Meredith Corporation Third Quarter Earnings Per Share Rise 15 Percent

Meredith Corporation Third Quarter Earnings Per Share Rise 15 Percent

Company Reports Improved Publishing Advertising Outlook for Fourth Quarter

DES MOINES, Iowa, April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Meredith Corporation (NYSE:MDP) today reported earnings of $35.2 million, or $0.69 per share, for the third quarter of fiscal 2005, a record for a fiscal third quarter. Earnings per share increased 15 percent over the prior-year third quarter, total Company revenues grew 2 percent to $305.5 million, and total operating expenses were flat.

"We continued our track record of delivering strong results," stated Meredith Chairman and CEO William T. Kerr. "The quarter just ended marked the 12th consecutive quarter we have recorded year-over-year earnings growth."

For the first nine months of fiscal 2005, Meredith's earnings grew 30 percent to $86 million, or $1.67 per share, before the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle related to stock option expensing. Total Company revenues increased 4 percent to $888.9 million and advertising revenues increased 5 percent. Total operating expenses rose 1 percent.

Kerr added, "Looking ahead to the fourth quarter, we are particularly encouraged by the strength of Publishing advertising revenue. We expect to grow fourth quarter earnings per share approximately 15 percent."

Operating Highlights

Broadcasting

Broadcasting operating profit grew 14 percent to $16.2 million in the third quarter. EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) margin increased more than 3 points to 31.7 percent from 28.6 percent. Total Broadcasting expenses declined 2 percent.

Total revenues increased 1 percent to $69.8 million and non-political advertising revenues grew 4 percent. These results reflect the benefit of the Company's new stations in Kansas City and Chattanooga, which partially offset the absence of political advertising and the shift of the Super Bowl from CBS to FOX in the quarter.

Most of Meredith's television stations improved ratings and audience share for their newscasts in the February ratings book for the key adult 25-54 demographic group. Some of the noteworthy improvements were:

-- KPHO (CBS) in Phoenix increased audience share for its late news by 14
percent. Its 6 to 7 a.m. morning news grew share 75 percent, and
KPHO's new 6:30 p.m. newscast tripled share.

-- KPTV (FOX) in Portland grew audience share for all of its morning
newscasts, and its late news was number two in the market.

-- KCTV (CBS) in Kansas City continued to be the fastest growing news
station in the market. Its late news grew share 42 percent, and the
station posted strong gains for most of its other newscasts as well.

In mid-February, Paul Karpowicz was named President of the Meredith Broadcasting Group. "Paul has hit the ground running," Kerr said. "He has the proven leadership and industry experience required to take Meredith Broadcasting to the next level. Paul is a strong addition to our senior management team."

For the first nine months of fiscal 2005, Broadcasting operating profit grew 43 percent to $62.7 million. EBITDA margin increased to 34.3 percent from 29 percent. Total revenues rose 12 percent to $233 million and non-political advertising revenues grew 4 percent to $209.8 million. The first nine months of fiscal 2005 included $18.7 million in net political advertising revenues compared with $2.5 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2004. Total Broadcasting expenses increased 3 percent.

Publishing

Publishing operating profit grew 6 percent to $55 million in the quarter. Operating profit margin increased to 23.3 percent from 22.4 percent. These gains were the result of higher profit from the Company's circulation activities along with its integrated marketing and book operations, partially offset by lower advertising revenue. Total Publishing expenses rose 1 percent, including a mid-single digit increase in paper costs.

Total Publishing revenues increased 2 percent to $235.7 million in the quarter. These results reflect higher circulation revenues and growth from the Company's integrated marketing operations, partially offset by a 3 percent decline in advertising revenues. The Company generated fewer advertising pages at most of its magazines, partially offset by higher advertising revenue per page at its mid-size titles.

During the quarter:

-- Better Homes and Gardens and Ladies' Home Journal increased their
combined share of advertising revenues in the women's service field
more than one percentage point to 45 percent for the 12 months ended
with the March 2005 issues, according to Publishers Information Bureau.

-- More magazine generated strong results and continued to build brand
presence through major sponsored consumer events such as the More
Marathon. In September 2005, Meredith will increase the rate base of
the magazine to 1.1 million.

-- The Company increased circulation contribution as a result of improved
newsstand results along with its long-term direct-to-publisher
circulation model, which continues to differentiate Meredith in the
marketplace and generates meaningful contribution.

-- Meredith Integrated Marketing posted strong revenue and profit gains,
reflecting growth from existing clients and contribution from new
programs.

