Central European Media Enterprises Reports Strong Full-Year Revenues and EBITDA

Central European Media Enterprises Reports Strong Full-Year Revenues and EBITDA

- Net Revenues of $1,019.9 million -

- Segment EBITDA of $345.7 million -

- Non-cash impairment charges relating to Bulgaria and Ukraine -

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. ("CME" or the "Company") (Nasdaq/Prague Stock Exchange - CETV) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2008.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased 22% to $1,019.9 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. Operating income decreased $338.3 million to a loss of $(127.8) million as a result of an impairment charge of $336.8 million relating to the Company's Ukraine and Bulgarian operations. Net income from continuing operations decreased $344.8 million to a loss of $(251.8) million, and fully diluted earnings per share in respect of continuing operations decreased $8.18 to a loss of $(5.95). Segment EBITDA(1) for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased 7% to $345.7 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.

Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2008 decreased 3% to $291.5 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. Operating income for the quarter decreased $378.4 million to a loss of $(279.2) million as a result of the impairment charge. Net income from continuing operations decreased $394.6 million to a loss of $(322.0) million, and fully diluted earnings per share in respect of continuing operations decreased by $9.35 to a loss of $(7.61). Segment EBITDA for the quarter declined 28% to $93.6 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.

Adrian Sarbu, President and Chief Operating Officer of CME, commented: "2008 was an outstanding year for our core stations despite a difficult fourth quarter. I am particularly pleased with the performance of our Czech and Romanian operations which both delivered their best ever results. In Croatia we enjoyed our highest growth yet in audience share and revenues. In an environment where companies all over the world are struggling, we remain leaders in our markets. 2009 will be challenging as we face adverse macroeconomic conditions and reduced visibility across our markets. We have taken aggressive measures to reduce our operating costs and capex and will take steps necessary to maximize our revenues and liquidity. We expect to emerge from the current economic crisis with our leadership positions intact and to return to our path of growth."

(1) Total Segment Data, Segment Net Revenues and Segment EBITDA as used in this press release are all non-US GAAP measures. For further details, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable US GAAP financial measures, see 'Reconciliation Between Consolidated Statements of Operations and Segment Data (non-US GAAP)' below. We define Segment EBITDA margin as Segment EBITDA expressed as a percentage of Segment Net Revenue.

Consolidated Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2008

Consolidated net revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2008 decreased by 3% to $291.5 million from $300.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Operating income for the quarter was a loss of $(279.2) million compared to income of $99.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Net income for the quarter was a loss of $(323.3) million compared to income of $73.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Fully diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2008 decreased $9.35 to a loss of $(7.64).

Headline Consolidated Results for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were:

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
(US $000's)
2008 2007 $ change % change
Net revenues $291,500 $300,552 $(9,052) (3)%
Operating (loss) / income $(279,170) $99,195 $(378,365) Nm
Net (loss) / income from
continuing operations $(322,039) $74,418 $(396,457) Nm
Net (loss) / income $(323,289) $72,991 $(396,280) Nm
Fully diluted (loss) /
earnings per share from
continuing operations $(7.61) $1.74 $(9.35) Nm
Fully diluted (loss) / earnings
per share $(7.64) $1.71 $(9.35) Nm

Consolidated Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

Consolidated net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by 22% to $1,019.9 million from $838.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Operating income for the year was a loss of $(127.8) million compared to income of $210.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Net income for the year was a loss of $(255.5) million compared to income of $88.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Fully diluted earnings per share decreased from $2.12 to a loss of $(6.04) for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Headline Consolidated Results for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were:

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
For the Year Ended December 31,
(US $000's)
2008 2007 $ change % change
Net revenues $1,019,934 $838,856 $181,078 22%
Operating (loss) / income $(127,797) $210,456 $(338,253) Nm
Net (loss) / income from
continuing operations $(251,759) $93,048 $(344,807) Nm
Net (loss) / income $(255,544) $88,568 $(344,112) Nm
Fully diluted (loss) /
earnings per share from
continuing operations $(5.95) $2.23 $(8.18) Nm
Fully diluted (loss) / earnings
per share $(6.04) $2.12 $(8.16) Nm

Segment Results

We evaluate the performance of our television operations based on Segment Net Revenues and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).

