BLC Belo Corp.

DALLAS, July 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Belo Corp. (NYSE:BLC) today reported net earnings per share of $0.41 for the second quarter of 2006, including one-time benefits totaling $0.08 per share (a tax benefit of $3.8 million related to Texas state tax reforms and a previously disclosed $7.5 million gain related to a payment associated with a change-in-control provision in one of Belo's vendor contracts). Second quarter 2006 earnings include an expense of $3.7 million for stock-based compensation, or $0.02 per share on an after-tax basis, all of which is incremental to the prior year. In the second quarter of 2005, Belo reported net earnings per share of $0.36. Robert W. Decherd, Belo's chairman, president, and chief executive officer, said, "We made significant progress during the second quarter in transforming Belo's businesses to compete effectively in an increasingly Internet-centric marketplace. We made important announcements regarding the reallocation of human, financial and capital resources and experienced strong growth in new products launched throughout the Company as well as significant increases in Internet revenues. We're very positive about the progress being made on many fronts and I'm convinced that the steps we are taking in 2006 will create significant shareholder value over the intermediate to long-term." Second Quarter in Review Decherd said, "Second quarter EPS finished $0.07 above the high end of our June 20 guidance with $0.03 due to better-than-expected results from operations, more specifically as a result of stronger than anticipated television revenues and lower expenses, and $0.04 due to the one-time tax benefit associated with Texas state tax reforms." Consolidated Belo's consolidated revenue for the second quarter increased 3.1 percent with Television Group revenue up 5.6 percent and Newspaper Group revenue up one percent. Total operating costs and expenses increased 7.5 percent, less than the Company's previous projection of a 10 percent increase, with decreases in consolidated EBITDA and earnings from operations of 1.8 percent and 12 percent, respectively. Belo's second quarter results included an estimated $7.9 million in incremental circulation revenue and an estimated $6.6 million in incremental circulation expense associated with the change from a buy-sell arrangement with contractors to a fee-for-delivery system at The Dallas Morning News. As noted previously, the second quarter also included $3.7 million in incremental stock-based compensation expense. Television Group Television Group revenue increased 5.6 percent in the second quarter versus the prior year including a 4.3 percent increase in spot revenues. Local and national revenues increased three percent and 1.3 percent, respectively. Political revenues were $5.1 million in the second quarter of 2006 compared with $1.9 million in the second quarter of 2005. Spot revenue growth rates accelerated each month in the second quarter, with June spot revenues up almost nine percent, including a 4.9 percent increase in local, a 9.3 percent increase in national and political revenue of $1.5 million. Advertising revenues associated with our television station Web sites continue to grow at a high rate, increasing more than 60 percent in the second quarter to $4.7 million, up from $2.9 million in the second quarter of 2005. Television Group segment costs and expenses increased 2.7 percent in the second quarter with about one percentage point of the variance attributable to the incremental stock-based compensation expense. Programming expense decreased 7.1 percent in the second quarter versus the second quarter of the previous year. Second quarter segment EBITDA for the Television Group increased 9.6 percent. Newspaper Group Newspaper Group total revenues increased one percent in the second quarter of 2006, including the estimated increase in circulation revenue related to the change in distribution methods at The Dallas Morning News of $7.9 million. Advertising revenue comparisons were not affected by this item. Advertising revenues for the Newspaper Group decreased less than one percent in the second quarter versus last year. Newspaper Group classified revenues decreased less than two percent in the second quarter, general advertising was down 2.8 percent and retail was down 7.3 percent. Interactive revenues increased 53 percent and part-run advertising increased 14 percent, related to new products launched at The Dallas Morning News. Newspaper Group segment costs and expenses increased six percent versus the second quarter of 2005, two to three percentage points less than previous projections, due to tight expense controls on discretionary costs. The six percent increase includes the aforementioned $6.6 million in estimated circulation distribution expense at The Dallas Morning News, incremental expenses related to new products launched at The Morning News in the third quarter of 2005 and incremental stock-based compensation expense. Excluding these items, Newspaper Group segment expenses decreased about one percent in the second quarter. Newspaper Group segment EBITDA decreased 14 percent in the second quarter. Corporate Corporate segment costs and expenses were $25.5 million in the second quarter of 2006 as compared to $15 million in the second quarter of 2005, mostly due to one-time expenses associated with transformational initiatives. Incremental expenses include $2.2 million attributable to stock-based compensation expense and $6 million in one-time transition costs associated with the technology and business process initiatives the Company has undertaken. Belo's total depreciation and amortization expense increased slightly in the second quarter of 2006. Total debt at June 30, 2006, was $1.35 billion, with $1.05 billion in long-term debt and $300 million in short-term debt related to notes due in June 2007. In addition to the normal balance of cash on hand to fund current operations, the Company also had $48 million in invested cash at June 30, 2006 as a result of the Company's May 2006 issuance of $250 million in senior notes, a majority of the proceeds of which were used to pay down the outstanding