Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. reports second quarter 2017 preliminary results


KNOXVILLE, Tenn., July 31, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNI) today reported second quarter 2017 preliminary results through income from operations before income taxes. The company will be reporting final results, including, taxes, net income and earnings per share in its 10-Q filing at a later date.

Second Quarter 2017 Preliminary Consolidated Results
Consolidated operating revenues for the second quarter of 2017 were $925.0 million, an increase of 3.6% over the prior year period. Advertising revenues were $663.0 million, an increase of 2.5%, and distribution revenues were $239.7 million, an increase of 7.3% over the prior year period.

Consolidated income from operations before income taxes in the second quarter 2017 was $400.8 million, an increase of 20.8% compared with the prior year period. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in foreign currency transaction gains and a decrease in interest expense compared with the prior year quarter, along with a loss on the sale of investments in the second quarter of 2016. Consolidated adjusted segment profit(1) was $412.8 million, a decrease of 1.6%, compared with the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily due to the expected increase in programming and selling, general and administrative costs compared with the prior year period. These expenditures were partially offset by the growth in operating revenues in the quarter.

SCRIPPS NETWORKS INTERACTIVE, INC.
PRELIMINARY CONSOLIDATED SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION (UNAUDITED)
(in thousands) 
 
 Three months ended June 30, Six months ended June 30, 
 2017 2016 % Change
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 2017 2016 % Change
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Operating revenues:                  
Advertising$663,034 $646,648  2.5%$1,259,749 $1,218,503  3.4%
Distribution 239,685  223,446  7.3% 478,065  451,514  5.9%
Other 22,327  22,677  (1.5)% 42,352  39,632  6.9%
Total operating revenues 925,046  892,771  3.6% 1,780,166  1,709,649  4.1%
Operating expenses:                  
Cost of services, excluding depreciation and amortization 299,851  286,999  (4.5)% 578,890  566,666  (2.2)%
Selling, general and administrative 212,397  191,133  (11.1)% 419,767  389,954  (7.6)%
Depreciation 13,660  16,089  15.1% 28,620  33,386  14.3%
Amortization 25,058  25,654  2.3% 49,255  56,716  13.2%
Total operating expenses 550,966  519,875  (6.0)% 1,076,532  1,046,722  (2.8)%
Operating income 374,080  372,896  0.3% 703,634  662,927  6.1%
Interest expense, net (24,203) (33,175) 27.0% (48,455) (66,920) 27.6%
Equity in earnings of affiliates 20,973  21,712  (3.4)% 41,422  47,390  (12.6)%
(Loss) gain on derivatives (3,672) 8,267  (144.4)% (6,008) 11,033  (154.5)%
Gain (loss) on sale of investments 1,416  (16,373) 108.6% 1,416  191,824  (99.3)%
Miscellaneous, net 32,181  (21,672) 248.5% 59,721  (15,606) 482.7%
Income from operations before income taxes $400,775 $331,655  20.8% $751,730  $830,648  (9.5)%

Second Quarter 2017 Preliminary Segment Results
U.S. Networks’ operating revenues for the second quarter of 2017 were $779.0 million, an increase of 3.6% compared with the prior year quarter. Advertising revenues were $552.7 million, an increase of 2.2%. This improvement reflects the continued strength in pricing in the U.S. advertising market for our lifestyle brands, partially offset by a decline in impressions delivered and advertising inventory mix shifts in the quarter. U.S. Networks’ distribution revenues increased by 8.1% to $211.9 million. This increase was driven by negotiated annual rate increases and revenues generated from over-the-top and non-linear distribution platforms, partially offset by subscriber declines compared to the prior year quarter.

U.S. Networks’ income from operations before income taxes for the second quarter of 2017 was $390.0 million, flat compared with the prior year quarter. U.S. Networks’ adjusted segment profit(1) was $398.7 million, a decrease of 1.5%, compared with the prior year quarter. The decrease was primarily driven by an expected increase in expenses, partially offset by the growth in operating revenues.

