Videocon d2h Limited Quarter Ended September 30, 2016 Earnings Release

MUMBAI, October 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ --

Adjusted EBITDA^[1] grew 37.3% year on year to INR 2.63 billion  

Net subscriber^[2] base stood at 12.52 million 

Videocon d2h Limited (NASDAQ: VDTH) ("Videocon d2h" or the "Company") announced its financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2016. These results reflect the Company's change in accounting treatment of entertainment tax effective April 1, 2016.

Highlights for the quarter ended September 30, 2016: 

• Revenue from operations came in at INR 7.76 billion. This is up 20.6% year on year if the Company was to compute its revenue from operations for Q2 FY17 under its former accounting treatment^[*].^[1]
• Subscription and activation revenue came in at INR 7.11 billion. This is up 21.9% year on year if the Company was to compute its subscription and activation revenue for Q2 FY17 under its former accounting treatment^[*].
• Adjusted EBITDA grew 37.3% year on year to INR 2.63 billion.
• Adjusted EBITDA margin came in at 33.8%. This is up 380 basis points year on year if the Company was to compute its revenue from operations for Q2 FY17 under its former accounting treatment^[*].
• Gross subscribers^[3] and net subscribers increased by 0.59 million and 0.23 million subscribers, respectively, during the quarter; Net subscribers base stood at 12.52 million.
• Free cash flow^[4] came in at INR 199 million.

   
    Key metrics                            Q2 FY17
    Gross subscriber additions (million)    0.59
    Net subscriber additions (million)      0.23
    Adjusted EBITDA (INR million)           2,625
    Profit after tax (INR million)           148

Commenting on the results, Executive Chairman of Videocon d2h, Mr. Saurabh Dhoot, said "I'm pleased to report a terrific quarter with over 37% increase in EBITDA year on year, in spite of the previously announced increase in taxes which impacted ARPU. Our quarterly results performance is consistent with our five point strategy to 1) grow subscriber base, 2) enhance subscriber monetization, 3) focus on localization and premium services, 4) lead the market in technological innovation and 5) enhance operational efficiencies and improve margins. These imperatives are driving our success at creating sustainable shareholder value.

"We are excited and fully prepared to seize the significant subscriber growth opportunity ahead of us through our leading distribution, customer service and differentiated content offering, supported by a strong balance sheet.

"We achieved positive profit after tax and turned free cash flow positive during the current fiscal year, which we believe is a great achievement."

Speaking on the business outlook, Mr. Anil Khera, CEO of Videocon d2h said "We are extremely excited with the business growth opportunities ahead of the company. We welcome the regulators' initiative to review and draft a tariff order that aims to create complete transparency in carriage and content deals and bring in commercial parity amongst distribution platforms."

Financial Summary: 

                              (In INR million, unless otherwise indicated)

   
                                               Q1 FY17
    Financial highlights                    (Adjusted)(1)      Q2 FY17(1)
    Revenue from operations                     7,633             7,762
    Subscription and activation revenue         6,970             7,107
    Adjusted EBITDA                             2,519             2,625
    Adjusted EBITDA margin (%)                  33.0%             33.8%
    Profit after tax (loss)                      27                148
    Content cost (% of revenue)                 38.7%             38.7%

    Adjusted EBITDA less capex                   887               907

                                               Q1 FY17
    Operating highlights                    (Adjusted)(1)      Q2 FY17(1)
    Net subscribers (million)                   12.29             12.52
    ARPU[5] (INR)                                211               209
    Churn[6] per month (%)                      0.49%             0.95%

(1)    The Company adopted a change in the accounting treatment of entertainment tax effective April 1, 2016. This change resulted in operating revenue being presented net of entertainment tax, effective from April 1, 2016. The Company's financials and operating highlights for Q1 FY17 have been adjusted to reflect this change. Prior to April 1, 2016, entertainment tax was accounted for under operating expenses, thus operating revenue was presented without deduction of entertainment tax. For more information regarding this change of accounting treatment, see the Company's Form 6-K dated August 5, 2016. As a result, the Company's financials and operating highlights for periods after April 1, 2016 are not comparable with its financials and operating highlights for periods prior to April 1, 2016 due to this change in accounting treatment of entertainment tax effective April 1, 2016.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2016, subscription and activation revenue came in at INR 7.11 billion. Revenue from operations came in at INR 7.76 billion. On a like to like basis, using the Company's former accounting treatment of entertainment tax which it applied prior to April 1, 2016, revenue from operations for Q2 FY17 would have been INR 8.32 billion, which is up 20.6% year on year and subscription and activation revenue for Q2 FY17 would have been INR 7.67 billion, which is up 21.9% year on year.