Segment Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2008

For the three months ended December 31, 2008, Total Segment Net Revenues declined 3% to $291.5 million from $300.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Total Segment EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2008 declined 28% to $93.6 million from $129.8 million in the three months ended December 31, 2007. Segment EBITDA margin for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was 32% compared to 43% for the three months ended December 31, 2007.

Our Total Segment Net Revenues, Total Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA margin for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were:

SEGMENT RESULTS (Unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended December 31,
(US $000's)
2008 2007 $ change % change
Segment Net Revenues -
Broadcast Operations $288,899 $298,996 $(10,097) (3%)
Segment Net Revenues -
Non-Broadcast Operations $2,601 $1,556 $1,045 67%
Total Segment Net Revenues $291,500 $300,552 $(9,052) (3%)
Segment EBITDA - Broadcast
Operations $96,137 $131,248 $(35,111) (27%)
Segment EBITDA - Non-Broadcast
Operations $(2,548) $(1,481) $1,067 72%
Total Segment EBITDA $93,589 $129,767 $(36,178) (28%)
Segment EBITDA margin 32% 43%

Segment Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

For the year ended December 31, 2008, Total Segment Net Revenues increased 22% to $1,019.9 million from $838.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Total Segment EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased 7% to $345.7 million from $323.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. Segment EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 34% compared to 39% for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Our Total Segment Net Revenues, Total Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were:

SEGMENT RESULTS (Unaudited)
For the Year Ended December 31,
(US $000's)
2008 2007 $ change % change
Segment Net Revenues -
Broadcast Operations $1,010,404 $835,232 $175,172 21%
Segment Net Revenues -
Non-Broadcast Operations $9,530 $3,624 $5,906 163%
Total Segment Net Revenues $1,019,934 $838,856 $181,078 22%
Segment EBITDA - Broadcast
Operations $354,387 $327,330 $27,057 8%
Segment EBITDA - Non-Broadcast
Operations $(8,707) $(3,878) $4,829 125%
Total Segment EBITDA $345,680 $323,452 $22,228 7%
Segment EBITDA margin 34% 39%

CME will host a teleconference to discuss its fourth quarter and 2008 year-end results on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. EST (3:00 p.m. GMT and 4:00 p.m. CET). The teleconference will refer to presentation slides, which will be available on CME's website at www.cetv-net.com prior to the call.

To access the teleconference, U.S. and international callers may dial +1 412-317-9250 ten minutes prior to the start time and reference passcode: 9381217. The conference call will be broadcast live via www.cetv-net.com.

A replay of the teleconference will be available for one week following the call and can be accessed by dialing +1 412-317-0088 for U.S. and international callers, passcode: 9381217. A digital audio replay in mp3 format will also be archived on the Company's web site for two weeks following the call.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those relating to our capital needs, business strategy, expectations and intentions. For these statements and all other forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy or are otherwise beyond our control and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual results, affecting our strategic plan as well as our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, could differ materially from those described in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that contribute to such risks include, but are not limited to: the effect of the credit crisis and economic downturn in our markets as well as in the United States and Western Europe; decreases in television advertising spending and the rate of development of the advertising markets in the countries in which we operate; the impact of any additional investments we make in our Bulgaria, Croatia and Ukraine operations; our effectiveness in implementing our strategic plan for the Studio 1+1 group in Ukraine; our ability to make future investments in television broadcast operations; our ability to develop and implement strategies regarding sales and multi-channel distribution; changes in the political and regulatory environments where we operate and application of relevant laws and regulations; the timely renewals of broadcasting licenses and our ability to obtain additional frequencies and licenses; and our ability to acquire necessary programming and attract audiences. For a more detailed description of these uncertainties and other factors, please see the "Risk Factors" section in CME's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2009.

