Ascent Capital Group, Inc. (“Ascent” or the “Company”) (OTC: ASCMA, ASCMB) has reported results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019. Ascent is a holding company that owns Monitronics International, Inc., ("Monitronics", doing business as Brinks Home SecurityTM), one of the nation’s largest home security alarm monitoring companies.

Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Monitronics provides security alarm monitoring services to approximately 900,000 residential and commercial customers as of June 30, 2019. Monitronics’ long-term monitoring contracts provide high margin recurring revenue that produce predictable and stable cash flow.

Highlights1:

  • Ascent’s net revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 totaled $128.1 million and $257.7 million, respectively.
  • Ascent’s net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 totaled $628.9 million and $601.1 million, respectively. Monitronics’ net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 totaled $54.2 million and $86.0 million, respectively.
  • Ascent’s Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 totaled $67.2 million and $139.9 million, respectively. Monitronics’ Adjusted EBITDA for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 totaled $68.3 million and $142.0 million, respectively.
  • On May 20, 2019, Ascent, Monitronics and Monitronics’ largest creditors entered into a Restructuring Support Agreement (the “RSA”) that will eliminate approximately $885.0 million of Monitronics’ debt.
  • On June 30, 2019, in accordance with the plans outlined in the RSA, Monitronics voluntarily filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. As a result, Ascent deconsolidated Monitronics from its financial statements and recognized a net gain on deconsolidation of $685.5 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 20192.
  • On July 26, 2019, Ascent mailed its definitive proxy statement with respect to the special meeting of Ascent stockholders, to be held on August 21, 2019, at which the Ascent stockholders will be asked to vote in favor of Ascent’s participation in the restructuring of Monitronics by means of a merger of Ascent into Monitronics.

Results for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2019

For the three months ended June 30, 2019, Ascent reported net revenue of $128.1 million, a decrease of 5.1%. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, net revenue totaled $257.7 million, a decrease of 4.1%. The reduction in revenue for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 is due to the lower average number of subscribers in 2019. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in average recurring monthly revenue (“RMR”) per subscriber, to $45.40, due to certain price increases enacted during the past twelve months. In addition, when compared to the prior year periods, revenue decreased $3.8 million and $5.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, related to changes in Topic 606 contract assets. All revenues of Ascent are generated by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Monitronics.

Ascent’s cost of services, which are all incurred by Monitronics, for the three months ended June 30, 2019 decreased 13.7% to $28.5 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, Ascent’s cost of services decreased 15.9% to $55.3 million. The decreases in cost of services for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 are primarily attributable to lower field service costs due to fewer retention and move jobs being completed and a decrease in expensed subscriber acquisition costs. Subscriber acquisition costs, which include expensed equipment and labor costs associated with the creation of new subscribers, decreased to $3.1 million and $4.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to $4.3 million and $7.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

Ascent’s selling, general & administrative ("SG&A") costs for the three months ended June 30, 2019, decreased 14.6% to $29.4 million. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, Ascent’s SG&A decreased 13.8% to $61.9 million. The decreases in SG&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 are attributable to several factors including Monitronics receiving a $4.8 million insurance receivable settlement in April 2019 from an insurance carrier that provided coverage related to the 2017 class action litigation of alleged violation of telemarketing laws. Also contributing to the decline in SG&A in 2019 were rebranding expenses of $2.4 million and $3.3 million recognized in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively, and $3.0 million of Ascent Capital severance expense in the six months ended June 30, 2018. Subscriber acquisition costs in SG&A decreased to $7.8 million and $13.3 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to $8.8 million and $16.9 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

Monitronics’ SG&A costs for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 were $28.2 million and $59.4 million, respectively, as compared to $32.7 million and $64.7 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

Monitronics’ consolidated creation multiple, including both expensed subscriber acquisition costs and other capitalized creation costs, was 38.4x and 37.7x for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.

Ascent reported net income for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 of $628.9 million and $601.1 million, respectively, compared to net loss of $244.4 million and $275.2 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. The increase in net income is primarily attributable to the gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries, partially offset by $34.7 million of restructuring and reorganization expenses, recognized for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to a $214.4 million loss on goodwill impairment recorded in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018. 

