LodgeNet Reports Results for First Quarter 2012

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., April 24, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET) reported quarterly revenue of $94.7 million compared to $107.7 million in the first quarter of 2011.  Operating income was $4.2 million versus $6.9 million during last year's first quarter.  Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(3.5) million or $(0.14) per share compared to $(2.3) million or $(0.09) per share loss during the first quarter of 2011.  Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (1) for the quarter was $20.3 million compared to $27.9 million in the first quarter of 2011.

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"During the quarter, we made continued progress on our strategic initiatives to diversify our revenues and expand our business opportunities," said LodgeNet Chairman and CEO Scott C. Petersen.  "While these efforts are making positive contributions, overall revenue decreased 12% as Hospitality revenue per room was down 1.5% across a room base that was 12% smaller than one year ago.  On a per-room basis, we did see continued double digit revenue growth of 10.8% from our revenue diversification initiatives, but Guest Entertainment revenue continued to be challenged and was off 11.3% in the quarter.  We have been and will continue to actively evaluate all aspects of this business to bolster its performance, including the implementation of new content formats, promotional and marketing campaigns and other strategic initiatives.  On the other hand, hotel adoption of Envision, our new cloud-connected interactive television system, continues to accelerate.  This is driving the conversion of our room base to our higher-revenue, high-definition platform and is creating new subscription-based revenues for our Company.  Our "four screen" services strategy greatly expanded during the quarter with the successful launch of the LodgeNet Mobile App in January.  With the growing portfolio of apps and services, we are seeing increased usage by both hotel guests and operators.  As we continue to expand our business beyond its Guest Entertainment heritage, we are becoming essential business partners with hoteliers and more relevant to the travelers we serve. "

First Quarter Company Highlights

Envision Momentum Accelerates.  Hotel interest in our Envision platform continues to grow.  The Company had over 71,000 rooms contracted for Envision at March 31, 2012 – a 75% increase over year-end 2011. Flagship contracts include the 7,100 room Venetian Hotel and Resort in Las Vegas, 30 properties in the Omni Hotels & Resorts portfolio, the Sheraton Stamford (CT) Hotel, The Ritz-Carlton Los Angeles and JW Marriott Los Angeles L.A. LIVE hotels in downtown Los Angeles, and the nearly 2,000 room Hilton New York.  The cloud-connected Envision platform connects guests to essential hotel services and information about local attractions as well as delivers the best in-room entertainment options. In addition, over 40% of the rooms installed are subscribing to an Advanced App, and generating more than $4.00 of revenue per room per month. Both of these metrics are exceeding our expectations.

Strategic Review of Guest Entertainment.  We are progressing on a comprehensive review of the issues impacting Guest Entertainment revenues.  The evaluation includes all operating parameters impacting current performance, including recent marketing and pricing changes, modifications to the user interface, and changes to content offerings as well as general environmental factors.  The Company has and will continue to test various marketing and merchandising concepts and implement those that indicate positive results.  Additionally, the Company is continuing its evaluation of various strategic opportunities to further monetize the value of its 1.4 million room base, including creating expanded marketing relationships with Hollywood Studios, evaluating Internet streaming options, and developing electronic sell through opportunities based on its membership in DECE, the consortium that is introducing UltraViolet into the market. 

High Definition Rollout Continues.  During the quarter, nearly 17,000 rooms were upgraded to our High Definition platform, bringing our total HD room count to 326,000 or 22.5% of our Guest Entertainment room base.  The first quarter upgrade activity was over 5 times greater than last year's and is the largest number of HD installs we have done in over 12 quarters.  The average cost per room was $140 during the first quarter, a decline of 25% from prior year.  The HD room base continues to generate over 60% more revenue per room versus our analog base, which we expect will drive improved revenue performance in our Guest Entertainment rooms over the next several years as we upgrade the majority of our analog rooms. 

Mobile App Launched.  The launch of our Mobile App in January expanded our relationship with the core traveler beyond the guest room television. With over 570,000 rooms mobile-enabled at quarter's end, travelers throughout North America can download the app to their iPhone^®, Android™ smartphone or iPad^® and turn their mobile device into the TV remote.  The app also gives travelers access to essential information about their hotel and local entertainment and dining options.  Significant additional services are becoming available during this quarter, including mCheckout, which allows the busy traveler to checkout on the fly, and an Interactive Program Guide (IPG) which expands the TV information beyond the channel line up to also include the programming schedule. 

Focused on Operating Efficiencies.  We continued to closely manage the cost structure of our Company.  As a result, cash Operating Expenses in the first quarter decreased by 8.3% vs. prior year.  The reduction was driven by a variety of cost saving actions across the Company.   Over the past 5 quarters, our continued focus on cost control has resulted in an $11.5 million reduction in operating expenses.