International Networks’ operating revenues for the second quarter of 2017 were $153.3 million, an increase of 4.2% compared with the prior year quarter. International Networks’ income from operations before income taxes was $43.3 million compared with $48.1 million in the prior year quarter, while adjusted segment profit(1) was $38.8 million compared with $37.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Second Quarter 2017 Preliminary Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

  • Cash and cash equivalents totaled $131.6 million and $122.9 million at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
  • Debt totaled $3.0 billion and $3.2 billion at June 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

(1) This press release includes several metrics, including consolidated segment profit (loss) and consolidated adjusted segment profit (loss) that are not calculated in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). See the Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of this press release for discussion of consolidated segment profit (loss) and consolidated adjusted segment profit (loss) and a reconciliation to their respective most comparable financial measure calculated in accordance with GAAP.

Guidance
As a result of the ratings and impression softness in the U.S. market, we now expect 2017 revenue growth to be approximately 4%, down from the previously issued growth of approximately 6%. Additionally, as a result of our anticipated revenue growth, offset by increased programming, selling, general and administrative expenses, we now expect segment profit to be approximately flat for the year, down from the previously issued growth of approximately 3%. All our other guidance remains unchanged.

Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements related to the company’s businesses that are based on management’s current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements, including changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions as well as other reasons described in our Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section and under the caption entitled “Forward-Looking Statements” in the Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section of our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date the statement is made.

About Scripps Networks Interactive
Scripps Networks Interactive, Inc. (Nasdaq:SNI) is one of the leading developers of engaging lifestyle content in the home, food and travel categories for television, the Internet and emerging platforms. The company's lifestyle media portfolio includes leading TV and entertainment brands HGTV, Food Network, Travel Channel, DIY Network, Cooking Channel and Great American Country. Its digital division Scripps Lifestyle Studios, creates compelling content for online, social and mobile platforms. International operations include TVN, Poland’s premier multi-platform media company; UKTV, an independent commercial joint venture with BBC Worldwide; Asian Food Channel, the first pan-regional TV food network in Asia; and lifestyle channel Fine Living Network. The company’s global networks and websites reach millions of consumers across North and South America, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. Scripps Networks Interactive is headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn. For more information, please visit http://www.scrippsnetworksinteractive.com.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP provided in this press release, the company has also presented consolidated segment profit (loss) and consolidated adjusted segment profit (loss).

The company evaluates the operating performance of its businesses and uses a financial measure referred to as segment profit (loss). Consolidated segment profit (loss) is the aggregate of the segment profit for each of our two reportable segments. Segment profit (loss) is defined as income (loss) from operations before income taxes, excluding depreciation, amortization, goodwill write-downs, interest expense, equity in earnings of affiliates, gain (loss) on derivatives, gain (loss) on sale of investments, other miscellaneous non-operating expenses and income taxes, which are included in net income (loss) determined in accordance with GAAP.

The company uses segment profit (loss) to assess the operating results and performance of its businesses and makes decisions about the allocation of resources to businesses using this financial measure. The company believes segment profit (loss) is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze and evaluate the operating performance of its segments consistent with management. Depreciation and amortization charges are a result of decisions made in prior periods regarding the allocation of resources and are, therefore, excluded from segment profit (loss). Also excluded from segment profit (loss) are financing, tax structuring and acquisition and divestiture decisions, which are generally made by corporate executives. Excluding these items from the performance measure of our businesses enables management to evaluate operating performance based on current economic conditions and decisions made by the managers of the businesses in the current period.

The company defines consolidated adjusted segment profit (loss) as segment profit (loss), excluding the impact of items not routine in nature. The company believes consolidated adjusted segment profit (loss) is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the performance of segments excluding the impact of items not routine in nature or core to regular business operations.

Consolidated segment profit (loss) and consolidated adjusted segment profit (loss) are non-GAAP measures and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, income from operations before income taxes and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Since consolidated segment profit (loss) and consolidated adjusted segment profit (loss) are not measures of financial performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, these non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. Supplemental schedules providing a reconciliation of the non-GAAP measure to its respective most comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP are included within this press release on the following pages.


