Discovery Communications Reports Second Quarter 2012 Results

Discovery Communications Reports Second Quarter 2012 Results

SILVER SPRING, Md., July 31, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Second Quarter 2012 Financial Highlights:


-- Revenues increased 7% to $1,142 million
-- Adjusted OIBDA increased 6% to $543 million
-- Net income increased 15% to $293 million
-- Repurchased 8.5 million shares for an aggregate purchase price of $404
million
Discovery Communications, Inc. ("Discovery" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2012.

David Zaslav, Discovery's President and Chief Executive Officer said, "Discovery's consistent focus on investing in our global platform, building new brands and developing additional growth opportunities resulted in continued strong operating results during the second quarter. The steps we have taken to broaden our international content offerings, along with the continued evolution of pay-tv globally, are driving international expansion, while domestically we are generating significant returns from the sustained programming initiatives and audience growth across our younger networks. Our financial momentum and strong balance sheet have enabled us to accelerate the pace of our capital returns as we continue to invest in both new and existing strategic growth initiatives to further build shareholder value."

Second Quarter Results

Second quarter revenues of $1,142 million increased $75 million, or 7%, over the second quarter a year ago, led by 6% growth at U.S. Networks and 10% growth at International Networks. Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization ((1)) ("OIBDA") grew 6% to $543 million, driven by an 8% increase at U.S. Networks and a 2% increase at International Networks. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, total company revenues increased 10% and Adjusted OIBDA increased 11%.

Second quarter net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders of $293 million ($0.76 per diluted share) increased $39 million compared to $254 million ($0.62 per diluted share) for the second quarter a year ago, primarily due to strong operating performance in the current year and lower taxes primarily due to a reorganization of certain operations partially offset by the impact of foreign currency fluctuations.

Free cash flow was $138 million for the second quarter, a decrease of $60 million from the second quarter of 2011, as increased operating performance was more than offset by higher content investment and increased tax payments versus a year ago. For the last twelve months, free cash flow increased 5% over the previous twelve month period. Free cash flow is defined as cash provided by operating activities less acquisitions of property and equipment.







SEGMENT RESULTS




(dollars in millions) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
--------------------------- -------------------------
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------

Revenues:
U.S. Networks $700 $660 6% $1,381 $1,247 11%
International Networks 405 368 10% 785 691 14%
Education and Other 37 39 (5%) 79 80 (1%)
Corporate and Eliminations - - NM - - NM
--- --- --- ---
Total Revenues $1,142 $1,067 7% $2,245 $2,018 11%
====== ====== ====== ======

Adjusted OIBDA:
U.S. Networks $426 $395 8% $821 $729 13%
International Networks 176 173 2% 347 317 9%
Education and Other 2 5 (60%) 7 13 (46%)
Corporate and Eliminations (61) (63) 3% (125) (122) (2%)
--- --- ---- ----
Total Adjusted OIBDA $543 $510 6% $1,050 $937 12%
==== ==== ====== ====


U.S. Networks




(dollars in millions) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
--------------------------- -------------------------
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------

Revenues:
Distribution $297 $274 8% $634 $548 16%
Advertising 387 361 7% 716 651 10%
Other 16 25 (36%) 31 48 (35%)
--- --- --- ---
Total Revenues $700 $660 6% $1,381 $1,247 11%
==== ==== ====== ======

Adjusted OIBDA $426 $395 8% $821 $729 13%

Adjusted OIBDA Margin 61% 60% 59% 58%
U.S. Networks' revenues in the second quarter of 2012 increased 6% to $700 million primarily driven by advertising and distribution revenue growth. Advertising revenue increased 7% due to higher pricing and sellouts, partially offset by the absence of non-recurring revenue items from the second quarter of the prior year. Excluding the non-recurring revenue items, advertising revenues grew 9% compared with the second quarter a year ago. Distribution revenue grew 8% largely from higher rates and subscriber growth primarily from networks carried on the digital tier as well as from additional licensing revenues under existing agreements. Other revenue decreased $9 million due to lower revenue from services provided to unconsolidated equity method investees.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 8% to $426 million primarily reflecting the 6% revenue growth partially offset by 4% higher operating expenses as increased programming investment was partially offset by lower marketing costs.