Monitronics reported a net loss for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 of $54.2 million and $86.0 million, respectively, as compared to a net loss of $241.8 million and $268.0 million in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively. The decrease in Monitronics’ net loss is primarily due to the loss on goodwill impairment recorded in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 partially offset by the restructuring and reorganization expense recorded in the three and six months ended June 30, 2019.

Ascent’s Adjusted EBITDA decreased 3.2% to $67.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2019. For the six months ended June 30, 2019, Ascent’s Adjusted EBITDA increased 1.2% to $139.9 million.

Monitronics’ Adjusted EBITDA decreased 5.4% and 0.1% to $68.3 million and $142.0 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, respectively.  Monitronics’ Adjusted EBITDA, as a percentage of net revenue, for the three and six months ended June 30, 2019 was 53.3% and 55.1%, respectively, as compared to 53.4% and 52.9% in the three and six months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.

For a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Adjusted EBITDA, please see the Appendix of this release.

LTM Subscriber Rollforward and Attrition

  Twelve Months Ended June 30,
  2019   2018
Beginning balance of accounts 955,853     1,020,923  
Accounts acquired 96,736     98,561  
Accounts canceled (162,318 )   (158,233 )
Canceled accounts guaranteed by dealer and other adjustments (a) (4,835 )   (5,398 )
Ending balance of accounts 885,436     955,853  
Monthly weighted average accounts 921,898     980,008  
Attrition rate – Unit 17.6 %   16.1 %
Attrition rate - RMR (b) 17.5 %   13.6 %

(a) Includes canceled accounts that are contractually guaranteed to be refunded from holdback.(b) The recurring monthly revenue (“RMR”) of canceled accounts follows the same definition as subscriber unit attrition as noted above.  RMR attrition is defined as the RMR of canceled accounts in a given period, adjusted for the impact of price increases or decreases in that period, divided by the weighted average of RMR for that period.

Unit attrition increased from 16.1% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018 to 17.6% for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019.  The RMR attrition rate for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019 and 2018 was 17.5% and 13.6%, respectively.  Contributing to the increase in unit and RMR attrition were fewer customers under contract or in the dealer guarantee period for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019, as compared to the prior period, increased non-pay attrition as well as some impact from competition from new market entrants.  The increase in the RMR attrition rate for the twelve months ended June 30, 2019 was also impacted by a less aggressive price increase strategy in first half of 2019.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2019, Monitronics acquired 22,743 and 42,746 subscriber accounts, respectively, as compared to 37,383 and 58,930 subscriber accounts in the three months ended June 30, 2018, respectively.  Accounts acquired for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 reflect bulk buys of approximately 10,600 and 10,900 accounts, respectively.

Ascent Liquidity and Capital Resources

At June 30, 2019, on a consolidated basis, Ascent had $29.8 million of cash and cash equivalents. In accordance with the RSA, Ascent plans to use its remaining cash and cash equivalents to fund Ascent Capital liabilities and contribute its net cash to the proposed merger of Ascent and Monitronics.

On February 14, 2019, Ascent repurchased $75.7 million in aggregate principal amount of then outstanding Convertible Notes from certain then holders of Convertible Notes pursuant to the previously announced Settlement and Note Repurchase Agreement and Release (the “Settlement Agreement”), dated February 11, 2019, between Ascent and its directors and executive officers, on the one hand, and certain holders of Convertible Notes, on the other hand. Convertible Notes repurchased pursuant to the Settlement Agreement were cancelled.

On February 19, 2019, Ascent commenced a cash tender offer to purchase any and all of its outstanding Convertible Notes (the “Tender Offer”). On March 22, 2019, the Company entered into transaction support agreements with holders of approximately $18.6 million in aggregate principal amount of the Convertible Notes, pursuant to which the Company agreed to increase the purchase price for the Convertible Notes in the Tender Offer to $950 per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Notes, with no accrued and unpaid interest to be payable (as so amended, the “Amended Tender Offer”) and such holders agreed to tender, or cause to be tendered, into the Amended Tender Offer all Convertible Notes held by such holders. The Amended Tender Offer was settled on April 1, 2019. A total of $20.8 million in aggregate principal amount of Convertible Notes were accepted for payment pursuant to the Amended Tender Offer. Following the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Settlement Agreement and the consummation of the Amended Offer, the Company separately negotiated private repurchases of the remaining $260,000 in aggregate principal amount for cash of $247,000 during the second quarter of 2019.