Segment Profit and Adjusted Segment Profit - Q2 2017 and 2016 
 U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate and Other Consolidated 
 Three months ended Three months ended Three months ended Three months ended 
 June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 
Income (loss) from operations before income taxes$389,950 $389,925 $43,316 $48,068 $(32,491)$(106,338)$400,775 $331,655 
Interest (expense) income, net (144) (69) 206  (7,076) (24,265) (26,030) (24,203) (33,175)
Equity in earnings of affiliates 7,846  9,014  13,127  12,698  -  -  20,973  21,712 
(Loss) gain on derivatives -  -  -  -  (3,672) 8,267  (3,672) 8,267 
(Loss) gain on sale of investments -  (16,373) 1,416  -  -  -  1,416  (16,373)
Miscellaneous, net 3,481  18,952  7,896  23,823  20,804  (64,447) 32,181  (21,672)
Operating income (loss) 378,767  378,401  20,671  18,623  (25,358) (24,128) 374,080  372,896 
Depreciation 9,961  12,716  3,045  3,114  654  259  13,660  16,089 
Amortization 9,994  10,022  15,064  15,632  -  -  25,058  25,654 
Segment profit (loss) 398,722  401,139  38,780  37,369  (24,704) (23,869) 412,798  414,639 
TVN transaction and integration expenses -  17  -  (18) -  736  -  735 
Reorganization costs -  3,713  -  -  -  214  -  3,927 
Adjusted segment profit (loss)$398,722 $404,869 $38,780 $37,351 $(24,704)$(22,919)$412,798 $419,301 
  
Segment Profit and Adjusted Segment Profit - Year-to-Date 2017 and 2016
 U.S. Networks International Networks Corporate and Other Consolidated 
 Six months ended Six months ended Six months ended Six months ended 
 June 30, June 30, June 30, June 30, 
(in thousands)2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 2017 2016 
Income (loss) from op1erations before income taxes$759,713 $944,606 $76,931 $76,111 $(84,914)$(190,069)$751,730 $830,648 
Interest (expense) income, net (264) (86) 353  (13,943) (48,544) (52,891) (48,455) (66,920)
Equity in earnings of affiliates 13,089  16,746  28,333  30,644  -  -  41,422  47,390 
(Loss) gain on derivatives -  -  -  -  (6,008) 11,033  (6,008) 11,033 
Gain on sale of investments -  191,824  1,416  -  -  -  1,416  191,824 
Miscellaneous, net 5,964  22,440  27,799  54,880  25,958  (92,926) 59,721  (15,606)
Operating income (loss) 740,924  713,682  19,030  4,530  (56,320) (55,285) 703,634  662,927 
Depreciation 21,460  26,911  5,917  5,955  1,243  520  28,620  33,386 
Amortization 19,912  20,043  29,343  36,673  -  -  49,255  56,716 
Segment profit (loss) 782,296  760,636  54,290  47,158  (55,077) (54,765) 781,509  753,029 
TVN transaction and integration expenses -  17  -  (31) -  2,104  -  2,090 
Restructuring costs -  (29) -  -  -  (281) -  (310)
Reorganization costs -  7,519  -  -  -  3,732  -  11,252 
Adjusted segment profit (loss)$782,296 $768,143 $54,290 $47,127 $(55,077)$(49,210)$781,509 $766,061 
 


Consolidated Segment Profit – 2017 Full Year Guidance Reconciliation
 Estimated Guidance
(in thousands)Year ending December 31,
2017
Income from operations before income taxes $1,277,000 – $1,295,000
Interest expense, net (95,000) – (100,000)
Equity in earnings of affiliates 55,000 – 65,000
Loss on derivatives (5,000) – (10,000)
Gain on sale of investments 2,000 – 5,000
Miscellaneous, net 55,000 – 65,000
Operating income 1,265,000 – 1,270,000
Depreciation & amortization 155,000 – 160,000
Segment profit $1,420,000 – $1,430,000
 



            

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