International Networks




(dollars in millions) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
--------------------------- -------------------------
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------

Revenues:
Distribution $243 $225 8% $482 $435 11%
Advertising 147 132 11% 271 234 16%
Other 15 11 36% 32 22 45%
--- --- --- ---
Total Revenues $405 $368 10% $785 $691 14%
==== ==== ==== ====

Adjusted OIBDA $176 $173 2% $347 $317 9%

Adjusted OIBDA Margin 43% 47% 44% 46%
International Networks' revenues for the second quarter increased 10% to $405 million primarily led by distribution revenue growth of 8% and advertising revenue growth of 11%. Excluding the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, total revenues increased 19%. Distribution revenue, excluding foreign currency fluctuations as well as lower launch support amortization, grew 12% mainly from increased subscribers in Latin America and CEEMEA. Advertising revenue in local currency terms was up 22% during the second quarter primarily from higher pricing across most regions, particularly at free to air networks in Western Europe, as well as from revenues at new and rebranded networks. Other revenue was $4 million higher primarily due to revenue from a production company acquired in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Adjusted OIBDA increased 2% to $176 million reflecting the 10% revenue growth, partially offset by a 13% increase in operating expenses, which included content impairment charges in Latin America. Excluding the impact of foreign currency and increased content impairment charges, Adjusted OIBDA grew 19% as the 19% revenue growth was partially offset by higher operating expenses primarily due to increased content amortization, distribution and personnel costs.

Education and Other




(dollars in
millions) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
--------------------------- -------------------------
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------

Revenues $37 $39 (5%) $79 $80 (1%)

Adjusted OIBDA $2 $5 (60%) $7 $13 (46%)

Adjusted OIBDA
Margin 5% 13% 9% 16%


Education and Other revenue for the second quarter decreased $2 million due to lower revenue from Creative Sound Services. Adjusted OIBDA decreased $3 million compared to the second quarter of 2011 due to higher personnel expenses and costs associated with digital textbook initiatives as well as lower results from Creative Sound Services.

STOCK REPURCHASE

During the quarter, the Company, pursuant to its existing stock repurchase program, repurchased 8.47 million shares of its common stock for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $404 million, including 8.18 million shares of its Series C common stock at an average price of $47.55 per share and 0.29 million shares of its Series A common stock at an average price of $50.34 per share.

From July 1, 2012 through July 30, 2012, the Company repurchased 2.66 million shares of its Series C common stock for approximately $127 million and 0.26 million shares of its Series A common stock for approximately $13 million.

The Company has repurchased 47.89 million shares of Series C common stock and 0.55 million shares of Series A common stock under its $3.0 billion stock repurchase program to date at an aggregate purchase price of approximately $1.90 billion and $28 million respectively. In the aggregate, including the 13.73 million preferred shares acquired from Advance/Newhouse Programming Partnership, the Company has repurchased 15% of the shares outstanding since buyback activity was authorized in 2010. Under the stock repurchase program, management is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases at prevailing prices or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions and other factors.



OTHER ITEMS

In May 2012, the Company completed the issuance of $500 million 3.30% Senior Notes due May 2022 and $500 million 4.95% Senior Notes due May 2042. The Company intends to use the net proceeds for general corporate purposes.

During the third quarter of 2011, the Company expanded the components of distribution revenue reported in its financial statements to include content arrangements and other subscription services for content. Accordingly, prior period financial information has been reclassified so that the basis of the presentation is consistent with that of the 2012 financial information.

FULL YEAR 2012 OUTLOOK

For the full year ending December 31, 2012, Discovery Communications, Inc. expects total revenue between $4.550 billion and $4.650 billion, Adjusted OIBDA between $2.125 billion and $2.200 billion, and net income available to Discovery Communications, Inc. stockholders of $1.000 billion to $1.100 billion. Our outlook incorporates current foreign exchange rates for revenues and expenses and the current share price for mark-to-market equity-based compensation calculations.