Improved Room Retention.  During the quarter, the Company significantly slowed the decline in its Guest Entertainment room base.  The first quarter room reduction of 30,000 rooms was more than a 50% improvement versus the trend in the prior two quarters.  The Company has made significant progress in delivering lower cost system options for all types of hotel properties.  In addition, an increased focus on outreach efforts to all of our hotels is expected to increase retention and greater customer satisfaction.  We feel both our expanded product offering and increased retention efforts will continue to reduce and eventually reverse our room loss. 

"We continue to drive efficiencies and focus our spending in our strategic growth areas" said LodgeNet Senior Vice President and CFO Frank P. Elsenbast.  "In addition to streamlining our operations and reducing Operating Expenses by 8.3%, we are also focused on managing our cash flow and balance sheet.  We generated Free Cash Flow of $13.6 million while also supporting the rollout of 17,000 HD rooms, launching the LodgeNet Mobile App and delivering innovation across all of our product lines.  The Company also paid down over $17 million in debt, ending the quarter with less than $338 million in net debt."

RESULTS FROM OPERATIONS
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2012 VERSUS
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2011

Total revenue for the first quarter of 2012 was $94.7 million, a 12.1% decline compared to the same period of 2011.  The decline in revenue was attributable in part to a decrease in the number of rooms receiving our services, which contributed to declines in Guest Entertainment, Television Programming and Advertising revenue.  Revenue from Professional Services work, Healthcare system sales and recurring revenue and TV Programming system sales increased quarter over quarter. 

On a per-room basis, total Hospitality and Advertising Services revenue was 1.5% less than last year's first quarter. Revenue per room generated from non-Guest Entertainment services increased 10.8% period over period.

Guest Entertainment revenue decreased $12.8 million, or 21.8%, due to an 11.9% reduction in the average number of Guest Entertainment rooms served and an 11.3% decline in revenue per room from Hollywood and non-theatrical movies.  Hotel Services revenue was $32.1 million in the first quarter, a decline of 7.6% vs. prior year, primarily because of a 9.4% decline in the number of rooms receiving TV Programming services.  Revenue per room for Hotel Services increased by 5.1% versus last year, driven primarily from an increase in the number of rooms receiving HD service and the expiration of contracts with unfavorable terms. System Sales & Related revenue per room improved 45.4%, driven primarily by professional services work, TV programming system sales and service-related revenue and programming fees.  Our advertising services subsidiary generated revenue of $1.3 million, an expected decrease of 49.2% compared to the first quarter of 2011, due to the previously announced transition of our advertising platform from the 300,000 room analog Superblock platform to our expanded 500,000 room all HD platform, which is scheduled to begin operations in early 2013.  Additionally, our Healthcare subsidiary generated $2.9 million of revenue during the first quarter, an increase of $1.0 million or 53.2%, resulting from increased system installation revenue and a 31.5% increase in the number of beds generating recurring revenue.

Total direct costs (exclusive of operating expenses and depreciation and amortization discussed separately below) decreased $3.7 million or 6.1%, to $56.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to $60.3 million in the first quarter of 2011.  Direct costs declined primarily due to lower sales volume in Guest Entertainment and Hotel Services, resulting in lower royalties, hotel commissions and programming fees.  Advertising Services fixed costs were lower due to the transition of the Superblock to our new advertising platform. 

System Operations and Selling, General and Administrative ("SG&A") expenses decreased $1.7 million or 8.3%, to $18.1 million in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to $19.8 million in the first quarter of 2011.  Factors driving the improvement period over period included reductions in system repair costs, content distribution costs, professional services and facility expense, as well as our first quarter expense reduction initiatives, which included the reduction of select personnel and other payroll related expenses.  Depreciation and Amortization expenses decreased 22.5%, to $15.2 million in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to $19.6 million in the first quarter of 2011.  The continued improvement was due to assets becoming fully depreciated, lower cost systems being installed and lower capital investment levels over the past three years.

As a result of factors described above, Operating Income was $4.2 million in the first quarter of 2012 as compared to $6.9 million in the first quarter of 2011.  Adjusted Operating Cash Flow ("AOCF"), a non-GAAP measure, was $20.3 million for the first quarter of 2012 as compared to $27.9 million in the first quarter of 2011.  As a percent of revenue, AOCF margin was 21.5% this quarter versus 25.9% for the prior year quarter.

Interest expense decreased $1.7 million or 22.2% to $6.0 million in the first quarter of 2012 versus $7.7 million in the first quarter of 2011.  Our outstanding debt decreased $23.3 million or 6.3%, to $347.3 million compared to $370.6 million at the end of the first quarter of 2011.  The average interest rate for the first quarter of 2012 was 6.6% versus 8.3% last year.  The decline in rates was a result of our outstanding interest rate swap obligations during the first quarter of 2011.  The interest rate swap agreements expired in June 2011.