balance under the Company's senior credit facility. Capital spending in the second quarter was $25 million. The Company repurchased 2.1 million shares in the second quarter for a total of $37 million. Interest expense increased $2.2 million, or 10 percent, in the second quarter. Belo's leverage ratio, as defined in the Company's credit facility, was 3.5 times at June 30, 2006. Non-GAAP Financial Measures A reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to net earnings is set forth in an exhibit to this release. Third Quarter 2006 Outlook Regarding Belo's outlook for the third quarter of 2006, Decherd said, "We expect the revenue momentum experienced by Belo's television stations in the second quarter to carry over into the third quarter. Belo's Television Group expects to benefit significantly from political revenues in the third quarter as political races and issues heat up. In July, we expect Television Group spot revenue to finish up 7 to 8 percent versus the prior year with strength in non-political core advertising, which should be up 6 to 7 percent. For the third quarter overall, spot revenues, including political, are expected to increase high-single digits. We expect revenues associated with the Television Group's Web sites to increase 45 to 50 percent versus the prior year. "For the Newspaper Group, we expect total revenue to be up slightly in the third quarter with ad revenue flat versus the prior year, including a low-to- mid single digit ad revenue increase at The Press-Enterprise, flat to slightly down ad revenues at The Dallas Morning News and a low-single digit decrease at The Providence Journal. These projections include a revenue increase of 45 to 50 percent for the Newspaper Group's Web sites. "The impact of the change in circulation distribution methods at The Dallas Morning News on circulation revenues and expenses will moderate in the third quarter. Incremental revenues are estimated at $5 million with estimated incremental expenses of $4 million. The third quarter will be the heaviest period for one-time transition costs related to the Company's technology and business process initiatives, which are currently estimated at $8 to $9 million, including severance. Also, costs related to the voluntary severance plan at The Dallas Morning News are expected in the third quarter; however, it is too early to provide an estimate as The Morning News is still sizing the potential impacts. We expect to provide more information about the voluntary plan and its impacts as the details are finalized. In addition, the third quarter will reflect approximately $3 million in incremental stock-based compensation. "Excluding these incremental expenses, third quarter consolidated operating costs and expenses are expected to increase in the low-single digits. On a reported basis, operating costs and expenses are expected to increase in the mid-to-high single digits for the third quarter. "The previously noted tax benefit related to Texas state tax reforms resulted in an effective tax rate of approximately 33 percent for the second quarter and is expected to result in an effective tax rate of about 34.5 percent for full-year 2006. In 2007 and future years, the Company's effective tax rate is expected to increase moderately as a result of these reforms from our previous effective tax rate of just less than 39 percent. "We consider the current price at which BLC is trading to be an excellent buying opportunity for the Company. I noted in May that we have a target to reach 100 million shares outstanding over the next couple of years; with recent repurchases, we are making good progress toward that goal." The Company will continue to provide information on operating trends in its monthly statistical reports. A conference call to discuss this earnings release and other matters of interest to shareholders and analysts will follow at 1:00 p.m. CDT this afternoon. The conference call will be simultaneously Webcast on the Company's Web site (http://www.belo.com/invest ). Following the conclusion of the Webcast, a replay of the conference call will be archived on Belo's Web site. To access the listen-only conference lines, dial 1-800-553-0329. A replay line will be open from 4:30 p.m. CDT on July 28 until 11:59 p.m. CDT on August 4. To access the replay, dial 800-475-6701 or 320-365-3844. The access code for the replay is 834751. About Belo Belo Corp. is one of the nation's largest media companies with a diversified group of market-leading television, newspaper, cable and interactive media assets. A Fortune 1000 company with 7,700 employees and $1.5 billion in annual revenues, Belo operates in some of America's most dynamic markets in Texas, the Northwest, the Southwest, Rhode Island, and the Mid-Atlantic. Belo owns 19 television stations, six of which are in the 15 largest U.S. broadcast markets. The Company also owns or operates seven cable news channels and manages one television station through a local marketing agreement. Belo's daily newspapers are The Dallas Morning News, The Providence Journal, The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA) and the Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, TX). The Company also publishes specialty publications targeting young adults, and the fast-growing Hispanic market, including Quick and Al Dia in Dallas/Fort Worth, and El D and La Prensa in Riverside. Belo operates more than 30 Web sites associated with its operating companies. Additional information is available at http://www.belo.com/ or by contacting Carey Hendrickson, vice president/Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, at 214-977-6626. Statements in this communication concerning Belo's business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses, dividends, capital expenditures, investments, future financings, or other financial and non-financial items that are not historical facts, are "forward- looking statements" as the term is defined under applicable federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, changes in capital market conditions and prospects, and other factors such as changes in advertising demand, interest rates and newsprint prices; newspaper circulation matters, including