Univision Announces 2007 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Results

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Posted on: March 6th, 2008
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“Univision Communications Inc., the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States, today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2007. For the fourth quarter, net revenue increased 6.1% to $544.3 million in 2007 from $512.8 million in 2006. Adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization2 increased 10.9% to $248.0 million in 2007 from $223.7 million in 2006. The music division3 results of operations, assets and liabilities are reported as a discontinued operation for all periods presented and are not included in the above results.For the full year 2007, net revenue1 increased 8.4% to $2,072.8 million from $1,912.0 million in 2006, excluding 2006 FIFA World Cup estimated incremental net revenues of $113.6 million. Including World Cup incremental revenue in 2006, net revenue increased 2.3% and adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization2 increased 7.8% to $863.2 million in 2007 from $800.6 million in 2006.

Joe Uva, Chief Executive Officer, said, “2007 has been a tremendous year for Univision and I’m incredibly proud of all we have achieved. From the smooth transition to new ownership, to reorganizing and refocusing our advertising sales structure, to implementing a host of initiatives to inform and educate our audience, we achieved many milestones while cementing Univision’s position as the leading Spanish language media company.”

Uva continued, “During this quarter, Univision once again produced very strong results across all core platforms – the Univision Network consistently outdelivered at least one of the other major networks in primetime among young adults, Univision Radio continued its double-digit year-over-year revenue growth and Univision.com maintained its position as the #1 Internet destination in the U.S. among Spanish-dominant and bilingual Hispanics. We look forward to building on the momentum gained in 2007 to drive growth in 2008 and beyond.”

Andrew W. Hobson, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, said, “We are pleased with our fourth quarter net revenue growth of 6.1% and OBIDA growth of 10.9%. This continued growth further underscores the strength of our core businesses.”

The following tables set forth the Company’s unaudited financial performance for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007 and 2006 by segment:

Unaudited

In millions

 

Three Months Ended December 31,

    Net Revenues  

Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation

and Amortization

   

2007

 

2006

 

2007

 

2006

                 
Television  

$

415.4

  $ 399.4   $ 191.2   $ 176.0
Radio     115.1     101.6     51.4     43.6
Internet     13.8     11.8     5.4     4.1
Consolidated   $ 544.3   $ 512.8   $ 248.0   $ 223.7
Unaudited

In millions

 

Year Ended December 31,

    Net Revenues   Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation

and Amortization4

   

20075

 

2006

 

20075

 

2006

                 
Television  

$

1,596.6

  $ 1,605.7   $ 674.8   $ 641.8
Radio     429.9     381.6     173.8     149.0
Internet     46.3     38.3     14.6     9.8
Consolidated   $ 2,072.8   $ 2,025.6   $ 863.2   $ 800.6

TELEVISION HIGHLIGHTS

Univision Network

The following table sets forth the total primetime audience and ranking of the countrys leading broadcast and cable television networks for the fourth quarter 2007, as measured by Nielsens National Television Index (NTI):

    Total U.S. Primetime Network Audience
    4th Quarter 2007
     

Rank*

  Network   Adult 18-34

Avg. Audience (000)

  Adult 18-49

Avg. Audience (000)

1   FOX   1,860  

3,946

2   NBC   1,731   3,919
3   ABC   1,662   4,129
4   CBS   1,384   4,028
5   Univision   1,106   1,974
6   ESPN   775   1,537
7   CW   750   1,389
8   TBS   718   1,294
9   USA   600   1,283
10   MTV   523   667
             

Source: Nielsen Media Research, NTI, 10/01/07-12/30/07 Live+SD data.

Primetime defined as M-Sa 8-11p, Su 7-11p.

