RLJ Entertainment Reports Financial Results For The Quarter Ended June 30, 2016

RLJ Entertainment Reports Financial Results For The Quarter Ended June 30, 2016

SILVER SPRING, Md., Aug. 15, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- RLJ Entertainment Inc., ("RLJ Entertainment," "RLJE" or "the Company") (NASDAQ: RLJE), today announced financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2016.

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HIGHLIGHTS

Highlights and significant events for the three months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:


-- The Acorn TV paid subscriber base increased 111.9% from 151,000 as of
June 30, 2015, to 320,000 as of June 30, 2016.
-- Revenues from our Direct-to-Consumer segment, which primarily consists
of our proprietary SVOD channels, increased 88.8% to $4.1 million. After
costs of sales and operating expenses, our Direct-to-Consumer segment
contributed $1.1 million of income from continuing operations for the
current period compared to a loss from continuing operations of $0.4
million for the same period last year.
-- Total revenues declined 20.9% to $15.8 million. The decrease was driven
by a decrease in our Wholesale revenues resulting from us having fewer
releases. Despite lower revenues, gross profit increased by 39.8% to
$4.8 million.
-- Gross margin increased to 30.2% compared to 17.1% during the same period
last year. This improvement in gross margin is primarily attributable to
the growth of our proprietary SVOD channels, which deliver a higher
profit margin.
-- Our loss from continuing operations improved by $0.9 million to $2.8
million primarily due to our improved gross margin offset by a $0.4
million increase in stock-based compensation. Our net loss improved by
$0.4 million to $0.2 million.
-- Adjusted EBITDA declined by $1.5 million to a loss of $1.3 million. The
decline is due to relatively higher investments in content during a
period of lower revenues and lower content amortization.
Highlights and significant events for the six months ended June 30, 2016 and 2015 are as follows:


-- Revenues from our Direct-to-Consumer segment, which primarily consists
of our proprietary SVOD channels, increased 79.0% to $7.6 million. After
costs of sales and operating expenses, our Direct-to-Consumer segment
contributed $2.0 million of income from continuing operations for the
current period compared to a loss from continuing operations of $1.1
million for the same period last year.
-- Total revenues declined 17.2% to $33.5 million. The decrease was driven
by a decrease in our Wholesale revenues resulting from us having fewer
releases. Despite lower revenues, gross profit increased by 44.4% to
$9.9 million.
-- Gross margin increased to 29.4% compared to 16.9% during the same period
last year. This improvement in gross margin is primarily attributable to
the growth of our proprietary SVOD channels, which deliver a higher
profit margin.
-- Selling, general and administrative expenses (or SG&A) decreased by
6.8%, which is primarily attributable to a $1.4 million decrease in
selling expenses. This decrease is due to lower revenues and lower
theatrical-release expenses.
-- Our loss from continuing operations improved by $4.1 million due to our
improved gross margin and lower selling expenses. Our net loss increased
by $2.5 million primarily due to the change in fair value of stock
warrants and other derivatives.
-- Adjusted EBITDA declined by $2.3 million to a loss of $3.8 million. The
decline is due to relatively higher cash investments in content during a
period of lower revenues and lower content amortization.
-- Cash flows from operations improved by $11.0 million, to a $2.1 million
source of cash for the six months ended June 30, 2016 compared to a use
of cash of $9.0 million for the same period last year.
Robert L. Johnson, Chairman of RLJ Entertainment stated, "I am excited about the continued growth of RLJ Entertainment's proprietary streaming channels which have become a significant and strategic part of our business model. Through the acquisition of exclusive and high-quality content, we are pleased with the growth in our streaming channels Acorn TV and UMC. While improving our margins remains a priority for management, we are focused on continuing to increase our content acquisitions for the business."

Miguel Penella, Chief Executive Officer of RLJ Entertainment, added "We completed our plan to exit the direct-to-consumer catalog business having recently entered into a licensing agreement with Universal Screen Arts to administer the Acorn U.S. catalog and e-commerce business. We continue to prioritize our strategic initiative to expand distribution opportunities for our proprietary SVOD channels and focus on acquiring specially curated feature films and British series to enhance our viewer's experience."

Nazir Rostom, Chief Financial Officer of RLJ Entertainment stated, "We are keenly focused on increasing our proprietary SVOD subscriber base and improving gross margins. While there was a decline in the company's overall total revenue (driven by fewer releases and exiting our direct-to-consumer business), our gross margin increased to 29.4% compared to 16.9% during the same period last year. The increase in profit margin is primarily due to the higher revenues from our proprietary SVOD channels. Our plans for the second half of the year include looking at various avenues to increase our liquidity position, reduce our cost of capital and improve our operating efficiency, all of which will result in maximizing shareholder's value."

