WWE ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER EARNINGS
- 06/13/2006 (9:17:23 am)
- Georgiann Makropoulos
News is not good, profits fall, Stocks falling too….
World Wrestling 4Q Profit Falls
WWE's profit in a chokehold
Wrestling company's fiscal fourth-quarter net income and revenue decline on lower cable TV advertising.
At start of today stocks start off at a low $17.00 down 56 cents from yesterday
Update @ 2:30 PM Keeps on dropping now $16.33.
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–June 13, 2006–World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. today announced financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended April 30, 2006. Revenues totaled $114.3 million as compared to $118.3 million in the prior year quarter and operating income was $15.1 million as compared to $22.5 million in the prior year quarter. The Company reported net income of $10.6 million, or $0.15 per share, as compared to $16.1 million, or $0.23 per share, in the prior year quarter.
EBITDA was $17.5 million in the current quarter as compared to $25.4 million in the prior year quarter.
“Our fourth quarter operating results capped off a very successful year as we generated $400 million in revenues in fiscal 2006, reflecting strong performances by our Home Video, Licensing and Digital Media businesses. In the fourth quarter we continued to make strategic investments in key areas such as our digital business initiative and global marketing campaigns,” stated Linda McMahon, CEO.
“Our WrestleMania® 22 results in the fourth quarter continue to demonstrate the power of both that event and of the overall WWE® brand and their respective places in pop culture,” continued Mrs. McMahon. “Also, we are re-launching the ECW® brand via weekly television performances on the SCI FI Channel and through a distinct touring group performing in smaller venues. This type of performance gives our fans a different wrestling experience. RAW®, SmackDown® and ECW now represent a portfolio of WWE brands for fans of all ages and interests to enjoy.”
Results By Business Segment for the 4th Quarter
WWE has modified its business segment reporting to include four reportable segments. These new segments highlight management’s focus on the growth of our digital businesses and our entry into the feature film production business. The following analysis outlines all material business units contained within each segment as well as the reporting changes made in each respective segment. Results from prior periods have been adjusted for comparability to the new segment reporting.
Live and Televised Entertainment
- Segment revised to include Venue Merchandise, which was formerly included in the Branded Merchandise segment (now renamed the Consumer Products segment)
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $92.3 million for the current quarter as compared to $102.2 million in the prior year quarter, a decrease of 10% primarily reflecting the absence of domestic cable advertising revenues.
Pay-Per-View revenues were $35.4 million as compared to $34.6 million in the prior year quarter. There were four Pay-Per-View events produced in the current quarter as compared to three events in the prior year quarter.
The details for the number of buys (in 000’s) are as follows:
Event Q4 F06 Q4 F05
—– —— ——
Royal Rumble(R) 564 564
No Way Out(R) 224 239
WrestleMania(R) 925 983
Backlash(R) 215 **
Prior events 215 198
———– ———
Total 2,143 1,984
=========== =========
** Our Backlash event generated approximately 273,000 buys when it
aired in Q1 F06.
International buys, which generate lower revenues per buy, comprised 39% of total buys in the current quarter as compared to 34% of total buys in the prior year quarter.
Live Event revenues were $27.3 million as compared to $29.4 million in the fourth quarter of last year.
There were 80 events, including 24 international events, during the quarter as compared to 76 events, including 23 international events, during the same period last year.
International events generated approximately $13.0 million in the current quarter as compared to $16.0 million in the prior year quarter. The current quarter included a highly successful 16 event European tour as well as several events in emerging territories, including the Philippines and Thailand. Although the emerging territories yield lower revenues as compared to other international markets, these tours, combined with our TV presence, establish our brand presence which allows us to develop our other businesses such as Licensing, Pay-Per-View and Home Video sales.
North American average attendance was approximately 6,200 in the current quarter as compared to 5,900 in the prior year quarter.
Venue Merchandise revenues were $5.1 million as compared to $4.7 million in the fourth quarter of last year. The increase in revenues is due to an increase in the number of events coupled with a higher average amount spent by our customers. This average increased to $13.10 in the current quarter from $11.52 in the prior year quarter.
Television Rights Fees revenues were $20.6 million as compared to $20.4 million in the prior year quarter.
