Discovery Communications Reports Full Year and Fourth Quarter 2013 Results and Announces $1.5 Billion Increase to Share Repurchase Program

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

Full Year 2013 Financial Highlights:

• Revenues increased 23% to $5,535 million
• Adjusted OIBDA increased 16% to $2,425 million
• Net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. increased 14% to $1,075 million
• Free cash flow increased 14% to $1,170 million
• Repurchased 18.1 million shares of stock for an aggregate purchase price of $1.3 billion

Discovery Communications, Inc. ("Discovery" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today reported financial results for the full year and fourth quarter ended December 31, 2013.

David Zaslav, Discovery's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "Discovery's strong 2013 results reflect the additional market share we are capturing around the globe as we further invest in our diverse content portfolio and capitalize on the growth opportunities available across the unmatched worldwide distribution platform we have developed.  At the same time, the strength of our balance sheet enabled us to make several strategic investments that complement our existing businesses and further bolster the long-term growth profile of the company, while also providing us with the ability to return significant capital to shareholders.  As we move into 2014, we remain focused on maintaining the financial momentum we have generated consistently over the past several years while further investing in our brands and strategic growth initiatives so we can deliver additional shareholder value moving forward."

Fourth Quarter Results

Fourth quarter revenues of $1,537 million increased $337 million, or 28%, over the fourth quarter a year ago, led by 64% growth at International Networks and 5% growth at U.S. Networks.  Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization⁽¹⁾ ("OIBDA") increased 21% to $662 million, as International Networks were up 47% and U.S. Networks were up 5%. Excluding newly acquired businesses⁽²⁾ and foreign currency fluctuations, total Company revenues increased 10% and Adjusted OIBDA increased 12%.

Fourth quarter net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. of $289 million ($0.81 per diluted share)⁽³⁾ increased $65 million compared to $224 million ($0.61 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter a year ago, primarily due to the strong operating performance in the current quarter and improved earnings from equity investments partially offset by increased amortization associated with purchase price allocation for the SBS Nordic transaction as well as higher stock based compensation and interest expense.  Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share⁽⁴⁾ ("Adjusted EPS"), which excludes the impact of the amortization of acquisition related intangible assets, was $0.92 per diluted share during the fourth quarter compared with $0.61 per diluted share in the same period a year ago. 

Free cash flow was $316 million for the fourth quarter, an increase of $12 million or 4% from the fourth quarter of 2012, primarily due to increased operating performance partially offset by higher content costs, cash taxes and interest payments. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment.

Full Year Results

Full year revenues of $5,535 million were up $1,048 million, or 23%, compared to the full year a year ago, led by 51% growth at International Networks and 7% growth at U.S. Networks.  Adjusted OIBDA grew 16% to $2,425 million, driven by a 35% increase at International Networks and a 5% increase at U.S. Networks.  Excluding the impact of licensing agreements, newly acquired businesses and foreign currency fluctuations, total company revenues increased 10% and Adjusted OIBDA increased 9%.

Full year net income from continuing operations available to Discovery Communications, Inc. of $1,075 million ($2.97 per diluted share) increased $121 million compared to $954 million ($2.51 per diluted share) for the full year 2012, primarily due to the strong operating performance in the current year and improved earnings from equity investments partially offset by increased amortization associated with purchase price allocation for the SBS Nordic transaction as well as higher tax and interest expense.  The current year also included a $92 million gain associated with the consolidation of Discovery Japan and $62 million of losses from hedging activities primarily associated with the acquisition of the SBS Nordic operations.  Adjusted EPS was$3.25 per diluted share for the full year compared with $2.51 per diluted share for full year 2012. 

Free cash flow was $1,170 million for the full year, an increase of $148 million or 14% from the full year of 2012, primarily due to increased operating performance partially offset by increased content costs as well as higher interest payments and lower working capital.