This press release should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2009.

We make available, free of charge, on our website at www.cetv-net.com our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CME is a broadcasting company operating leading networks in seven Central and Eastern European countries with an aggregate population of approximately 97 million people. The company's television stations are located in Bulgaria (TV2 and Ring TV), Croatia (Nova TV), Czech Republic (TV Nova, Nova Cinema and Nova Sport), Romania (PRO TV, PRO TV International, Acasa, PRO Cinema, Sport.ro and MTV Romania), Slovakia (TV Markiza and Nova Sport), Slovenia (POP TV and Kanal A) and Ukraine (Studio 1+1, Studio 1+1 International and Kino). CME is traded on the NASDAQ and the Prague Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CETV".

For additional information, please visit www.cetv-net.com.

CENTRAL EUROPEAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(US$ 000's, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

For the Years Ended December 31,
2008 2007 2006

Net revenues $1,019,934 $838,856 $602,646
Operating costs 145,210 116,859 89,486
Cost of programming 438,203 327,230 226,133
Station selling, general and
administrative expenses 90,841 71,315 64,975
Depreciation of station property,
plant & equipment 51,668 32,653 25,430
Amortization of broadcast
licenses and other intangibles 35,381 24,970 18,799
Corporate operating costs (including
the cost of settling our Croatia
litigation of $12.5 million in 2007
and non-cash stock-based compensation
of $6.1 million, $5.7 million and $3.6
million in 2008, 2007 and 2006,
respectively) 49,676 55,373 34,104
Impairment charge 336,752 - 748
Operating (loss) / income (127,797) 210,456 142,971
Interest expense, net (58,469) (49,208) (37,853)
Foreign currency exchange loss, net (37,877) (34,409) (44,892)
Change in fair value of derivatives 6,360 (3,703) (12,539)
Other income 2,620 7,891 3,059
(Loss) / income before provision
for income taxes, minority
interest, equity in income of
unconsolidated affiliates and
discontinued operations (215,163) 131,027 50,746
Provision for income taxes (34,525) (20,822) (14,952)
(Loss) / income before minority
interest, equity in income of
unconsolidated affiliates and
discontinued operations (249,688) 110,205 35,794
Minority interest in income of
consolidated subsidiaries (2,071) (17,157) (13,602)
Equity in loss of unconsolidated
affiliates - - (730)
Gain on sale of unconsolidated
affiliate - - 6,179
Net (loss) / income from continuing
operations (251,759) 93,048 27,641
Net loss from discontinued
operations (3,785) (4,480) (7,217)
Net (loss) / income $(255,544) $88,568 $20,424

PER SHARE DATA:
Net (loss) / income per share
Continuing operations - Basic $(5.95) $2.25 $0.69
Continuing operations - Diluted (5.95) 2.23 0.68
Discontinued operations - Basic (0.09) (0.11) (0.18)
Discontinued operations - Diluted (0.09) (0.11) (0.18)
Net (loss) / income - Basic (6.04) 2.14 0.51
Net (loss) / income - Diluted $(6.04) $2.12 $0.50

Weighted average common shares used
in computing per share amounts (000s):
Basic 42,328 41,384 40,027
Diluted 42,328 41,833 40,600

CENTRAL EUROPEAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES LTD.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(US$ 000's, except share and per share data)
(Unaudited)

