Grupo Radio Centro Reports Second Quarter and First Half 2009 Results

Grupo Radio Centro Reports Second Quarter and First Half 2009 Results

MEXICO CITY, July 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: RC; BMV: RCENTRO-A) (the "Company"), one of Mexico's leading radio broadcasting companies, announced today its results of operations for the second quarter and first half ended June 30, 2009. All figures were prepared in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standards issued by the Mexican Board for Research and Development of Financial Information Standards.

Second Quarter Results

Broadcasting revenue for the second quarter of 2009 was Ps. 177,990,000, a 2.52% increase compared to the Ps. 173,613,000 reported for the second quarter of 2008. This increase was mainly attributable to slightly higher advertising expenditures by the Company's clients in Mexico during the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period of 2008, and to the incorporation of the Company's operation of Los Angeles radio station, KXOS-FM, pursuant to a Local Marketing Agreement (the "LMA") with Emmis Communications Corporation during its first months of operations.

The Company's broadcasting expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the second quarter of 2009 were Ps. 131,700,000, a 20.99% increase compared to the Ps. 108,856,000 reported for the second quarter of 2008. This increase was primarily due to (i) broadcasting expenses incurred in connection with the Los Angeles radio station KXOS-FM, to which the Company began providing programming in April 2009 pursuant to the LMA and (ii) an increase in the peso cost of U.S. dollar-denominated rental payments under the Company's agreement to operate Mexican station XHFO-FM, given the lower value of the Mexican peso in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008.

For the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded broadcasting income (i.e., broadcasting revenue minus broadcasting expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) of Ps. 46,290,000, a 28.52% decrease compared to the Ps. 64,757,000 reported for the second quarter of 2008. This decrease was mainly attributable to the aforementioned increase in broadcasting expenses.

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the second quarter of 2009 were Ps. 6,614,000, a 17.85% decrease compared to the Ps. 8,051,000 reported for the second quarter of 2008, due to a reduction in the amount of depreciable assets.

The Company's corporate, general and administrative expenses were Ps. 3,779,000 in the second quarter of 2009, a slight decline compared to the Ps. 3,805,000 reported for the second quarter of 2008.

The Company recorded operating income of Ps. 35,897,000 in the second quarter of 2009, a 32.14% decrease compared to the Ps. 52,901,000 in operating income reported for the second quarter of 2008. This decline was due to increased broadcasting expenses during the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008, as described above.

During the second quarter of 2009, other expenses, net, were Ps. 34,859,000, a 176.18% increase compared to the Ps. 12,622,000 reported for the second quarter of 2008. This increase was mainly attributable to legal expenses incurred during the second quarter of 2009 in connection with the Company's entry into the LMA.

The Company's comprehensive financing cost for the second quarter of 2009 was Ps. 24,710,000, compared to Ps. 4,370,000 in the second quarter of 2008. This unfavorable change was primarily due to (i) a Ps. 16,030,000 loss on net foreign currency exchange attributable to a decline in the peso value of a U.S. denominated loan from the Company to a U.S. subsidiary, and (ii) a 130.05% increase in interest expense associated with the Company's loan from Banco Inbursa, S.A. to fund amounts payable under the LMA.

For the second quarter of 2009, the Company recorded a loss before taxes of Ps. 23,672,000, representing a decline from income before taxes of Ps. 35,909,000 reported for the second quarter of 2008, which was primarily attributable to the increases in broadcasting expenses, other expenses and in the Company's comprehensive financing cost during the second quarter of 2009, as described above.

The Company recorded income taxes of Ps. 4,615,000 in the second quarter of 2009, a 55.92% decrease compared to the Ps. 10,469,000 recorded in the second quarter of 2008. This decline was due to lower taxable income in the second quarter of 2009 than in the second quarter of 2008.

As a result of the foregoing, the Company had a net loss for the second quarter of 2009 of Ps. 28,287,000, compared to net income of Ps. 25,440,000 in the second quarter of 2008.

First Half Results

For the six months ended June 30, 2009, broadcasting revenue was Ps. 333,781,000, a 10.57% increase compared to the Ps. 301,871,000 reported for the same period of 2008. The increase was mainly attributable to an increase in advertising expenditures by the Company's clients, who purchased more airtime during the first half of 2009 than the comparable period of 2008 and to a lesser extent to the incorporation of the Company's operation of Los Angeles radio station KXOS-FM, during its first months of operations.

The Company's broadcasting expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the first six months of 2009 were Ps. 243,850,000, a 14.57% increase compared to the Ps. 212,837,000 reported for the same period of 2008. This increase was primarily due to (i) broadcasting expenses incurred in connection with the provision of programming to KXOS-FM, beginning in April 2009, (ii) higher sales commissions due to the increase in broadcasting revenue, and (iii) the increase in the peso cost of U.S. dollar-denominated rental payments under the Company's agreement to operate XHFO-FM, given the lower value of the Mexican peso in the first six months of 2009 compared to the first six months of 2008.

