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MSG Networks Inc. Reports Fiscal 2016 Second Quarter Results

Fiscal 2016 second quarter revenues of $169.9 million
Fiscal 2016 second quarter AOCF of $78.7 million
Fiscal 2016 second quarter operating income of $72.9 million

NEW YORK, Feb. 05, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MSG Networks Inc. (NYSE:MSGN) today reported financial results for the fiscal second quarter ended December 31, 2015. 

For the fiscal 2016 second quarter, MSG Networks Inc. generated revenues of $169.9 million, an increase of 2% as compared with the prior year period.  Excluding the impact of a favorable affiliate revenue adjustment recorded in the prior year quarter, fiscal 2016 second quarter total company revenues increased 4%, as compared with the prior year period.  In addition, the Company generated adjusted operating cash flow (“AOCF”) of $78.7 million, operating income of $72.9 million and income from continuing operations of $34.1 million.(1)

For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the reported financial results of MSG Networks Inc. reflect the results of the sports and entertainment businesses of The Madison Square Garden Company as discontinued operations.  Please note that results from continuing operations for this period include certain corporate overhead expenses that MSG Networks Inc. did not incur in the fiscal 2016 second quarter and does not expect to incur in future periods, but do not meet the criteria for inclusion in discontinued operations.  The reported financial results of MSG Networks Inc. for the three months ended December 31, 2015 reflect the Company's results on a standalone basis, including the Company’s actual corporate overhead.

President and CEO Andrea Greenberg said, “We delivered solid results for the second quarter thanks to the strength of our two regional sports and entertainment networks, which feature highly valuable exclusive live content and other award-winning original programming.  Further, we believe we are on track to deliver a substantial level of revenue and adjusted operating cash flow for the full fiscal year, as we remain confident in our ability to create long-term value for our shareholders.”

 
Fiscal Year 2016 Second Quarter Results      
(In thousands, except per share data)

 
  Three Months Ended  
    December 31,  
    2015  
Revenues   $ 169,931    
Adjusted operating cash flow   78,666    
Operating income   72,923    
Income from continuing operations   34,050    
Diluted EPS from continuing operations   $ 0.45    
       
 
  1. See definition of adjusted operating cash flow (“AOCF”) included in the discussion of non-GAAP financial measures on page 3 of this earnings release.

Summary of Reported Results from Continuing Operations
Fiscal 2016 second quarter total revenues of $169.9 million increased 2%, or $3.7 million, as compared with the prior year period.  Affiliation fee revenue increased $3.3 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 absence of a favorable affiliate revenue adjustment recorded in the prior year period.   The remaining increase in revenues was due to modest growth in advertising revenue, partially offset by a small net decrease in other revenue.  Excluding the impact of the favorable affiliate revenue adjustment recorded in the prior year quarter, fiscal 2016 second quarter affiliation fee revenue increased $5.3 million and total company revenues increased $5.7 million, or 4%, both as compared with the prior year period.

Direct operating expenses of $71.5 million increased 21%, or $12.4 million, as compared with the prior year period.  The increase was primarily due to higher rights fee expense, partially offset by other programming-related cost decreases.  Higher rights fees expense includes a $12.0 million increase related to the new long-term media rights agreements with the New York Knicks and New York Rangers.  Assuming the new media rights fees with the New York Knicks and New York Rangers were in place during the prior year second quarter, direct operating expenses of $71.5 million in the current year period would have represented an increase of 1%, or $0.4 million.

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $22.4 million decreased 49%, or $21.6 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to the absence of certain corporate overhead expenses included in the results of the prior year second quarter.  As noted above, fiscal 2015 second quarter reported results from continuing operations include certain corporate expenses that MSG Networks Inc. did not incur during the current year second quarter and does not expect to incur in future periods.  Partially offsetting this decrease in expenses are corporate costs which were incurred during the fiscal 2016 second quarter by MSG Networks Inc. as a standalone public company as well as incremental net expenses related to the Company's advertising sales representation agreement with The Madison Square Garden Company.

Adjusted operating cash flow of $78.7 million increased 14%, or $10 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to lower selling, general and administrative expenses and, to a lesser extent, higher revenue, partially offset by higher direct operating expenses.