For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
2008 2007

Net revenues $291,500 $300,552
Operating costs 36,975 33,873
Cost of programming 130,978 114,196
Station selling, general and administrative
expenses 29,958 22,716
Depreciation of station property, plant &
equipment 12,631 9,755
Amortization of broadcast licenses and
other intangibles 9,319 8,057
Corporate operating costs (including non-cash
stock-based compensation of $0.6 million,
$1.6 million and $1.2 million in 2008, 2007
and 2006, respectively) 14,057 12,760
Impairment charge 336,752 -
Operating (loss) / income (279,170) 99,195
Interest expense, net (16,263) (10,866)
Foreign currency exchange (loss), net (32,291) (5,884)
Change in fair value of derivatives 20,031 (7,200)
Other income 1,012 8,638
(Loss) / income before provision for income
taxes, minority interest, equity in income
of unconsolidated affiliates and
discontinued operations (306,681) 83,883
Provision for income taxes (15,048) (2,189)
(Loss) / income before minority interest,
equity in income of unconsolidated
affiliates and discontinued operations (321,729) 81,694
Minority interest in income of consolidated
subsidiaries (310) (7,276)
Net (loss) / income from continuing
operations (322,039) 74,418
Net loss from discontinued operations (1,250) (1,427)
Net (loss) / income $(323,289) $72,991

PER SHARE DATA:
Net (loss) / income per share
Continuing operations - Basic $(7.61) $1.76
Continuing operations - Diluted (7.61) 1.74
Discontinued operations - Basic (0.03) (0.03)
Discontinued operations - Diluted (0.03) (0.03)
Net (loss) / income - Basic (7.64) 1.73
Net (loss) / income - Diluted $(7.64) $1.71

Weighted average common shares used in
computing per share amounts (000s):
Basic 42,337 42,297
Diluted 42,337 42,654

Segment Data

We manage our business on a geographic basis, and review the performance of each business segment using data that reflects 100% of operating and license company results. Our segments are comprised of Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and our two businesses in Ukraine.

We evaluate the performance of our segments based on Segment EBITDA. Segment Net Revenues and Segment EBITDA include the results of certain entities (primarily our operations in the Slovak Republic) that were not consolidated until January 23, 2006.

Segment EBITDA is determined as segment net income/(loss), which includes costs for program rights amortization costs, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. Items that are not allocated to our business segments for purposes of evaluating their performance, and therefore are not included in Segment EBITDA, include:

-- expenses presented as corporate operating costs in our consolidated
statements of operations;

-- stock-based compensation charges;

-- foreign currency exchange gains and losses;

-- changes in fair value of derivatives; and

-- certain unusual or infrequent items (e.g., extraordinary gains and
losses, impairments of assets or investments).

We use Segment EBITDA as a component in determining management bonuses.

Below is a table showing our Segment EBITDA by operation and a reconciliation of these figures to our consolidated results for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:

Reconciliation between Consolidated Statements of Operations
and Total Segment Data (non-US GAAP)

SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

For the Years Ended December 31,

(US $000's)

Segment Net Revenues (1) Segment EBITDA

2008 2007 2006 2008 2007 2006

Country
Bulgaria (TV2,
RING TV)(2) $1,263 $- $- $(10,185) $- $-
Croatia
(NOVA TV) 54,651 37,193 22,310 (5,415) (13,882) (14,413)
Czech
Republic(3) 376,546 279,237 208,387 208,655 156,496 100,488
Romania (4) 274,627 215,402 148,616 111,783 93,075 65,860
Slovak Republic
(TV MARKIZA) 132,693 110,539 73,420 50,228 41,532 20,805
Slovenia (POP
TV and
KANAL A) 80,696 69,647 54,534 25,413 22,767 19,842
Ukraine
(STUDIO 1+1) 96,738 125,323 96,413 (32,944) 27,000 29,973
Ukraine (KINO,
CITI)(5) 2,720 1,515 726 (1,855) (3,536) (1,795)
Total Segment
Data $1,019,934 $838,856 $604,406 $345,680 $323,452 $220,760

