Discovery Communications Reports Full Year And Fourth Quarter 2015 Results

SILVER SPRING, Md., Feb. 18, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Full Year 2015 Financial Highlights:    

• Revenues increased 2% to $6,394 million (increased 10% excluding currency effects)
• Adjusted OIBDA decreased 4% to $2,398 million (increased 4% excluding currency effects)
• Adjusted EPS decreased to $1.76 (increased 13% excluding currency effects)
• Repurchased $951 million worth of stock

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, 2015.

"In 2015, Discovery Communications continued to build momentum with our unmatched worldwide brands and leading multiplatform distribution network. We surpassed 3 billion cumulative viewers, launched more new networks and increased audience and market share, all of which helped to drive steady global growth and strong financial results," said David Zaslav, President and CEO of Discovery Communications. "Propelled by our category leadership, broad rights ownership and content and brand expansion across platforms, Discovery is well positioned to thrive in the rapidly evolving media landscape and to drive continued shareholder value in the years ahead."

Full Year Results

Full year revenues of $6,394 million increased $129 million, or 2%, compared to the prior year, as 6% growth at U.S. Networks was partially offset by a 2% decline at International Networks, primarily due to currency effects.  Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization ("OIBDA")⁽¹⁾ decreased 4% to $2,398 million, as 6% growth at U.S. Networks was more than offset by a 15% decline at International Networks, primarily due to currency effects, and a small operating loss at Education and Other.  Excluding currency effects, total Company revenues and Adjusted OIBDA grew 10% and 4%, respectively, as changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced both revenue and Adjusted OIBDA growth by 8%.  Excluding currency effects and the impact of the Eurosport acquisition⁽²⁾, the SBS Radio disposition⁽³⁾, and the consolidation of Discovery Family⁽⁴⁾, total Company revenues and Adjusted OIBDA increased 6% and 3%, respectively.

Full year net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. declined to $1,034 million ($1.58 per diluted share)⁽⁵⁾ compared to $1,139 million ($1.66 per diluted share) for the full year 2014, primarily due to currency exchange rates, higher losses associated with the sale of businesses and lower equity earnings, partially offset by a decrease in taxes, restructuring costs and equity-based compensation.  Adjusted Earnings Per Diluted Share ("Adjusted EPS")⁽¹⁾, which excludes the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, was $1.76 for the full year compared to $1.84 for full year 2014.  Adjusted EPS increased 13% excluding currency effects, as changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced full year Adjusted EPS by 17%.

Free cash flow decreased to $1,174 million for the full year, primarily due to timing of working capital, higher content spend and the impact of currency exchange rates on operating results and working capital, partially offset by a lower impact from long-term incentive payments, cash taxes, and capital expenditures. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment.

Fourth Quarter Results

Fourth quarter revenues of $1,646 million decreased 2% compared to the fourth quarter a year ago, as 6% growth at U.S. Networks was more than offset by an 8% decline at International Networks primarily due to currency effects.  Adjusted OIBDA decreased 10% to $574 million, as 1% growth at U.S. Networks and breakeven results at Education and Other were more than offset by a 20% decline at International Networks, primarily due to currency effects.  Total Company revenues grew 5% and Adjusted OIBDA decreased 1% excluding currency effects, as changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced fourth quarter revenue and Adjusted OIBDA growth by 7% and 9%, respectively.  Excluding currency effects and the impact of the Eurosport acquisition and the SBS Radio disposition, total Company fourth quarter revenues and Adjusted OIBDA increased by 8% and 1%, respectively.

Fourth quarter net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders decreased to $219 million ($0.34 per diluted share) compared to $250 million ($0.38 per diluted share) for the fourth quarter a year ago, primarily due to foreign currency exchange rates, losses associated with the sale of businesses and higher net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, partially offset by a decrease in restructuring costs and higher earnings related to equity-method instruments.  Adjusted EPS was $0.38 in the fourth quarter of this year compared to $0.43 in the same period a year ago.  Adjusted EPS increased 12% excluding currency effects, as changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced fourth quarter Adjusted EPS by 24%.

Free cash flow increased to $598 million for the fourth quarter, primarily due to lower cash taxes, timing of working capital and a lower impact from content spending, partially offset by the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on operating results and working capital.

SEGMENT RESULTS

U.S. Networks

Full Year Results

U.S. Networks' revenues for the full year 2015 increased 6% to $3,131 million, driven by 11% distribution growth and 3% advertising growth.  Distribution revenue growth was primarily driven by higher rates and the consolidation of Discovery Family.  Advertising revenues increased 3% primarily due to higher pricing partially offset by lower delivery.  Excluding the consolidation of Discovery Family, distribution revenues grew 7% and total revenues grew 4% over the prior year.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 6% to $1,774 million.  Excluding the consolidation of Discovery Family, Adjusted OIBDA grew 3%, as revenue growth was partially offset by a 4% increase in operating expenses, mainly due to higher content amortization.

Fourth Quarter Results

U.S. Networks' revenues in the fourth quarter of 2015 increased 6% to $787 million, driven by 7% distribution growth and 5% advertising growth.  Distribution revenue growth was primarily driven by higher rates.  Advertising revenues increased 5% primarily due to higher pricing partially offset by lower delivery.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 1% to $410 million as revenue growth was partially offset by an 11% increase in operating expenses, mainly due to higher content amortization and impairments and marketing costs.