Operating income of $72.9 million decreased 12%, or $9.5 million, as compared with the prior year period, primarily due to the absence of a $23.8 million gain on the sale of Fuse, and partially offset by the increase in AOCF as discussed above.

About MSG Networks Inc.
MSG Networks Inc. is an industry leader with two award-winning regional sports and entertainment networks, MSG Network (MSG) and MSG+, as well as the live streaming and video on demand platform, MSG GO. The networks are home to nine professional sports teams, delivering live games of the New York Knicks; New York Rangers; New York Liberty; New York Islanders; New Jersey Devils; Buffalo Sabres; Major League Soccer’s Red Bulls and the Westchester Knicks, and exclusive non-game coverage of the New York Giants.  Each year, the networks collectively telecast approximately 700 live sporting events - which also include college football and college basketball from top conferences - along with a full schedule of critically-acclaimed original programming.  The gold standard for regional broadcasting, MSG Networks has won 129 New York Emmy Awards over the past eight years.

The MSG Networks logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=37266

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
We define adjusted operating cash flow (“AOCF”), which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as operating income (loss) 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.  The Company excluded the gain on sale of Fuse from AOCF as it is not indicative of the Company’s ongoing operating performance.  Because it is based upon operating income (loss), AOCF 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 either the distortive effects of fluctuating stock prices or the settlement of an obligation that is not expected to be made in cash.

We believe AOCF is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of our Company.  AOCF and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors and analysts to analyze our performance. Internally, we use revenues and AOCF measures as the most important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management’s effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. AOCF should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), 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 AOCF 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 (loss) to AOCF, please see page 5 of this release.

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 877-347-9170 / Conference ID Number 27981504
Conference call replay number is 855-859-2056 / Conference ID Number 27981504 until February 12, 2016

 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
    2015   2014   2015   2014
Revenues   $ 169,931     $ 166,220     $ 318,078     $ 308,890  
Direct operating expenses   71,547     59,122     131,649     104,773  
Selling, general and administrative expenses   22,370     44,012     63,488     81,805  
Depreciation and amortization   3,091     4,445     7,770     8,730  
Gain on sale of Fuse       (23,764 )       (186,178 )
Operating income   72,923     82,405     115,171     299,760  
Other income (expense):                
Interest expense, net   (9,164 )   (527 )   (10,485 )   (1,048 )
Income from continuing operations before income taxes   63,759     81,878     104,686     298,712  
Income tax expense   (29,709 )   (32,962 )   (29,305 )   (129,374 )
Income from continuing operations   34,050     48,916     75,381     169,338  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes   (137 )   12,314     (161,154 )   (35 )
Net income (loss)   $ 33,913     $ 61,230     $ (85,773 )   $ 169,303  
Earnings (loss) per share:                
Basic                
Income from continuing operations   $ 0.45     $ 0.63     $ 1.00     $ 2.18  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations       0.16     (2.14 )    
Net income (loss)   $ 0.45     $ 0.79     $ (1.14 )   $ 2.18  
Diluted                
Income from continuing operations   $ 0.45     $ 0.63     $ 1.00     $ 2.16  
Income (loss) from discontinued operations       0.15     (2.13 )    
Net income (loss)   $ 0.45     $ 0.78     $ (1.13 )   $ 2.16  
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:                 
Basic   74,959     77,727     75,240     77,611  
Diluted   75,373     78,252     75,639     78,271  
                         

Note: For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and for the three and six months ended December 31, 2014, the reported financial results of MSG Networks Inc. reflect the results of the sports and entertainment businesses of The Madison Square Garden Company as discontinued operations.  Please note that results from continuing operations for these periods include certain corporate overhead expenses that MSG Networks Inc. did not incur in the fiscal 2016 second quarter and does not expect to incur in future periods, but do not meet the criteria for inclusion in discontinued operations.

ADJUSTMENTS TO RECONCILE OPERATING INCOME
TO ADJUSTED OPERATING CASH FLOW

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

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

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

  • Gain on sale of Fuse.  This adjustment eliminates the pre-tax gain on the sale of Fuse.

