripps Networks and foreign currency fluctuations, International Networks' Adjusted OIBDA increased 2%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA increased 7%. The increase in pro forma combined Adjusted OIBDA was primarily driven by the growth in revenues, which outpaced the increases in costs of revenues and SG&A expenses.

Fourth Quarter Financial ResultsInternational Networks' revenues for the fourth quarter of 2018 increased 17% to $1.1 billion on a reported basis compared with the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Scripps Networks and foreign currency fluctuations, International Networks' revenues were flat, driven by a 2% increase in distribution revenues, while advertising revenues were flat and Other revenues decreased 13%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, International Networks' revenues were flat, driven by a 2% increase in distribution revenues while advertising revenues were flat, offset by a 21% decrease in Other revenues due to the timing of certain content distribution and licensing revenues. Pro forma distribution revenue growth was primarily driven by increases in Europe, mostly due to higher pricing, and higher pricing and subscriber increases in Latin America, partially offset by pricing declines in Asia. Pro forma advertising revenues were flat, as increases in Europe, mostly due to higher pricing, were offset by viewership declines in Latin America.

Operating expenses for International Networks increased to $734 million compared with $678 million on a reported basis in the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Scripps Networks and foreign currency fluctuations, operating expenses decreased 5%, as costs of revenues decreased 9% partially offset by an increase in SG&A of 4%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding currency effects, operating expenses decreased 6%, as costs of revenues decreased 9%, primarily attributable to content synergies following the acquisition of Scripps Networks, while SG&A was flat, primarily due to reductions in personnel costs from restructuring and the integration of Scripps Networks offset by increased personnel spending related to digital distribution offerings.

International Networks' Adjusted OIBDA increased 41% to $350 million on a reported basis compared with the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the acquisition of Scripps Networks and foreign currency fluctuations, International Networks' Adjusted OIBDA increased 13%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding currency effects, Adjusted OIBDA increased 15%. The increase in pro forma combined Adjusted OIBDA was primarily driven by the decrease in costs of revenues.

 

Full Year Financial ResultsEducation and Other saw significant decreases in revenues and Adjusted OIBDA for the full year primarily due to the sale of the education business.

Fourth Quarter Financial ResultsEducation and Other saw significant decreases in revenues and Adjusted OIBDA for the fourth quarter primarily due to the sale of the education business.

Corporate and Inter-Segment Eliminations

Full Year Financial ResultsCorporate and Inter-Segment Eliminations Adjusted OIBDA for the full year of 2018 decreased 23% on a reported basis compared with the prior year. Excluding the impact of the Transactions and foreign currency fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA decreased 16%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA decreased 1% compared with the prior year primarily due to an increase in SG&A expenses driven by higher technology costs, tax advisory fees and share-based compensation, partially offset by a reduction in personnel costs as a result of restructuring and the integration of Scripps Networks.

Fourth Quarter Financial ResultsAdjusted OIBDA for the fourth quarter of 2018 decreased 33% on a reported basis compared with the prior year quarter. Excluding the impact of the Transactions and foreign currency fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA decreased 29%. On a pro forma combined basis, excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, Adjusted OIBDA decreased 8% compared with the prior year quarter primarily due to the timing of compensation expense and professional service fees and lower inter-company allocations to operating segments offsetting lower personnel costs as a result of restructuring and the integration of Scripps Networks.

FULL YEAR 2019 OUTLOOK(1)Discovery will provide forward-looking guidance in connection with this quarterly earnings announcement on its quarterly earnings conference call and webcast referenced hereafter.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURESIn addition to the results prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") provided in this release, the Company has presented Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted EPS and free cash flow. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, earnings per diluted share and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.  Please review the supplemental financial schedules beginning on page 21 for reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures.

Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA Excluding the Impact of Currency EffectsThe Company evaluates the operating performance of its segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted OIBDA. Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding: (i) mark-to-market share-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) restructuring and other charges, (iv) certain impairment charges, (v) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, (vi) certain inter-segment eliminations related to production studios, and (vii) third-party transaction costs directly related to the acquisition and integration of Scripps Networks.