RLJ Entertainment, Inc. (NASDAQ: RLJE) is an entertainment content distribution company in primarily North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia. RLJE's titles are distributed in multiple formats including broadcast television (including satellite and cable), theatrical and non-theatrical, DVD, Blu-Ray, digital download, and digital streaming.

With its popular OTT branded channels, Acorn TV (British TV) and UMC (Urban Movie Channel), RLJE targets distinct, premium audiences and Urban niche audiences. The company grows its proprietary digital channels through development, acquisition, and distribution of exclusive rights of program franchises and feature film content.

Through Acorn Media Enterprises, its UK development arm, RLJE owns all rights to the hit UK mystery series Foyle's War and is developing new programs. RLJE owns 64% of Agatha Christie Limited, which manages the intellectual property and publishing rights to some of the greatest works of mystery fiction, including stories of the iconic sleuths Miss Marple and Poirot. Through its proprietary e-commerce web sites for the Acorn brand in North America and the UK, the Company also has direct contacts and billing relationships with millions of consumers.

For more information, please visit RLJEntertainment.com, Acorn.TV, and UrbanMovieChannel.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release may include "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Other than statements of historical fact, all statements made in this press release are forward-looking, including, but not limited to, statements regarding industry prospects, future results of operations or financial position, and statements of our intent, belief and current expectations about our strategic direction, prospective and future results and condition. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by words such as "will," "should," "could," "may," "might," "expect," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "continue," "future," "intend," "project" or similar words.

Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that are inherently difficult to predict, which could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from our expectations, forecasts and assumptions. Factors that might cause such differences include, but are not limited to:


-- Our financial performance, including our ability to achieve improved
results from operations, and Adjusted EBITDA;
-- The effects of limited cash liquidity on operational performance;
-- Our obligations under the credit agreement, including our principal
repayment obligations;
-- Our ability to satisfy financial ratios;
-- Our ability to generate sufficient cash flows from operating activities;
-- Our ability to raise additional capital to reduce debt, improve
liquidity and fund capital requirements;
-- Our ability to fund planned capital expenditures and development
efforts;
-- Our inability to gauge and predict the commercial success of our
programming;
-- Our ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees and
suppliers, including our ability to enter into revised payment plans,
when necessary, with our vendors that are acceptable to all parties;
-- Delays in the release of new titles or other content;
-- The effects of disruptions in our supply chain;
-- The loss of key personnel;
-- Our public securities' limited liquidity and trading; or
-- Our ability to meet the NASDAQ Capital Market continuing listing
standards and maintain our listing.
You should carefully consider and evaluate all of the information in this press release, including the risk factors listed above and in our Form 10-K filed with the Securities Exchange Commission (or SEC), including "Item 1A. Risk Factors." If any of these risks occur, our business, results of operations, and financial condition could be harmed, the price of our common stock could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment, and future events and circumstances could differ significantly from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Unless otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such forward-looking statements that may reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Readers are referred to the most recent reports filed with the SEC by RLJ Entertainment. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Contact:
Traci Otey Blunt, 301-830-6204

RLJ Entertainment, Inc.
ir@rljentertainment.com








RLJ ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

As of June 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015



June 30, December 31,

(In thousands, except share data) 2016 2015
---- ----

ASSETS

Cash $4,457 $4,530

Accounts receivable, net 11,180 23,886

Inventories, net 7,029 8,325

Investments in content, net 59,213 60,407

Prepaid expenses and other assets 639 833

Property, equipment and improvements, net 1,686 1,815

Equity investment in affiliate 17,484 20,098

Other intangible assets, net 9,005 9,233

Goodwill 14,631 14,631

Assets of discontinued operations 2,397 6,870
----- -----

Total assets $127,721 $150,628
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LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT

Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $13,956 $16,370

Accrued royalties and distribution fees 48,859 51,552

Deferred revenue 1,616 1,203

Debt, net of discounts and debt issuance costs 61,054 61,250

Deferred tax liability 1,839 1,839

Stock warrant and other derivative liabilities 12,861 10,678

Liabilities of discontinued operations 2,331 7,560
----- -----

Total liabilities 142,516 150,452
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Redeemable convertible preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 1,000,000 23,636 21,346
shares authorized; 31,046 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2016 and
December 31, 2015; liquidation preference of $33,940 at June 30, 2016 and
$32,617 at December 31, 2015


