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8-K - FORM 8-K - MSG NETWORKS INC.d415965d8k.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

LOGO

MSG NETWORKS INC. REPORTS

FOURTH QUARTER AND FISCAL 2017 RESULTS

Fiscal 2017 fourth quarter revenues of $162.9 million

Fiscal 2017 fourth quarter operating income of $75.9 million

Fiscal 2017 fourth quarter adjusted operating income of $81.0 million

NEW YORK, N.Y., August 16, 2017 - MSG Networks Inc. (NYSE: MSGN) today reported financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended June 30, 2017.

For fiscal 2017, MSG Networks Inc. generated revenues of $675.4 million, an increase of 3% as compared with the prior year. In addition, the Company generated operating income of $313.3 million, adjusted operating income of $333.5 million and income from continuing operations of $167.5 million.(1)

For the fiscal 2017 fourth quarter, MSG Networks Inc. generated revenues of $162.9 million, an increase of 1% as compared with the prior year quarter. In addition, the Company generated operating income of $75.9 million, adjusted operating income of $81.0 million and income from continuing operations of $39.7 million.

President and CEO Andrea Greenberg said, “Fiscal 2017 represented a year of notable achievement for our Company as we made meaningful progress against our key financial, operational and strategic objectives. We delivered robust revenue and AOI results for the full fiscal year, reflecting the unique value we provide through our exclusive live sports programming. In addition, we utilized the strength of our content to drive new opportunities in digital distribution - both expanding the footprint of MSG GO, our live streaming and on-demand platform, and recently completing an agreement with a major OTT operator for the distribution of our networks. As we look ahead, we remain confident in our ability to continue delivering compelling programming for the benefit of our affiliates, advertisers and viewers, and in creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

 

Fiscal Year 2017 Fourth Quarter Results  

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

 

Three Months Ended

June 30,

 
   

 

2017

 

Revenues

  $ 162,881  

Operating income

    75,904  

Adjusted operating income

    80,959  

Income from continuing operations

    39,691  

Diluted EPS from continuing operations

  $ 0.52  
         

1. The Company formerly referred to adjusted operating income as adjusted operating cash flow. The components of adjusted operating income are identical to the components of adjusted operating cash flow. See page 3 of this earnings release for the definition of adjusted operating income included in the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures.

 

1


Summary of Reported Fiscal 2017 Fourth Quarter Results from Continuing Operations

Fiscal 2017 fourth quarter total revenues of $162.9 million increased 1%, or $2.4 million, as compared with the prior year period. Affiliation fee revenue increased $2.9 million, primarily due to higher affiliation rates, partially offset by the impact of a low single-digit percentage decrease in subscribers versus the prior year period and the unfavorable impact of a $1.1 million affiliate adjustment recorded in the current year period. Advertising revenue decreased $0.7 million, as compared with the prior year period, due to fewer live regular season professional sports telecasts, partially offset by other net advertising increases. Other revenues increased $0.2 million as compared with the prior year period. Excluding the impact of the $1.1 million affiliate adjustment recorded in the current year quarter, fiscal 2017 fourth quarter affiliation fee revenue increased $3.9 million and total company revenues increased $3.4 million, or 2%, both as compared with the prior year period.

Direct operating expenses of $65.1 million increased 3%, or $2.0 million, as compared with the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to higher rights fees expense, partially offset by other programming-related cost decreases.

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $19.4 million increased 2%, or $0.4 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to higher employee compensation and related benefits, partially offset by lower professional fees and other net decreases.

Operating income of $75.9 million increased 2% or $1.6 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to the increase in revenues and lower depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses and selling, general and administrative expenses (including share-based compensation expense).

Adjusted operating income of $81.0 million increased 1%, or $1.1 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to higher revenues and, to a lesser extent, lower selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding share-based compensation expense), partially offset by higher direct operating expenses.

Excluding the impact of the affiliate adjustment of $1.1 million recorded in the current year quarter, fiscal 2017 fourth quarter operating income would have been $77.0 million, an increase of 4% or $2.6 million, and adjusted operating income would have been $82.0 million, an increase of $2.2 million or 3%, both as compared with the prior year quarter.

 

About MSG Networks Inc.

An industry leader in sports production, and content development and distribution, MSG Networks Inc. owns and operates two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network (MSG) and MSG+, and a live streaming and video on demand platform, MSG GO. The networks are home to 10 professional sports teams, delivering live games of the New York Knicks; New York Rangers; New York Islanders; New Jersey Devils; Buffalo Sabres; New York Liberty; New York Red Bulls and the Westchester Knicks, as well as coverage of the New York Giants and Buffalo Bills. Each year, MSG and MSG+ collectively telecast approximately 500 live professional games, along with a comprehensive lineup of other sporting events, including college football and basketball, and critically-acclaimed original programming. The gold standard for regional broadcasting, MSG Networks has won 162 New York Emmy Awards over the past ten years.