International Networks

Full Year Results

International Networks' revenues for the full year decreased 2% to $3,092 million and Adjusted OIBDA decreased 15% to $961 million.  Changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced full year international revenues and Adjusted OIBDA growth by 16% and 17%, respectively.  Excluding currency effects and the impact of Eurosport and SBS Radio, full year total revenues were up 9%.  Distribution revenues, excluding the impact of Eurosport and currency effects, grew 7% primarily due to increased rates and subscribers in Latin America as well as increased subscribers in CEEMEA.  Advertising revenues, excluding the impact of Eurosport, SBS Radio and currency effects, were up 11%, primarily due to higher pricing and ratings in Southern Europe, higher pricing, volume and ratings in Latin America, and higher pricing in Northern Europe. 

Excluding the impact of Eurosport, SBS Radio and foreign currency exchange rates, Adjusted OIBDA was up 5%, reflecting the 9% revenue growth partially offset by an 11% increase in operating expenses.  The higher operating expenses were primarily due to increased content expenses and personnel costs.

Fourth Quarter Results

International Networks' revenues for the fourth quarter decreased 8% to $816 million and Adjusted OIBDA decreased 20% to $262 million.  Changes in foreign currency exchange rates reduced fourth quarter international revenues and Adjusted OIBDA growth by 14% and 16%, respectively.  Excluding currency effects and the impact of Eurosport and SBS Radio, total revenues were up 11%.  Distribution revenues, excluding the impact of Eurosport and currency effects, grew 8% mainly from increased rates and subscribers in Latin America.  Advertising revenues, excluding the impact of Eurosport, SBS Radio and currency effects, were up 12%, primarily due to higher pricing and ratings in Southern Europe, higher pricing and volume in Latin America, and higher pricing and volume in Asia.

Excluding the impact of Eurosport, SBS Radio and currency, Adjusted OIBDA was up 1%, reflecting the 11% revenue growth partially offset by an 18% increase in operating expenses.  The higher operating expenses were primarily due to increased content expenses and personnel costs.

Education and Other

Full Year Results

Education and Other revenues for the full year increased by $13 million primarily due to higher production volume with the Studios production business. Adjusted OIBDA decreased by $8 million due to additional investments in education, higher production costs associated with greater utilization of our in-house production companies, and higher personnel costs, partially offset by the higher Studios production revenues.

Fourth Quarter Results

Education and Other revenues for the fourth quarter were flat with the prior year. Adjusted OIBDA increased by $9 million compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 primarily due to lower personnel and overhead costs associated with the Studios production business, offset by higher personnel costs for Education.

Corporate and Inter-Segment Eliminations

Adjusted OIBDA for the full year 2015 decreased by $16 million primarily due to increases in personnel costs and professional fees, partially offset by a decrease in equity-based compensation expense.  Adjusted OIBDA for the fourth quarter of 2015 decreased by $11 million compared to the prior year, primarily due to increases in personnel costs and professional fees.

STOCK REPURCHASE

During the quarter, the Company, pursuant to its existing stock repurchase program, repurchased 13.4 million shares of its Series C common stock at an average price of $27.99 per share, for a total of $375 million.  The Company did not repurchase any shares pursuant to the previously announced share repurchase agreement described below between the Company and Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership ("ANPP") during the fourth quarter of 2015 due to the Company not repurchasing any Series C common stock during the third quarter of 2015.

For the full year 2015, the Company repurchased 23.7 million shares of its Series C common stock at an average price of $29.39 per share. Additionally, pursuant to the previously announced share repurchase agreement described below between the Company and ANPP, the Company repurchased 3.9 million shares of Series C convertible preferred stock at $64.85 per share (or $32.43 per share on a split adjusted basis) for a total of $253 million. In total, the Company spent $951 million on share repurchases during 2015.

The Company has repurchased 115.0 million shares of Series C common stock and 2.8 million shares of its Series A common stock under its stock repurchase program to date at an average price of $27.02 per share on a split adjusted basis.  In aggregate, including the 24.1 million preferred shares acquired from ANPP and from Advance Programming Holdings, LLC, the Company has repurchased 33%, or $6.6 billion worth, of its outstanding shares since buyback activity was authorized in 2010.  Note that the aggregate share numbers have not been adjusted to reflect the stock dividend that was distributed in August 2014.

On May 22, 2014, the Company entered into a share repurchase agreement with ANPP to repurchase its shares of the Company's Series C convertible preferred stock, on a quarterly basis, in proportion to the Company's repurchases under its stock repurchase program in a manner that is intended to maintain ANPP's current ownership percentage of the Company.  This agreement was amended by letter agreement on August 25, 2014.

OTHER ITEMS

On November 12, 2015, the Company acquired 5 million shares, or 3.4%, of Lions Gate Entertainment Corp., an entertainment company, for $195 million.

FULL YEAR 2016 OUTLOOK

Discovery will provide forward-looking guidance in connection with this quarterly earnings announcement on its earnings conference call and webcast.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EPS 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 Net Income, 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 operating income excluding: (i) mark-to-market equity-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) amortization of deferred launch incentives, (iv) restructuring and other charges, (v) certain impairment charges, (vi) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, and (vii) certain inter-segment eliminations related to production studios.

The Company uses Adjusted OIBDA to assess the 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, restructuring and other 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, amortization of intangible assets and deferred launch incentives, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period.  Additionally, certain corporate expenses and inter-segment eliminations related to production studios are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives.

The Company defines Adjusted Net Income as net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders excluding the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets, and defines Adjusted EPS as earnings excluding the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets per diluted share.  Note that given the change in conversion ratio for our preferred stock, the preferred shares are now only included in the diluted share count.  The Company believes Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS are relevant to investors because these metrics allow 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 Net Income, 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 and full year results.  To listen to the call, visit http://discoverycommunications.com or dial 1-800-901-5213 inside the U.S. and 1-617-786-2962 outside of the U.S., using the following passcode: DISCA.

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 filed with the SEC on February 19, 2015. 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 programming and strategic growth initiatives. 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.