LodgeNet Reports Results for Third Quarter 2010

SIOUX FALLS, S.D., Oct. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LodgeNet Interactive Corporation (Nasdaq: LNET) today reported quarterly revenue of $113.8 million compared to $121.1 million in the third quarter of 2009.  Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(3.1) million or $(0.12) per share (basic and diluted) for the third quarter of 2010 compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(6.6) million or $(0.30) per share (basic and diluted) for the third quarter of 2009.  LodgeNet also reported $15.3 million in free cash flow(1) for the current quarter and $80.0 million for the trailing twelve months compared to $16.1 million and $61.8 million for the prior periods, respectively.  For the quarter, the Company achieved a leverage ratio of 3.40 times on a net debt(2) basis versus a covenant of 3.50 times.  

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The following financial highlights are in thousands, except per share data:

(1) Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by the Company as cash provided by operating activities less cash used for investing activities, including growth related capital.

(2) Net Debt, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by the Company as total outstanding debt less cash on the balance sheet.

(3) Adjusted Operating Cash Flow is a non-GAAP measure which we define as Operating Income exclusive of depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, restructuring and reorganization expenses and debt issuance costs.

"We continue to make significant progress in executing our strategic initiatives and improving our bottom line performance," said Scott C. Petersen, LodgeNet Chairman and CEO.  "We are benefiting from our revenue diversification efforts and ongoing cost controls, as well as the deleveraging of our balance sheet.  In the quarter, we recorded significant revenue growth in every service line with the exception of Guest Entertainment.  Our revenue diversification initiatives delivered 12.9% more revenue per room this year versus last and now comprise 43.0% of total revenue. Our expanded array of technology solutions for the Hospitality and Healthcare markets are clearly gaining ground and we see considerable opportunity for additional revenue and profitability growth related to all of these solutions."

Strategic highlights for Q3 2010 include:

• Expanded Revenue from Strategic Growth Initiatives: Revenue per room up 12.9% vs. prior year - currently 43.0% of total revenue
• Continued Strong Performance in High Definition Rooms: Revenue per room 50.0% higher than analog rooms in the third quarter
• Generated Substantial Free Cash Flow: $15.3 million for the quarter; and $80.0 million trailing twelve months
• Improved Bottom Line Performance: Operating Income up 28.5%; and a per-share improvement of 60.0% vs. last year
• Increased Gross Margins: Total Gross Margin of 43.5%, up 60 basis points over prior quarter, driven by improvements in Guest Entertainment, Hotel Services, System Sales & Other, and Advertising Services
• Reduced Net Debt: $382.3 million, down $13.8 million in the quarter. Debt reduced by $216.7 million since the beginning of 2008
• Achieved Final Covenant Step Down: Net debt leverage ratio of 3.40x versus the final covenant stepdown of 3.50x  
• Reduced Average Capital per HD Upgrade: Cost per room reduced by 22.8% to $186 compared to prior year

"While our Guest Entertainment revenue decreased over the prior year, that revenue was flat on a per-room basis as compared to the second quarter of this year, continued Petersen.  "We believe Guest Entertainment revenues this year are being significantly impacted by a lackluster slate of titles this year over last, a continuing conservative consumer buying pattern, and a low penetration of HDTV systems across our installed base.  We are focused on accelerating the installation of our HD systems as hotels increase their purchase of digital televisions since the revenue generated from the digital quality experience within our installed HD rooms is nearly 60% higher than our analog rooms.  In addition, we have numerous initiatives underway focused on maximizing the revenue generated in all of our rooms.  Some of these opportunities include credit card payment options for the guest, direct access to our interactive menu upon television turn-on, and tiered pricing structures."

"Our third quarter results show considerable progress on our revenue diversification efforts.  Revenue from new service lines grew 12.9% on a per-room basis while significantly expanding their gross margins," said Frank P. Elsenbast, senior vice president and chief financial officer.  "Advertising services improved its gross margin from 9.2% last year to 42.1% in the current quarter driven by 40% revenue growth and reductions to its cost structure.  Hotel services revenue per room is up over 9%, driven by growth in High Definition TV Programming.  In Healthcare, revenue improved by over 90% versus last year.  While down versus prior year, our Guest Entertainment footprint of 1.7 million hotel rooms provides the scale, cash flow and technology to drive the growth of these new service lines.  

