The E. W. Scripps Company News
Scripps Reports Second Quarter Results
The earnings report for the three-month and year-to-date periods ending
Scripps Networks Interactive will report operating results separately beginning with the third quarter of 2008. Its businesses will be classified by The E. W. Scripps Company as discontinued operations, also beginning with the third quarter.
Consolidated second-quarter results for The E. W. Scripps Company reflect strong growth at Scripps Networks, which includes HGTV and Food Network, and solid operating performance at Shopzilla, the company's online comparison shopping business. Consolidated growth, however, was held back by weak advertising sales at the company's newspapers and broadcast television stations.
On a consolidated basis, The E. W. Scripps Company's second-quarter revenue increased 3.8 percent to
The company's second-quarter net income was
For The E. W. Scripps Company, on a pre-spin-off basis, consolidated second-quarter net income was affected by about
Net income also was affected by a
Consolidated net income was favorably affected during the second quarter by solid operating performance at Scripps Networks, which in addition to HGTV and Food Network, also includes DIY Network, Fine Living Network, the Great American Country television network and SN Digital, a growing portfolio of food- and shelter-related interactive businesses.
Second-quarter revenue at Scripps Networks grew 13 percent year over year to
(Segment profit, as defined by the company, excludes interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, divested operations, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income.)
Financial performance at Scripps Networks was favorably affected during the second quarter by increased advertising sales that resulted from improved viewership at HGTV and Food Network and strong pricing in the scatter advertising market.
At the company's online comparison shopping services, Shopzilla and uSwitch, combined second-quarter revenue grew 13 percent to
The Interactive Media division's second-quarter growth is attributable to Shopzilla's effectiveness in increasing and monetizing domestic user traffic to its Web sites and strong growth in its emerging European markets. Increased energy switching activity combined with significantly lower expenses at uSwitch in the
At the company's newspapers and television stations, second-quarter operating performance was affected by industry-wide weakness in local advertising sales.
Total second-quarter revenue at Scripps newspapers was down 13 percent, year over year, to
Lower local and classified advertising sales, including particularly weak real estate, employment and automotive classified advertising, contributed to the decline in total newspaper revenue and segment profit.
Second-quarter revenue at the Scripps television station group was
The decline in revenue and segment profit at the television station group was attributable to generally weak local and national advertising sales, particularly in the automotive and retail categories. Political advertising revenue during the quarter was
Here are second-quarter results by segment:
Scripps Networks
Scripps Networks advertising revenue increased 11 percent to
Programming, marketing and other expenses increased 18 percent to
Scripps Networks segment profit was
Revenue at HGTV was up 13 percent to
Food Network revenue also increased 13 percent to
Revenue at DIY Network was
Fine Living revenue increased 17 percent to
Revenue at Great American Country was
Newspapers
Total newspaper revenue declined 13 percent to
Advertising revenue broken down by category was: — Local, down 13 percent to $30.8 million. — Classified, down 21 percent to $38.5 million. — National, down 20 percent to $6.7 million.
— Preprint and other, down 7.9 percent to
Circulation revenue was
Segment profit at newspapers managed solely by the company was
Newsprint expense declined 3.9 percent due primarily to lower paper usage. Newsprint pricing was up about 15 percent over the prior-year period.
Total cash expenses for Scripps newspapers managed solely by the company were down 8.1 percent from the prior year. Year-over-year newspaper expense reductions reflect
Total newspaper segment profit was
Scripps Television Station Group
Television station group revenue was
Revenue broken down by category was: — Local, down 7.0 percent to $50.4 million. — National, down 7.6 percent to $23.8 million. — Political, $1.6 million compared with $400,000 in 2007.
Cash expenses for the television station group were
Television Station Group segment profit was
Interactive Media
Interactive Media revenue was
Segment profit was
Licensing and Other Media
Revenue was
Segment profit was
Guidance
(The following guidance is for The E. W. Scripps Company. Guidance for Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. was provided today in a separate press release.)