 

         
    Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
    December 31,   December 31,
    2015   2014   2015   2014
Operating income   $ 72,923     $ 82,405     $ 115,171     $ 299,760  
Share-based compensation   2,652     5,626     6,899     8,002  
Depreciation and amortization   3,091     4,445     7,770     8,730  
Gain on sale of Fuse       (23,764 )       (186,178 )
Adjusted operating cash flow   $ 78,666     $ 68,712     $ 129,840     $ 130,314  


 
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
    December 31,
 2015
  June 30,
 2015
ASSETS        
Current Assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 237,833     $ 203,768  
Restricted cash       9,003  
Accounts receivable, net   85,740     85,610  
Net related party receivables   43,784     27,324  
Prepaid expenses   12,135     43,238  
Other current assets   2,093     3,514  
Current assets of discontinued operations       125,896  
Total current assets   381,585     498,353  
Property and equipment, net   15,963     19,514  
Amortizable intangible assets, net   45,853     47,583  
Goodwill   424,508     424,508  
Other assets   43,080     46,274  
Non-current assets of discontinued operations       1,983,597  
Total assets   $ 910,989     $ 3,019,829  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIENCY)        
Current Liabilities:        
Accounts payable   $ 1,958     $ 11,359  
Net related party payables   25,463     420  
Current portion of long-term debt   88,664      
Income taxes payable   127,414      
Accrued liabilities:        
Employee related costs   6,828     19,504  
Other accrued liabilities   19,798     18,101  
Deferred revenue   8,077     4,971  
Current liabilities of discontinued operations       520,179  
Total current liabilities   278,202     574,534  
Long-term debt, net of current portion   1,449,052      
Defined benefit and other postretirement obligations   29,168     28,476  
Other employee related costs   4,690     5,318  
Related party payable   1,652      
Other liabilities   3,850     5,951  
Deferred tax liability   358,244     351,734  
Non-current liabilities of discontinued operations       330,294  
Total liabilities   2,124,858     1,296,307  
Commitments and contingencies        
Stockholders' Equity (Deficiency):        
Class A Common stock, par value $0.01, 360,000 shares authorized; 61,226 and 62,207 shares outstanding as of
  December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively
  643     643  
Class B Common stock, par value $0.01, 90,000 shares authorized; 13,589 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015   136     136  
Preferred stock, par value $0.01, 45,000 shares authorized; none outstanding        
Additional paid-in capital       1,084,002  
Treasury stock, at cost, 3,033 and 2,052 shares as of December 31, 2015 and June 30, 2015, respectively   (217,812 )   (143,250 )
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)   (991,014 )   807,563  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss   (5,822 )   (25,572 )
Total stockholders' equity (deficiency)   (1,213,869 )   1,723,522  
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficiency)   $ 910,989     $ 3,019,829  
 

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
(Dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Summary Data from the Statements of Cash Flows

     
    Six Months Ended
    December 31,
    2015   2014
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations   $ 118,860     $ 29,710  
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities from continuing operations   (1,950 )   225,204  
Net cash used in financing activities from continuing operations   (33,576 )   (7,331 )
Net cash provided by continuing operations   83,334     247,583  
Net cash provided by (used in) discontinued operations   (64,186 )   39,086  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period   218,685     92,251  
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 237,833     $ 378,920  
         

Free Cash Flow

     
    Six Months Ended
    December 31,
    2015   2014
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations   $ 118,860     $ 29,710  
Less: Capital expenditures   (1,950 )   (2,859 )
Free cash flow   $ 116,910     $ 26,851  
         

Capitalization

     
    December 31, 2015
     
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 237,833  
Credit facility debt(a)   1,550,000  
Net debt   $ 1,312,167  
     
Annualized AOCF(b)   $ 314,664  
     
Leverage ratio(c)     4.2x  
     
(a)Represents aggregate principal amount of the debt.
(b)Represents reported AOCF for the fiscal 2016 second quarter multiplied by four.
(c)Represents net debt divided by Annualized AOCF for the three month period ending December 31, 2015. This ratio differs from the covenant calculation contained in the Company's credit facility.
Note: MSG Networks Inc. expects to make its first principal payment of $50 million on or before March 31, 2016.  In addition, the Company's tax payment obligation for the quarter ending March 31, 2016 will reflect a one-time tax payment of approximately $152 million related to certain historical activities of the Company's former subsidiary, The Madison Square Garden Company.

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