For the first nine months of fiscal 2005, Publishing operating profit rose 11 percent to $117.6 million and operating profit margin increased to 17.9 percent from 16.5 percent. Publishing revenues grew 2 percent and operating expenses remained unchanged.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

To date in fiscal 2005, the Company has repurchased approximately 1.9 million shares. For all of fiscal 2004, the Company repurchased approximately 750,000 shares.

Net interest expense declined to $4.8 million in the third quarter of fiscal 2005 compared with $5.6 million in the prior-year third quarter. Total debt was $270 million at March 31, 2005. Capital expenditures were $7.6 million in the third quarter and $17.4 million in the first nine months of fiscal 2005.

All earnings per share figures in the text of this release are diluted. Both basic and diluted earnings per share can be found in the attached statements of earnings.

OUTLOOK

For the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, Publishing advertising revenue is expected to increase in the mid-single digits, and Broadcast pacings, which are a snapshot in time and change frequently, are currently up in the low- single digits compared with the prior year.

Meredith expects earnings per share will approximate $0.83 for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, representing a 15 percent increase from the $0.72 the Company earned in the prior-year quarter. These results include investment spending in Publishing to launch Meredith Hispanic Ventures, incremental direct mail investment and a mid-teen increase in paper prices compared with the prior-year fourth quarter.

The Company anticipates earnings per share will approximate $2.50 for all of fiscal 2005, representing a 25 percent increase from the $2.00 the Company earned in fiscal 2004.

CONFERENCE CALL WEB CAST

Meredith will host a conference call on April 26, 2005 at 11:00 a.m. EDT (10:00 a.m. CDT) to discuss fiscal third quarter results. A live web cast will be accessible to the public on the Company's web site http://www.meredith.com/ .

RATIONALE FOR USE AND ACCESS TO NON-GAAP MEASURES

Non-GAAP measures such as EBITDA should be construed not as alternative measures of, but as supplemental information regarding, the Company's net earnings and income from operations as defined under GAAP.

Management uses and presents GAAP and non-GAAP results to evaluate and communicate the performance of the Company. Because of EBITDA's focus on results from operations before depreciation and amortization, management believes that EBITDA provides an additional analytical tool to clarify the Company's results from core operations and delineate underlying trends. EBITDA is a common alternative measure of performance used by investors and financial analysts. Meredith does not use EBITDA as a measure of liquidity, nor is EBITDA necessarily indicative of funds available for management's discretionary use.

Reconciliations of GAAP to non-GAAP measures are included in Table 1. The attached financial statements and reconciliation tables will be made available on the Company's web site. Interested parties should go to http://www.meredith.com/investors/index.html and click on "GAAP-Non-GAAP Reconciliation" in the navigation bar on the left side of the page.

SAFE HARBOR

This release contains certain forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on management's current knowledge and estimates of factors affecting the Company's operations. Statements in this announcement that are forward-looking include, but are not limited to, the statements regarding broadcast pacings, publishing advertising revenues, and earnings per share for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005, along with the Company's earnings per share outlook for fiscal 2005.

Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated. Factors that could adversely affect future results include, but are not limited to, downturns in national and/or local economies; a softening of the domestic advertising market; world, national, or local events that could disrupt broadcast television; increased consolidation among major advertisers or other events depressing the level of advertising spending; the unexpected loss of one or more major clients; changes in consumer reading, purchase, and/or television viewing patterns; unanticipated increases in paper, postage, printing or syndicated programming costs; changes in television network affiliation agreements; technological developments affecting products or methods of distribution; changes in government regulations affecting the Company's industries; unexpected changes in interest rates; and any acquisitions and/or dispositions. The Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

ABOUT MEREDITH CORPORATION

Meredith Corporation ( http://www.meredith.com/ ) is one of the nation's leading media and marketing companies with businesses centering on magazine and book publishing, television broadcasting, integrated marketing and interactive media. The Meredith Publishing Group, the country's foremost home and family authority, features 18 subscription magazines including Better Homes and Gardens, Ladies' Home Journal and American Baby and approximately 150 special interest publications. Meredith owns or operates 14 television stations including properties in top-25 markets such as Atlanta, Phoenix and Portland, and an AM radio station.