Television Advertising revenues were $2.2 million as compared to $12.5 million in the prior year quarter. This decline was due to our television distribution agreement with USA Network, which became effective in October 2005. Due to this change, we no longer participate in domestic television advertising sales. Advertising revenues in the current quarter include sales of advertising on our Canadian television programs and various sponsorship packages.
WWE 24/7(TM) revenues were $0.5 million in the current quarter, while generating no revenues in the prior year quarter as the business was in a start-up phase. Subsequent to the quarter, we reached an agreement with Comcast to provide our WWE 24/7 On Demand product beginning in the summer of 2006.
Consumer Products
- Segment formerly named Branded Merchandise
- Venue Merchandise is now included in the Live and Televised Entertainment segment
- WWE.com and WWE Shop businesses are now reported as a separate segment named Digital Media
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $16.1 million versus $12.6 million in the prior year quarter, a 28% increase. The $3.5 million increase reflects continued growth in our home video and licensing businesses.
Home Video net revenues were $7.1 million as compared to $5.1 million in the prior year quarter. The increase is primarily due to additional multi-disc titles sold in the current quarter, including the WrestleMania Anthology box set, resulting in an increase in the average sales price of our DVDs of approximately $4.20 per unit. This higher sales price is coupled with an overall increase in gross units sold of 35%, or approximately 150,000 units. The best selling title in the quarter was Blood Sport ECW: The Most Violent Matches, which sold approximately 87,000 gross units.
Licensing revenues were $6.0 million as compared to $3.7 million in the prior year quarter. The success of the SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 video game contributed to a $0.9 million increase in multimedia game sales as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. Higher revenues in licensed toy, book, and novelty products also contributed to the overall increase from the prior year quarter.
Magazine publishing net revenues were $2.9 million as compared to $3.6 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting three issues of our RAW magazine published in the current quarter as compared to four issues in the prior year quarter.
Digital Media
- Newly created segment
-WWE.com and WWE Shop businesses were formerly included in our Branded Merchandise segment (now renamed the Consumer Products segment)
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $6.0 million as compared to $3.5 million in the prior year quarter, a 71% increase.
WWE.com revenues were $3.0 million as compared to $2.1 million in the prior year quarter, a 43% increase. The increase reflects additional advertising revenues sold on our website.
WWE Shop revenues were $2.9 million as compared to $1.3 million in the prior year quarter. Over 56,000 orders were processed during the current quarter which represents a 98% increase in the number of orders processed from the prior year quarter. In addition, the amount customers spent per order increased to $51.00 in the current quarter from $46.00 in the prior year quarter.
WWE Films
- Newly created segment
Our first feature film, See No Evil, was released subsequent to the quarter end on May 19, 2006. To date, See No Evil has generated approximately $14 million in domestic gross receipts which is in line with expectations. WWE does not participate in any revenues associated with this project until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributor have been recouped. Accordingly, no revenues are anticipated within the next fiscal quarter.
Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)
Profit contribution for the quarter was $43.1 million as compared to $50.4 million in the prior year quarter. Total profit contribution margin was approximately 38% for the current quarter as compared to 43% for the prior year quarter. The decline in the profit contribution is due in part to the absence of domestic television advertising revenues in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment. Profit contribution for the current quarter also reflects our increased investment in our digital businesses and a global marketing campaign in support of Pay-Per-View events and various product lines.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $24.2 million for the current quarter as compared to $24.4 million in the prior year quarter.
Summary Results for the Twelve Months Ended
Total revenues for fiscal 2006 were $400.1 million as compared to $366.4 million in the prior year period, a 9% increase. Operating income for the year was $70.5 million versus $50.3 million in the prior year, a 40% increase. Net income was $47.0 million, or $0.67 per share, as compared to $39.1 million, or $0.56 per share, in the prior year. EBITDA was $81.0 million for fiscal 2006 as compared to $62.2 million in the prior year. The current year operating income includes approximately $2.1 million in net positive legal settlements.
Results By Business Segment for the Twelve Months Ended
The following analysis outlines all material business units contained within each segment.
Live and Televised Entertainment
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $290.8 million for the current year as compared to $299.5 million in the prior year, a 3% decrease primarily reflecting the absence of domestic cable advertising revenues
FY2006 FY2005
—— ——
Pay-Per- View $ 94.8 $ 85.5
Live Events $ 75.0 $ 78.7
Venue Merchandise $ 14.7 $ 12.8
Television Rights Fees $ 81.5 $ 78.0
Television Advertising $ 22.6 $ 43.7
WWE 24/7 $ 1.1 $ 0.1
Consumer Products
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $86.4 million versus $53.9 million in the prior year, an increase of 60%.