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

Adjusted OIBDA and Free Cash Flow

In addition to the results prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") provided in this release, the Company has presented Adjusted OIBDA and free cash flow. The Company evaluates the operating performance of its segments based on financial measures such as revenues and adjusted operating income before depreciation and amortization ("Adjusted OIBDA"). Adjusted OIBDA is defined as revenues less costs of revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses excluding: (i) mark-to-market equity-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) amortization of deferred launch incentives, (iv) exit and restructuring charges, (v) certain impairment charges, and (vi) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions. The Company uses this measure to assess operating results and performance of its segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses. The Company excludes mark-to-market equity-based compensation, exit and restructuring charges, certain impairment charges, and gains and losses on business and asset dispositions from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their volatility. The Company also excludes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets and deferred launch incentives, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period.

The Company defines free cash flow as cash provided by operating activities less acquisitions of property and equipment. The Company uses free cash flow as it believes it is an important indicator for management and investors of the Company's liquidity, including its ability to reduce debt, make strategic investments and return capital to stockholders.

Adjusted OIBDA and free cash flow are non-GAAP measures, and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Please review the supplemental financial schedules beginning on page 9 for reconciliations to GAAP measures.

Conference Call Information



Discovery Communications, Inc. will host a conference call today at 8:30 a.m. ET to discuss its second quarter results. To listen to the call, visit http://www.discoverycommunications.com or dial 1-800-706-7748 inside the U.S. and 1-617-614-3473 outside of the U.S., using the following passcode: 26935109.



Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act that are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 17, 2012. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will" and "would" or similar words. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, the full year 2012 outlook and plans for stock repurchases. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

(1) See the definition of Adjusted Operating Income Before Depreciation and Amortization on page 4.








DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)

Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
-------- --------
2012 2011 2012 2011
---- ---- ---- ----

Revenues:
Distribution $540 $499 $1,116 $983
Advertising 534 494 987 886
Other 68 74 142 149
--- --- --- ---
Total revenues 1,142 1,067 2,245 2,018
----- ----- ----- -----

Costs and expenses:
Costs of revenues,
excluding depreciation
and amortization 314 288 625 561
Selling, general and
administrative 308 300 623 569
Depreciation and
amortization 31 30 61 60
Restructuring charges 2 4 3 5
Gain on disposition - - - (129)
--- --- --- ----
Total costs and expenses 655 622 1,312 1,066
--- --- ----- -----

Operating income 487 445 933 952

Interest expense (61) (49) (116) (98)
Other (expense) income,
net (6) 2 (56) (5)
--- --- --- ---

Income before income
taxes 420 398 761 849
Provision for income
taxes (127) (144) (246) (290)
---- ---- ---- ----

Net income 293 254 515 559
Net income attributable
to noncontrolling
interests - - (1) -
--- --- --- ---
Net income available to
Discovery
Communications, Inc.
stockholders $293 $254 $514 $559
==== ==== ==== ====

Net income per share
available to Discovery
Communications, Inc.
stockholders:
Basic $0.77 $0.63 $1.34 $1.37
===== ===== ===== =====
Diluted $0.76 $0.62 $1.33 $1.36
===== ===== ===== =====
Weighted average shares
outstanding:
Basic 381 406 383 407
=== === === ===
Diluted 384 410 387 412
=== === === ===







DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(unaudited; in millions)


June 30, December 31,
2012 2011
---- ----

ASSETS
Current
assets:
Cash and cash
equivalents $1,698 $1,048
Receivables,
net 1,155 1,042
Content
rights, net 110 93
Deferred
income taxes 77 73
Prepaid
expenses and
other current
assets 174 175
--- ---
Total current
assets 3,214 2,431

Noncurrent
content
rights, net 1,404 1,302
Property and
equipment,
net 368 379
Goodwill 6,312 6,291
Intangible
assets, net 560 571
Equity method
investments 817 807
Other
noncurrent
assets 135 132
--- ---
Total assets $12,810 $11,913
======= =======