Broadcasting income (i.e., broadcasting revenue minus broadcasting expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and corporate, general and administrative expenses) for the first six months of 2009 was Ps. 89,931,000, a 1.01% increase compared to the Ps. 89,034,000 reported for the same period of 2008.

Depreciation and amortization expenses for the first six months of 2009 were Ps. 13,154,000, a 16.39% decrease compared to the Ps. 15,732,000 reported for the same period of 2008. This decrease was due to a reduction in the amount of depreciable assets.

The Company's corporate, general and administrative expenses for the first six months of 2009 were Ps. 7,557,000, a slight increase compared to the Ps. 7,300,000 reported for the same period of 2008.

As a result of the foregoing, the Company recorded operating income of Ps. 69,220,000 for the first six months of 2009, a 4.88% increase compared to the Ps. 66,002,000 reported for the same period of 2008.

Other expenses, net, for the first six months of 2009 were Ps. 46,744,000, a 91.22% increase compared to the Ps. 24,445,000 reported for the same period of 2008. This increase was mainly attributable to legal expenses incurred during the second quarter of 2009 in connection with the Company's entry into the LMA.

The Company's comprehensive cost of financing for the first six months of 2009 was Ps. 25,782,000, compared to Ps. 4,507,000 in the same period of 2008. This unfavorable change was primarily due to (i) a Ps. 15,241,000 loss on net foreign currency exchange attributable to a decline in the peso value of a U.S. denominated loan from the Company to a U.S. subsidiary and (ii) a 127.55% increase in interest expense associated with the Company's loan from Banco Inbursa, S.A. to fund amounts payable under the LMA.

For the first six months of 2009, the Company recorded a loss before taxes of Ps. 3,306,000 compared to income before taxes of Ps. 37,050,000 in the same period of 2008, mainly due to the aforementioned increases in other expenses and in the Company's comprehensive cost of financing.

The Company recorded income taxes of Ps. 10,318,000 for the first six months of 2009, a slight decline compared to the Ps. 10,800,000 recorded in the same period of 2008.

As a result of the foregoing, the Company recorded a net loss of Ps. 13,624,000 in the first six months of 2009, compared to net income of Ps. 26,250,000 in the first six months of 2008.

Company Description

Grupo Radio Centro owns and/or operates 15 radio stations. Of these 15 radio stations, 12 are located in Mexico City, two AM stations in Guadalajara and Monterrey, and one FM station in Los Angeles. The Company's principal activities are the production and broadcasting of musical and entertainment programs, talk shows, news and special events programs. Revenue is primarily derived from the sale of commercial airtime. In addition to the Organizacion Radio Centro radio stations, the Company also operates Grupo RED radio stations and Organizacion Impulsora de Radio (OIR), a radio network that acts as the national sales representative for, and provides programming to, 108 Grupo Radio Centro-affiliated radio stations throughout Mexico.

Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This release may contain projections or other forward-looking statements related to Grupo Radio Centro that involve risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that these statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual future results or events. Readers are referred to the documents filed by Grupo Radio Centro with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, specifically the most recent filing on Form 20-F, which identifies important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based on information available to Grupo Radio Centro on the date hereof, and Grupo Radio Centro assumes no obligation to update such statements.

IR Contacts
In Mexico:
Pedro Beltran / Alfredo Azpeitia
Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.
Tel: (5255) 5728-4800 Ext. 7018
aazpeitia@grc.com.mx

In NY:
Maria Barona / Peter Majeski
i-advize Corporate Communications, Inc.
Tel: (212) 406-3690
grc@i-advize.com.mx

GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A.B. DE C.V.
CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED BALANCE SHEETS

as of June 30, 2009 and 2008 (figures in thousands of Mexican pesos ("Ps.") and U.S. dollars ("U.S.$") (1)

June 30,
2009 2008
U.S. $(1) Ps. Ps.
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and temporary investments 3,809 50,286 104,366

Accounts receivable:
Broadcasting, net 16,553 218,540 161,774
Other 1,444 19,060 5,658
17,997 237,600 167,432

Prepaid expenses 8,947 118,126 26,206
Total current assets 30,753 406,012 298,004

Property and equipment, net 36,622 483,493 467,669
Prepaid expenses 5,542 73,167 0
Deferred charges, net 309 4,073 5,216
Excess of cost over book value of net
assets of subsidiaries, net 62,780 828,863 828,863
Other assets 253 3,340 3,325
Total assets 136,259 1,798,948 1,603,077