 

2


Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We define adjusted operating income, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income before 1) depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment and intangible assets, 2) share-based compensation expense or benefit, 3) restructuring charges or credits and 4) gains or losses on sales or dispositions of businesses. Because it is based upon operating income, adjusted operating income also excludes interest expense (including cash interest expense) and other non-operating income and expense items. We believe that the exclusion of share-based compensation expense or benefit allows investors to better track the performance of the Company without regard to the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash.

The Company formerly referred to adjusted operating income as adjusted operating cash flow. The components of adjusted operating income are identical to the components of adjusted operating cash flow.

We believe adjusted operating income is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of our Company. Adjusted operating income and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze our performance. Internally, we use revenues and adjusted operating income measures as the most important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. Adjusted operating income should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income, net income, cash flows from operating activities, and other measures of performance and/or liquidity presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Since adjusted operating income is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. For a reconciliation of operating income to adjusted operating income, please see page 6 of this release.

The Company defines Free Cash Flow (“Free Cash Flow”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations less capital expenditures, both of which are reported in our Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows. Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations excludes net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations. The Company believes the most comparable GAAP financial measure is net cash provided by operating activities. The Company believes that Free Cash Flow is useful as an indicator of its overall ability to generate liquidity, as the amount of Free Cash Flow generated in any period is representative of cash that is generated for debt repayment, investment, and other discretionary and non-discretionary cash uses. The Company also believes that Free Cash Flow is one of several benchmarks used by analysts and investors for comparison of the Company’s generation of liquidity with other companies in the industry, although the Company’s measure of Free Cash Flow may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. For a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, please see page 8 of this release.

 

3


Forward Looking Statements

This press release may contain statements that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results, developments and events may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including financial community perceptions of the Company and its business, operations, financial condition and the industry in which it operates and the factors described in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the sections titled “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” contained therein. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein.

# # #

Contacts:

 

Kimberly Kerns

Communications            

(212) 465-6442

  

Ari Danes, CFA

Investor Relations

(212) 465-6072

  

Conference Call Information:

The conference call will be Webcast live today at 10:00 a.m. ET at www.msgnetworks.com

Conference call dial-in number is 877-883-0832 / Conference ID Number 57277682

Conference call replay number is 855-859-2056 / Conference ID Number 57277682 until August 23, 2017

 

4


MSG NETWORKS INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(In thousands, except per share data)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2017     2016     2017     2016  

Revenues

   $ 162,881     $ 160,524     $ 675,352     $ 658,198  

Direct operating expenses

     65,054       63,046       271,751       268,024  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

     19,361       18,939       80,041       102,005  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,562       4,211       10,296       14,583  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating income

     75,904       74,328       313,264       273,586  

Other income (expense):

        

Interest income

     765       597       2,782       2,368  

Interest expense

     (10,675     (9,623     (40,108     (31,683

Miscellaneous expense

           (2           (2
  

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

     (9,910     (9,028     (37,326     (29,317
  

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

     65,994       65,300       275,938       244,269  

Income tax expense

     (26,303     (22,093     (108,476     (80,971
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

     39,691       43,207       167,462       163,298  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes

           5,530       (120     (155,664
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net income

   $ 39,691     $ 48,737     $ 167,342     $ 7,634  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Earnings (loss) per share:

        

Basic

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.53     $ 0.58     $ 2.23     $ 2.17  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

           0.07             (2.07

Net income

     0.53       0.65       2.22       0.10  

Diluted

        

Income from continuing operations

   $ 0.52     $ 0.57     $ 2.22     $ 2.16  

Income (loss) from discontinued operations

           0.07             (2.06

Net income

     0.52       0.65       2.21       0.10  

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     75,269       75,087       75,213       75,152  

Diluted

     75,728       75,475       75,560       75,527  

Note: For the twelve months ended June 30, 2016, the reported financial results of MSG Networks Inc. reflect the fiscal 2016 first quarter results of the sports and entertainment businesses of The Madison Square Garden Company as discontinued operations. In addition, results from continuing operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2016 include certain corporate overhead expenses that MSG Networks Inc. did not incur during the twelve months ending June 30, 2017 and does not expect to incur in future periods, but which did not meet the criteria for inclusion in discontinued operations.

 

5


MSG NETWORKS INC.

ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE OPERATING INCOME

TO ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME

(In thousands)

The following is a description of the adjustments to operating income in arriving at adjusted operating income as described in this earnings release:

 

   

Share-based compensation expense. This adjustment eliminates the compensation expense relating to restricted stock units and stock options granted under our employee stock plan and non-employee director stock plan in all periods.

 

   

Depreciation and amortization. This adjustment eliminates depreciation, amortization and impairments of property and equipment and intangible assets in all periods.

 

     Three Months Ended
June 30,
     Twelve Months Ended
June 30,
 
     2017      2016      2017      2016  

Operating income

   $ 75,904      $ 74,328      $ 313,264      $ 273,586  

Share-based compensation expense

     2,493        1,290        9,931        9,266  

Depreciation and amortization

     2,562        4,211        10,296        14,583  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income

   $ 80,959      $ 79,829      $ 333,491      $ 297,435  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

6


MSG NETWORKS INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In thousands, except per share data)

 

     June 30,
2017
    June 30,
2016
 

ASSETS

    

Current Assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 141,087     $ 119,568  

Accounts receivable, net

     105,030       101,427  

Net related party receivable

     17,153       15,492  

Prepaid income taxes

     14,322       28,384  

Prepaid expenses

     6,468       13,188  

Other current assets

     2,343       3,053  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current assets

     286,403       281,112  

Property and equipment, net

     11,828       14,154  

Amortizable intangible assets, net

     40,663       44,123  

Goodwill

     424,508       424,508  

Other assets

     41,642       42,645  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

   $ 805,044     $ 806,542  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIENCY

    

Current Liabilities:

    

Accounts payable

   $ 1,241     $ 2,043  

Net related party payable

     2,963       4,302  

Current portion of long-term debt

     72,414       64,914  

Income taxes payable

     11,483       8,662  

Accrued liabilities:

    

Employee related costs

     14,238       10,340  

Other accrued liabilities

     10,050       15,991  

Deferred revenue

     5,071       6,143  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total current liabilities

     117,460       112,395  

Long-term debt, net of current portion

     1,240,431       1,412,845  

Defined benefit and other postretirement obligations

     29,979       31,827  

Other employee related costs

     3,930       5,550  

Related party payable

           1,710  

Other liabilities

     5,597       5,612  

Deferred tax liability

     351,854       356,561  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     1,749,251       1,926,500  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Commitments and contingencies

    

Stockholders’ Deficiency:

    

Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01, 360,000 shares authorized; 61,497 and 61,354 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively

     643       643  

Class B Common Stock, par value $0.01, 90,000 shares authorized; 13,589 shares outstanding as of June 30, 2017 and 2016

     136       136  

Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 45,000 shares authorized; none outstanding

            

Additional paid-in capital

     6,909        

Treasury stock, at cost, 2,762 and 2,905 shares as of June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively

     (198,800     (207,796

Accumulated deficit

     (746,539     (905,352

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (6,556     (7,589
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total stockholders’ deficiency

     (944,207     (1,119,958
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficiency

   $ 805,044     $ 806,542  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

7


MSG NETWORKS INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION

(Dollars in thousands)

(Unaudited)

Summary Data from the Statements of Cash Flows

 

     

Twelve Months Ended

June 30,

 
     2017     2016  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

   $ 197,158     $ 181,848  

Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations

     (4,894     (3,323

Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations

     (169,769     (93,541
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash provided by continuing operations

     22,495       84,984  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash used in discontinued operations

     (976     (184,101
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     119,568       218,685  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 141,087     $ 119,568  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free Cash Flow

 

     

Twelve Months Ended

June 30,

 
     2017     2016  

Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations

   $ 197,158     $ 181,848  

Less: Capital expenditures

     (4,894     (3,323
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Free cash flow

   $ 192,264     $ 178,525  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Capitalization

 

      June 30, 2017  
  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 141,087  

Credit facility debt(a)

     1,321,250  
  

 

 

 

Net debt

   $ 1,180,163  
  

 

 

 

Reconciliation of operating income to AOI for trailing twelve-month period(b)

  

Operating Income

   $ 313,264  

Share based compensation expense

     9,931  

Depreciation and amortization

     10,296  
  

 

 

 

Adjusted operating income

   $ 333,491  
  

 

 

 

Leverage ratio(c)

     3.5x  

(a)Represents aggregate principal amount of the debt outstanding.

(b)Represents results for twelve month trailing period ending June 30, 2017.

(c)Represents net debt divided by annualized adjusted operating income, which differs from the covenant calculation contained in the Company’s credit facility.

 

8