The Company uses this measure to assess the operating results and performance of its segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. The Company excludes mark-to-market share-based compensation, restructuring and other charges, certain impairment charges, gains and losses on business and asset dispositions and Scripps Networks transaction and integration costs from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their impact on comparability between periods. The Company also excludes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Certain corporate expenses are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives. Total Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Refer to the comments that follow for our methodology for calculating growth rates excluding the impact of currency effects.

Effective January 1, 2019, our definition of Adjusted OIBDA was modified to exclude all share-based compensation, whereas only mark-to-market share-based compensation is excluded for each of the periods presented herein. See pages 23-24 for Adjusted OIBDA as historically reported and under the revised definition.

Adjusted EPS and Adjusted EPS Excluding the Impact of Currency EffectsAdjusted EPS is defined as earnings excluding the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets per diluted share. The Company believes Adjusted EPS is relevant to investors because this metric allows them to evaluate the performance of the Company's operations exclusive of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets that impact the comparability of results from period to period. Refer to the comments that follow for our methodology for calculating growth rates excluding the impact of currency effects.

Methodology for Calculating Growth Rates Excluding the Impact of Currency EffectsThe impact of exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons of our results. For example, our international revenues are favorably impacted as the U.S. dollar weakens relative to other foreign currencies, and unfavorably impacted as the U.S dollar strengthens relative to other foreign currencies. We believe the presentation of results on a constant currency basis (ex-FX), in addition to results reported in accordance with GAAP, provides useful information about our operating performance because the presentation ex-FX excludes the effects of foreign currency volatility and highlights our core operating results. The presentation of results on a constant currency basis should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.

The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the "2018 Baseline Rate"), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2018 Baseline Rate. In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

Selling, General and Administrative ExpenseSelling, general and administrative expense, as presented, currently excludes mark-to-market share-based compensation and Scripps Networks transaction and integration costs due to their impact on comparability between periods.

Free Cash FlowThe Company defines free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities less acquisitions of property and equipment. The Company uses free cash flow as it believes it is an important indicator for management and investors of the Company's liquidity, including its ability to reduce debt, make strategic investments and return capital to stockholders.

Pro Forma AdjustmentsThe discussion and tables beginning on page 13 compare our actual and pro forma combined results as if the Transactions occurred on January 1, 2017. Management believes reviewing our actual operating results in addition to combined pro forma results is useful in identifying trends in, or reaching conclusions regarding, the overall operating performance of our businesses. Our combined U.S. Networks, International Networks and Corporate and Inter-Segment Eliminations pro forma information is based on the historical operating results of the respective businesses as applicable to each segment and includes adjustments directly attributable to the Transactions as if they had occurred on January 1, 2017, such as:

1. The impact of the purchase price allocation to the fair value of assets, liabilities, and noncontrolling interests, such as intangible amortization;
2. Adjustments to remove items associated with the Transactions that will not have a continuing impact on the combined entity, such as transaction costs and the impact of employee retention agreements; and
3. Changes to align accounting policies.

Adjustments do not include costs related to integration activities, cost savings or synergies that have been or may be achieved by the combined businesses. Pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of what our results would have been had we operated the acquired businesses since January 1, 2017 and should not be taken as indicative of the Company's future consolidated results of operations.

Actual amounts for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018 include the results of operations for the Discovery and Scripps Networks, OWN and MTG businesses for the period since each respective transaction. Scripps Networks was acquired on March 6, 2018, OWN was consolidated on November 30, 2017 and MTG was consolidated on September 25, 2017.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATIONDiscovery will host a conference call today, February 26, 2019 at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its fourth quarter results. To listen to the call, visit https://corporate.discovery.com or dial 1-844-452-2811 inside the U.S. and 1-574-990-9832 outside of the U.S., using conference passcode: DISCA.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD_LOOKING STATEMENTSThis press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties and on information available to the Company as of the date hereof. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 28, 2018.

Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will" and "would" or similar words. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, statements regarding investing in the Company's programming, strategic growth initiatives, and the effects of the Scripps Networks acquisition and related transactions. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

ABOUT DISCOVERYDiscovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and in nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player and MotorTrend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media and a strategic alliance with PGA TOUR to create the international home of golf. Discovery's portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit https://corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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SOURCE Discovery, Inc.