Meredith has approximately 350 books in print and has established marketing relationships with some of America's leading companies including The Home Depot, DIRECTV, DaimlerChrysler, Wal-Mart and Carnival Cruise Lines. Meredith's consumer database, which contains approximately 75 million names, is one of the largest domestic databases among media companies and enables magazine and television advertisers to target marketing campaigns precisely. Additionally, Meredith has an extensive Internet presence that includes 26 web sites and strategic alliances with leading Internet destinations.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Earnings - Unaudited

Three Months Nine Months
Ended March 31 Ended March 31
Restated* Percent Restated* Percent
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change

(In thousands
except per
share)

Revenues
Advertising $178,619 $181,487 (1.6)% $535,631 $510,886 4.8 %
Circulation 64,962 62,962 3.2 % 179,049 183,113 (2.2)%
All other 61,936 55,104 12.4 % 174,253 158,603 9.9 %
Total revenues 305,517 299,553 2.0 % 888,933 852,602 4.3 %

Operating costs
and expenses
Production,
distribution
and editorial 136,699 132,700 3.0 % 389,288 377,470 3.1 %
Selling,
general and
administrative 97,685 101,562 (3.8)% 318,661 323,634 (1.5)%
Depreciation and
amortization 8,831 8,730 1.2 % 26,008 26,282 (1.0)%
Total operating
costs and
expenses 243,215 242,992 0.1 % 733,957 727,386 0.9 %

Income from
operations 62,302 56,561 10.2 % 154,976 125,216 23.8 %

Interest income 259 40 547.5 % 699 124 463.7 %
Interest
expense (5,094) (5,647) (9.8)% (15,436) (17,208)(10.3)%

Earnings before
income taxes and
cumulative effect
of change in
accounting
principle 57,467 50,954 12.8 % 140,239 108,132 29.7 %

Income taxes 22,239 19,720 12.8 % 54,272 41,851 29.7 %

Earnings before
cumulative effect
of change in
accounting
principle 35,228 31,234 12.8 % 85,967 66,281 29.7 %

Cumulative effect
of change in
accounting
principle, net
of taxes -- -- -- 893 -- 100.0 %

Net earnings $35,228 $31,234 12.8 % $86,860 $66,281 31.0 %

Basic earnings
per share
Before cumulative
effect of change
in accounting
principle $0.71 $0.62 14.5 % $1.72 $1.32 30.3 %
Cumulative effect
of change in
accounting
principle -- -- -- 0.02 -- 100.0 %
Net basic earnings
per share $0.71 $0.62 14.5 % $1.74 $1.32 31.8 %

Basic average
shares
outstanding 49,649 50,203 (1.1)% 49,943 50,173 (0.5)%

Diluted earnings
per share
Before cumulative
effect of change
in accounting
principle $0.69 $0.60 15.0 % $1.67 $1.28 30.5 %
Cumulative effect
of change in
accounting
principle -- -- -- 0.02 -- 100.0 %
Net diluted
earnings per
share $0.69 $0.60 15.0 % $1.69 $1.28 32.0 %

Diluted average
shares
outstanding 50,990 51,953 (1.9)% 51,441 51,871 (0.8)%

Dividends paid per
share $0.14 $0.12 16.7 % $0.38 $0.31 22.6 %

* Restated to reflect the amortization of broadcasting network affiliation
agreements and the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Segment Information - Unaudited

Three Months Nine Months
Ended March 31 Ended March 31
Restated* Percent Restated* Percent
2005 2004 Change 2005 2004 Change

(In thousands)

Revenues
Publishing $235,730 $230,432 2.3 % $655,971 $643,958 1.9 %
Broadcasting:
Non-political
advertising 68,216 65,600 4.0 % 209,799 201,046 4.4 %
Political
advertising 104 1,665 (93.8)% 18,683 2,459 NM
Other revenues 1,467 1,856 (21.0)% 4,480 5,139 (12.8)%
Total
broadcasting 69,787 69,121 1.0 % 232,962 208,644 11.7 %

Total revenues $305,517 $299,553 2.0 % $888,933 $852,602 4.3 %

Operating Profit
Publishing $54,996 $51,691 6.4 % $117,636 $105,923 11.1 %
Broadcasting 16,220 14,231 14.0 % 62,659 43,834 42.9 %
Unallocated
corporate (8,914) (9,361) 4.8 % (25,319) (24,541) (3.2)%

Income from
operations $62,302 $56,561 10.2 % $154,976 $125,216 23.8 %

Depreciation &
Amortization
Publishing $2,270 $2,298 (1.2)% $7,031 $7,405 (5.1)%
Broadcasting 5,886 5,543 6.2 % 17,201 16,663 3.2 %
Unallocated
corporate 675 889 (24.1)% 1,776 2,214 (19.8)%