FY2006 FY2005
—— ——
Home Video $ 42.6 $ 20.1
Licensing $ 32.2 $ 20.9
Magazine Publishing $ 11.1 $ 12.2
Digital Media
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $22.9 million as compared to $13.1 million in the prior year, an increase of 75%.
FY2006 FY2005
—— ——
WWE.com $ 9.7 $ 7.8
WWE Shop $12.1 $ 4.5
Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)
Profit contribution for the year was $172.9 million as compared to $153.1 million in the prior year. Total profit contribution margin was approximately 43% for the current year as compared to 42% in the prior year. The profit contribution reflects an increase in the Consumer Products segment, specifically for Licensing and Home Video. This increase was partially offset by the absence of domestic television advertising revenues in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $87.2 million for the current year as compared to $86.9 million in the prior year.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by continuing operations was $67.1 million for the year ended April 30, 2006, as compared to $22.3 million for the year ended April, 2005. The prior year period included approximately $28.3 million in net cash outflows for the production of two feature films.
Change in Fiscal Year
The Board of Directors has elected to change the Company’s fiscal year end to a calendar basis beginning with calendar year 2007. This change is intended to simplify our communication and will enable us to report our financial results in a timeframe consistent with the majority of our media and entertainment peers. WWE will therefore establish an eight month transition period from May 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006. During this transition period, WWE will continue to file its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under our current fiscal reporting schedule.
Transition Period Outlook
May - December 2006 Outlook
In the eight month period ending December 31, 2005, revenues grew by approximately 17% and EPS increased by 115% as compared to the comparable period in 2004. Our upcoming 2006 transition period calls for modest revenue growth as compared to the $248 million in the comparable 2005 period, as the growth in the Consumer Products and Digital Media segments is expected to more than offset the elimination of approximately $15 million of domestic cable advertising sales. As a result of our anticipated investments to support our Digital Media business, the launch of ECW, and other strategic initiatives, our results for the 2006 transition period are expected to be approximately even with the $30 million of Net Income and $0.43 EPS from continuing operations in the comparable 2005 eight month period.
EBITDA was $17.5 million in the current quarter as compared to $25.4 million in the prior year quarter.
“Our fourth quarter operating results capped off a very successful year as we generated $400 million in revenues in fiscal 2006, reflecting strong performances by our Home Video, Licensing and Digital Media businesses. In the fourth quarter we continued to make strategic investments in key areas such as our digital business initiative and global marketing campaigns,” stated Linda McMahon, CEO.
“Our WrestleMania® 22 results in the fourth quarter continue to demonstrate the power of both that event and of the overall WWE® brand and their respective places in pop culture,” continued Mrs. McMahon. “Also, we are re-launching the ECW® brand via weekly television performances on the SCI FI Channel and through a distinct touring group performing in smaller venues. This type of performance gives our fans a different wrestling experience. RAW®, SmackDown® and ECW now represent a portfolio of WWE brands for fans of all ages and interests to enjoy.”
Results By Business Segment for the 4th Quarter
WWE has modified its business segment reporting to include four reportable segments. These new segments highlight management’s focus on the growth of our digital businesses and our entry into the feature film production business. The following analysis outlines all material business units contained within each segment as well as the reporting changes made in each respective segment. Results from prior periods have been adjusted for comparability to the new segment reporting.
Live and Televised Entertainment
- Segment revised to include Venue Merchandise, which was formerly included in the Branded Merchandise segment (now renamed the Consumer Products segment)
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $92.3 million for the current quarter as compared to $102.2 million in the prior year quarter, a decrease of 10% primarily reflecting the absence of domestic cable advertising revenues.
Pay-Per-View revenues were $35.4 million as compared to $34.6 million in the prior year quarter. There were four Pay-Per-View events produced in the current quarter as compared to three events in the prior year quarter.
