DreamWorks Animation Reports Strong First Quarter 2016 Results With Revenues Increasing 14% To $190 Million And Segment Gross Profit Improving 31% To $70 Million

GLENDALE, Calif., May 5, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. (Nasdaq: DWA) today reported revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 of $190.4 million, representing an increase of 14.4% from the same period in 2015. In addition, DWA reported operating income of $13.8 million and net income attributable to DWA of $13.8 million, or $0.16 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2016.

"I am happy to report another strong quarter of financial results, which I believe reflect continued execution on our strategy of transitioning DreamWorks Animation into a global family entertainment company," said Jeffrey Katzenberg, Chief Executive Officer of DreamWorks Animation. "I'm excited to be passing the baton to Comcast, as I know they will continue to build on the foundation we've established over the past 22 years."

On April 28, 2016 NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast Corporation, announced the acquisition of DreamWorks Animation. Under the terms of the agreement, DreamWorks Animation stockholders will receive $41.00 in cash for each share of DreamWorks Animation common stock. The agreement has been approved by the Board of Directors of DreamWorks Animation and Comcast, and the controlling shareholder of DreamWorks Animation has approved the agreement by written consent. The transaction is expected to close by the end of 2016, subject to receipt of regulatory approvals in the U.S. and abroad, as well as the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions.

First Quarter Review:

DWA's first quarter revenues of $190.4 million increased 14.4% versus the prior-year period driven by performance in the Television Series and Specials, Consumer Products and New Media segments.

Beginning in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, DWA changed the method by which intellectual property costs are charged to the Consumer Products segment to provide better comparability to peers and to be similar to the method used in the Television Series and Specials segment while minimizing segment volatility. As a result, the Consumer Products segment no longer bears amortization of capitalized production costs for the use of Film and TV segment intellectual property. Instead, the Consumer Products segment is charged a royalty fee which will compensate the originating segment for the use of intellectual property. There is no change to DWA's consolidated financials, as DWA's ultimate revenues and the amortization of capitalized production costs remain unchanged. This methodology impacts segment reporting only.  All prior-year period figures have been updated to reflect this new methodology.

Revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 from the Feature Films segment were $94.3 million, compared to $128.7 million in the prior-year period. Revenues in the quarter ended March 31, 2015 were favorably impacted by the worldwide pay television distribution of How to Train Your Dragon 2 and Mr. Peabody and Sherman, higher home entertainment sales and recoveries of $6.3 million from previously established home entertainment reserves related to sales through DWA's former primary theatrical distributor. Segment gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 of $26.1 million compares to $38.1 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to lower revenues.

Kung Fu Panda 3, which was released domestically on January 29, 2016 has reached $514 million at the worldwide box office to date.  The film contributed feature film revenue of $30.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, primarily earned from distribution outside of territories handled by the Company's primary distributor, Twenty-First Century Fox ("Fox").  Fox did not report any revenue to DWA in the quarter ended March 31, 2016 for the film as it had not yet recouped its marketing and distribution costs. DWA currently anticipates that Fox will recoup its marketing and distribution costs and begin reporting revenue to DWA during the quarter ending June 30, 2016.     

Home contributed feature film revenue of $18.3 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, primarily from the international pay television window and worldwide home entertainment market.  The film reached an estimated 6.9 million home entertainment units sold worldwide through the end of the first quarter, net of actual and estimated future returns.

The Penguins of Madagascar contributed feature film revenue of $1.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, primarily from worldwide home entertainment. Through the end of the first quarter, the film reached an estimated 4.6 million home entertainment units sold worldwide, net of actual and estimated future returns.

How to Train Your Dragon 2 contributed feature film revenue of $1.9 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, primarily from worldwide home entertainment. The film reached an estimated 9.7 million home entertainment units sold worldwide through the end of the first quarter, net of actual and estimated future returns.

Library titles contributed feature film revenue of $41.6 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, driven by licensing arrangements for the SVOD distribution of certain titles as well as worldwide television and home entertainment revenues for a number of titles including Mr. Peabody and Sherman.

Revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 from the Television Series and Specials segment increased to $57.0 million, compared to $18.1 million during the prior-year period. The increase in revenues was attributable to a significantly higher number of episodes delivered under our episodic content licensing arrangements. Segment gross profit increased to $21.1 million from $3.5 million in the prior-year period. The increase was primarily driven by higher revenues and lower marketing expenses.

Revenues from the Consumer Products segment increased to $21.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2016, compared to $14.3 million in the same period last year. The increase was primarily due to revenues earned from location-based entertainment initiatives during the current quarter.  Revenue for both the current and prior year quarters also included contributions from merchandise licensing arrangements. Segment gross profit increased to $15.0 million from $9.4 million in the prior-year period, as revenues earned from our location-based entertainment initiatives have lower associated costs.

Revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 from the Company's New Media segment were $15.2 million compared to $4.6 million during the three months ended March 31, 2015. This increase was primarily attributable to revenue generated from licensing and distribution of content, and to a lesser extent, brand sponsorship and talent management arrangements. Segment gross profit for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 increased to $6.5 million from $2.1 million in the prior-year period, primarily due to higher revenues.

