LIONSGATE REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER 2015

LIONSGATE REPORTS RESULTS FOR FIRST QUARTER 2015

Adjusted EBITDA Increases 27% to $77.3 Million

Adjusted Basic Net Income per Share Doubles to $0.36

$159.8 Million in Free Cash Flow Delivered in the Quarter

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 7, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Lionsgate (NYSE: LGF) today reported revenue of $449.4 million, adjusted EBITDA of $77.3 million, adjusted net income of $49.6 million or $0.36 adjusted basic net income per share, net income of $43.3 million or $0.31 basic net income per share and free cash flow of $159.8 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2015 (quarter ended June 30, 2014).

"We're pleased to report strong adjusted EBITDA, earnings and free cash flow generation in what is historically our lightest quarter of the fiscal year," said Lionsgate Chief Executive Officer Jon Feltheimer. "During the quarter we deepened our portfolio of brands and franchises, extended our global reach and formed entrepreneurial partnerships with digital and traditional platforms alike as we used our strengths as an innovative pure play content company to position ourselves for continued growth and profitability in an increasingly dynamic industry environment."

Adjusted EBITDA of $77.3 million for the quarter increased 27% from adjusted EBITDA of $60.8 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted EBITDA excluded an $11.4 million gain on the Company's sale of its interest in FEARnet, stock-based compensation and a $4.9 million restructuring charge associated with costs of the Company's relocation of its international sales operations to London, England and integration of the marketing operations of its Lionsgate and Summit film labels.

Adjusted net income of $49.6 million or $0.36 adjusted basic net income per share for the quarter compared to adjusted net income of $25.1 million or $0.18 adjusted basic net income per share in the prior year quarter.

Net income for the quarter was $43.3 million or $0.31 basic net income per share on 138.5 million weighted average number of common shares outstanding compared to $13.6 million or $0.10 basic net income per share on 136.2 million weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the prior year quarter.

Adjusted net income for the quarter benefitted from decreased interest expense and a lower effective tax rate compared to the prior year quarter. EBITDA gains were driven by lower theatrical marketing costs in the quarter.

Revenue of $449.4 million for the quarter compared to $569.7 million in the prior year quarter with only two wide theatrical releases in the quarter compared to three wide releases, including the blockbuster Now You See Me, in the prior year quarter. Lower television production revenue reflected fewer deliveries of Mad Men (whose seventh season has been split).

During the quarter, the Company declared another quarterly dividend of $0.05 per common share payable on August 8, 2014 to shareholders of record as of June 30, 2014.

The Company noted that, since the December 17, 2013 increase in its share repurchase authorization to $300 million, it repurchased a total of 4.7 million common shares through July 25, 2014 at an average price of $26.70, totaling an aggregate of $126.4 million.

Lionsgate's filmed entertainment backlog, or already contracted future revenue not yet recorded, rose to a record $1.3 billion at June 30, 2014 compared to $1.2 billion at March 31, 2014.

Overall Motion Picture segment revenue for the quarter was $331.9 million compared to $438.6 million in the prior year quarter. Within the Motion Picture segment, theatrical revenue declined to $42.7 million due to the theatrical slate composition discussed above.

Lionsgate's home entertainment revenue for the quarter was $140.9 million compared to $169.4 million in the prior year quarter as two wide release theatrical titles were released on home entertainment platforms in the quarter compared to five wide release theatrical titles in the prior year quarter. The hit film Divergent launched to very strong numbers on packaged media, VOD and electronic sell-through platforms after the quarter.

Bolstered by television windows opening for the feature films Ender's Game and Red 2, television revenue included in the Motion Picture segment increased 60% in the quarter to $58.8 million compared to $36.8 million in the prior year quarter.

International Motion Picture segment revenue (excluding Lionsgate U.K.) for the quarter was $60.7 million compared to $79.1 million in the prior year quarter with three wide release titles in worldwide release compared to five in the prior year quarter.

Lionsgate U.K. posted revenue of $30.0 million in the quarter compared to $32.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Revenue for the Television Production segment was $117.5 million in the quarter, a decrease from $131.1 million in the prior year quarter as strong international revenue driven by Anger Management, Orange is the New Black and Mad Men was offset by fewer domestic series deliveries due primarily to the timing of Mad Men episode deliveries.