The details for the number of buys (in 000’s) are as follows:
Event Q4 F06 Q4 F05
—– —— ——
Royal Rumble(R) 564 564
No Way Out(R) 224 239
WrestleMania(R) 925 983
Backlash(R) 215 **
Prior events 215 198
———– ———
Total 2,143 1,984
=========== =========
** Our Backlash event generated approximately 273,000 buys when it
aired in Q1 F06.
International buys, which generate lower revenues per buy, comprised 39% of total buys in the current quarter as compared to 34% of total buys in the prior year quarter.
Live Event revenues were $27.3 million as compared to $29.4 million in the fourth quarter of last year.
There were 80 events, including 24 international events, during the quarter as compared to 76 events, including 23 international events, during the same period last year.
International events generated approximately $13.0 million in the current quarter as compared to $16.0 million in the prior year quarter. The current quarter included a highly successful 16 event European tour as well as several events in emerging territories, including the Philippines and Thailand. Although the emerging territories yield lower revenues as compared to other international markets, these tours, combined with our TV presence, establish our brand presence which allows us to develop our other businesses such as Licensing, Pay-Per-View and Home Video sales.
North American average attendance was approximately 6,200 in the current quarter as compared to 5,900 in the prior year quarter.
Venue Merchandise revenues were $5.1 million as compared to $4.7 million in the fourth quarter of last year. The increase in revenues is due to an increase in the number of events coupled with a higher average amount spent by our customers. This average increased to $13.10 in the current quarter from $11.52 in the prior year quarter.
Television Rights Fees revenues were $20.6 million as compared to $20.4 million in the prior year quarter.
Television Advertising revenues were $2.2 million as compared to $12.5 million in the prior year quarter. This decline was due to our television distribution agreement with USA Network, which became effective in October 2005. Due to this change, we no longer participate in domestic television advertising sales. Advertising revenues in the current quarter include sales of advertising on our Canadian television programs and various sponsorship packages.
WWE 24/7(TM) revenues were $0.5 million in the current quarter, while generating no revenues in the prior year quarter as the business was in a start-up phase. Subsequent to the quarter, we reached an agreement with Comcast to provide our WWE 24/7 On Demand product beginning in the summer of 2006.
Consumer Products
- Segment formerly named Branded Merchandise
- Venue Merchandise is now included in the Live and Televised Entertainment segment
- WWE.com and WWE Shop businesses are now reported as a separate segment named Digital Media
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $16.1 million versus $12.6 million in the prior year quarter, a 28% increase. The $3.5 million increase reflects continued growth in our home video and licensing businesses.
Home Video net revenues were $7.1 million as compared to $5.1 million in the prior year quarter. The increase is primarily due to additional multi-disc titles sold in the current quarter, including the WrestleMania Anthology box set, resulting in an increase in the average sales price of our DVDs of approximately $4.20 per unit. This higher sales price is coupled with an overall increase in gross units sold of 35%, or approximately 150,000 units. The best selling title in the quarter was Blood Sport ECW: The Most Violent Matches, which sold approximately 87,000 gross units.
Licensing revenues were $6.0 million as compared to $3.7 million in the prior year quarter. The success of the SmackDown vs. Raw 2006 video game contributed to a $0.9 million increase in multimedia game sales as compared to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2005. Higher revenues in licensed toy, book, and novelty products also contributed to the overall increase from the prior year quarter.
Magazine publishing net revenues were $2.9 million as compared to $3.6 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting three issues of our RAW magazine published in the current quarter as compared to four issues in the prior year quarter.
Digital Media
- Newly created segment
-WWE.com and WWE Shop businesses were formerly included in our Branded Merchandise segment (now renamed the Consumer Products segment)
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $6.0 million as compared to $3.5 million in the prior year quarter, a 71% increase.
WWE.com revenues were $3.0 million as compared to $2.1 million in the prior year quarter, a 43% increase. The increase reflects additional advertising revenues sold on our website.
WWE Shop revenues were $2.9 million as compared to $1.3 million in the prior year quarter. Over 56,000 orders were processed during the current quarter which represents a 98% increase in the number of orders processed from the prior year quarter. In addition, the amount customers spent per order increased to $51.00 in the current quarter from $46.00 in the prior year quarter.
WWE Films
- Newly created segment
Our first feature film, See No Evil, was released subsequent to the quarter end on May 19, 2006. To date, See No Evil has generated approximately $14 million in domestic gross receipts which is in line with expectations. WWE does not participate in any revenues associated with this project until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributor have been recouped. Accordingly, no revenues are anticipated within the next fiscal quarter.
Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)
Profit contribution for the quarter was $43.1 million as compared to $50.4 million in the prior year quarter. Total profit contribution margin was approximately 38% for the current quarter as compared to 43% for the prior year quarter. The decline in the profit contribution is due in part to the absence of domestic television advertising revenues in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment. Profit contribution for the current quarter also reflects our increased investment in our digital businesses and a global marketing campaign in support of Pay-Per-View events and various product lines.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $24.2 million for the current quarter as compared to $24.4 million in the prior year quarter.
Summary Results for the Twelve Months Ended
Total revenues for fiscal 2006 were $400.1 million as compared to $366.4 million in the prior year period, a 9% increase. Operating income for the year was $70.5 million versus $50.3 million in the prior year, a 40% increase. Net income was $47.0 million, or $0.67 per share, as compared to $39.1 million, or $0.56 per share, in the prior year. EBITDA was $81.0 million for fiscal 2006 as compared to $62.2 million in the prior year. The current year operating income includes approximately $2.1 million in net positive legal settlements.
Results By Business Segment for the Twelve Months Ended
The following analysis outlines all material business units contained within each segment.
Live and Televised Entertainment
Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $290.8 million for the current year as compared to $299.5 million in the prior year, a 3% decrease primarily reflecting the absence of domestic cable advertising revenues
FY2006 FY2005
—— ——
Pay-Per- View $ 94.8 $ 85.5
Live Events $ 75.0 $ 78.7
Venue Merchandise $ 14.7 $ 12.8
Television Rights Fees $ 81.5 $ 78.0
Television Advertising $ 22.6 $ 43.7
WWE 24/7 $ 1.1 $ 0.1
Consumer Products
Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $86.4 million versus $53.9 million in the prior year, an increase of 60%.
FY2006 FY2005
—— ——
Home Video $ 42.6 $ 20.1
Licensing $ 32.2 $ 20.9
Magazine Publishing $ 11.1 $ 12.2
Digital Media
Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $22.9 million as compared to $13.1 million in the prior year, an increase of 75%.
FY2006 FY2005
—— ——
WWE.com $ 9.7 $ 7.8
WWE Shop $12.1 $ 4.5
Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)
Profit contribution for the year was $172.9 million as compared to $153.1 million in the prior year. Total profit contribution margin was approximately 43% for the current year as compared to 42% in the prior year. The profit contribution reflects an increase in the Consumer Products segment, specifically for Licensing and Home Video. This increase was partially offset by the absence of domestic television advertising revenues in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
SG&A expenses were $87.2 million for the current year as compared to $86.9 million in the prior year.
Cash Flows
Net cash provided by continuing operations was $67.1 million for the year ended April 30, 2006, as compared to $22.3 million for the year ended April, 2005. The prior year period included approximately $28.3 million in net cash outflows for the production of two feature films.
Change in Fiscal Year
The Board of Directors has elected to change the Company’s fiscal year end to a calendar basis beginning with calendar year 2007. This change is intended to simplify our communication and will enable us to report our financial results in a timeframe consistent with the majority of our media and entertainment peers. WWE will therefore establish an eight month transition period from May 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006. During this transition period, WWE will continue to file its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under our current fiscal reporting schedule.
Transition Period Outlook
May - December 2006 Outlook
In the eight month period ending December 31, 2005, revenues grew by approximately 17% and EPS increased by 115% as compared to the comparable period in 2004. Our upcoming 2006 transition period calls for modest revenue growth as compared to the $248 million in the comparable 2005 period, as the growth in the Consumer Products and Digital Media segments is expected to more than offset the elimination of approximately $15 million of domestic cable advertising sales. As a result of our anticipated investments to support our Digital Media business, the launch of ECW, and other strategic initiatives, our results for the 2006 transition period are expected to be approximately even with the $30 million of Net Income and $0.43 EPS from continuing operations in the comparable 2005 eight month period.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc., Declares Quarterly Dividend
June 13, 2006
STAMFORD, Conn., June 13, 2006 - World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE®) announced that its board of directors today declared the Company’s regular quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share on all Class A and Class B common stock. The record date for the dividend will be June 30, 2006, and the payment date will be July 10, 2006.
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