- Adjusted Operating Income Grew 24% in the Fourth Quarter with Gains in Filmed Entertainment and Media Networks - Adjusted Net Earnings from Continuing Operations and Adjusted Diluted EPS from Continuing Operations Both Rose 43% in Fourth Quarter
NEW YORK, Feb 11, 2010 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA, VIA.B) today reported strong double-digit growth in its fourth quarter 2009 adjusted operating income, adjusted net earnings from continuing operations and adjusted diluted earnings per share (EPS), reflecting an outstanding performance in its Filmed Entertainment segment and solid growth in Media Networks.
2009 Results
Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, B/(W) December 31, B/(W)
------------- ----- ------------ -----
(in millions, except 2009 vs. 2009 vs.
per share amounts) 2009 2008 2008 2009 2008 2008
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --------
Revenues $4,098 4,243 (3%) $13,619 14,625 (7%)
Operating income 1,092 475 N/M 2,904 2,523 15%
Adjusted operating
income(1) 1,152 929 24% 2,997 2,977 1%
Net earnings from
continuing operations
attributable to Viacom 694 172 N/M 1,591 1,233 29%
Adjusted net earnings from
continuing operations
attributable to Viacom(1) 663 464 43% 1,559 1,491 5%
Diluted EPS from continuing
Operations 1.14 0.28 N/M 2.62 1.97 33%
Adjusted diluted EPS from
continuing operations(1) $1.09 0.76 43% $2.56 2.38 8%
N/M = Not Meaningful
(1) Adjusted measures referenced in this release are detailed in the
Supplemental Disclosures at the end of this release.
Revenues in the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2009 declined 3% to $4.1 billion with lower results in Media Networks and Filmed Entertainment. Adjusted operating income of $1.15 billion was up 24% over the fourth quarter 2008 results, reflecting a significant increase in profitability in the Filmed Entertainment segment and cost containment measures across the Company. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to Viacom increased 43% to $663 million and adjusted diluted EPS from continuing operations were $1.09, up 43% over the fourth quarter 2008 results.
Revenues for the full year 2009 decreased 7% to $13.62 billion as growth in affiliate revenues was offset by decreases in feature film, ancillary and advertising revenues. The 1% gain in adjusted operating income of $3.0 billion for the year was driven by a $148 million increase in the Filmed Entertainment segment. Adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to Viacom grew 5% to $1.56 billion and adjusted diluted earnings per share were $2.56, an 8% increase over the prior year's adjusted results of $2.38 per share.
Sumner M. Redstone, Executive Chairman of Viacom, said, "Viacom's results over the past year have been extraordinary and illustrate the value of a well planned strategy and execution. Despite the economic challenges, we performed extremely well across our media networks and motion picture operations. As a result of the quality of our operations and wealth of creative talent throughout the Company, we are well positioned for success not only today but long into the future."
Philippe Dauman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Viacom, said, "Our disciplined and content-focused strategy helped Viacom close out the year with a stronger balance sheet, a streamlined cost structure and a reinvigorated creative mandate across the company. Despite a global recession that impacted all aspects of our business, the multiple revenue streams of our cable networks helped temper the impact of an industry-wide downturn in advertising and retail, and also allowed us to continue to invest in new programming to build our brands. The resurgence of BET and MTV's recent ratings gains are strong examples of the relevance our brands have with their target audiences.
"Paramount Pictures significantly boosted its profitability in 2009 as the studio's strategy of producing a smaller slate of films, anchored by franchises, began to pick up momentum. We also were pleased to see renewed consumer demand for our new DVD and Blu-ray releases in the fourth quarter. Looking ahead, Paramount has built a very strong slate for 2010, kicking off next week with the release of Martin Scorsese's Shutter Island."
Revenues
Revenues Quarter Ended Year Ended
December 31, B/(W) December 31, B/(W)
------------- ----- ------------ -----
2009 vs. 2009 vs.