SEGMENT RESULTS

U.S. Networks

Fourth Quarter Results

U.S. Networks' revenues in the fourth quarter  of  2013 were up 5% to $740 million, mostly driven by distribution and advertising revenue growth. Distribution revenue increased 7% due to additional revenues from licensing agreements and higher rates as well as from subscriber growth, primarily from networks carried on the digital tier.  Advertising revenue increased 4% mainly due to increased pricing.  Excluding the impact of licensing agreements, distribution revenues increased 5% and total revenues increased 4% over the prior year's quarter. 

Adjusted OIBDA increased 5% to $434 million, primarily reflecting the 5% revenue growth which was more than offset by 6% higher operating expenses, mainly due to increased content amortization and higher content write-offs.  Excluding the impact of licensing agreements and content write-offs, Adjusted OIBDA grew 5% over last year's fourth quarter.

Full Year Results

U.S. Networks' revenues for the full year of 2013 increased  7% to $2,952 million, primarily driven by advertising and distribution revenue growth.  Advertising revenue increased 8% mainly due to higher delivery and increased pricing.  Distribution revenue increased 6% due to higher rates and subscriber growth, primarily from networks carried on the digital tier, as well as additional revenues from licensing agreements.  Excluding the impact of licensing agreements, distribution revenues increased 5% and total revenues increased 7% over the prior year.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 5% to $1,708 million, primarily reflecting the 7% revenue growth which was more than offset by 10% higher operating expenses, mainly due to increased content amortization as well as higher personnel expenses and marketing costs.  Excluding the impact of licensing agreements, Adjusted OIBDA increased 4% from last year.

International Networks

Fourth Quarter Results

International Networks' revenues for the fourth quarter increased 64% to $758 million, as advertising revenues were up 119% and distribution revenues were up 31%.  Excluding newly acquired businesses and foreign currency fluctuations, total revenues were up 18%.  Advertising revenues, excluding newly acquired businesses, were up 26% in local currency terms, primarily due to increased viewership and higher pricing, particularly in Western Europe and Latin America. Distribution revenues, excluding newly acquired businesses, grew 16% in local currency terms mainly from increased subscribers, most notably in Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe and Asia Pacific, and from higher rates, particularly in Latin America, as well as from additional contributions due to the consolidation of Discovery Japan.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 47% to $295 million on a reported basis and was up 21% excluding newly acquired businesses and foreign currency fluctuations, reflecting the 18% revenue growth partially offset by a 14% increase in operating expenses. The higher operating expenses were primarily due to increased content amortization, personnel costs and marketing expense as well as costs related to consolidating Discovery Japan.

Full Year Results

International Networks' revenues for the full year 2013 increased 51% to $2,474 million, as advertising revenues were up 100% and distribution revenues were up 26%. Excluding newly acquired businesses and foreign currency fluctuations, total revenues were up 16%.  Advertising revenues, excluding newly acquired businesses, were up 23% in local currency terms, primarily due to increased viewership and higher pricing particularly in Western Europe and Latin America. Distribution revenues, excluding newly acquired businesses, in local currency terms grew 15% mainly from increased subscribers and higher rates, most notably in Latin America, as well as from additional contributions due to the consolidation of Discovery Japan.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 35% to $976 million on a reported basis and increased 16% excluding newly acquired businesses and foreign currency fluctuations, reflecting the 16% revenue growth offset by a 16% increase in operating expenses. The higher operating expenses were mostly due to increased content amortization, personnel costs and marketing expense as well as costs related to consolidating Discovery Japan.

Education

Fourth Quarter Results

Education revenues for the fourth quarter increased by $6 million and Adjusted OIBDA increased by $1 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2012 primarily due to higher assessment and subscription revenues as well as from additional revenues due to a business combination, partially offset by investment in new products.

Full Year Results

For the full year of 2013 Education revenues increased by $9 million and Adjusted OIBDA was flat compared to the full year of 2012, mainly reflecting higher digital textbook sales, increased professional development fees and additional revenues from a business combination, offset by investment in new products.

