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29-10-2008

CME third quarter results

    HAMILTON, Bermuda, Oct. 29 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. ("CME") (NASDAQ/Prague Stock Exchange - CETV) today announced financial results for the nine months and three months ended September 30, 2008.

    Net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased 35% to $729.9 million, compared to the same period in 2007. Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased $40.5 million to $148.8 million. Net income increased $52.2 million to $67.7 million, and fully diluted earnings per share increased $1.21 to $1.58. Segment EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased 31% to $250.2 million, compared to the same period in 2007.

    Net revenues for the third quarter of 2008 increased 15% to $201.0 million, compared to the third quarter of 2007. Operating income for the quarter decreased $22.3 million to $6.1 million. Net loss decreased $4.0 million to $14.8 million, and fully diluted loss per share decreased by $0.10 to $(0.35). Segment EBITDA(1) for the third quarter decreased 34% to $42.5 million, compared to the third quarter of 2007.

    Michael Garin, CME's Chief Executive Officer, commented: "Our nine month results highlight the continued strength of our operations across all our markets and we are reaffirming our local currency guidance for 2008. This means that 2008 will be another outstanding year for CME, continuing our record of delivering year-on-year revenue and earnings growth. Our initial talks with advertisers for 2009 support our view that the global economic crisis has not had a significant impact on TV advertising spending in our markets. We are committed to delivering double digit local currency revenue and EBITDA growth in 2009 in any economic scenario."

    Adrian Sarbu, Chief Operating Officer of CME, added: "We have strong businesses that are leaders in their markets and generate cash. Our ability to create local content gives us control over our capital expenditures, programming and production costs. We remain focused on our plan to deliver growth and maintain margins even in a challenging economic environment."

    (1) Total Segment Data, Segment Net Revenues and Segment EBITDA as used in this press release are all non-US GAAP measures. For further details, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable US GAAP financial measures, see 'Reconciliation Between Consolidated Statements of Operations and Segment Data (non-US GAAP)' below. We define Segment EBITDA margin as Segment EBITDA expressed as a percentage of Segment Net Revenue.

    Consolidated Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

    Consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased by 35% to $729.9 million from $539.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Operating income for the period was $148.8 million compared with $108.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $67.7 million compared to $15.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Fully diluted earnings per share for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was $1.58, increasing $1.21 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

    Headline consolidated results for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were:

    CONSOLIDATED RESULTS (Unaudited)

    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (US $000's) 2008 2007 $change % change

    Net revenues $729,870 $539,032 $190,838 35% -------- -------- -------- ---

    Operating income $148,800 $108,259 $40,541 37% -------- -------- ------- ---

    Net income $67,744 $15,577 $52,167 335% ------- ------- ------- ----

    Fully diluted earnings Per share $1.58 $0.37 $1.21 327% ------ ------ ------ ----

    Consolidated Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

    Consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2008 increased by 15% to $201.0 million from $174.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Operating income for the quarter was $6.1 million compared with $28.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Net loss for the quarter was $(14.8) million compared to $(18.8) million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Fully diluted earnings per share for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was a loss of $(0.35), an improvement of $0.10 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2007.

    Headline consolidated results for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were:

    CONSOLIDATED RESULTS (Unaudited)

    For the Three Months Ended September 30, (US $000's) 2008 2007 $change % change

    Net revenues $201,009 $174,836 $26,173 15% -------- -------- ------- ---

    Operating income $6,127 $28,393 $(22,266) (78)% ------ ------- --------- -----

    Net loss $(14,755) $(18,763) $4,008 21% --------- --------- ------ ---

    Fully diluted loss per share $(0.35) $(0.45) $0.10 22% ------- ------- ----- ---

    Segment Results

    We evaluate the performance of our operations based on Segment Net Revenues and Segment EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).

    Segment Results for the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

    For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, Total Segment Net Revenues increased 35% to $729.9 million from $539.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Total Segment EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 increased 31% to $250.2 million from $191.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2007. Segment EBITDA margin for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 was 34% compared to 35% in the nine months ended September 30, 2007.