(in millions) 2009 2008 2008 2009 2008 2008
---- ---- -------- ---- ---- --------
Media Networks $2,333 $2,475 (6%) $8,288 $8,756 (5%)
Filmed Entertainment 1,791 1,807 (1%) 5,482 6,033 (9%)
Eliminations (26) (39) N/M (151) (164) N/M
--- --- ---- ----
Total revenues $4,098 $4,243 (3%) $13,619 $14,625 (7%)
------ ------ ------- -------
N/M = Not Meaningful
Fourth Quarter 2009 revenues of $4.1 billion declined 3% from $4.24 billion in fourth quarter 2008. Media Networks revenues of $2.33 billion, a 6% decrease from the prior year's fourth quarter results, reflect a 37% decline in ancillary revenues to $290 million. This was driven primarily by lower sales of Rock Band bundles. Worldwide advertising revenues declined 3% in the quarter to $1.30 billion with domestic advertising revenues down 4%. Worldwide affiliate revenues grew 11% to $741 million. Filmed Entertainment revenues declined 1% to $1.79 billion primarily due to a 73% year-over-year decrease in theatrical revenues to $93 million, which reflects a difficult comparison with the number and mix of films released in the fourth quarter of last year. Worldwide home entertainment revenues of $1.15 billion represent a 12% increase over the prior year's fourth quarter results and reflect the strong performance of the DVD and Blu-ray releases of Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. Worldwide television license fees grew 27% to $445 million.
Full Year 2009 revenues of $13.62 billion declined 7% from $14.63 billion in 2008. Media Networks revenues were down 5% to $8.29 billion due to lower ancillary and advertising revenues, which were partially offset by growth in affiliate fees. Worldwide affiliate revenues increased 11% to $2.90 billion in 2009. Lower year-over-year sales of Rock Band contributed to a 31% decline in worldwide ancillary revenues to $982 million. Worldwide advertising sales of $4.41 billion represent a 7% decrease versus the prior year, including a 6% decline in domestic advertising revenues, which reflects softness in the global advertising market. Filmed Entertainment revenues declined 9% to $5.48 billion for the year primarily due to lower theatrical and home entertainment revenues, which were partially offset by year-over-year growth in television revenues. A smaller slate of films was the primary driver of the 23% decrease in worldwide theatrical revenues of $1.32 billion. Worldwide home entertainment revenues were down 8% to $2.50 billion for the year reflecting fewer releases as well as continuing softness in the market. Higher pay TV fees helped fuel a 4% increase in television license fees to $1.38 billion.
Fourth Quarter 2009 adjusted operating income increased 24% to $1.15 billion compared with $929 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. This result was driven by a $214 million increase in profitability in the Filmed Entertainment segment, reflecting a higher year-over-year contribution from the fourth quarter domestic DVD and Blu-ray releases, the strong theatrical performance of Paranormal Activity and ongoing cost-saving initiatives. Media Networks operating income grew 3% to $921 million driven by higher affiliate revenues.
Full Year 2009 adjusted operating income grew 1% to $3.0 billion versus $2.98 billion in 2008, reflecting a significant increase in profitability in the Filmed Entertainment segment primarily fueled by the success of Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, Star Trek and Paranormal Activity as well as the benefit of restructuring and other cost-containment initiatives. Filmed Entertainment operating income grew from $88 million in 2008 to $236 million in 2009. Media Networks operating income declined 3% to $3.01 billion as a result of lower advertising revenues and Rock Band losses.
Fourth Quarter 2009 adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to Viacom increased 43% to $663 million as compared with $464 million in the prior year's fourth quarter. This growth reflects higher operating income, a favorable impact from foreign exchange fluctuations and lower interest expense. Fourth quarter adjusted diluted net EPS from continuing operations were $1.09, an increase of 43% over the fourth quarter 2008 adjusted diluted net EPS from continuing operations of $0.76.
Full Year 2009 adjusted net earnings from continuing operations attributable to Viacom increased 5% to $1.56 billion versus $1.49 billion, principally due to higher operating income. Full year 2009 adjusted diluted net EPS from continuing operations were $2.56 compared with $2.38 in 2008.
Debt
At December 31, 2009, total debt outstanding, including capital leases, decreased to $6.77 billion compared with $8.0 billion at December 31, 2008. In addition, the Company paid down the entire balance of its asset securitization program, which was $950 million at December 31, 2008. The Company's cash balances decreased to $298 million at December 31, 2009 compared with $792 million at December 31, 2008.
About Viacom
Viacom, consisting of BET Networks, MTV Networks and Paramount Pictures, is the world's leading entertainment content company. It engages audiences on television, motion picture and digital platforms through many of the world's best known entertainment brands, including MTV, VH1, CMT, Logo, Nickelodeon, Nick at Nite, Nick Jr., COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, BET, Rock Band, AddictingGames, Atom, Neopets, Shockwave and Paramount Pictures. Viacom's global reach includes approximately 170 channels and 430 digital media properties in more than 160 countries and territories.
For more information about Viacom and its businesses, visit www.viacom.com
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