*By Adults 18-34

The Univision Network ranked as the #5 network in the country in primetime among all Adults 18-34 and Adults 18-49, as measured by Nielsens NTI, in the fourth quarter and full year 2007. In the fourth quarter, Univision delivered more young adult viewers than either ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX on 60% of the nights, while in the full 2007 year, Univision beat either ABC, CBS, NBC or FOX in primetime on more than 70% of the nights among Adults 18-34. During the fourth quarter, the Univision Network achieved particularly strong results on Friday nights, ranking as the #1 network for the entire night on ten out of thirteen Fridays in the quarter among Adults 18-34.

Univisions broadcast of the 2007 Latin GRAMMY® Awards during the fourth quarter reached 12.6 million viewers, and delivered the largest audience in the history of the Latin GRAMMYs® among Adults 18-34. The broadcast earned Univision the #4 ranking for the entire night among Adults 18-34 and Adults 18-49, beating FOX and the CW. Additionally, Univisions broadcast of its historic Destino 2008 Republican Presidential Candidate Forum delivered Adult 18-49 audience levels that were 70% higher, than the average of the English-language presidential debates which had previously aired on ABC, CNBC, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC and PBS.

Locally, during the 2007 fourth quarter, Univision stations were ranked as the #1 station in any language in primetime among all Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield and among all Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, Houston, Fresno and Bakersfield. In total day, Univision stations were ranked as the #1 station in any language in Los Angeles, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix (tie), San Francisco, Sacramento, Fresno and Bakersfield (tie) among all Adults 18-34 and in Los Angeles, Houston (tie) and Fresno among all Adults 18-49.

TeleFutura Network

In the 2007 fourth quarter, TeleFutura saw significant audience increases over the same quarter last year in nearly all major dayparts among key demographics. The Network increased its primetime Adult 18-34 audience 9% and its Adult 18-49 audience 4% while in total day, TeleFutura increased its viewership 11% among Adults 18-34 and 8% among Adults 18-49, compared to the 2006 fourth quarter. During the fourth quarter, TeleFutura was the #2 Spanish-language network, behind only Univision, in weekday daytime, early morning and late fringe among Adults 18-34. For the full year 2007, TeleFutura saw dramatic increases in viewership across virtually all major demographics and dayparts including primetime, where its Adult 18-34 and Adult 18-49 audiences both grew 21%.

Locally, during the 2007 fourth quarter, TeleFutura stations were ranked as the #2 Spanish-language stations in primetime among all Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio (tie), San Francisco and Tucson and among all Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco, Fresno (tie) and Tucson. In total day, TeleFutura stations were ranked as the #2 Spanish-language station among all Adults 18-34 in Los Angeles, New York (tie), Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio, San Francisco, Sacramento (tie), Fresno and Tucson and among all Adults 18-49 in Los Angeles, Houston, Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio (tie), San Francisco (tie), Sacramento (tie), Fresno, Tucson and Bakersfield (tie).

Galavisión Network

The Galavisión Network delivered its strongest ever fourth quarter performance in total day and primetime, achieving audience increases of 4% in total day and 7% in primetime among Adults 18-49 compared to fourth quarter last year. Galavisión remained the #1 Spanish-language cable network among U.S. Hispanics during the quarter, attracting 37% more Adults 18-49 than the combined audiences of the other individually rated Spanish-language cable networks in primetime. Additionally, during the fourth quarter Galavisión outdelivered broadcast network Azteca America in primetime by 12% and total day by 16% among Adults 18-49.

RADIO HIGHLIGHTS

Univision Radios net revenue grew 13.3% in the fourth quarter of 2007, compared to an average decline in the mid single digits, according to the Radio Advertising Bureau, for the Radio industry in general. In the Arbitron Fall 2007 book, Univision Radios outstanding programming and effective cross promotion with Univisions local television stations resulted in audience share growth among Adults 18-34 and Adults 25-54 in key markets. In Los Angeles, Univision Radio maintained its leadership position with KSCA and KLVE ranking as the #1 and #2 stations in the market among all Adults 25-54 (Hispanic and Non-Hispanic), respectively. Univision Radios New York station cluster posted notable audience share increases of 93% among Adults 18-34 and 73% among Adults 25-54 compared to the Fall 2006 book. In addition, Univision Radios WAMR in Miami ranked as the #2 station in the market among Adults 25-54 (Hispanic and Non-Hispanic). In San Francisco, KSOL regained its #1 ranking in the market among Adults 18-34 (Hispanic and non-Hispanic).