    Our Total Segment Net Revenues and Total Segment EBITDA for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were:

    SEGMENT RESULTS (Unaudited)

    For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (US $000's) 2008 2007 $change % change

    Segment Net Revenues - broadcast operations $722,942 $536,964 $185,978 35% --------- --------- --------- ---

    Segment Net Revenues - non-broadcast operations 6,928 $2,068 4,860 235% ----- ------- ----- ----

    Total Segment Net Revenues $729,870 $539,032 $190,838 35% -------- -------- -------- ---

    Segment EBITDA - Broadcast operations $256,388 $193,538 $62,850 32% --------- --------- -------- ---

    Segment EBITDA - non-broadcast operations (6,161) $(2,397) (3,764) (157)% ------- --------- ------- ------

    Total Segment EBITDA $250,227 $191,141 $59,086 31% -------- -------- ------- ---

    Segment EBITDA margin 34% 35% --- ---

    Segment Results for the Three Months Ended September 30, 2008

    For the three months ended September 30, 2008, total Segment Net Revenues increased 15% to $201.0 million from $174.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Total Segment EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2008 decreased (34)% to $42.5 million from $64.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2007. Segment EBITDA margin for the three months ended September 30, 2008 was 21% compared to 37% reported in the three months ended September 30, 2007.

    Our Total Segment Net Revenues and Total Segment EBITDA for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 were:

    SEGMENT RESULTS (Unaudited)

    For the Three Months Ended September 30, (US $000's) 2008 2007 $change % change

    Segment Net Revenues - broadcast operations $198,834 $173,991 $24,843 14% --------- --------- -------- ---

    Segment Net Revenues - non-broadcast operations 2,175 $845 1,330 157% ----- ----- ----- ----

    Total Segment Net Revenues $201,009 $174,836 $26,173 15% -------- -------- ------- ---

    Segment EBITDA - Broadcast operations $45,247 $65,805 $(20,558) (31)% -------- -------- ---------- -----

    Segment EBITDA - non-broadcast operations (2,790) $(1,653) (1,137) (69)% ------- --------- ------- -----

    Total Segment EBITDA $42,457 $64,152 $(21,695) (34)% ------- ------- --------- -----

    Segment EBITDA margin 21% 37% --- ---

    Guidance for Full Year 2008

    As reported at our investor meeting on October 23, 2008, we expect to deliver Segment Net Revenues of $1,039 million and Segment EBITDA of $370 million in 2008 based on exchange rates in effect on October 21, 2008. The value of the dollar has appreciated significantly against the Euro and the local currencies in our markets and we expect it to continue through the end of the year. As a result, we believe that our local currency guidance is a better indicator of the underlying performance of our operations.

    In addition, we expect to incur corporate operating costs (excluding non-cash stock-based compensation) of approximately $45 million and capital expenditures of approximately $110 million in 2008.

    Segment Net Revenues are equal to US GAAP net revenues. We do not present a reconciliation of anticipated Total Segment EBITDA for the year to December 31, 2008 to an equivalent US GAAP measure because we have a significant amount of debt that is denominated in Euros, and consequently our net earnings are subject to inherently unpredictable and potentially material foreign currency gains or losses.

    CME will host a teleconference to discuss its third quarter results on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at 11:00 a.m. New York time (3:00 p.m. London time and 4:00 p.m. Prague time). The teleconference will refer to presentation slides, which will be available on CME's website at www.cetv-net.com prior to the call. Participants may also submit questions in advance of the call by sending an email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

    To access the teleconference, U.S. and international callers may dial +1 412-317-9250 ten minutes prior to the start time and reference passcode 9381217. The conference call will be broadcast live via www.cetv-net.com.

    A replay of the teleconference will be available for two weeks following the call and may be accessed by dialing +1 412-317-0088 for U.S. and international callers, passcode: 9381217.

    Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

    This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those with respect to our expected revenues and EBITDA growth for 2008. For these statements and all other forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy or are otherwise beyond our control and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual results, affecting our strategic plan as well as our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, could differ materially from those described in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that contribute to such risks include, but are not limited to, general market and economic conditions in our markets as well as in the United States and Western Europe; the results of additional investment in Bulgaria, Croatia and Ukraine; the impact of the buyout our partners in the Studio 1+1 group in Ukraine; the growth of television advertising spending and the rate of development of advertising in our markets; our ability to make future investments in television broadcast operations; our ability to develop and implement strategies regarding sales and multi-channel distribution; the performance of obligations by third parties with whom we have entered into agreements; the general political, economic and regulatory environments where we operate and application of relevant laws and regulations; the renewals of broadcasting licenses and our ability to obtain additional frequencies and licenses; and our ability to acquire necessary programming and attract audiences. For a more detailed description of these uncertainties and other factors, please see the "Risk Factors" section in CME's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2008.