Total newspaper revenue is expected to be down 13 to 15 percent from the prior year in the third quarter due to continued weakness in classified and local advertising. Total newspaper expenses are expected to be flat compared with the prior year. The company anticipates a segment loss of
At the company's broadcast television stations, total revenue, including political advertising, is expected to be up 15 to 17 percent compared with the prior-year period. TV station group expenses are expected to be up in the mid-single digits. Political advertising revenue at the company's TV stations is expected to be between
Corporate expenses, excluding costs incurred as a result of the Scripps Networks Interactive spin-off, are expected to be about
Third-quarter earnings per share from continuing operations, excluding separation costs, are expected to be between
Based on the stock price of the company subsequent to the
Conference call
The senior management teams at The E. W. Scripps Company and Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. will discuss the company's second quarter results during a telephone conference call at
To access the conference call by telephone, dial 1-800-230-1766 (U.S.) or 1-612-332-0418 (International), approximately 10 minutes before the start of the call. Callers will need the name of the call (second quarter earnings report) to be granted access. Callers also will be asked to provide their name and company affiliation. The media and general public are provided access to the conference call on a listen-only basis.
A replay line will be open from
A replay of the conference call will be archived and available online for an extended period of time following the call. To access the audio replay, visit www.scripps.com approximately four hours after the call, choose "Shareholders" then follow the "audio archives" link on the left navigation bar.
Forward-looking statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements related to the company's businesses that are based on management's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, including changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. The company's written policy on forward-looking statements can be found on page F-5 of its 2007 SEC Form 10K.
We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date the statement is made.
About The E. W. Scripps Company
The E. W. Scripps Company (www.scripps.com) is a diverse, 130-year-old media enterprise with interests in broadcast television stations, newspaper publishing and licensing and syndication. The company's portfolio of locally focused media properties includes: 10 broadcast TV stations, with six ABC-affiliated stations, three NBC affiliates and one independent; daily and community newspapers in 15 markets and the
About Scripps Networks Interactive Inc.
Scripps Networks Interactive Inc. is the leading developer of lifestyle-oriented content for television and the Internet, where on-air programming is complemented with online video, social media areas and e- commerce components on companion Web sites and broadband vertical channels. The company's media portfolio includes: Lifestyle Media, with popular lifestyle television and Internet brands HGTV, Food Network, DIY Network, Fine Living Network and country music network Great American Country; and Interactive Services, with leading online comparison shopping services, Shopzilla and uSwitch.
THE E. W. SCRIPPS COMPANY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share data) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change Operating revenues $664,141 $640,074 3.8% $1,306,615 $1,241,498 5.2% Costs and expenses (473,208) (441,906) 7.1% (936,170) (890,307) 5.2% Depreciation and amortization of intangibles (29,703) (32,207) (7.8)% (58,465) (66,645) (12.3)% Gains (losses) on disposal of PP&E 2,364 (243) 1,497 (332) Operating income 163,594 165,718 (1.3)% 313,477 284,214 10.3% Interest expense (5,431) (10,729) (49.4)% (11,263) (20,930) (46.2)% Equity in earnings of JOAs and other joint ventures 7,543 13,628 (44.7)% 19,732 17,249 14.4% Gains (losses) on repurchases of debt (26,380) 317 (26,380) 317 Miscellaneous, net 7,431 2,601 8,192 3,449 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests 146,757 171,535 (14.4)% 303,758 284,299 6.8% Provision for income taxes (71,136) (54,781) 29.9% (122,010) (86,316) 41.4% Income from continuing operations before minority interests 75,621 116,754 (35.2)% 181,748 197,983 (8.2)% Minority interests (24,441) (20,988) 16.5% (46,734) (38,968) 19.9% Income from continuing operations 51,180 95,766 (46.6)% 135,014 159,015 (15.1)% Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 1,695 234 6,930 (96.6)% Net income $51,180 $97,461 (47.5)% $135,248 $165,945 (18.5)% Net income per diluted share of common stock: Income from continuing operations $0.94 $1.75 $2.47 $2.90 Income from discontinued operations 0.00 0.03 0.00 0.13 Net income per diluted share of common stock $0.94 $1.78 $2.48 $3.02 Weighted average diluted shares outstanding 54,706 54,797 54,629 54,886
As a result of the one-for-three reverse stock split that became effective on
Net income per share amounts may not foot since each is calculated independently.
