STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE – News) today announced financial results for its second quarter ended June 30, 2007. Revenues totaled $137.5 million as compared to $119.3 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $9.7 million as compared to $21.4 million in the prior year quarter. Net income was $7.0 million, or $0.10 per share, as compared to $14.7 million, or $0.21 per share, in the prior year quarter. Earnings in the quarter were negatively impacted by a $15.7 million impairment charge related to our revised performance expectations of our feature film “The Condemned”.
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Excluding the impairment charge discussed above, operating income would have been $25.4 million as compared to $21.4 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 19% increase. Net income would have been $16.9 million, or $0.23 per share, in the current quarter as compared to $14.7 million, or $0.21 per share, in the prior year quarter.
“We achieved a broad-based 15% revenue increase, posting higher revenues across all key business lines in the current quarter. In addition to the top line growth, we achieved EBITDA of approximately $12.0 million, or $27.7 million excluding the film impairment. This $27.7 million represents an 18% increase over the prior year quarter,” said Linda McMahon, Chief Executive Officer.
“Live and Televised revenues were driven by the success of WrestleMania® which set WWE® records for both the number of pay-per-view buys and gross ticket sales. Consumer Products revenues increased 29% over the prior year quarter, reflecting improvements in our home video, licensing and magazine publishing businesses. Digital Media revenues, which were up 30% over the prior year quarter, also benefited from new partnerships, particularly for wireless content,” concluded Mrs. McMahon.
Live and Televised Entertainment
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $102.9 million for the current quarter as compared to $92.6 million in the prior year quarter, representing an 11% increase.
# Live Event revenues were $ 30.1 million as compared to $25.1 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in the number of international events as well as an increase in attendance at our North American events.
— There were 84 events, including 26 international events,
during the current quarter as compared to 85 events,
including 17 international events, in the prior year
quarter.
— North American average attendance was approximately 6,900
in the current quarter as compared to 5,800 in the prior
year quarter, an increase of 19%, which represents our
tenth consecutive quarter in which average attendance has
increased as compared to the prior year quarter. The
average ticket price for North American events was
approximately $46.00 in the current quarter as compared to
$42.00 in the prior year quarter. Revenue related to our
pay-per-view events increased by approximately $3.1
million, reflecting the success of our WrestleMania 23
event which was attended by more than 80,000 fans and
generated $5.4 million in ticket sales.
# Pay-Per-View revenues were $39.8 million as compared to $38.1 million in the prior year quarter. There were five pay-per-view events produced in each quarter.
The details for the number of buys (in 000s) are as follows:
– WrestleMania: 1,188
– Backlash: 194
– Judgment Day: 242
One Night Stand: 186
Vengeance: 243
* The North American retail price of our pay-per-view events, excluding WrestleMania, was increased to $39.95 from $34.95 beginning with the One Night Stand event in 2006. The North American retail price of WrestleMania was $49.95 in both the current and prior year. The buys reported for WrestleMania 23 represent the most buys ever generated by a WWE pay-per-view event.
* Venue Merchandise revenues were $5.4 million as compared to $5.2 million in the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting the increase in North American attendance and an increase in per capita spending by our fans of approximately $1.00 to $12.75 in the current quarter.
* Television Rights Fees revenues were $23.9 million as compared to $20.8 million in the prior year quarter. This increase is primarily due to the rights fees received from our ECW® telecasts in the current quarter, which began airing on the SCI FI Channel in June, 2006.
* WWE 24/7(TM) revenues were $1.3 million as compared to $0.7 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues reflects the growth in the number of subscribers for our video-on-demand program.
Consumer Products
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $26.4 million versus $20.4 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 29% increase.
* Home Video net revenues were $14.8 million as compared to $12.1 million in the prior year quarter. We shipped over 310,000 DVD units of WrestleMania 23, which represented our best selling title in the current quarter. In addition, we shipped a combined 215,000 DVD units for the two releases of The Ladder Match and Ric Flair and the Four Horsemen in the current quarter.
* Licensing revenues were $7.7 million as compared to $5.2 million in the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting increases in toy and apparel related sales. Revenues related to toy sales and apparel increased by approximately $2.4 million as compared to the prior year quarter.
* Magazine publishing net revenues were $3.7 million as compared to $ 3.0 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 23% increase. In the current quarter we published 3 issues as compared to 7 issues in the prior year quarter. In July 2006 we began publishing WWE Magazine, which replaced our two former magazines, Raw® and SmackDown®.
Digital Media
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $8.2 million as compared to $6.3 million in the prior year, representing a 30% increase.