Lionsgate senior management will hold its analyst and investor conference call to discuss its fiscal 2015 first quarter financial results at 9:00 A.M. ET/6:00 A.M. PT on Friday, August 8, 2014. Interested parties may participate live in the conference call by calling 1-800-230-1085 (612-332-0107 outside the U.S. and Canada). A full digital replay will be available from Friday morning, August 8 through Friday, August 15 by dialing 1-800-475-6701 (320-365-3844 outside the U.S. and Canada) and using access code 332282.

ABOUT LIONSGATE

Lionsgate is a leading global entertainment company with a strong and diversified presence in motion picture production and distribution, television programming and syndication, home entertainment, family entertainment, digital distribution, new channel platforms and international distribution and sales. The Company currently has over 30 television shows on more than 20 networks spanning its primetime production, distribution and syndication businesses, including such critically-acclaimed hits as the multiple Emmy Award-winning Mad Men and Nurse Jackie, the comedy Anger Management, the broadcast network series Nashville, the syndication success The Wendy Williams Show and the critically-acclaimed hit series Orange is the New Black.

Its feature film business has been fueled by such recent successes as the blockbuster first two installments of The Hunger Games franchise, the first installment of the recently-launched Divergent franchise, Now You See Me, Kevin Hart: Let Me Explain, Warm Bodies, The Possession, Sinister, Roadside Attractions' A Most Wanted Man and Pantelion Films' breakout hit Instructions Not Included, the highest-grossing Spanish-language film ever released in the U.S.

Lionsgate's home entertainment business is an industry leader in box office-to-DVD and box office-to-VOD revenue conversion rate. The Company handles a prestigious and prolific library of approximately 15,000 motion picture and television titles that is an important source of recurring revenue and serves as the foundation for the growth of the Company's core businesses. The Lionsgate and Summit brands remain synonymous with original, daring, quality entertainment in markets around the world.

***

For further information, please contact:
Peter D. Wilkes
310-255-3726
pwilkes@lionsgate.com

The matters discussed in this press release include forward-looking statements, including those regarding the performance of future fiscal years. Such statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results in the future could differ materially and adversely from those described in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the substantial investment of capital required to produce and market films and television series, increased costs for producing and marketing feature films and television series, budget overruns, limitations imposed by our credit facility and notes, unpredictability of the commercial success of our motion pictures and television programming, the cost of defending our intellectual property, difficulties in integrating acquired businesses, risks related to our acquisition strategy and integration of acquired businesses, the effects of disposition of businesses or assets, technological changes and other trends affecting the entertainment industry, and the risk factors as set forth in Lionsgate's Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on May 29, 2014, as amended in Lionsgate's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed with the SEC on August 7, 2014,which risk factors are incorporated herein by reference. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect any future events or circumstances.





LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.



UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


June 30, March 31,
2014 2014
---- ----

(Amounts in thousands,

except share amounts)

ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $50,372 $25,692

Restricted cash 7,534 8,925

Accounts receivable, net of
reserves for returns and
allowances of $63,419
(March 31, 2014 -
$106,680) and provision
for doubtful accounts of
$2,683 (March 31, 2014 -
$4,876) 717,498 885,571

Investment in films and
television programs, net 1,380,581 1,274,573

Property and equipment, net 15,092 14,552

Equity method investments 188,996 181,941

Goodwill 323,328 323,328

Other assets 67,396 71,067

Deferred tax assets 61,228 65,983
------ ------

Total assets $2,812,025 $2,851,632
========== ==========

LIABILITIES

Senior revolving credit
facility $84,000 $97,619

Senior secured second-
priority notes 225,000 225,000

July 2013 7-Year Term Loan 222,842 222,753

Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities 223,386 332,457

Participations and
residuals 467,976 469,390

Film obligations and
production loans 636,292 499,787

Convertible senior
subordinated notes 133,255 131,788

Deferred revenue 283,482 288,300
------- -------

Total liabilities 2,276,233 2,267,094
--------- ---------

Commitments and contingencies

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Common shares, no par
value, 500,000,000 shares
authorized, 137,657,820
shares issued (March 31,
2014 -141,007,461 shares) 651,110 743,788

Accumulated deficit (114,614) (157,875)

Accumulated other
comprehensive loss (704) (1,375)
---- ------

Total shareholders' equity 535,792 584,538
------- -------

Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $2,812,025 $2,851,632
========== ==========




LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.



UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


Three Months Ended

June 30,
--------

2014 2013
---- ----

(Amounts in thousands, except
per share amounts)

Revenues $449,383 $569,728

Expenses:

Direct operating 238,873 306,445

Distribution and marketing 97,321 171,460

General and administration 64,079 56,770

Depreciation and amortization 1,346 1,625

Total expenses 401,619 536,300

Operating income 47,764 33,428
------ ------

Other expenses (income):

Interest expense

Cash interest 9,442 16,273

Amortization of debt discount and
deferred financing costs 3,530 4,541
----- -----

Total interest expense 12,972 20,814

Interest and other income (1,018) (1,496)

Loss on extinguishment of debt - 466
--- ---

Total other expenses, net 11,954 19,784
------ ------

Income before equity interests and
income taxes 35,810 13,644

Equity interests income 18,210 7,977
------ -----

Income before income taxes 54,020 21,621

Income tax provision 10,759 8,004
------ -----

Net income $43,261 $13,617
======= =======


Basic net income per common share $0.31 $0.10
===== =====

Diluted net income per common share $0.30 $0.10
===== =====


Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:

Basic 138,509 136,189

Diluted 152,210 140,745


Dividends declared per common share $0.05 $ -




LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.



UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


Three Months Ended

June 30,
--------

2014 2013
---- ----

(Amounts in thousands)

Operating Activities:

Net income $43,261 $13,617

Adjustments to reconcile
net income to net cash
used in operating
activities:

Depreciation
and
amortization 1,346 1,625

Amortization
of films
and
television
programs 158,808 219,364

Amortization
of debt
discount
and
deferred
financing
costs 3,530 4,541

Non-cash
share-
based
compensation 16,537 13,220

Distribution
from
equity
method
investee 6,230 9,849

Loss on
extinguishment
of debt - 466

Equity
interests
income (18,210) (7,977)

Deferred
income
taxes 5,105 2,063

Changes in operating
assets and liabilities:

Restricted
cash 1,391 1,662

Accounts
receivable,
net 169,514 (32,516)

Investment
in films
and
television
programs (263,851) (160,933)

Other
assets 382 (1,222)

Accounts
payable
and
accrued
liabilities (95,666) (33,584)

Participations
and
residuals (1,539) (17,512)

Film
obligations (34,589) (21,370)

Deferred
revenue (4,883) (20,582)


Net Cash
Flows Used
In
Operating
Activities (12,634) (29,289)
------- -------

Investing Activities:

Proceeds
from the
sale of
equity
method
investees 14,575 9,000

Investment
in equity
method
investees (9,650) (3,750)

Distributions
from
equity
method
investee
in excess
of
earnings - 4,169

Purchases
of
property
and
equipment (1,427) (1,428)


Net Cash
Flows
Provided
By
Investing
Activities 3,498 7,991
----- -----

Financing Activities:

Senior
revolving
credit
facility -
borrowings 170,000 173,000

Senior
revolving
credit
facility -
repayments (183,619) (172,000)

Senior
secured
second-
priority
notes -
repurchases - (4,280)

Convertible
senior
subordinated
notes -
borrowings - 60,000

Convertible
senior
subordinated
notes -
repurchases (16) -

Production
loans -
borrowings 207,953 108,605

Production
loans -
repayments (36,859) (82,292)

Pennsylvania
Regional
Center
credit
facility -
repayments - (65,000)

Repurchase
of common
shares (109,529) -

Dividends
paid (7,066) -

Excess tax
benefits
on equity-
based
compensation
awards 2,771 -

Exercise of
stock
options 406 543

Tax
withholding
required
on equity
awards (10,247) (9,019)

Net Cash
Flows
Provided
By
Financing
Activities 33,794 9,557
------ -----

Net Change
In Cash
And Cash
Equivalents 24,658 (11,741)

Foreign
Exchange
Effects on
Cash 22 397

Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
-
Beginning
Of Period 25,692 62,363


Cash and
Cash
Equivalents
-End Of
Period $50,372 $51,019
======= =======







LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.



RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA


Three Months Ended

June 30,
--------

2014 2013
---- ----

(Amounts in thousands)

Net income $43,261 $13,617

Depreciation
and
amortization 1,346 1,625

Cash interest 9,442 16,273

Noncash
interest
expense 3,530 4,541

Interest and
other income (1,018) (1,496)

Income tax
provision 10,759 8,004
------ -----

EBITDA $67,320 $42,564
======= =======


Stock-based
compensation
(1) 16,421 17,747

Restructuring
charges 4,888 -

Gain on sale
of equity
method
investment (11,355) -

Loss on
extinguishment
of debt - 466

Adjusted
EBITDA $77,274 $60,777
======= =======


(1) The three months ended June
30, 2014 and 2013 include cash
settled SARs expense of $1.1
million and $3.3 million,
respectively.
EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, income tax provision or benefit, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.

Adjusted EBITDA represents EBITDA as defined above adjusted for stock-based compensation, restructuring charges, gain on sale of equity method investment, and loss on extinguishment of debt. Stock-based compensation represents compensation expenses associated with stock options, restricted share units and cash and equity settled stock appreciation rights ("SARs"). Restructuring charges primarily consist of severance costs associated with the integration of the marketing operations of our Lionsgate and Summit film labels and costs related to the move of our international sales and distribution organization to the United Kingdom. Gain on sale of equity method investment represents the gain on sale of our interest in FEARnet. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure.

Management believes EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to be meaningful indicators of our performance that provide useful information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations. Presentation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures commonly used in the entertainment industry and by financial analysts and others who follow the industry to measure operating performance. While management considers EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to be important measures of comparative operating performance, they should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP"). EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA do not reflect cash available to fund cash requirements. Not all companies calculate EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner and the measures as presented may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures presented by other companies.





LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.



RECONCILIATION OF FREE CASH FLOW TO NET CASH

FLOWS USED IN OPERATING ACTIVITIES


Three Months Ended

June 30,
--------

2014 2013
---- ----

(Amounts in thousands)

Net Cash
Flows Used
In
Operating
Activities $(12,634) $(29,289)

Purchases of
property
and
equipment (1,427) (1,428)

Net
borrowings
under and
(repayment)
of
production
loans 171,094 26,313

Excess tax
benefits on
equity-
based
compensation
awards 2,771 -
----- ---

Free Cash
Flow, as
defined $159,804 $(4,404)
======== =======

Free cash flow is defined as net cash flows used in operating activities, less purchases of property and equipment, plus or minus the net increase or decrease in production loans, plus excess tax benefits on equity-based compensation awards. The adjustment for the production loans is made because the GAAP based cash flows from operations reflects a non-cash reduction of cash flows for the cost of films associated with production loans prior to the time the Company actually pays for the film. The Company believes that it is more meaningful to reflect the impact of the payment for these films in its free cash flow when the payments are actually made.

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure as defined in Regulation G promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. This non-GAAP financial measure is in addition to, not a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Management believes this non-GAAP measure provides useful information to investors regarding cash that our operating businesses generate whether classified as operating or financing activity (related to the production of our films) within our GAAP based statement of cash flows, before taking into account cash movements that are non-operational. Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure commonly used in the entertainment industry and by financial analysts and others who follow the industry. Not all companies calculate free cash flow in the same manner and the measure as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.





LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.



RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA TO FREE CASH FLOW


Three Months Ended

June 30,
--------

2014 2013
---- ----

(Amounts in thousands)

EBITDA $67,320 $42,564


Plus: Amortization of film and television programs 158,808 219,364

Less: Cash paid for film and television programs (1) (127,346) (155,990)
-------- --------

Amortization of film and television programs in excess
of cash paid 31,462 63,374


Plus: Non-cash stock-based compensation 16,537 13,220

Plus: Distribution from equity method investee 6,230 9,849

Less: Equity interests income (18,210) (7,977)

Plus: Loss on extinguishment of debt - 466
--- ---

EBITDA adjusted for items above 103,339 121,496


Changes in other operating assets and liabilities:

Restricted cash 1,391 1,662

Accounts receivable, net 169,514 (32,516)

Other assets 382 (1,222)

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities (95,666) (33,584)

Participations and residuals (1,539) (17,512)

Deferred revenue (4,883) (20,582)
------ -------

69,199 (103,754)