Corporate and Eliminations

Adjusted OIBDA increased $3 million when compared to the fourth quarter a year ago, mostly due to lower  strategic transaction costs, primarily associated with the acquisition of the SBS Nordic operations. Adjusted OIBDA decreased $11 million compared to full year 2012, primarily due to higher personnel costs as well as  higher professional fees in the current year.

STOCK REPURCHASE

During the quarter, the Company, pursuant to its existing stock repurchase program, repurchased 4.3 million shares of its Series C common stock for an aggregate purchase price of $336 million at an average price of$78.02 per share.  For the full year 2013 the Company repurchased a total of 18.08 million shares of stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1,305 million, including 13.29 million shares of its Series C common stock at an average price of $74.23 per share under the Company's stock repurchase plan, 0.79 million shares of its Series A common stock at an average price of $79.11 per share under the Company's stock repurchase plan and 4.00 million shares of Series C convertible preferred stock purchased from Advance Programming Holdings, LLC at $64.10 per share outside of the Company's stock repurchase plan. 

The Company has repurchased 70.19 million shares of Series C common stock and 2.77 million shares of its Series A common stock under its stock repurchase program to date at an aggregate purchase price of approximately $3.5 billion. In aggregate, including the 17.73 million preferred shares acquired from Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership and from Advance Programming Holdings, LLC, the Company has repurchased 21% of its outstanding shares since buyback activity was authorized in 2010.

The Company's Board of Directors has approved a $1.5 billion increase to the existing stock repurchase program, taking the total authorization to $5.5 billion.  Under the stock repurchase program, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated purchases subject to market conditions and other factors.

OTHER ITEMS

On January 21, 2014, the Company entered into an agreement to increase its stake in Eurosport International from 20% to 51% through an extension of its strategic partnership with TF1 Group for a net purchase price of approximately $340 million.  The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2014, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

FULL YEAR 2014 OUTLOOK

For the full year ending December 31, 2014, Discovery Communications, Inc. expects total revenue between $6.45 billion and $6.625 billion, Adjusted OIBDA between $2.6 billion and $2.725 billion, and net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. between $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion. Our outlook incorporates current foreign exchange rates for revenues and expenses, the current share price for mark-to-market equity-based compensation calculations, and assumes that the Eurosport transaction closes during the second quarter of 2014.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted Earnings Per Share and Free Cash Flow
In addition to the results prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") provided in this release, the Company has presented Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted EPS and free cash flow. The Company evaluates the operating performance of its segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted OIBDA. Adjusted OIBDA is defined as revenues less costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding: (i) mark-to-market equity-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) amortization of deferred launch incentives, (iv) exit and restructuring charges, (v) certain impairment charges, and (vi) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions. The Company uses this measure to assess operating results and performance of its segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. The Company excludes mark-to-market equity-based compensation, exit and restructuring charges, certain impairment charges, and gains and losses on business and asset dispositions from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their volatility. The Company also excludes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets and deferred launch incentives, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period.

The company defines Adjusted EPS as earnings excluding the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets per diluted share.  The Company believes Adjusted EPS is relevant to investors because it allows them to evaluate the performance of the Company's operations exclusive of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets that impact the comparability of results from period to period.

The Company defines free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities less acquisitions of property and equipment. The Company uses free cash flow as it believes it is an important indicator for management and investors of the Company's liquidity, including its ability to reduce debt, make strategic investments and return capital to stockholders.

Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted EPS and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures, and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, earnings per diluted share and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Please review the supplemental financial schedules beginning on page 12 for reconciliations to GAAP measures.

Conference Call Information

Discovery Communications, Inc. will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its fourth quarter results. To listen to the call, visit http://discoverycommunications.com or dial 1-877-280-4962 inside the U.S. and 1-857-244-7319 outside of the U.S., using the following passcode: 81468203.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties and on information available to the Company as of the date hereof. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed with the SEC on February 19, 2013. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will" and "would" or similar words. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, statements regarding investing in our brands, strategic growth initiatives, plans for stock repurchases, the anticipated closing of our investment in Eurosport and the full year 2014 outlook. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

SOURCE Discovery Communications, Inc.