Reconciliation to Consolidated
Statement of Operations:
Consolidated Net
Revenues / (Loss) /
income before
provision for
income taxes,
minority interest,
equity in income of
unconsolidated
affiliates and
discontinued
operations $1,019,934 $838,856 $602,646 $(215,163) $131,027 $50,746
Corporate operating
costs (including
the cost of
settling Croatian
litigation of
$12.5 million in
2007 and non-cash
stock-based
compensation of
$6.1 million, $5.7
million and $3.6
million in 2008,
2007 and 2006,
respectively) - - - 49,676 55,373 34,104
Impairment charge - - - 336,752 - 748
Unconsolidated
Equity
Affiliates(6) - - 1,760 - - (1,292)
Depreciation of
station assets - - - 51,668 32,653 25,430
Amortization of
broadcast licenses
and other
intangibles - - - 35,381 24,970 18,799
Interest expense,
net - - - 58,469 49,208 37,853
Foreign currency
exchange loss,
net - - - 37,877 34,409 44,892
Change in fair
value of
derivatives - - - (6,360) 3,703 12,539
Other income - - - (2,620) (7,891) (3,059)
Total Segment
Data $1,019,934 $838,856 $604,406 $345,680 $323,452 $220,760

(1) All net revenues are derived from external customers. There are no
inter-segmental revenues.
(2) We acquired our Bulgaria operations on August 1, 2008.
(3) Czech Republic networks are TV NOVA, NOVA SPORT and NOVA CINEMA,
which was launched in December 2007.
(4) Romanian networks are PRO TV, PRO CINEMA, ACASA, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL,
SPORT.RO and MTV.
(5) We acquired our Ukraine (KINO, CITI) operations in January 2006 and
ceased operating the CITI channel in January 2009.
(6) Our Slovak Republic operations were accounted for as an equity
affiliate until January 23, 2006.

SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

For the Three Months Ended December 31,

(US $000's)

Segment Net Revenues(1) Segment EBITDA

2008 2007 2008 2007

Country
Bulgaria (TV2, RING TV) $800 $- $(7,084) $-
Croatia (NOVA TV) $16,500 $12,492 1,034 (4,082)
Czech Republic(2) 105,816 96,034 62,200 57,245
Romania(3) 77,508 79,424 29,999 35,922
Slovak Republic (TV MARKIZA) 44,565 41,924 21,268 18,521
Slovenia (POP TV and KANAL A) 22,305 25,338 8,057 10,523
Ukraine (STUDIO 1+1) 23,212 44,965 (21,628) 12,207
Ukraine (KINO, CITI)(4) 794 375 (257) (569)
Total Segment Data $291,500 $300,552 $93,589 $129,767

Reconciliation to Consolidated
Statement of Operations:
Consolidated Net Revenues /
(Loss) / income before
provision for income taxes,
minority interest, equity in
income of unconsolidated
affiliates and discontinued
operations $291,500 $300,552 $(306,681) $83,883
Corporate operating costs
(including non-cash
stock-based compensation of
$0.6 million and $1.6
million in 2008 and 2007,
respectively) - - 14,057 12,760
Impairment charge - - 336,752 -
Depreciation of station assets - - 12,631 9,755
Amortization of broadcast
licenses and other intangibles - - 9,319 8,057
Interest expense, net - - 16,263 10,866
Foreign currency exchange
loss, net - - 32,291 5,884
Change in fair value of
derivatives - - (20,031) 7,200
Other income - - (1,012) (8,638)
Total Segment Data $291,500 $300,552 $93,589 $129,767

(1) All net revenues are derived from external customers. There are no
inter-segmental revenues.
(2) Czech Republic networks are TV NOVA, NOVA SPORT and NOVA CINEMA,
which was launched in December 2007.
(3) Romanian networks are PRO TV, PRO CINEMA, ACASA, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL,
SPORT.RO and MTV.
(4) We acquired our Ukraine (KINO, CITI) operations in January 2006 and
ceased operating the CITI channel in January 2009.

Source: Central European Media Enterprises Ltd.

CONTACT: Romana Tomasova, Vice President - Corporate Communications,
Central European Media Enterprises, +44 20 7430 5357,
romana.tomasova@cme-net.com

Web Site: http://www.cetv-net.com/

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