INTERNET HIGHLIGHTS

Univision Online achieved another quarter of growth, increasing unique visits by 26% compared to the fourth quarter last year. In addition, video streams increased 162% in the quarter compared to a year ago, driven by streamlined usage features and the recent launch of the sites new video portal. For the full year 2007, Univision Online increased unique visits 33% and video streams by 184% compared to 2006.

OPTIMIZE OUR PORTFOLIO OF ASSETS

As part of our increased focus on our advertising-driven businesses in our core markets, on February 28, 2008, we announced the sale of Univision Music Group, which includes our music recording and publishing businesses, to Universal Music Group. We intend to sell other non-core assets, including certain non-core radio and television stations, investments and excess real estate.

CONFERENCE CALL

Univision will review its quarter and year-end financial results in a conference call with the investment community on Thursday, March 6, 2008, at 12:00 p.m. ET/9:00 a.m. PT. To participate in the conference call, please dial (888) 600-4864 fifteen minutes prior to the start of the call. The call transcript will also be available on www.univision.net and the replay will be available beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET Thursday, March 6, 2008, through Thursday, March 13, 2008. To access the playback, please dial (888) 203-1112 (within U.S.) or (719) 457-0820 (outside U.S.) and enter reservation number 9807749.

ABOUT UNIVISION

Univision Communications Inc. is the premier Spanish-language media company in the United States. Its operations include Univision Network, the most-watched Spanish-language broadcast television network in the U.S. reaching 99% of U.S. Hispanic Households; TeleFutura Network, a general-interest Spanish-language broadcast television network, which was launched in 2002 and now reaches 89% of U.S. Hispanic Households; Galavisión, the countrys leading Spanish-language cable network; Univision Television Group, which owns and operates 63 television stations in major U.S. Hispanic markets and Puerto Rico; Univision Radio, the leading Spanish-language radio group which owns and/or operates 70 radio stations in 16 of the top 25 U.S. Hispanic markets and 5 stations in Puerto Rico; and Univision Online, the premier Spanish-language Internet destination in the U.S. located at www.univision.com. Univision Communications also has a 50% interest in TuTv, a joint venture formed to broadcast Televisas pay television channels in the U.S. Univision Communications has television network operations in Miami and television and radio stations and sales offices in major cities throughout the United States. Univision Music Group, which is being accounted for as a discontinued operation, includes Univision Records, Fonovisa Records, La Calle Records and Mexico-based Disa Records as well as Fonomusic and America Musical Publishing companies.

For more information, please visit www.univision.net.

Safe Harbor

This document contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including those relating to the Companys future success and growth. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements include:

  • failure to service our debt;
  • risks associated with cancellations, reductions or postponements of advertising;
  • lack of audience acceptance of our content;
  • our reliance on Televisa for a significant amount of our network programming and our pending litigation with Televisa;
  • the dependence of our programming and music businesses on popular acceptance;
  • geographic concentration of the U.S. Hispanic population;
  • piracy of our programming and other content;
  • our ability to respond to rapid changes in technology;
  • changes in U.S. communications laws or other regulations;
  • our failure to reach agreement with cable operators on acceptable retransmission consent terms or new laws or regulations that eliminate or limit the scope of must carry rights;
  • vigorous enforcement or enhancement of Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, indecency and other program content rules;
  • our inability to realize the full value of our significant goodwill;
  • our inability to realize anticipated cost savings;
  • our inability to implement and upgrade effectively our accounting and operations support systems;
  • our dependence on the performance of our senior executives;
  • possible strikes or other union job actions;
  • diversion of management resources to the process of closing the sale of our music recording and publishing businesses;
  • our inability to refinance our bank second-lien asset sale bridge loan if we are unable to sell our music recording and publishing businesses and certain non-core television and radio stations, investments and excess real estate for as much as we anticipated;
  • our inability to recover payments under protest and license fee overcharges;
  • our inability to receive incremental amount of estimated rate increases from a satellite television provider; and
  • unanticipated interruption of our broadcasting for any reason, including natural disasters and acts of terrorism.