    This press release should be read in conjunction with our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended September 30, 2008, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 29, 2008, and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2008.

    We make available, free of charge, on our website at www.cetv-net.com our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

    CME is a broadcasting company operating leading networks in seven Central and Eastern European countries with an aggregate population of approximately 97 million people. CME's television stations are located in Bulgaria (TV2 and Ring TV), Croatia (Nova TV), Czech Republic (TV Nova, Nova Cinema, Nova Sport and MTV Czech), Romania (PRO TV, PRO TV International, Acasa, PRO Cinema, Sport.ro and MTV Romania), Slovakia (Markiza, Nova Sport and MTV Czech), Slovenia (POP TV and Kanal A) and Ukraine (Studio 1+1, Studio 1+1 International, Kino and Citi). CME is traded on the NASDAQ and the Prague Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CETV".

    For additional information, please visit www.cetv-net.com

    CENTRAL EUROPEAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (US$ 000's, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008 2007 ---- ---- Net revenues $729,870 $539,032 Operating costs 109,034 83,767 Cost of programming 309,405 215,035 Depreciation of station property, plant and equipment 39,745 23,347 Amortization of broadcast licenses and other intangibles 26,055 16,922 ------ ------ Cost of revenues 484,239 339,071 Station selling, general and administrative expenses 61,204 49,089 Corporate operating costs (including non-cash stock-based compensation of $ 5.5 million and $ 4.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively) 35,627 42,613 ------ ------ Operating income 148,800 108,259 Interest expense, net (42,249) (38,391) Foreign currency exchange loss, net (5,580) (28,552) Change in fair value of derivative (13,671) 3,497 Other income / (expense) 1,615 (746) ----- ----- Income before provision for income taxes and minority interest 88,915 44,067 Provision for income taxes (19,410) (18,609) -------- -------- Income before minority interest 69,505 25,458 Minority interest in income of consolidated subsidiaries (1,761) (9,881) Net income $67,744 $15,577 ------- ------- PER SHARE DATA: Net income per share Net income - Basic $1.60 $0.38 Net income - Diluted $1.58 $0.37 Weighted average common shares used in computing per share amounts (000s): Basic 42,324 41,077 Diluted 42,773 41,553 CENTRAL EUROPEAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES LTD. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (US$ 000's, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) For the Three Months Ended September 30 2008 2007 ---- ---- Net revenues $201,009 $174,836 Operating costs 38,727 27,166 Cost of programming 97,042 65,909 Depreciation of station property, plant and equipment 14,227 8,768 Amortization of broadcast licenses and other intangibles 10,201 6,595 ------ ----- Cost of revenues 160,197 108,438 Station selling, general and administrative expenses 22,783 17,609 Corporate operating costs (including non-cash stock-based compensation of $1.7 million and $ 1.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively) 11,902 20,396 ------ ------ Operating income 6,127 28,393 Interest expense, net (15,820) (10,703) Foreign currency exchange gain / (loss), net 4,969 (23,300) Change in fair value of derivatives 9,868 (8,555) Other income 290 44 --- -- Income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and minority interest 5,434 (14,121) Provision for income taxes (20,833) (131) -------- ----- Loss before minority interest (15,399) (14,252) Minority interest in loss / (income) of consolidated subsidiaries 644 (4,511) --- Net loss $(14,755) $(18,763) --------- --------- PER SHARE DATA: Net loss per share Net loss - Basic $(0.35) $(0.45) Net loss - Diluted $(0.35) $(0.45) Weighted average common shares used in computing per share amounts (000s): Basic 42,335 41,489 Diluted 42,335 41,489

    Segment Data

    We manage our business on a geographic basis, and review the performance of each business segment using data that reflects 100% of operating and license company results. Our segments are comprised of Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and our two businesses in Ukraine.

    We evaluate the performance of our business segments based on Segment Net Revenues and Segment EBITDA.

    Segment EBITDA is determined as segment net income/(loss), which includes costs for program rights amortization costs, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. Items that are not allocated to our business segments for purposes of evaluating their performance, and therefore are not included in Segment EBITDA, include:

    -- expenses presented as corporate operating costs in our consolidated statements of operations;

    -- stock-based compensation charges;

    -- foreign currency exchange gains and losses;

    -- changes in fair value of derivatives; and

    -- certain unusual or infrequent items (e.g., extraordinary gains and losses, impairments of assets or investments).