For the quarter ended March 31, 2016, DWA posted operating income of $13.8 million, compared to an adjusted^(a) operating loss of $(3.4) million in the prior-year period, primarily due to higher revenues and segment gross profit. General and administrative costs in the current quarter of $60.3 million were relatively even with adjusted^(a) general and administrative costs in the prior-year period as higher costs related to the growth and expansion of the AwesomenessTV business were largely offset by a decrease in salaries and benefits as a result of our 2015 Restructuring Plan. Lastly, for the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the amount of selling and marketing expenses not allocated to the operating segments but included in operating income was $0.5 million.

Net income attributable to DWA for the quarter ended March 31, 2016 was $13.8 million, or income of $0.16 per diluted share. Net income in the current quarter included income from equity method investees of $2.5 million driven by positive contributions from Oriental DreamWorks.  Also, during the quarter ended March 31, 2016, the Company recorded a provision for income taxes of $1.1 million, or an effective rate of 8.5% for the quarter. Adjusted^(a) net loss in the prior-year period included a write-off of an equity method investment in the amount of $5.1 million in other expense (net).

For the three months ended March 31, 2016, adjusted^(a) operating cash flow was $(47.8) million, compared to adjusted^(a) operating cash flow of $30.7 million in the prior-year period. The main sources of cash during the current quarter were Home's domestic home entertainment revenues, The Penguins of Madagascar's domestic home entertainment and international television revenues, The Croods' worldwide home entertainment and international television revenues, How to Train Your Dragon 2's worldwide home entertainment revenues, and to a lesser extent, the collection of worldwide television and home entertainment revenues from our other films. In addition, other sources of cash included those related to revenues from licensing of our episodic content. Cash used in operating activities for the three months ended March 31, 2016 included $39.1 million related to incentive compensation payments, which increased $32.3 million when compared to the amount paid during the three months ended March 31, 2015 as these cash payments primarily fluctuate based on our financial results. During the three months ended March 31, 2016, we also made payments to an affiliate of a former stockholder related to tax benefits realized in 2015 in the amount of $16.4 million. Cash used in operating activities also included production spending for our films and television series, as well as participation and residual payments. Including the impact of the 2015  Restructuring Plan, DWA reported operating cash flow of $(52.9) million for the three months ended March 31, 2016, compared to operating cash flow of $1.6 million in the prior-year period.

As of March 31, 2016, DWA had $349.0 million of availability on its revolving credit facility and $91.6 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand, bringing the Company's total available liquidity to approximately $440 million.

Subsequent to the end of the quarter, on April 5, 2016, DWA entered into a Unit Purchase Agreement with ATV, Hearst and Verizon. Pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, upon closing Verizon will acquire from DWA and ATV a 24.5% equity interest in ATV for a purchase price of $159.0 million, and Hearst will acquire from ATV additional equity interests in ATV to maintain a 24.5% equity interest. Following this transaction, DWA's equity interest in ATV will be reduced to 51.0%. DWA will continue to consolidate the results of ATV as it will retain control over its operations. The transaction is subject to a number of customary closing conditions. DWA currently expects that the closing of the transaction will be completed during the second or third quarters of 2016. Upon closing, and before adjusting for direct transaction costs, the Company expects that it will receive $168.0 million of aggregate gross proceeds from Verizon and Hearst, of which approximately $49.0 million will remain at the ATV joint venture.

Items related to the earnings press release for the first quarter of 2016 will be discussed in more detail on the Company's earnings conference call later today.

Conference Call Information

DreamWorks Animation will host a conference call and webcast to discuss the results on Thursday, May 5, 2016 at 1:30pm (PT) / 4:30pm (ET). Investors can access the call by dialing (800) 230-1059 in the U.S. and (612) 234-9960 internationally and identifying "DreamWorks Animation Earnings Call" to the operator. The call will also be available via live webcast at ir.dreamworksanimation.com.

A replay of the conference call will be available shortly after the call ends on Thursday, May 5, 2016. To access the replay, dial (800) 475-6701 in the U.S. and (320) 365-3844 internationally and enter 391182 as the conference ID number. Both the earnings release and archived webcast will be available on the Company's website at ir.dreamworksanimation.com.