Actual results may differ materially due to these risks and uncertainties as well as those described in the Companys filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking information contained in this press release.

RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION TO NET (LOSS) INCOME

The Company uses the key indicator of adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) primarily to evaluate the Companys operating performance and for planning and forecasting future business operations. OIBDA, which is commonly used as a measure of performance for broadcast companies, is used by investors to measure a companys ability to service debt and other cash needs, and provides investors the opportunity to evaluate the Companys performance as it is viewed by management. This indicator is presented on an adjusted basis consistent with the definition in our Bank Credit Agreement to exclude certain expenses as defined on pages 7 through 9.

OIBDA is not, and should not be used as, an indicator of or alternative to operating income or net (loss) income as reflected in the consolidated financial statements. It is not a measure of financial performance under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Since the definition of OIBDA may vary among companies and industries it should not be used as a measure of performance among companies.

The tables below set forth a reconciliation of OIBDA to operating income for each segment and consolidated net income (loss), which are the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures.

Unaudited   Three Months Ended December 31, 2007
In millions  

Consolidated

 

Television

 

Radio

 

Internet

                 
OIBDA  

$

248.0

  $ 191.2   $ 51.4   $ 5.4
Depreciation and amortization     38.1     34.2     2.4     1.5
Merger related expenses     0.9     0.9     -     -
Management fee     5.0     5.0     -     -
Share-based compensation expense     1.6     1.5     0.1     -

Televisa litigation costs and payments under protest and

other license fee overcharges

    6.9     6.9     -     -
Cost reduction plan     7.0     7.0     -     -
Business optimization expenses     4.1     4.1     -     -
Finance transformation expense     0.8     0.8     -     -
Sponsor expense     1.2     1.2     -     -
Asset impairment charge     1.2     -     1.2     -
Operating income   $ 181.2   $ 129.6   $ 47.7   $ 3.9

 

Unaudited

In millions

 

Three Months Ended
December 31, 2007

       
Operating income  

$

181.2

 
Other (income) expense:      
Interest expense, net     190.1  
Amortization of deferred financing costs     11.8  
Nontemporary decline in fair value of investments     2.9  
Equity income in unconsolidated subsidiaries and other     (1.0 )
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes     (22.6 )
Benefit for income taxes     (3.8 )
Loss from continuing operations     (18.8 )
Loss from discontinued operation, net of income tax  

(182.7

)*

Net loss   $ (201.5 )
       
* Includes an impairment charge related to music of $190.6 million before the effect of income taxes, and $180.3 million net of income taxes.
Unaudited   Three Months Ended December 31, 2006
In millions  

Consolidated

 

Television

 

Radio

 

Internet

                 
OIBDA  

$

223.7

  $ 176.0   $ 43.6   $ 4.1
Depreciation and amortization     20.4     17.0     2.9     0.5
Shared-based compensation expense     3.3     2.4     0.8     0.1
Televisa litigation costs and payments under

protest and other license fee overcharges

    5.5     5.5     -     -
Merger related expenses     2.1     2.0     0.1     -
Operating income   $ 192.4   $ 149.1   $ 39.8   $ 3.5

 

Unaudited

In millions

 

Three Months Ended
December 31, 2006

     
Operating income  

$

192.4

 

Other (income) expense:    
Interest expense, net     18.6  
Amortization of deferred financing costs     0.6  
Equity income in unconsolidated subsidiaries and other     (1.3 )
Nontemporary decline in fair value of investment     5.2  
Income from continuing operations before income taxes     169.3  
Provision for income taxes     71.5  
Income from continuing operations     97.8  
Income from discontinued operation, net of income tax     1.9  
Net income   $ 99.7  
Unaudited  