Total
depreciation &
amortization $ 8,831 $8,730 1.2 % $26,008 $26,282 (1.0)%

EBITDA
Publishing $57,266 $53,989 6.1 % $124,667 $113,328 10.0 %
Broadcasting 22,106 19,774 11.8 % 79,860 60,497 32.0 %
Unallocated
corporate (8,239) (8,472) 2.8 % (23,543) (22,327) (5.4)%

Total EBITDA $ 71,133 $65,291 8.9 % $180,984 $151,498 19.5 %

NM-Not meaningful
* Restated to reflect the amortization of broadcasting network affiliation
agreements and the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Unaudited
Restated*
March 31 June 30
Assets 2005 2004
(In thousands)
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $2,614 $58,723
Accounts receivable, net 187,568 164,876
Other current assets 97,134 90,415
Total current assets 287,316 314,014

Property, plant and equipment, net 194,906 195,799

Other assets 92,630 90,843
Intangibles, net 708,464 673,968
Goodwill 196,382 191,303

Total assets $1,479,698 $1,465,927

Restated*
March 31 June 30
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity 2005 2004
(In thousands)
Current liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt $125,000 $75,000
Accounts payable and accruals 156,620 143,632
Other current liabilities 156,986 152,118

Total current liabilities 438,606 370,750

Long-term debt 145,000 225,000
Other noncurrent liabilities 274,792 260,252

Total liabilities 858,398 856,002

Shareholders' equity
Common stock 39,786 40,802
Class B stock 9,609 9,683
Other shareholders' equity 571,905 559,440

Total shareholders' equity 621,300 609,925

Total liabilities and shareholders'
equity $1,479,698 $1,465,927

* Restated to reflect the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Table 1

Consolidated EBITDA, which is reconciled to net earnings in the following
tables, is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and
amortization.
Segment EBITDA is a measure of segment earnings before depreciation and
amortization.
Segment EBITDA margin is defined as segment EBITDA divided by segment
revenues.

Three months ended March 31
2005
Unallocated
Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Revenues $235,730 $69,787 $- $305,517

Operating profit $54,996 $16,220 $(8,914) $62,302
Depreciation and amortization 2,270 5,886 675 8,831
EBITDA $57,266 $22,106 $(8,239) 71,133
Less:
Depreciation and amortization (8,831)
Net interest expense (4,835)
Income taxes (22,239)
Net earnings $35,228

Segment EBITDA margin 24.3% 31.7%

Three months ended March 31
2004 - Restated*
Unallocated
Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Revenues $230,432 $69,121 $- $299,553

Operating profit $51,691 $14,231 $(9,361) $56,561
Depreciation and amortization 2,298 5,543 889 8,730
EBITDA $53,989 $19,774 $(8,472) 65,291
Less:
Depreciation and amortization (8,730)
Net interest expense (5,607)
Income taxes (19,720)
Net earnings $31,234

Segment EBITDA margin 23.4% 28.6%

* Restated to reflect the amortization of broadcasting network
affiliation agreements and the expensing of share-based compensation.

Meredith Corporation and Subsidiaries
Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Nine months ended March 31
2005
Unallocated
Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Revenues $655,971 $232,962 $- $888,933

Operating profit $117,636 $62,659 $(25,319) $154,976
Depreciation and amortization 7,031 17,201 1,776 26,008
EBITDA $124,667 $79,860 $(23,543) 180,984
Less:
Depreciation and amortization (26,008)
Net interest expense (14,737)
Income taxes (54,272)
Earnings before cumulative
effect of change in
accounting principle $85,967

Segment EBITDA margin 19.0% 34.3%

Nine months ended March 31
2004 - Restated*
Unallocated
Publishing Broadcasting Corporate Total
(In thousands)
Revenues $643,958 $208,644 $- $852,602

Operating profit $105,923 $43,834 $(24,541) $125,216
Depreciation and amortization 7,405 16,663 2,214 26,282
EBITDA $113,328 $60,497 $(22,327) 151,498
Less:
Depreciation and amortization (26,282)
Net interest expense (17,084)
Income taxes (41,851)
Net earnings $66,281

Segment EBITDA margin 17.6% 29.0%

* Restated to reflect the amortization of broadcasting network
affiliation agreements and the expensing of share-based compensation.

Source: Meredith Corporation

CONTACT: Shareholder and Financial Analyst, Jim Jacobson, Director of
Investor Relations, +1-515-284-2633, jim.jacobson@meredith.com , or Media, Art
Slusark, Vice President-Corporate Communications, +1-515-284-3404,
art.slusark@meredith.com , both of Meredith Corporation

Web site: http://www.meredith.com/

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