"We continue to manage expenses conservatively and delever the company during this sustained economic downturn," continued Elsenbast.  "We lowered our leverage ratio to 3.40 times on a net debt basis this quarter, as we achieved the final covenant stepdown in our loan agreement. Looking forward, we are prepared to increase our capital investment levels in support of the rollout of High Definition TV by our best hotel customers.  These investments provide strong financial returns to LodgeNet and are an essential upgrade that many of our hotel partners are planning as they enter 2011." 

Total revenue for the third quarter of 2010 was $113.8 million, a decrease of $7.3 million or 6.1%, compared to the same period of 2009.  The decrease in revenue resulted from reductions in Guest Entertainment revenue largely offset by increases in revenue from all of our other service lines, including System Sales and Related Services, Hotel Services, Healthcare and Advertising Services.

Hospitality and Advertising revenue, which includes Guest Entertainment, Hotel Services, System Sales and Advertising Services, decreased $8.5 million or 7.0%, to $111.5 million for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to $120.0 million for the prior year quarter.  Average monthly Hospitality and Advertising revenue per room was $21.55 for the third quarter of 2010, a decrease of 2.0% as compared to $22.00 per room in the third quarter of 2009.

Guest Entertainment revenue, which includes on-demand entertainment from movies, television episodes, games and music, declined $11.5 million to $64.8 million in the third quarter of 2010 versus the third quarter of 2009.  The decline in Guest Entertainment revenue resulted from a 5.1% reduction in the average number of rooms served over the prior year period, primarily as a result of the Company's decision not to renew certain low performing property contracts, and a 10.6% reduction in revenue on a per installed room basis.  The decline in per room revenue resulted from less popular Hollywood content this year as compared to last year; continued conservative consumer buying patterns and a low penetration of High Definition services across our 1.7 million Guest Entertainment rooms. Our top ten theatrical titles generated $3.3 million less revenue this quarter vs. prior year.  This reduction accounts for approximately 30% of the revenue decline experienced by Guest Entertainment this quarter.  

Hotel Services revenue, which includes recurring revenue from hotels for television programming and broadband Internet service and support, increased $1.3 million or 3.8%, to $34.0 million in the third quarter of 2010 versus $32.7 million for the third quarter of 2009.   On a per-room basis, monthly Hotel Services revenue for the third quarter of 2010 increased 9.3% to $6.56 compared to $6.00 for the third quarter of 2009.  Monthly television programming revenue per room increased 9.1% to $5.97 for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to $5.47 for the third quarter of 2009.  This increase resulted primarily from higher priced programming packages purchased by hotels as they installed high definition television systems and changes to other TV programming services and products.

System Sales and Related Services revenue, including sales of TV programming equipment, broadband Internet equipment, HDTV installations and other services to hotels, increased $1.3 million or 14.3%, to $10.5 million during the third quarter of 2010 compared to $9.2 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The increase primarily resulted from a large HDTV equipment conversion project in this year's quarter, partially offset by reductions in our broadband equipment sales.

The Hotel Networks ("THN"), our advertising services subsidiary, generated revenue of $2.2 million, an increase of 32.4% compared to the $1.7 million generated in the third quarter of 2009.  This increase was driven primarily by an increase in channel leasing revenue.

Healthcare revenue, which includes the sale of interactive systems and services to Healthcare facilities, increased 94.5% or $1.1 million to $2.3 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to $1.2 million in the prior year quarter.  During the quarter, we installed 563 beds and one facility compared to 270 beds and one facility and provided significant professional installation services to another major hospital, compared to installing 270 beds at one facility during the prior year period.  We have eight healthcare contracts with more than 2,200 beds in our backlog currently awaiting installation.

Total direct costs (exclusive of operating expenses and depreciation and amortization discussed separately below) decreased 7.1% or $4.9 million, to $64.3 million in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to $69.2 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The decrease in total direct costs was primarily due to decreased hotel commissions and content royalties of $5.3 million, which vary with revenue.  Advertising Services also experienced lower fixed costs this year due to lower satellite distribution and content costs.  Partially offsetting the reductions was an increase in incremental TV programming costs of $0.3 million, which vary with the increased revenue and the services provided.   These changes increased gross margins to 43.5% in the quarter compared to 42.9% for the same period of last year.

System Operations expenses decreased $0.2 million or 1.6%, to $10.7 million in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to $10.9 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The decrease resulted from the continued management of our operating expenses.  As a percentage of revenue, System Operations expenses were 9.4% this quarter as compared to 9.0% in the third quarter of 2009.  Per average installed room, System Operations expenses were $2.06 per room per month compared to $1.99 in the prior year quarter.