Adjusted EBITDA grew 37.3% year on year to INR 2.63 billion. Adjusted EBITDA margin came in at 33.8% during the quarter. On a like to like basis, using the Company's former accounting treatment of entertainment tax which it applied prior to April 1, 2016, EBITDA margin for Q2 FY17 would have been 31.5%, which is up 380 basis points year on year.

Content cost came in at 38.7% of revenue. On a like to like basis, using the Company's former accounting treatment of entertainment tax which it applied prior to April 1, 2016, content cost as percentage of revenue during Q2 FY17 would have been 36.1%, which has improved 200 basis points year on year.

The Company reported profit after tax of INR 148 million during the quarter. This compares to a net loss of INR 246 million during the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

The Company added 0.59 million gross subscribers and 0.23 million net subscribers during the second quarter of fiscal 2017. Net subscribers totaled 12.52 million as of September 30, 2016. Churn came in at 0.95% per month for the quarter as compared to 1.19% during the same quarter last year.

ARPU came in at INR 209. Effective April 1, 2016, ARPU is calculated by dividing revenue from operations by the average of the Company's net subscribers for the period. Prior to April 1, 2016, ARPU was calculated by dividing the Company's subscription and activation revenue by the average of its net subscribers for the period. Subscription and activation charges were considered on a gross basis without netting off the recharge margins or discounts provided to the distributors. The Company revised its calculation of ARPU in order to simplify its ARPU calculation in accordance with feedback received from certain of its investors. On a like to like basis, using the Company's former definition of ARPU which it applied prior to April 1, 2016, ARPU would have been INR 216. The expected increase in indirect taxes due to implementation of Krishi Kalyan cess (agri-welfare tax) starting June 1, 2016 impacted ARPU during the quarter.    

Subscriber acquisition costs in the form of hardware subsidies were INR 1,869 per subscriber.

The Company had term loans of INR 19.12 billion and total cash and short term investments of INR 3.76 billion as of September 30, 2016.

Conference Call: Dial-in Details 

The results conference call time and details are provided below.

   
                     Call #1                             Call #2
    Date             October 27, 2016                    October 27, 2016

    Time             11:00 am India time                 6:30 pm India time
                     1:30pm HK time                      9:00pm HK time
                     6:30am UK time                      2:00pm UK time
                     1:30am NYC time                     9:00am NYC time

    Dial in details
    India            +91 22 6746 8376 / +91 22 3960 0752 +91 22 6746 8376 / +91 22 3960 0752
    Hong Kong        800 964 448 / +852 3018 6877        800 964 448 / +852 3018 6877
    Singapore        800 101 2045 / +65 3157 5746        800 101 2045 / +65 3157 5746
    USA                  1866 746 2133 / +1 323 386 8721     1866 746 2133 / +1 323 386 8721
    UK                   0808 101 1573 / +44 20347 85524     0808 101 1573 / +44 20347 85524
    Pin code         Not required                        Not required

    Playback details
               India +91 22 3065 2322 / +91 22 6181 3322 +91 22 3065 2322 / +91 22 6181 3322
                 USA 1 855 4360 715 / 1 863 9490 105     1 855 4360 715 / 1 863 9490 105
    Playback ID      76076                               03597

***********************************************************************************************

Forward looking statements 

This earnings release may contain forward-looking statements, as defined in the safe harbor provisions of the US Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. In addition to statements which are forward-looking by reason of context, the words "may", "will", "should", "expects", "plans", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "estimates", "predicts", "potential", or "continue" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. We caution you that reliance on any forward-looking statement involves risks and uncertainties that might cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These and other factors are more fully discussed in the Videocon d2h's registration statement on Form F-4 filed with the SEC and available at http://www.sec.gov. All information provided in this earnings release is as of the date hereof, unless the context otherwise requires. Other than as required by law, Videocon d2h does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or other information in this earnings release.