In considering the Company’s liquidity requirements for the next twelve months, Ascent evaluated its known future commitments and obligations. Ascent will be required to hold at least $20 million in net cash (calculated in accordance with the RSA) to contribute to the merger of Ascent and Monitronics. While Ascent had $29.8 million in cash on hand as of June 30, 2019, the Company currently has approximately $2.1 million of outstanding liabilities and expects to incur at least $3 million in severance, legal, and other operating costs, and there is no assurance that these expenses will not be higher. Given such outstanding liabilities and projected additional liabilities and expenditures through the anticipated date of the merger, Ascent expects to have at least $20 million in net cash to complete the merger, but there can be no assurances that it will meet all the requirements stipulated in the RSA, including having the minimum net cash on hand if forecasted expenditures are larger than expected. If the merger is not completed for any reason as noted in the RSA, then the restructuring of Monitronics will be completed without the participation of Ascent, and Ascent’s equity interests in Monitronics will be cancelled without Ascent recovering any property or value on account of such equity interests.  Furthermore, Ascent will be obligated to make a cash contribution to Monitronics in the amount of $3.5 million upon Monitronics' emergence from bankruptcy if the merger is not consummated.  In addition, if the merger is not consummated, the Ascent board of directors will evaluate strategic alternatives, including but not limited to raising additional capital, acquiring a business, the sale of the Company, or the dissolution of the Company.  In the event of dissolution, there can be no assurance that engaging in a statutory dissolution process under Delaware law could be completed within 12 months of filing for dissolution, and no assurance can be given as to the amount of contingent liabilities for which reserves may be taken during the dissolution process. Also, during this time, the dissolution process would result in incremental costs and expenses to Ascent (including an expected shared service arrangement with Monitronics) and thus, in the event of a dissolution of the Company, the distribution of an aggregate amount of cash to the Ascent stockholders is expected to be substantially lower than the cash projected to be on hand as of the Plan effective date.

Conference Call

Ascent will not host an earnings call or webcast due to the pending restructuring of Monitronics and proposed merger of Ascent and Monitronics.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements about business strategies, market potential and expansion, the success of new products and services, account creation and related costs, anticipated account generation, future financial performance and prospects, anticipated sources and uses of capital, the restructuring of Monitronics (including the proposed merger with Ascent), strategic alternatives available to Ascent if it does not participate in the merger (including the terms on which any such alternatives could be effected) and other matters that are not historical facts. These forward-looking statements involve many risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements, including, without limitation, possible changes in market acceptance of our services, technological innovations in the alarm monitoring industry, competitive issues, the ability of Monitronics to complete its restructuring, the ability of Ascent to participate in the merger (including statements regarding expected expenditures and contingent liabilities), the ability of Ascent to effect strategic alternatives to the merger, general market and economic conditions and changes in law and government regulations. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, and Ascent expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in Ascent's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. Please refer to the publicly filed documents of Ascent, including the most recent Forms 10-K and 10-Q for additional information about Ascent and about the risks and uncertainties related to Ascent's business which may affect the statements made in this press release.

Additional Information

Nothing in this communication shall constitute a solicitation to buy or an offer to sell any securities of Ascent or Monitronics. Ascent stockholders and other investors are urged to read the proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 regarding the proposed merger of Ascent and Monitronics and any other relevant documents that have been filed with the SEC, as well as any amendments or supplements to those documents, because they will contain important information about the proposed merger and the transactions contemplated by the Support Agreement. Copies of Ascent’s and Monitronics’ SEC filings are available free of charge at the SEC’s website (http://www.sec.gov). Copies of the filings together with the materials incorporated by reference therein will also be available, without charge, by directing a request to Monitronics International, Inc., 1990 Wittington Place, Farmers Branch, TX, Telephone: (972) 243-7443, or to Ascent Capital Group, Inc., 5251 DTC Parkway. Suite 1000, Greenwood Village, CO 80111, Telephone: (303) 628-5600.