For the first quarter, net loss before dividends was $(2.1) million compared to a net loss before dividends of $(0.9) million for the first quarter of 2011.  Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(3.5) million for the first quarter of 2012, compared to a net loss of $(2.3) million in the prior year quarter.  Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders was $(0.14) for the first quarter of 2012 (basic and diluted) versus a net loss per share of $(0.09) in the first quarter of 2011 (basic and diluted).

For the first quarter of 2012, cash provided by operating activities was $22.8 million, an 18.4% increase as compared to $19.2 million in the first quarter of 2011.  Cash used for capital investments was $9.2 million during the first quarter of 2012 compared to $4.6 million in the first quarter of 2011.  During the quarter, the Company installed 16,700 High Definition interactive rooms, as compared to 2,900 rooms during the first quarter of 2011.  Quarter over quarter, the average capital per High Definition room installed decreased 24.7%, to $140 per room.  The decrease in average capital is attributable to lower component and labor costs.

Outlook

For 2012, the Company expects to report annual revenue in the range of $405 million to $420 million.  This guidance reflects $22.00 in Hospitality Revenue per Room on a full year basis. Additionally, we expect Adjusted Operating Cash Flow to be in a range from $92.5 million to $97.5 million on a full year basis.  We expect Net Income Available to Common Shareholders to be in the range of $($0.10) to $0.10 per common share.  The guidance on key room metrics remains unchanged.

The Company will host a teleconference to discuss its results April 24, 2012, at 5:00 P.M. Eastern Time.  A live webcast of the teleconference will also be available and can be accessed on the LodgeNet website at www.lodgenet.com.  The webcast will be archived on the LodgeNet website for one month.  Additionally, the Company has posted slides at its website under the For Investors, Company Presentations section, which will be referenced during the conference call.

Special Note Regarding the Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

To supplement our consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"), we use Adjusted Operating Cash Flow, Free Cash Flow and Net Debt, which are non-GAAP measures derived from results based on GAAP.  The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered superior to, in isolation of, or as a substitute for, results prepared in accordance with GAAP.  Adjusted Operating Cash Flow is a non-GAAP measure which we define as operating income (loss) exclusive of depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, restructuring and reorganization expenses and debt issuance costs.  Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by the Company as cash provided by operating activities less cash used for investing activities.  Net Debt is our total outstanding debt less our cash.  These non-GAAP measures are key liquidity indicators but should not be construed as an alternative to GAAP measures or as a measure of our profitability or performance.  We provide information about these measures because we believe it is a useful way for us, and our investors, to measure our ability to satisfy cash needs, including one-time charges such as restructuring, reorganization or integration, interest payments on our debt, taxes and capital expenditures.  In addition, Net Debt provides an indication of our ability to remain in compliance with financial covenants.  Our method of computing these measures may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures of other companies.

About LodgeNet

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation is the leading provider of interactive media and connectivity services to hospitality and healthcare businesses and the consumers they serve. LodgeNet Interactive serves approximately 1.6 million hotel rooms worldwide in addition to healthcare facilities throughout the United States. The Company's services include: Interactive Television, Broadband, Mobile and Advertising Media Solutions along with nationwide technical and professional support services. LodgeNet Interactive Corporation owns and operates businesses under the industry leading brands: LodgeNet, The Hotel Networks and LodgeNet Healthcare. LodgeNet Interactive is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol LNET. For more information, please visit www.lodgenet.com. 

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statement  

Certain statements in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements."  When used in this press release, the words "intends," "expects," "estimates," "believes," and similar expressions, and statements which are made in the future tense or refer to future events or developments including, without limitation, those related to our 2012 guidance, including revenue, Adjusted Operating Cash Flow, Net Income Available to Common Shareholders and Hospitality Revenue Per Room are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.  Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Such factors include, among others, the following: the effects of economic conditions, including general financial conditions; the economic condition of the lodging industry, which can be particularly affected the financial conditions referenced above, as well as by high gas prices, levels of unemployment, consumer confidence, acts or threats of terrorism and public health issues; competition from providers of similar services and from alternative systems for accessing in-room entertainment; competition from HSIA providers; changes in demand for our products and services; programming availability, timeliness, quality and costs; technological developments by competitors; developmental costs, difficulties and delays; relationships with customers and property owners, in particular as we reduce capital investment; the availability of capital to finance growth; compliance with credit facility covenants; the impact of governmental regulations; potential effects of litigation; risks of diversification into new products, services, or markets; risks related to the security of our data systems; and other factors detailed, from time to time, in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For any of the foregoing reasons, our guidance and our actual financial results may not meet our expectations.  These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. We expressly disclaim any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.                                                                                                                                                                          

LodgeNet, the LodgeNet logo, Envision and PowerPortal are trademarks or registered trademarks of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation. All rights reserved. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

(See attached financial and operational tables)

SOURCE LodgeNet Interactive Corporation

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