Q2 FY17 financial results are available on the SEC web site and company web site http://www.ir.videocond2h.com

--------------------------------------------------

^[*] The Company adopted a change in the accounting treatment of entertainment tax effective April 1, 2016. This change resulted in operating revenue being presented net of entertainment tax, effective from April 1, 2016. Prior to April 1, 2016, entertainment tax was accounted for under operating expenses, thus operating revenue was presented without deduction of entertainment tax.  For more information regarding this change of accounting treatment, see the Company's Form 6-K dated August 5, 2016. As a result, the Company's financials and operating highlights for periods after April 1, 2016 are not comparable with its financials and operating highlights for periods prior to April 1, 2016 due to this change in accounting treatment of entertainment tax effective April 1, 2016. Using the Company's former accounting treatment of entertainment tax which the Company applied prior to April 1, 2016, revenue from operations would have been INR 8.32 billion, subscription and activation revenue would have been INR 7.67 billion and EBITDA margin would have been 31.5% for Q2 FY17, respectively.

^[1]  The Company calculates EBITDA by calculating profit or loss after tax as increased by income tax expense, net finance costs, depreciation, amortization and impairment and reduced by other income. Adjusted EBITDA is EBITDA adjusted for the recognition of fair value of the Employee Stock Option Plan 2014 recognized as an expense over the vesting period which amounted to INR 21.01 million for the first and second quarters of fiscal year 2017, respectively. Adjusted EBITDA presented in this earnings release is a supplemental measure of performance and liquidity that is not required by or represented in accordance with the IFRS. Furthermore, Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance or liquidity under IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to profit after tax, operating income or other income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with the IFRS or as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is not a standardized term, hence direct comparison between companies using the same term may not be possible. Other companies may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently from the Company, limiting their usefulness as comparative measures. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA helps identify underlying trends in the Company's business that could otherwise be distorted by the effect of the expenses that are excluded when calculating Adjusted EBITDA. The Company believes that Adjusted EBITDA enhances the overall understanding of its past performance and future prospects and allows for greater visibility with respect to key metrics used by its management in its financial and operational decision-making.

^[2]  Net subscriber means subscribers authorized to receive DTH broadcasting services on account of payment of subscription charges or any entry offer at the time of initial connection, as well as subscribers who are temporarily disconnected due to non-payment of subscription charges for a period not exceeding 120 days.

^[3] Gross subscribers means total registered subscribers.

^[4]  The Company calculates free cash flow as Adjusted EBITDA less capital expenditure and net interest expense, as increased by other income. Free cash flow is not an IFRS measure and should not be construed as an alternative to any IFRS measure such as cash flow from operating activities. Free cash flow should not be considered in isolation and is not a measure of the Company's financial performance or liquidity under IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating, investing or financing activities or any other measure of its liquidity derived in accordance with IFRS. Free cash flow does not necessarily indicate whether cash flow will be sufficient or available for cash requirements and may not be indicative of the Company's results of operations. Free cash flow as defined herein may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures used by other companies.

^[5]  For Q1 FY17 and Q2 FY17, Average Revenue Per User ("ARPU") is calculated by dividing revenue from operations by the average of the Company's net subscribers for the period. For Q2 FY16, ARPU was calculated by dividing the Company's subscription and activation revenue by the average of its net subscribers for the periods. Subscription and activation charges were considered on a gross basis without netting off the recharge margins or discounts provided to the distributors. As a result, ARPU for periods after April 1, 2016 are not comparable with ARPU for periods prior to April 1, 2016 due to this change in the Company's definition of ARPU effective April 1, 2016.

^[6]  Churn has been calculated as the number of subscribers who have not made payment for at least 120 days and is the difference between the number of gross subscribers and the number of net subscribers.

SOURCE Videocon d2h