Purchases of property and equipment (1,427) (1,428)

Interest, taxes and other (2) (11,307) (20,718)


Free Cash Flow, as defined $159,804 $(4,404)
======== =======

_________________________

(1) Cash paid for film and television programs is calculated using the following amounts as presented in our consolidated statement of cash flows:

Change in investment in film and television programs $(263,851) $(160,933)

Change in film obligations (34,589) (21,370)

Production loans - borrowings 207,953 108,605

Production loans - repayments (36,859) (82,292)
------- -------

Total cash paid for film and television programs $(127,346) $(155,990)
========= =========

_________________________

(2) Interest, taxes and other consists of the following:

Cash interest $(9,442) $(16,273)

Interest and other income 1,018 1,496

Current income tax provision (5,654) (5,941)

Excess tax benefits on equity-based compensation
awards 2,771 -

Total interest, taxes and other $(11,307) $(20,718)
======== ========

This reconciliation is provided to illustrate the difference between our EBITDA and free cash flow which are both separately reconciled to their corresponding GAAP metrics.





LIONS GATE ENTERTAINMENT CORP.



RECONCILIATION OF INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES, NET

INCOME, AND BASIC AND DILUTED EPS TO ADJUSTED INCOME BEFORE

INCOME TAXES, ADJUSTED NET INCOME, AND ADJUSTED BASIC AND DILUTED EPS


Three Months Ended June 30, 2014
--------------------------------

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

Income before
income taxes Net income Basic EPS* Diluted EPS*
-------------- ---------- --------- -----------

As reported $54,020 $43,261 $0.31 $0.30

Stock-based compensation (1) 16,421 10,401 0.08 0.07

Restructuring charges (2) 4,888 3,096 0.02 0.02

Gain on sale of equity method investment (3) (11,355) (7,192) (0.05) (0.05)

As adjusted for stock-based compensation,
restructuring charges and gain on sale of equity
method investment $63,974 $49,566 $0.36 $0.34
======= ======= ===== =====


Three Months Ended June 30, 2013
--------------------------------

(Amounts in thousands, except per share amounts)

Income before
income taxes Net income Basic EPS* Diluted EPS*
-------------- ---------- --------- -----------

As reported $21,621 $13,617 $0.10 $0.10

Stock-based compensation (1) 17,747 11,181 0.08 0.08

Loss on extinguishment of debt (4) 466 294 - -
--- --- --- ---

As adjusted for stock-based compensation and loss on
extinguishment of debt $39,834 $25,092 $0.18 $0.18
======= ======= ===== =====

_________________________

* Basic and Diluted EPS amounts may not add precisely due to rounding
Adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income and adjusted basic and diluted EPS are adjusted for the following items:

(1) Stock-based compensation: Adjustments for stock-based compensation represents compensation expenses associated with stock options, restricted share units, cash and equity settled SARs. The adjustment to net income is net of the tax impact calculated using the statutory tax rate applicable to each adjustment.

(2) Restructuring charges: This adjusts income before income taxes and net income to eliminate the severance costs associated with the integration of the marketing operations of our Lionsgate and Summit film labels and costs related to the move of our international sales and distribution organization to the United Kingdom. The adjustment to net income is net of the tax impact calculated using the statutory tax rate applicable to each adjustment.

(3) Gain on sale of equity method investment: This adjusts income before income taxes and net income to eliminate the gain on sale of our interest in FEARnet. The adjustment to net income is net of the tax impact calculated using the statutory tax rate applicable to each adjustment.

(4) Loss on extinguishment of debt: This adjusts income before income taxes and net income to eliminate the loss on extinguishment of debt. The adjustment to net income is net of the tax impact calculated using the statutory tax rate applicable to each adjustment.

Management believes that these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to investors regarding the Company's results as compared to historical periods. The Company uses these measures, among other measures, to evaluate the operating performance of the Company. The Company believes that the adjusted results provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify the Company's actual operating performance and allow investors to review our operating performance in the same way as our management. Since these measures are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for income before income taxes, net income, basic and diluted EPS. Not all companies calculate adjusted income before income taxes, adjusted net income, and adjusted basic and diluted EPS in the same manner and the measures as presented may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies.



SOURCE Lionsgate

Lionsgate

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


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