See notes to results of operations. Notes to Results of Operations 1. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
Our
In 2006, we sold our Shop At Home television network to Jewelry Television. We also reached agreement in the third quarter of 2006 to sell the five Shop At Home-affiliated broadcast television stations. On
In accordance with the provisions of FAS 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets", the results of businesses held for sale or that have ceased operations are presented as discontinued operations within our results of operations. Accordingly, these businesses have been excluded from segment results for all periods presented.
Operating results of our discontinued operations were as follows: (in thousands) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Operating revenues $- $213 $5 $1,320 Equity in earnings of JOA $- $4,511 $331 $8,439 Income from discontinued operations: Income from discontinued operations, before tax $- $2,664 $371 $5,597 Income taxes (benefit) - 969 137 (1,333) Income from discontinued operations $- $1,695 $234 $6,930
A tax benefit of
2. OTHER CHARGES AND CREDITS
Net income was affected by the following:
2008 - In the second quarter of 2008, we redeemed the remaining balances of our outstanding notes and recorded a
Investment results, reported in the caption "Miscellaneous, net" in our Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income, include realized gains from the sale of certain investments in the second quarter of 2008. Net income was increased by
2007 - A majority of our newspapers offered voluntary separation plans to eligible employees during 2007. In connection with the acceptance of the offer by 137 employees, we accrued severance related costs of
Due to changes in a distribution agreement at our Shopzilla business, we wrote down intangible assets during the first quarter of 2007 to reflect that certain components of the contract were not continued. This resulted in a charge to amortization of
In connection with the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 48 and the corresponding detailed review that was completed for our deferred tax balances, we identified adjustments necessary to properly record certain tax balances. These adjustments reduced the tax provision in the first quarter of 2007 increasing year-to-date net income
3. SEGMENT INFORMATION
Our reportable segments are strategic businesses that offer different products and services. Scripps Networks includes national television networks, Newspapers includes daily and community newspapers, Broadcast television includes nine network affiliated stations and one independent station, Interactive media includes our online search and comparison shopping services, and Licensing and other media primarily includes syndication and licensing of news features and comics.
Our chief operating decision maker (as defined by FAS 131, "Segment Reporting") evaluates the operating performance of our business segments using a measure we call segment profit. Segment profit excludes interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, divested operating units, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
Items excluded from segment profit generally result from decisions made in prior periods or from decisions made by corporate executives rather than the managers of the business segments. Depreciation and amortization charges are the result of decisions made in prior periods regarding the allocation of resources and are therefore excluded from the measure. Financing, tax structure and divestiture decisions are generally made by corporate executives. Excluding these items from our business segment performance measure enables us to evaluate business segment operating performance for the current period based upon current economic conditions and decisions made by the managers of those business segments in the current period.
We account for our share of the earnings of our JOA and newspaper partnerships using the equity method of accounting. Our equity in earnings of our JOA and newspaper partnerships is included in "Equity in earnings of JOAs and other joint ventures" in our results of operations. Newspaper segment profit includes equity in earnings of JOAs and newspaper partnerships. Scripps Networks segment profit includes equity in earnings of joint ventures.