LIABILITIES
Current:
Notes payable 2,436 32,167 0
Advances from customers 8,142 107,492 111,219
Suppliers and other accounts
payable 6,382 84,262 72,030
Taxes payable 2,165 28,588 24,299
Total current liabilities 19,125 252,509 207,548

Long-Term:
Notes payable 12,119 160,000 0
Reserve for labor liabilities 4,772 62,997 60,116
Deferred taxes 298 3,940 2,233
Total liabilities 36,314 479,446 269,897

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Capital stock 85,622 1,130,410 1,130,409
Cumulative earnings 10,922 144,194 158,240
Reserve for repurchase of shares 3,321 43,837 43,839
Minority interest 80 1,061 692
Total shareholders' equity 99,945 1,319,502 1,333,180
Total liabilities and
Shareholders' equity 136,259 1,798,948 1,603,077

(1) Peso amounts have been translated into U.S. dollars, solely for the
convenience of the reader, at the rate of Ps. 13.2023 per U.S.
dollar, the rate on June 30, 2009.

GRUPO RADIO CENTRO, S.A.B. DE C.V.
CONSOLIDATED UNAUDITED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009 and 2008 (figures in thousands of Mexican pesos ("Ps.") and U.S. dollars ("U.S.$")(1),

except per Share and per ADS amounts)

2nd Quarter Accumulated 6 months
2009 2008 2009 2008
U.S.$ U.S.$
(1) Ps. Ps. (1) Ps. Ps.

Broadcasting revenue
(2) 13,482 177,990 173,613 25,282 333,781 301,871
Broadcasting expenses,
excluding depreciation,
amortization and
corporate, general
and administrative
expenses 9,976 131,700 108,856 18,470 243,850 212,837
Broadcasting income 3,506 46,290 64,757 6,812 89,931 89,034

Depreciation and
amortization 501 6,614 8,051 996 13,154 15,732
Corporate, general and
administrative
expenses 286 3,779 3,805 572 7,557 7,300
Operating income 2,719 35,897 52,901 5,244 69,220 66,002

Other expenses, net (2,640) (34,859) (12,622) (3,541) (46,744) (24,445)

Comprehensive
financing cost:
Interest expense (670) (8,843) (3,844) (813) (10,736) (4,718)
Interest income (2) 12 163 (452) 15 195 315
(Loss) on foreign
currency exchange,
net (1,214) (16,030) (74) (1,154) (15,241) (104)
(1,872) (24,710) (4,370) (1,952) (25,782) (4,507)

(Loss) Income before
income taxes (1,793) (23,672) 35,909 (249) (3,306) 37,050

Income taxes 350 4,615 10,469 782 10,318 10,800
Net (loss) income (2,143) (28,287) 25,440 (1,031) (13,624) 26,250

Net (loss) income
applicable to:
Majority interest (681) (8,981) 25,434 430 5,658 26,235
Minority interest (1,462) (19,306) 6 (1,461) (19,282) 15
(2,143) (28,287) 25,440 (1,031) (13,624) 26,250

Net income per Series
A Share (3) 0.049 0.6523 0.6403
Net income per ADS (3) 0.441 5.8707 5.7627
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding (000's) (3) 162,725 162,725

(1) Peso amounts have been translated into U.S. dollars, solely for the
convenience of the reader, at the rate of Ps. 13.2023 per U.S.
dollar, the rate on June 30, 2009.

(2) Broadcasting revenue for a particular period includes (as a
reclassification of interest income) interest earned on funds
received by the Company pursuant to advance sales of commercial air
time to the extent that the underlying funds were earned by the
Company during the period in question. Advances from advertisers are
recognized as broadcasting revenue only when the corresponding
commercial air time has been transmitted. Interest earned and treated
as broadcasting revenue for the second quarter of 2009 and 2008 was
Ps. 1,221,000 and Ps. 1,562,000, respectively. Interest earned and
treated as broadcasting revenue for the six months ended June 30,
2009 and 2008 was Ps. 2,569,000 and Ps. 2,211,000, respectively.

(3) Earnings per share calculations are made for the last twelve months
as of the date of the income statement, as required by the Mexican
Stock Exchange.

Source: Grupo Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V.

CONTACT: IR Contacts, in Mexico: Pedro Beltran or Alfredo Azpeitia, Grupo
Radio Centro, S.A.B. de C.V., +011-5255-5728-4800, Ext. 7018,
aazpeitia@grc.com.mx; or in NY: Maria Barona or Peter Majeski, i-advize
Corporate Communications, Inc., +1-212-406-3690, grc@i-advize.com.mx, for
Grupo Radio Centro

Web site: http://www.radiocentro.com.mx/

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