Participants in the Solicitation

The directors and executive officers of Ascent and Monitronics and other persons may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in respect of any proposals relating to the proposed merger of Ascent and Monitronics. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Ascent is available in Amendment No. 1 to its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018, which has been filed with the SEC, and certain of its Current Reports on Form 8-K. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Monitronics is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus forming a part of the Registration Statement on Form S-4 that has been filed with the SEC regarding the proposed merger and other transactions contemplated by the Support Agreement. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is available in the proxy materials regarding the foregoing filed with the SEC. Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described in the preceding paragraph.

About Ascent and Monitronics

Ascent Capital Group, Inc. (OTC: ASCMA, ASCMB) is a holding company whose primary subsidiary is Monitronics, one of the largest home security and alarm monitoring companies in the U.S. Headquartered in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, Monitronics secures approximately 900,000 residential and commercial customers through highly responsive, simple security solutions backed by expertly trained professionals. The company has the nation’s largest network of independent authorized dealers – providing products and support to customers in the U.S., Canada and Puerto Rico – as well as direct-to-consumer sales of DIY and professionally installed products. For more information on Ascent, see http://ir.ascentcapitalgroupinc.com.

Contact:Erica Bartsch Sloane & Company212-446-1875ebartsch@sloanepr.com

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

Amounts in thousands, except share amounts

  June 30, 2019   December 31, 2018
Assets      
Current assets:      
Cash and cash equivalents $ 29,762       105,921  
Restricted cash       189  
Trade receivables, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $0 in 2019 and $3,759 in 2018       13,121  
Prepaid and other current assets 323       32,202  
Total current assets 30,085       151,433  
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $303 in 2019 and $40,827 in 2018 3       36,549  
Subscriber accounts and deferred contract acquisition costs, net of accumulated amortization of $0 in 2019 and $1,621,242 in 2018       1,195,463  
Deferred income tax asset, net       783  
Operating lease right-of-use asset 97        
Other assets 8       29,316  
Total assets $ 30,193       1,413,544  
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity (Deficit)      
Current liabilities:      
Accounts payable $ 173       12,668  
Other accrued liabilities 1,924       36,006  
Deferred revenue       13,060  
Holdback liability       11,513  
Current portion of long-term debt       1,895,175  
Total current liabilities 2,097       1,968,422  
Non-current liabilities:      
Long-term holdback liability       1,770  
Derivative financial instruments       6,039  
Operating lease liabilities        
Other liabilities 12       2,742  
Total liabilities 2,109       1,978,973  
Commitments and contingencies      
Stockholders’ deficit:      
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares; no shares issued        
Series A common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 12,115,260  and 12,080,683 shares at June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively 121       121  
Series B common stock, $.01 par value. Authorized 5,000,000 shares;  issued and outstanding 381,528 shares at both June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018 4       4  
Series C common stock, $0.01 par value. Authorized 45,000,000 shares; no shares issued        
Additional paid-in capital 1,425,384       1,425,325  
Accumulated deficit (1,397,425 )     (1,998,487 )
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net       7,608  
Total stockholders’ equity (deficit) 28,084       (565,429 )
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (deficit) $ 30,193       1,413,544  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Amounts in thousands, except shares and per share amounts

  Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
  2019   2018   2019   2018
Net revenue $ 128,091       135,013     $ 257,697     268,766  
Operating expenses:              
Cost of services 28,536       33,047     55,300     65,748  
Selling, general and administrative, including stock-based and long-term incentive compensation 29,364       34,387     61,876     71,793  
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets 49,138       53,891     98,283     108,302  
Depreciation 3,123       2,871     6,281     5,492  
Loss on goodwill impairment       214,400         214,400  
  110,161       338,596     221,740     465,735  
Operating income (loss) 17,930       (203,583 )   35,957     (196,969 )
Other expense (income), net:              
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries (685,530 )         (685,530 )    
Restructuring and reorganization expense 34,730           34,730      
Interest income (318   )   (774 )   (862 )   (1,255 )
Interest expense 40,521       40,422     78,415     79,074  
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss, net on derivative financial instruments (969   )       6,804      
Refinancing expense           331      
Other income, net (71   )   (211 )   (330 )   (2,276 )
  (611,637   )   39,437     (566,442 )   75,543  
Income (loss) before income taxes 629,567       (243,020 )   602,399     (272,512 )
Income tax expense 666       1,347     1,337     2,693  
Net income (loss) 628,901       (244,367 )   601,062     (275,205 )
Other comprehensive income (loss):              
Unrealized holding loss on marketable securities, net       (823 )       (3,900 )
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net (472   )   5,521     (940 )   19,927  
Deconsolidation of subsidiaries (6,668   )       (6,668 )    
Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax (7,140   )   4,698     (7,608 )   16,027  
Comprehensive income (loss) $ 621,761       (239,669 )   $ 593,454     (259,178 )
               
Basic earnings (loss) per share:              
Net income (loss) $ 50.48       (19.82 )   $ 48.30     (22.35 )
               
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:              
Net income (loss) $ 50.02       (19.82 )   $ 47.86     (22.35 )
               
Weighted average Series A and Series B shares - basic 12,459,283       12,327,387     12,444,628     12,313,233  
Weighted average Series A and Series B shares - diluted 12,574,076       12,327,387     12,559,421     12,313,233  
Total issued and outstanding Series A and Series B shares at period end             12,496,788     12,413,898  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

ASCENT CAPITAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

Amounts in thousands

  Six Months Ended June 30,
  2019   2018
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net income (loss) $ 601,062       (275,205 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:      
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets 98,283       108,302  
Depreciation 6,281       5,492  
Stock-based and long-term incentive compensation 760       945  
Deferred income tax expense       1,324  
Amortization of debt discount and deferred debt costs 197       5,994  
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries (685,530 )      
Restructuring and reorganization expense 34,730        
Unrealized loss on derivative financial instruments, net 4,577        
Refinancing expense 331        
Bad debt expense 5,903       5,623  
Loss on goodwill impairment       214,400  
Other non-cash activity, net (738 )     (805 )
Changes in assets and liabilities:      
Trade receivables (5,327 )     (5,434 )
Prepaid expenses and other assets 4,590       (2,001 )
Subscriber accounts - deferred contract acquisition costs (1,781 )     (2,586 )
Payables and other liabilities 34,780       7,623  
Net cash provided by operating activities 98,118       63,672  
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Capital expenditures (6,767 )     (8,928 )
Cost of subscriber accounts acquired (61,335     (69,695 )
Deconsolidation of subsidiary cash (11,588      
Purchases of marketable securities       (39,022 )
Proceeds from sale of marketable securities       37,841  
Net cash used in investing activities (79,690     (79,804 )
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from long-term debt 43,100       105,300  
Payments on long-term debt (99,376     (95,200 )
Payments of restructuring and reorganization costs (35,968      
Payments of refinancing costs (2,521      
Value of shares withheld for share-based compensation (11     (144 )
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (94,776     9,956  
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (76,348     (6,176 )
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 106,110       10,465  
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 29,762       4,289  
Supplemental cash flow information:      
State taxes paid, net $ 2,637       2,710  
Interest paid 38,063       72,899  
Accrued capital expenditures 461       616  

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Adjusted EBITDA

We evaluate the performance of our operations based on financial measures such as revenue and "Adjusted EBITDA." Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP measure and is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, interest income, income taxes, depreciation, amortization (including the amortization of subscriber accounts, dealer network and other intangible assets), restructuring charges, stock-based compensation, and other non-cash or non-recurring charges. Ascent believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an important indicator of the operational strength and performance of its business. In addition, this measure is used by management to evaluate operating results and perform analytical comparisons and identify strategies to improve performance. Adjusted EBITDA is also a measure that is customarily used by financial analysts to evaluate the financial performance of companies in the security alarm monitoring industry and is one of the financial measures, subject to certain adjustments, by which Monitronics' covenants are calculated under the agreements governing its debt obligations. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash flow from operations as defined by generally accepted accounting principles in the United States ("GAAP"), should not be construed as an alternative to net income or loss and is indicative neither of our results of operations nor of cash flows available to fund all of our cash needs. It is, however, a measurement that Ascent believes is useful to investors in analyzing its operating performance. Accordingly, Adjusted EBITDA should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net income, cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. As companies often define non-GAAP financial measures differently, Adjusted EBITDA as calculated by Ascent should not be compared to any similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Ascent's Net income (loss) to total Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):

  Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
  2019   2018   2019   2018
Net income (loss) $ 628,901       (244,367 )   $ 601,062       (275,205 )
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets 49,138       53,891     98,283       108,302  
Depreciation 3,123       2,871     6,281       5,492  
Stock-based compensation (389     685     70       970  
Long-term incentive compensation 264           550        
Severance expense (a)                 2,955  
LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges       62     63       124  
Legal settlement reserve (related insurance recovery) (4,800         (4,800      
Rebranding marketing program       2,403           3,295  
Integration / implementation of company initiatives 1,833           3,414        
Loss on goodwill impairment       214,400           214,400  
Gain on deconsolidation of subsidiaries (685,530 )         (685,530 )      
Restructuring and reorganization expense 34,730           34,730        
Interest income (318     (774 )   (862     (1,255 )
Interest expense 40,521       40,422     78,415       79,074  
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss, net on derivative financial instruments (969         6,804        
Refinancing expense           331        
Insurance recovery in excess of cost on Ascent Convertible Note litigation           (259      
Unrealized gain on marketable securities, net       (1,540 )         (2,576 )
Income tax expense 666       1,347     1,337       2,693  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 67,170       69,400     $ 139,889       138,269  
               
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net              
Gross subscriber acquisition costs $ 10,877       13,135     $ 18,192       24,825  
Revenue associated with subscriber acquisition costs (2,393     (1,255 )   (4,096     (2,767 )
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net $ 8,484       11,880     $ 14,096       22,058  
                               

(a)  Severance expense related to transitioning executive leadership at Ascent in 2018.

The following table provides a reconciliation of Monitronics’ Net loss to total Adjusted EBITDA for the periods indicated (amounts in thousands):

  Three Months Ended June 30,   Six Months Ended June 30,
  2019   2018   2019   2018
Net loss $ (54,202 )   (241,792 )   $ (85,972 )   (267,999 )
Amortization of subscriber accounts, deferred contract acquisition costs and other intangible assets 49,138     53,891     98,283     108,302  
Depreciation 3,121     2,865     6,275     5,480  
Stock-based compensation (413 )   383     (224 )   430  
Long-term incentive compensation 264         550      
LiveWatch acquisition contingent bonus charges     62     63     124  
Legal settlement reserve (related insurance recovery) (4,800 )       (4,800 )    
Rebranding marketing program     2,403         3,295  
Integration / implementation of company initiatives 1,833         3,414      
Loss on goodwill impairment     214,400         214,400  
Restructuring and reorganization expense 33,102         33,102      
Interest expense 40,536     38,600     77,969     75,473  
Realized and unrealized (gain) loss, net on derivative financial instruments (969 )       6,804      
Refinancing expense         5,214      
Income tax expense 666     1,347     1,337     2,693  
Adjusted EBITDA $ 68,276     72,159     $ 142,015     142,198  
               
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net              
Gross subscriber acquisition costs $ 10,877     13,135     $ 18,192     24,825  
Revenue associated with subscriber acquisition costs (2,393 )   (1,255 )   (4,096 )   (2,767 )
Expensed Subscriber acquisition costs, net $ 8,484     11,880     $ 14,096     22,058  

1 Comparisons are year-over-year unless otherwise specified.

2 As a result of the deconsolidation, Ascent’s June 30, 2019 balance sheet excludes all assets and liabilities of Monitronics.  Ascent’s statements of operations and cash flows include Monitronics operating results through June 30, 2019.

Ascent Capital Grp. - Series A (NASDAQ:ASCMA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Mar 2024 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Ascent Capital Grp. - Series A Charts.
Ascent Capital Grp. - Series A (NASDAQ:ASCMA)
Historical Stock Chart
From Apr 2023 to Apr 2024 Click Here for more Ascent Capital Grp. - Series A Charts.