Shareholders' Deficit:

Common stock, $0.001 par value, 250,000,000 shares authorized, 4,717,324 5 5
shares issued and 4,711,091 shares outstanding at June 30, 2016; and
4,717,324 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2015

Additional paid-in capital 83,747 85,400

Accumulated deficit (119,163) (105,514)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss (3,020) (1,061)

Treasury shares, at cost, 6,233 shares at June 30, 2016 and zero at - -
December 31, 2015


Total shareholders' deficit (38,431) (21,170)
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Total liabilities and shareholders' deficit $127,721 $150,628
======== ========








RLJ ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015



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

(In thousands, except share data) 2016 2015 2016 2015
---- ---- ---- ----

Revenues $15,790 $19,953 $33,531 $40,491

Cost of sales

Content amortization and royalties 6,725 11,646 15,070 23,364

Manufacturing and fulfillment 4,298 4,898 8,606 10,301
----- ----- ----- ------

Total cost of sales 11,023 16,544 23,676 33,665
------ ------ ------ ------

Gross profit 4,767 3,409 9,855 6,826
----- ----- ----- -----


Selling expenses 2,222 2,219 4,346 5,770

General and administrative expenses 4,650 4,076 9,495 9,144

Depreciation and amortization 645 763 1,269 1,304
--- --- ----- -----

Total operating expenses 7,517 7,058 15,110 16,218
----- ----- ------ ------

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (2,750) (3,649) (5,255) (9,392)


Equity earnings of affiliate 709 438 1,208 688

Interest expense, net (2,190) (2,581) (4,395) (5,524)

Change in fair value of stock warrants and other derivatives 5,993 7,140 (2,184) 7,637

Other income (expense) (757) 161 (730) (615)
---- --- ---- ----

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 1,005 1,509 (11,356) (7,206)

BEFORE PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES

Provision for income taxes - (264) (41) (582)
--- ---- --- ----

INCOME (LOSS) FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 1,005 1,245 (11,397) (7,788)

LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, (1,179) (1,791) (2,252) (3,388)

NET OF INCOME TAXES


NET LOSS $(174) $(546) $(13,649) $(11,176)
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RLJ ENTERTAINMENT, INC.

UNAUDITED ADJUSTED EBITDA

Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 and 2015




We define "Adjusted EBITDA" as earnings before income tax, depreciation, amortization, adjusted for cash investment in content, interest expense, loss on extinguishment of debt, goodwill impairments, severance costs, costs to modify debt, change in fair value of stock, warrants and other
derivatives, stock-based compensation, basis-difference amortization in equity earnings of affiliate, non-cash foreign currency exchange loss (gain) and loss from discontinued operations. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA to be a meaningful indicator of our performance that provides useful
information to investors regarding our financial condition and results of operations because it removes material non-cash items that allows investors to analyze the operating performance of the business using the same metric management uses. The exclusion of non-cash items better reflects our
ability to make investments in the business and meet obligations. Presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure commonly used in the entertainment industry and by financial analysts and others who follow the industry to measure operating performance. Management uses this
measure to assess operating results and performance of our business, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance and allocate resources to our business segments. While management considers Adjusted EBITDA to be an important measure of comparative operating
performance, it should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with US GAAP. Not all companies calculate Adjusted EBITDA in the same manner and the measure, as presented, may not be comparable to
similarly-titled measures presented by other companies.


The following table includes the reconciliation of our consolidated U.S. GAAP net loss to our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:


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

(In thousands) 2016 2015 2016 2015
---- ---- ---- ----

Net loss $(174) $(546) $(13,649) $(11,176)

Loss from discontinued operations 1,179 1,791 2,252 3,388

Amortization of content 6,725 11,646 15,070 23,364

Cash investment in content (7,145) (9,256) (17,061) (18,052)

Depreciation and amortization 645 763 1,269 1,304

Interest expense 2,190 2,581 4,395 5,524

Provision for income tax - 264 41 582

Transaction costs and restructuring - 507 - 507

Change in fair value of stock warrants and (5,993) (7,140) 2,184 (7,637)
other derivatives

Foreign currency exchange loss (gain) 827 (559) 824 282

Stock-based compensation 301 (40) 610 147

Basis-difference amortization in equity 128 137 256 272
earnings of affiliate


Adjusted EBITDA $(1,317) $148 $(3,809) $(1,495)
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RLJ Entertainment, Inc.

Web Site: http://rljentertainment.com


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