Year Ended December 31, 20076

In millions  

Consolidated

 

Television

 

Radio

 

Internet

                 
OIBDA  

$

863.2

 

  $ 674.8   $ 173.8   $ 14.6
Depreciation and amortization     140.2     123.8     10.3     6.1
Merger related expenses     150.1     144.5     5.6     -
Management fee     14.4     14.4     -     -
Share-based compensation expense     8.8     7.5     1.2     0.1
Televisa litigation costs and payments under protest and

other license fee overcharges

    24.8     24.8     -     -
Voluntary contribution per FCC consent decree     24.0     24.0     -     -
Cost reduction plan     7.7     7.0     0.7     -
Business optimization expense     4.8     4.8     -     -
Finance transformation expense     6.7     6.7     -     -
Sponsor expense     1.2     1.2     -

 

  -
Asset impairment charge     1.2     -     1.2

 

  -
Operating income   $ 479.3   $ 316.1   $ 154.8   $ 8.4

Unaudited

In millions

 

Year Ended December 31, 20076

       
Operating income  

$

479.3

 
Other (income) expense:      
Interest expense, net     602.3  
Amortization of deferred financing costs     35.2  
Nontemporary decline in fair value of investments     2.9  
Equity income in unconsolidated subsidiaries and other     (4.0 )
Loss on extinguishment of debt     1.6  
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes     (158.7 )
Benefit for income taxes     (29.7 )
Loss from continuing operations     (129.0 )
Loss from discontinued operation, net of income tax  

(185.8

)*

Net loss   $ (314.8 )
   
* Includes an impairment charge related to music of $190.6 million before the effect of income taxes, and $180.3 million net of income taxes.
Unaudited   Year Ended December 31, 2006
In millions  

Consolidated

 

Television

 

Radio

 

Internet

                 
OIBDA  

$

800.6

  $ 641.8   $ 149.0   $ 9.8
Depreciation and amortization     82.9     68.5     12.3     2.1
Shared-based compensation expense     12.6     8.9     3.4     0.3
Televisa litigation costs and payments under

protest and other license fee overcharges

    18.7     18.7     -     -
Asset impairment charge     1.6     -     1.6     -
Merger related expenses     13.3     13.1     0.2     -
Operating income   $ 671.5   $ 532.6   $ 131.5   $ 7.4

Unaudited

In millions

  Year Ended December 31, 2006
     
Operating income  

$

671.5

 
Other (income) expense:    
Interest expense, net     89.2  
Amortization of deferred financing costs     2.6  
Equity income in unconsolidated subsidiaries and other     (4.4 )
Nontemporary decline in fair value of investment     5.2  
Gain on sale of Entravision stock     (1.4 )
Income from continuing operations before income taxes     580.3  
Provision for income taxes     231.3  
Income from continuing operations     349.0  
Income from discontinued operation, net of income tax     0.2  
Net income   $ 349.2  

UNIVISION COMMUNICATIONS INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(In millions, except share and per share data)

 
    Successor   Predecessor
    December 31,   December 31,
   

2007

 

2006

ASSETS        
Current assets:        
Cash and cash equivalents   $ 226.2     $ 103.5  

Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $14.9 in 2007 and $14.2 in 2006

   

471.5

     

426.6

 
Program rights     24.1       27.3  
Deferred tax assets     22.0       20.1  
Prepaid expenses and other     28.3       36.1  
Current assets held for sale     48.5       50.3  
Total current assets     820.6       663.9  
                 
Property and equipment, net     673.9       590.4  
Intangible assets, net     7,106.1       4,298.2  
Goodwill     7,277.2       2,002.8  

Deferred financing costs, less accumulated amortization of $34.7 in 2007 and $13.9 in 2006

   

257.2