* WWE.com revenues were $4.6 million as compared to $2.9 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting additional revenues from sales of advertising and our wireless content.
* WWEShop revenues were $3.6 million as compared to $3.4 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to a 3% increase in the number of orders processed during the current quarter. The average amount spent by our customers per order was approximately $51.00.
WWE Films
WWE does not participate in any revenues associated with our film projects until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us. Accordingly, no revenues have been recorded to date for the three feature films released to date. After the recording of our $15.7 million asset impairment for “The Condemned”, we have approximately $39.3 million of capitalized film production costs on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2007.
Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)
Profit contribution was $37.0 million in the current quarter as compared to $46.3 million in the prior year quarter while the profit contribution margin was approximately 27% as compared to 39% in the prior year. Excluding the impact of the $15.7 million feature film asset impairment discussed above, the profit contribution margin would have been consistent with the prior year quarter. Improved margins from our live events, home video and digital media businesses were offset by increased pay-per-view and television production costs. These costs reflect the staging of WrestleMania 23 in a large stadium and producing four television shows from international locations as compared to two in the prior year.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $25.0 million for the current quarter as compared to $23.0 million in the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting increased staff related costs.
EBITDA
EBITDA for the current quarter was approximately $12.0 million, or $27.7 million excluding the film impairment, as compared to $23.4 million in the prior year quarter.
Summary Results for the Six Months Ended
Total revenues through the six months ended June 30, 2007 were $244.9 million as compared to $214.4 million in the prior year period. Operating income for the current period was $30.3 million versus $35.7 million in the prior year period. Net income was $22.2 million, or $0.31 per share, as compared to $24.1 million, or $0.34 per share, in the prior year period. As discussed above, the current year results reflect the $15.7 million asset impairment for “The Condemned”.
Excluding the impairment charge discussed above, operating income would have been $46.0 million as compared to $35.7 million in the prior year period, representing a 29% increase. Net income would have been $32.2 million, or $0.45 per share, in the current period as compared to $24.1 million, or $0.34 per share, in the prior year period.
Live and Televised Entertainment
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $165.9 million for the current period as compared to $153.9 million in the prior year, an increase of 8%.
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $63.8 million versus $49.3 million in the prior year, an increase of 29%.
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $15.2 million as compared to $11.2 million in the prior year, an increase of 36%.
Profit contribution was $86.3 million in the current period as compared to $90.0 million in the prior year period while the profit contribution margin was approximately 35% in the current year as compared to 42% in the prior year period. Excluding the impact of the $15.7 million feature film asset impairment discussed above, the profit contribution margin would have been consistent with the prior year period. Improved margins from our home video and digital media businesses were offset by increased pay-per-view and television production costs. These costs reflect the staging of WrestleMania 23 in a large stadium and producing four television shows from international locations as compared to two in the prior year.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $51.4 million for the current period as compared to $50.0 million in the prior year period.
EBITDA
EBITDA was for the current period was approximately $34.9 million, or $50.6 excluding the film impairment, as compared to $40.1 million in the prior year period.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by operating activities was $48.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 as compared to $21.0 million in the prior year period.
Business Outlook
In lieu of providing specific financial guidance, we have expanded the depth of our business metrics, and made these available to investors on a monthly basis on our corporate website – corporate.wwe.com. Additionally, as a specific point of reference, the Company has targeted 2007 EBITDA growth of approximately 12% over the prior calendar year for the payout of management bonuses.
Note: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. will host a conference call on August 2, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company’s earnings results for the second quarter of 2007. All interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 800-795-1259 (conference ID: WWE). Please reserve a line 15 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. A presentation that will be referenced during the call can be found at the Company web site at corporate.wwe.com. A replay of the call will be available approximately three hours after the conference call concludes, and can be accessed at corporate.wwe.com.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE – News) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information on the Company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.
Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. ECW is a trademark of WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company’s brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated.
Non-GAAP Measure:
EBITDA is defined as net income before interest and other income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Although it is not a recognized measure of performance under U.S. GAAP, EBITDA is presented because it is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company’s performance. The Company uses EBITDA to measure its own performance and to set goals for operating managers. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or any other indicator of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.’s performance or liquidity, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
Non-GAAP Measure:
We define Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by continuing operations less cash used for capital expenditures. Although it is not a recognized measure of liquidity under U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow provides useful information regarding the amount of cash our continuing business is generating after capital expenditures, available for reinvesting in the business and for payment of dividends.
For more information on this report, including charts not included in this post, access this link.
Contact:
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Media:
Gary Davis, 203-353-5066
or
Investors:
Michael Weitz, 203-352-8642
Source: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
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