LIABILITIES
AND EQUITY
Current
liabilities:
Accounts
payable $56 $53
Accrued
expenses and
other current
liabilities 583 554
Deferred
revenues 98 113
Current
portion of
long-term
debt 20 26
--- ---
Total current
liabilities 757 746

Long-term debt 5,206 4,219
Deferred
income taxes 263 337
Other
noncurrent
liabilities 111 92
--- ---
Total
liabilities 6,337 5,394


Equity:
Preferred
stock 2 2
Common stock 3 3
Additional
paid-in
capital 6,637 6,505
Treasury
stock, at
cost (1,794) (1,102)
Retained
earnings 1,646 1,132
Accumulated
other
comprehensive
loss (23) (23)
--- ---
Total
Discovery
Communications,
Inc.
stockholders'
equity 6,471 6,517
Noncontrolling
interests 2 2
--- ---
Total equity 6,473 6,519
----- -----
Total
liabilities
and equity $12,810 $11,913
======= =======







DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(unaudited; in millions)

Six Months Ended June 30,
-------------------------
2012 2011
---- ----

OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $515 $559
Adjustments to reconcile net
income to cash provided by
operating activities:
Equity-based compensation
expense 72 49
Depreciation and amortization 61 60
Content amortization and
impairment expense 421 381
Gain on disposition - (129)
Equity in losses and
distributions from investee
companies 67 17
Deferred (benefit) income
expense (71) 71
Other, net 18 22
Changes in operating assets
and liabilities:
Receivables, net (109) (31)
Content rights (528) (430)
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities (11) (116)
Equity-based compensation
liabilities (37) (92)
Income tax receivable 19 94
Other, net (28) (24)
Cash provided by operating
activities 389 431

INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of property and
equipment (24) (27)
Business acquisition, net of
cash acquired (20) -
Distribution from equity
method investee 17 -
Investments in and advances to
equity method investees (87) (82)
--- ---
Cash used in investing
activities (114) (109)

FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings from long term
debt, net of discount and
issuance costs 983 641
Principal repayments of
capital lease obligations (13) (13)
Repurchases of common stock (692) (377)
Proceeds from issuance of
common stock in connection
with equity-based plans 67 38
Excess tax benefits from
equity-based compensation 33 17
Other financing activities,
net (2) (7)
--- ---
Cash provided by financing
activities 376 299

Effect of exchange rate
changes on cash and cash
equivalents (1) 8
--- ---

NET CHANGE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS 650 629
Cash and cash equivalents,
beginning of period 1,048 466
----- ---
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END
OF PERIOD $1,698 $1,095
====== ======








DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME BEFORE
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
(unaudited; in millions)


Three Months Ended June 30, 2012
--------------------------------
Adjusted Depreciation Amortization of Mark-to-Market Other (a) Operating
Operating and Deferred Launch Equity-Based Income
Income Before Amortization Incentives Compensation
Depreciation and
Amortization
------------

U.S. Networks $426 $(3) $(3) $ - $ - $420
International Networks 176 (14) (2) - (1) 159
Education and Other 2 (1) - - - 1
Corporate and Eliminations (61) (13) - (18) (1) (93)
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Total $543 $(31) $(5) $(18) $(2) $487
==== ==== === ==== === ====





Three Months Ended June 30, 2011
--------------------------------
Adjusted Amortization of Mark-to-Market Other (a) Operating
Operating Deferred Launch Equity-Based Income
Income Before Depreciation Incentives Compensation
Depreciation and and
Amortization Amortization
------------ ------------

U.S. Networks $395 $(4) $(2) $ - $(2) $387
International Networks 173 (12) (10) - (2) 149
Education and Other 5 (1) - - - 4
Corporate and Eliminations (63) (13) - (19) - (95)
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Total $510 $(30) $(12) $(19) $(4) $445
==== ==== ==== ==== === ====

(a) For the three months ended June 30, 2012, amount represents restructuring charges of $2 million. For the three months ended June 30, 2011, amount represents restructuring charges of $4 million.








DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME BEFORE
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
(unaudited; amounts in millions)

Six Months Ended June 30, 2012
------------------------------
Adjusted Depreciation Amortization of Mark-to-Market Other (a) Operating
Operating and Deferred Launch Stock-Based Income
Income Before Amortization Incentives Compensation
Depreciation and
Amortization
------------

U.S. Networks $821 $(6) $(5) $ - $(1) $809
International Networks 347 (25) (5) - (1) 316
Education and Other 7 (2) - - - 5
Corporate and Eliminations (125) (28) - (43) (1) (197)
---- --- --- --- --- ----
Total $1,050 $(61) $(10) $(43) $(3) $933
====== ==== ==== ==== === ====





Six Months Ended June 30, 2011
------------------------------
Adjusted Amortization of Mark-to-Market Other (a) Operating
Operating Deferred Launch Stock-Based Income
Income Before Depreciation Incentives Compensation
Depreciation and and
Amortization Amortization
------------ ------------

U.S. Networks $729 $(8) $(4) $ - $126 $843
International Networks 317 (22) (22) - (2) 271
Education and Other 13 (3) - - - 10
Corporate and Eliminations (122) (27) - (23) - (172)
---- --- --- --- --- ----
Total $937 $(60) $(26) $(23) $124 $952
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====

(a) For the six months ended June 30, 2012 amount represents restructuring charges of $3 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2011, amount represents a pre-tax gain of $129 million as a result of contributing Discovery Health to the OWN joint venture and
restructuring charges of $5 million.








DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
(unaudited; in millions)

CALCULATION OF FREE CASH FLOW

Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30,
--------------------------- -------------------------
2012 2011 Change 2012 2011 Change
---- ---- ------ ---- ---- ------


Cash provided by (used in) operating activities $141 $214 $(73) $389 $431 $(42)
Acquisition of property and equipment (3) (16) 13 (24) (27) 3
--- --- --- --- --- ---
Free cash flow $138 $198 $(60) $365 $404 $(39)
==== ==== ==== ==== ==== ====







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DISCOVERY COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA
SELECTED FINANCIAL DETAIL
(unaudited; in millions)


BORROWINGS
June 30,
2012
---------
3.70% Senior Notes, semi-annual
interest, due June 2015 $850
5.625% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest,
due August 2019 500
5.05% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due
June 2020 1,300
4.375% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest,
due June 2021 650
3.30% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest due
May 2022 500
6.35% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest, due
June 2040 850
4.95% Senior Notes, semi-annual interest due
May 2042 500
Capital lease obligations 94
---
Total long-term debt 5,244
Unamortized discount (18)
---
Long-term debt, net 5,226
Current portion of long-term debt (20)
---
Noncurrent portion of long-term debt $5,206
======





EQUITY-BASED COMPENSATION
June 30, 2012
-------------
Total Units Outstanding Weighted Vested Units Weighted
Long-Term (in millions) Average Outstanding Average
Incentive Plans Grant Price (in millions) Grant Price
--------------- ----------- ------------ -----------

Discovery Appreciation Plan 3.3 $33.90 -- $ --

Stock Appreciation Rights 1.8 41.07 -- --

Stock Options 9.7 27.45 3.8 20.85

Performance-based Restricted Stock Units 2.1 39.23 -- --

Service-based Restricted Stock Units 0.8 40.59 -- --
--- ---
Total Equity-based Compensation Plans 17.7 $32.03 3.8 $20.85
---- ---

SHARE COUNT ROLL FORWARD Common Preferred Total
------------------------ ------ --------- -----
(Basic shares, in millions)
Total shares outstanding as of December 31, 2011 260.37 127.46 387.83
Shares repurchased (15.37) -- (15.37)
Shares issued - equity-based compensation 4.11 -- 4.11
---- --- ----
Total shares outstanding as of June 30, 2012 249.11 127.46 376.57


SOURCE Discovery Communications, Inc.

Discovery Communications, Inc.

CONTACT: Michelle Russo, Corporate Communications, +1-240-662-2901, michelle_russo@discovery.com or Craig Felenstein, Investor Relations, +1-212-548-5109, craig_felenstein@discovery.com

Web Site: http://www.discoverycommunications.com


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