About DreamWorks Animation

DreamWorks Animation (Nasdaq: DWA) is a global family entertainment company with business interests that span feature film and television production; licensing and consumer products; location-based entertainment; and new media properties, including the Company's controlling interest in AwesomenessTV.  The Company's feature film heritage includes many of the world's most-beloved characters and franchises, including Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and How to Train Your Dragon, while its 32 feature film releases have amassed more than $13 billion in global box office receipts.  DWA's television business has quickly become one of the world's leading suppliers of high-quality family programming, reaching consumers on linear and on-demand platforms in more than 130 countries and winning a total of 30 Emmy™ Awards to date.  The Company's deep portfolio of intellectual property is supported by a robust, worldwide consumer products practice, which includes licensing, and location-based entertainment venues around the world.  The Company is also the majority owner of AwesomenessTV, a leading video destination for Generation Z and Millennial audiences,  and also owns 45% of Oriental DreamWorks, a world-class animation studio in China that produces family entertainment for both Chinese and global audiences.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's plans, prospects, strategies, proposals and our beliefs and expectations concerning performance of our current and future releases and anticipated talent, directors and storyline for our upcoming films and other projects, constitute forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections about the industry in which we operate and management's beliefs and assumptions. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions which are difficult to predict. Actual results may vary materially from those expressed or implied by the statements herein due to changes in economic, business, competitive, technological and/or regulatory factors, and other risks and uncertainties affecting the operation of the business of DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. These risks and uncertainties include: receipt of regulatory approvals for our pending merger with Comcast Corporation and for the investment in AwesomenessTV by Verizon and Hearst, audience acceptance of our films, our dependence on the success of a limited number of releases each year, the increasing cost of producing and marketing feature films, piracy of motion pictures, the effect of rapid technological change or alternative forms of entertainment and our need to protect our proprietary technology and enhance or develop new technology. In addition, due to the uncertainties and risks involved in the development and production of animated feature projects, the release dates for the projects described in this document may be delayed. For a further list and description of such risks and uncertainties, see the reports filed by us with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent annual report on Form 10-K and our most recent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. DreamWorks Animation is under no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any obligation to, update or alter its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions or otherwise.

^(a) Reconciliations of non-GAAP measures to reported results are included at the end of this earnings release.

The following tables present 2015 quarterly and annual segment revenues, costs of revenues and gross profit to conform to the current period methodology described above of allocating costs for each of the impacted segments as if the changed methodology had been implemented effective as of January 1, 2015.

Non-GAAP Measures

In addition to the financial results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, we have provided the following non-GAAP measures: Adjusted Income/Loss Measures (which are further described and defined below) and Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (collectively, "non-GAAP measures"). Adjusted Income/Loss Measures and Adjusted Operating Cash Flow are not prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Adjusted Income/Loss Measures and Adjusted Operating Cash Flow provide a supplemental presentation of our operating performance and generally reflect adjustments for unusual or non-operational activities. We may not calculate Adjusted Income/Loss Measures or Adjusted Operating Cash Flow in a manner consistent with the methodologies used by other companies. Adjusted Income/Loss Measures and Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (a) do not represent our operating income or cash flows from operating activities as defined by U.S. GAAP; (b) are not necessarily indicative of cash available to fund our cash flow needs; and (c) should not be considered alternatives to net income, operating income, cash provided by operating activities or our other financial information as determined under U.S. GAAP. Our presentation of Adjusted Income/Loss and Adjusted Operating Cash Flow measures should not be construed as an implication that our future results will be unaffected by unusual items. We believe the use of Adjusted Income/Loss and Adjusted Operating Cash Flow measures on a consolidated basis assists investors in comparing our ongoing operating performance between periods.

On January 22, 2015, the Company announced its restructuring initiatives (the "2015 Restructuring Plan") that are intended to refocus the Company's core feature animation business. In connection with the 2015 Restructuring Plan, the Company made changes in its senior leadership team and also made changes based on its reevaluation of the Company's feature film slate. The Company evaluates operating performance to exclude the effects of the charges related to the execution of the 2015 Restructuring Plan as it believes the restructuring-related charges do not correlate with the ongoing operating results of the Company's business and were charges that resulted from significant decisions that were made in order to refocus the Company. As a result, the Company believes that presenting the Company's Adjusted Operating Income/Loss, Adjusted Net Income/Loss Attributable to DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. and Adjusted Diluted Income/Loss per share (collectively, "Adjusted Income/Loss Measures") will aid investors in evaluating the performance of the Company. The Company defines Adjusted Income/Loss Measures as net earnings (loss) adjusted to exclude the items within its Consolidated Statements of Operations that relate to its 2015 Restructuring Plan (as discussed further in the footnotes to the tables below).

The Company uses these Adjusted Income/Loss Measures to, among other things, evaluate the Company's operating performance. These measures are among the primary measures used by management for planning and forecasting of future periods, and they are important indicators of the Company's operational strength and business performance because they provide a link between profitability and operating cash flow. The Company believes these measures are relevant and useful for investors because they allow investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by the Company's management and help improve investors' understanding of the Company's operating performance. In addition, the Company believes that these are among the primary measures used externally by the Company's investors, analysts and industry peers for purposes of valuation and for the comparison of the Company's operating performance to other companies in its industry. In addition to the Adjusted Income/Loss Measures, for the same reasons described above, the Company also uses Adjusted Operating Cash Flow, which is defined as cash flow provided by operating activities (as presented in the Company's Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows) adjusted to exclude cash payments made in connection with its 2015 Restructuring Plan.

The following is a reconciliation of each of the Company's GAAP measures (operating income/loss, net income/loss attributable to DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc. and diluted earnings (or loss) per share) to the non-GAAP adjusted amounts. In addition, following this table are additional reconciliations for adjusted general and administrative expense, which is a component of the Adjusted Income/Loss Measures, and for adjusted operating cash flows.

SOURCE DreamWorks Animation SKG, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.dreamworksanimation.com