Information regarding the operating performance of our business segments determined in accordance with FAS 131 and reconciliation to our results of operations is as follows:
(in thousands) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change Segment operating revenues: Scripps Networks $349,223 $308,148 13.3% $660,059 $577,627 14.3% Newspapers: Newspapers managed solely by us 144,433 165,723 (12.8)% 300,032 335,474 (10.6)% JOAs and newspaper partnerships 53 48 10.4% 114 106 7.5% Total newspapers 144,486 165,771 (12.8)% 300,146 335,580 (10.6)% Broadcast television 80,520 84,539 (4.8)% 156,539 161,047 (2.8)% Interactive media 66,851 59,022 13.3% 144,347 121,956 18.4% Licensing and other media 23,375 22,381 4.4% 45,818 45,581 0.5% Corporate 200 799 (75.0)% 909 1,226 (25.9)% Intersegment eliminations (514) (586) (12.3)% (1,203) (1,519) (20.8)% Total operating revenues $664,141 $640,074 3.8% $1,306,615 $1,241,498 5.2% Segment profit (loss): Scripps Networks $180,236 $164,136 9.8% $326,856 $291,636 12.1% Newspapers: Newspapers managed solely by us 19,074 29,256 (34.8)% 44,624 65,947 (32.3)% JOAs and newspaper partnerships (2,732) 886 (717) (6,488) (88.9)% Total newspapers 16,342 30,142 (45.8)% 43,907 59,459 (26.2)% Broadcast television 18,305 23,496 (22.1)% 32,475 39,875 (18.6)% Interactive media 15,064 6,757 36,031 6,376 Licensing and other media 1,850 2,578 (28.2)% 4,022 5,556 (27.6)% Corporate (33,341) (15,319) (53,151) (34,273) 55.1% Intersegment eliminations 20 6 37 (189) Depreciation and amortization of intangibles (29,703) (32,207) (7.8)% (58,465) (66,645) (12.3)% Gains (losses) on disposal of PP&E 2,364 (243) 1,497 (332) Interest expense (5,431) (10,729) (49.4)% (11,263) (20,930) (46.2)% Gains (losses) on repurchases of debt (26,380) 317 (26,380) 317 Miscellaneous, net 7,431 2,601 8,192 3,449 Income from continuing operations before income taxes and minority interests $146,757 $171,535 (14.4)% $303,758 $284,299 6.8%
Certain items required to reconcile segment profitability to consolidated results of operations determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in
(in thousands) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 2008 2007 Depreciation: Scripps Networks $6,038 $4,876 $12,014 $9,480 Newspapers: Newspapers managed solely by us 5,437 5,623 10,810 10,960 JOAs and newspaper partnerships 321 330 646 659 Total newspapers 5,758 5,953 11,456 11,619 Broadcast television 4,724 4,119 9,137 8,442 Interactive media 6,662 5,359 12,862 8,820 Licensing and other media 119 121 236 235 Corporate 116 436 175 815 Total depreciation $23,417 $20,864 $45,880 $39,411 Amortization of intangibles: Scripps Networks $815 $815 $1,630 $1,621 Newspapers: Newspapers managed solely by us 519 461 1,038 916 JOAs and newspaper partnerships Total newspapers 519 461 1,038 916 Broadcast television 282 282 563 560 Interactive media 4,670 9,785 9,354 24,137 Total amortization of intangibles $6,286 $11,343 $12,585 $27,234 Gains (losses) on disposal of PP&E: Scripps Networks $(764) $(68) Newspapers: Newspapers managed solely by us $(6) $(33) (6) (41) JOAs and newspaper partnerships (53) (2) (33) (1) Total newspapers (59) (35) (39) (42) Broadcast television 2,538 (12) 2,415 (26) Interactive Media (196) (196) Corporate (115) (115) Gains (losses) on disposal of PP&E $2,364 $(243) $1,497 $(332) 4. JOINT OPERATING AGREEMENT AND NEWSPAPER PARTNERSHIPS
Our
The sales, production and business operations of the
In the first quarter of 2008, we ceased publication of our Albuquerque Tribune newspaper. We also reached an agreement with the Journal Publishing Company, the publisher of the Albuquerque Journal ("Journal"), to terminate the Albuquerque joint operating agreement between the Journal and our Albuquerque Tribune newspaper following the closure of our newspaper. Under an amended agreement with the Journal Publishing Company, we will continue to own an approximate 40% residual interest in the Albuquerque Publishing Company, G.P. (the "Partnership"). The Partnership will direct and manage the operations of the continuing Journal newspaper and we will receive a share of the Partnership's profits commensurate with our residual interest.
We participate in a newspaper partnership with MediaNews Group, Inc. ("MediaNews") that operates certain of both companies' newspapers in
Our share of the earnings of our JOA and newspaper partnerships is reported as "Equity in earnings of JOAs and other joint ventures" in our Results of Operations.