    We use Segment EBITDA as a component in determining management bonuses.

    Below is a table showing our Segment EBITDA by operation and a reconciliation of these figures to our consolidated results for the nine months and the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

    Reconciliation between Consolidated Statements of Operations and Total Segment Data (non-US GAAP) SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (US $000's) Segment Net Segment Revenues (1) EBITDA 2008 2007 2008 2007 ---- ---- ---- ---- Country ------- Bulgaria (TV2 and RING TV) $462 $- $(3,101) $- Croatia (NOVA TV) 38,153 24,701 (6,448) (9,800) Czech Republic (TV NOVA, NOVA CINEMA and NOVA SPORT) 270,730 183,203 146,454 99,251 Romania (2) 197,119 135,978 81,785 57,152 Slovak Republic (TV MARKIZA) 88,126 68,615 28,958 23,012 Slovenia (POP TV and KANAL A) 58,392 44,309 17,359 12,243 Ukraine (STUDIO 1+1) 73,525 80,358 (11,316) 14,794 Ukraine (KINO, CITI) 3,363 1,868 (3,464) (5,511) ----- ----- ------- ------- Total Segment Data $729,870 $539,032 $250,227 $191,141 -------- -------- -------- -------- Reconciliation to Consolidated Statement of Operations: Consolidated Net Revenues / Income before provision for income taxes and minority interest $729,870 $539,032 $88,915 $44,067 Corporate operating costs (including non-cash stock based compensation of $ 5.5 million and $ 4.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively) - - 35,627 42,613 Depreciation of station assets - - 39,745 23,347 Amortization of broadcast licenses and other intangibles 26,055 16,922 Interest expense, net - - 42,249 38,391 Foreign currency exchange loss, net - - 5,580 28,552 Change in fair value of derivatives - - 13,671 (3,497) Other (income) / expense - - (1,615) 746 - - ------- --- Total Segment Data $729,870 $539,032 $250,227 $191,141 -------- -------- -------- -------- (1) All net revenues are derived from external customers. There are no inter-segmental revenues. (2) Romania channels are PRO TV, PRO CINEMA, ACASA, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL, SPORT.RO and MTV ROMANIA for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007 the Romanian channels were PRO TV, PRO CINEMA, ACASA, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL and SPORT.RO. SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION For the Three Months Ended September 30, (US $000's) Segment Net Segment Revenues (1) EBITDA 2008 2007 2008 2007 ---- ---- ---- ---- Country ------- Bulgaria (TV2 and RING TV) $462 $- $(3,101) $- Croatia (NOVA TV) 8,525 7,055 (5,401) (2,981) Czech Republic (TV NOVA, NOVA CINEMA and NOVA SPORT) 72,602 51,140 31,405 25,989 Romania (2) 59,281 44,412 20,116 19,486 Slovak Republic (TV MARKIZA) 24,795 20,286 5,847 5,544 Slovenia (POP TV and KANAL A) 14,231 11,545 2,153 854 Ukraine (STUDIO 1+1) 20,052 39,582 (7,359) 16,599 Ukraine (KINO, CITI) 1,061 816 (1,203) (1,339) ----- --- ------- ------- Total Segment Data $201,009 $174,836 $42,457 $64,152 -------- -------- ------- ------- Reconciliation to Consolidated Statement of Operations: Consolidated Net Revenues / Income / (loss) before provision for income taxes and minority interest $201,009 $174,836 $5,434 $(14,121) Corporate operating costs (including non-cash stock based compensation of $ 1.7 million and $ 1.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively) - - 11,902 20,396 Depreciation of station assets - - 14,227 8,768 Amortization of broadcast licenses and other intangibles 10,201 6,595 Interest expense, net - - 15,820 10,703 Foreign currency exchange (gain) / loss, net - - (4,969) 23,300 Change in fair value of derivatives - - (9,868) 8,555 Other (income) - - (290) (44) --- --- ----- ---- Total Segment Data $201,009 $174,836 $42,457 $64,152 -------- -------- ------- ------- (1) All net revenues are derived from external customers. There are no inter-segmental revenues. (2) Romania channels are PRO TV, PRO CINEMA, ACASA, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL, SPORT.RO and MTV ROMANIA for the three months ended September 30, 2008. For the three months ended September 30, 2007 the Romanian channels were PRO TV, PRO CINEMA, ACASA, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL and SPORT.RO.