Selling, General and Administrative (SG&A) expenses increased $0.5 million or 4.2%, to $11.8 million in the current quarter as compared to $11.3 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The increase resulted primarily from debt issuance costs of $0.5 million related to financing options which were explored in the third quarter. Excluding these non-operating costs, Operating Expenses for the quarter of $11.3 million were flat to last year and the prior quarter.    

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $4.1 million, or 16.9% to $20.1 million in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to $24.2 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The decline was due to assets becoming fully depreciated and the reduction in capital investments levels over the past two years.  As a percentage of revenue, total depreciation and amortization expenses were 17.7% in the third quarter of 2010 versus 20.0% in the third quarter of 2009.

As a result of factors described above, operating income increased 28.5% or $1.5 million, to $6.8 million in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to $5.3 million in the third quarter of 2009.  Adjusted Operating Cash Flow (AOCF), a non-GAAP measure which we define as operating income exclusive of depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, restructuring expenses and debt issuance costs, was $27.9 million for the third quarter of 2010 as compared to $30.0 million in the third quarter of 2009.

Interest expense was $8.1 million in the third quarter of 2010 versus $9.5 million in the third quarter of 2009.  The decrease resulted primarily from the change in long-term debt at the end of the period, which decreased to $390.5 million during the third quarter of 2010 from $496.0 million at the end of the third quarter of 2009.  The average interest rate during the third quarter of 2010 was 7.5% versus 7.1% for the third quarter 2009.  

Net loss attributable to common stockholders was $(3.1) million for the third quarter of 2010, a 53.1% improvement compared to a net loss attributable to common stockholders of $(6.6) million in the prior year quarter.  Net loss per share attributable to common stockholders was $(0.12) for the third quarter of 2010 (basic and diluted), a 60.0% improvement compared to the net loss per share attributable to common stockholders of $(0.30) (basic and diluted) in the third quarter of 2009.

For the third quarter of 2010, cash provided by operating activities was $20.0 million, a 2.8% decrease as compared to $20.6 million in the third quarter of 2009.  Cash used for property and equipment additions was $4.7 million during the third quarter of 2010 compared to $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2009.  In the quarter, we made debt repayments in the amount of $14.4 million.  Additionally, we used $1.4 million of cash for preferred stock dividends in the third quarter of 2010.  The leverage ratio at the end of this quarter, calculated on a net debt basis, was 3.40 times versus the covenant of 3.50 times.  Cash as of September 30, 2010 was $8.1 million.  

The Company installed 1,854 new rooms and converted 5,640 rooms to our High Definition platform in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to 4,641 new rooms and 6,487 converted rooms during the third quarter of 2009.  The average investment per newly-installed HD room decreased to $206 per room during the third quarter of 2010, compared to $339 per room during the full year of 2009.  Factors contributing to the 39.2%, or $133 per room reduction, included declining component and overhead costs during the third quarter of 2010 compared to the full year of 2009.  The average investment per converted HD room decreased by 22.8% to $186 during the third quarter of 2010, compared to $241 during 2009, due to the same general factors noted above.  

Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2010, LodgeNet expects to report revenue in the range of $108.0 million to $112.0 million. This guidance reflects a 5% to 10% decline in Guest Entertainment revenue on a per room basis, and strengthening revenues from our diversification efforts with Healthcare, Advertising Services and System Sales, which are expected to continue delivering strong double digit sales growth over the prior year. Additionally, we expect Adjusted Operating Cash Flow to be in a range from $24.0 million to $27.0 million and Net Income (Loss) per common share in a range from $(0.24) to $(0.16).  

The Company will also host a teleconference to discuss its results October 26th, 2010, at 11:00 A.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 integration and reorganization.  Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP measure, is defined by the Company as cash provided by operating activities less cash used for investing activities, including growth related capital.  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 Interactive

LodgeNet Interactive Corporation is the leading provider of media and connectivity solutions designed to meet the unique needs of hospitality, healthcare and other guest-based businesses.  LodgeNet Interactive serves approximately 1.8 million hotel rooms worldwide in addition to healthcare facilities throughout the United States.  The Company's services include:  Interactive Television Solutions, Broadband Internet Solutions, Content Solutions, Professional Solutions and Advertising Media Solutions.  LodgeNet Interactive Corporation owns and operates businesses under the industry leading brands:  LodgeNet, LodgeNetRX, and The Hotel Networks.  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," "anticipates," "estimates," "believes," "goal," "no assurance" 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 fourth quarter 2010 guidance, including revenue, adjusted operating cash flow, and net loss per common share, 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 is a registered trademark of LodgeNet Interactive Corporation. All rights reserved. Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.

SOURCE LodgeNet Interactive Corporation

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