Financial information related to our JOA and newspaper partnerships is as follows: (in thousands) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change Equity in earnings of JOAs and newspaper partnerships: Denver $1,318 $6,011 (78.1)% $8,223 $4,154 98.0% Albuquerque 1,074 2,559 (58.0)% 2,854 4,497 (36.5)% Colorado 68 506 (86.6)% (104) 399 Other newspaper partnerships and joint ventures (323) Total equity in earnings of JOAs 2,460 9,076 (72.9)% 10,973 8,727 25.7% Operating revenues of JOAs and newspaper partnerships 53 48 10.4% 114 106 7.5% Total $2,513 $9,124 (72.5)% $11,087 $8,833 25.5%
In the third quarter of 2005, the management committee of the Denver Newspaper Agency ("DNA") approved plans to consolidate DNA's newspaper production facilities resulting in certain assets of the existing facilities being retired earlier than previously estimated. The reduction in these assets' estimated useful lives increased DNA's depreciation expense through
The consolidation of DNA's newspaper production facilities was completed in 2007. In the first quarter of 2008, DNA sold the production facility that was no longer being utilized in DNA's operations. The gain from this transaction increased our 2008 equity in earnings from JOA's
5. SCRIPPS NETWORKS
Scripps Networks includes five national television networks and their affiliated Websites, Home & Garden Television ("HGTV"), Food Network, DIY Network ("DIY"), Fine Living and Great American Country ("GAC"); and our 7.25% interest in Fox-BRV Southern Sports Holdings, which comprises the Sports South and Fox Sports Net South regional television networks. Our networks also operate internationally through licensing agreements and joint ventures with foreign entities.
Revenue information for Scripps Networks is as follows: (in thousands) Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, 2008 2007 Change 2008 2007 Change Operating revenues: HGTV $171,818 $152,198 12.9% $320,295 $286,051 12.0% Food Network 136,191 120,874 12.7% 264,446 228,663 15.6% DIY 19,319 15,117 27.8% 34,667 26,665 30.0% Fine Living 14,666 12,574 16.6% 27,421 22,889 19.8% GAC 6,768 7,089 (4.5)% 12,683 12,678 THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY Unaudited Revenue and Statistical Summary Period: June Report date: July 24, 2008 REVENUE AND STATISTICAL SUMMARY FOR SELECTED OPERATING SEGMENTS (amounts in millions, unless otherwise noted) Quarter Year-to-date 2008 2007 % 2008 2007 % SCRIPPS NETWORKS Operating Revenues Advertising $271.3 $244.5 10.9% $506.7 $450.3 12.5% Affiliate fees, net 69.7 58.7 18.8% 137.1 116.5 17.7% Other 8.3 4.9 67.5% 16.2 10.8 49.6% Scripps Networks $349.2 $308.1 13.3% $660.1 $577.6 14.3% Subscribers (1) Food Network 95.6 93.2 2.6% HGTV 95.3 93.3 2.1% DIY 47.6 45.2 5.3% Fine Living 50.0 47.2 5.9% Great American Country 54.1 48.4 11.8% NEWSPAPERS (2) Operating Revenues Local $30.8 $35.3 (12.7)% $64.7 $72.3 (10.5)% Classified 38.5 48.8 (21.1)% 80.3 100.5 (20.1)% National 6.7 8.3 (19.9)% 14.7 17.3 (14.9)% Preprints, online and other 35.9 38.9 (7.9)% 72.3 75.5 (4.2)% Newspaper advertising 111.9 131.4 (14.9)% 232.1 265.6 (12.6)% Circulation 28.0 29.6 58.5 60.5 (3.2)% Other 4.5 4.7 (3.5)% 9.5 9.5 0.2% Newspapers managed solely by us $144.4 $165.7 (12.8)% $300.0 $335.5 (10.6)% BROADCAST TELEVISION Operating Revenues Local $50.4 $54.2 (7.0)% $96.2 $102.7 (6.4)% National 23.8 25.8 (7.6)% 46.0 49.7 (7.6)% Political 1.6 0.4 4.7 0.7 Other 4.6 4.1 13.5% 9.7 7.9 23.4% Broadcast Television $80.5 $84.5 (4.8)% $156.5 $161.0 (2.8)% (1) Subscriber counts are according to the Nielsen Homevideo Index of homes that receive cable networks, with the exception of Fine Living which is not yet rated by Nielsen and represent comparable amounts estimated by us. (2) First half 2008 had 26 Sundays, versus 25 Sundays in 2007.
SOURCE The E. W. Scripps Company
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