changes in readership, and audits and related actions (including the censure of The Dallas Morning News) by the Audit Bureau of Circulations; technological changes, including the transition to digital television and the development of new systems to distribute television and other audio-visual content; development of Internet commerce; industry cycles; changes in pricing or other actions by competitors and suppliers; regulatory changes; adoption of new accounting standards or changes in existing accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standard-setting bodies or authorities; the effects of Company acquisitions and dispositions; the recovery of the New Orleans market (where the Company owns and operates market-leading television station WWL-TV, the CBS affiliate) from the effects of Hurricane Katrina; general economic conditions; and significant armed conflict, as well as other risks detailed in Belo's other public disclosures, and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") including the Annual Report on Form 10-K. Consolidated Statements of Earnings Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited) 2006 2005 2006 2005 Net Operating Revenues $403,557 $391,263 $775,280 $740,414 Operating Costs and Expenses Salaries, wages and employee benefits 142,472 136,748 290,838 272,206 Other production, distribution and operating costs 123,596 106,025 235,426 203,549 Newsprint, ink and other supplies 34,227 34,853 70,905 66,958 Depreciation 22,272 22,214 44,088 44,246 Amortization 2,087 2,087 4,174 4,206 Total operating costs and expenses 324,654 301,927 645,431 591,165 Earnings from operations 78,903 89,336 129,849 149,249 Other income and expense Interest expense (24,430) (22,219) (48,092) (44,512) Other income (expense), net(1) 8,852 485 9,700 841 Total other income and expense (15,578) (21,734) (38,392) (43,671) Earnings Earnings before income taxes 63,325 67,602 91,457 105,578 Income taxes 20,666 25,682 31,498 39,957 Net earnings $42,659 $41,920 $59,959 $65,621 Net earnings per share Basic $.41 $.37 $.57 $.58 Diluted $.41 $.36 $.57 $.57 Average shares outstanding Basic 104,307 113,308 105,219 113,740 Diluted 104,474 114,915 105,523 115,365 Cash dividends declared per share $--- $--- $0.10 $0.10 Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Note (1): Other income (expense), net consists primarily of equity earnings(losses) from partnerships and joint ventures and other miscellaneous income (expense). Belo Corp. Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets June 30, December 31, In thousands 2006 2005 Assets Current assets Cash and temporary cash investments $77,993 $33,243 Accounts receivable, net 259,595 262,240 Other current assets 65,160 60,794 Total current assets 402,748 356,277 Property, plant and equipment, net 523,561 534,112 Intangible assets, net 2,578,392 2,582,566 Other assets 115,916 116,258 Total assets $3,620,617 $3,589,213 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities Short-term portion of long- term debt $300,000 $--- Accounts payable 59,510 91,210 Accrued expenses 91,701 97,142 Other current liabilities 60,787 59,077 Total current liabilities 511,998 247,429 Long-term debt 1,048,893 1,244,875 Deferred income taxes 442,751 445,730 Other liabilities 119,625 117,698 Total shareholders' equity 1,497,350 1,533,481 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $3,620,617 $3,589,213 Note: Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Belo Corp. Segment Information Three months ended Six months ended June 30 June 30 In thousands (unaudited) 2006 2005 2006 2005 Television Group Net operating revenues $193,326 $183,142 $368,018 $344,288 Segment costs and expenses 109,815 106,935 217,860 209,851 Segment EBITDA $83,511 $76,207 $150,158 $134,437 Newspaper Group Net operating revenues $210,231 $208,121 $407,262 $396,126 Segment costs and expenses 164,992 155,687 334,447 302,720 Segment EBITDA $45,239 $52,434 $72,815 $93,406 Corporate Segment costs and expenses $25,487 $15,004 $44,861 $30,142 Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Note(1): Belo's management uses segment EBITDA as the primary measure of profitability to evaluate operating performance and to allocate capital resources and bonuses to eligible operating company employees. Segment EBITDA represents a segment's earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Other income (expense), net is not allocated to the Company's operating segments because it consists primarily of equity earnings (losses) from investments in partnerships and joint ventures and other non-operating income (expense). Belo Corp. Consolidated EBITDA Three months ended Six months ended June 30, June 30, In thousands (unaudited) 2006 2005 2006 2005 Consolidated EBITDA (1) $112,114 $114,122 $187,811 $198,542 Depreciation and Amortization (24,359) (24,301) (48,262) (48,452) Interest Expense (24,430) (22,219) (48,092) (44,512) Income Taxes (20,666) (25,682) (31,498) (39,957) Net Earnings $42,659 $41,920 $59,959 $65,621 Note (1): The Company defines EBITDA as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amoritzation. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Management uses Consolidated EBITDA in internal analyses as a supplemental measure of the financial performance of the Company to assist it with determining consolidated performance targets, senior management bonus and performance comparisons against our peer group of companies, as well as capital spending and other investing decisions. EBITDA is also a common alternative measure of performance used by investors, financial analysts, and rating agencies to evaluate financial performance. Belo Corp. Third Quarter 2006 Guidance As of 7/28/06 Item Guidance Newspaper Group Total revenue Expected to be up slightly Advertising revenue Expected to be flat Television Group Spot revenue Expected to increase high-single digits Other Items Incremental stock-based compensation Expected to be approximately $3 million Transition costs related to the Company's technology initiatives Expected to be about $8 to $9 million Total operating costs and expenses Expected to increase mid-to-high single digits DATASOURCE: Belo Corp. CONTACT: Carey Hendrickson, vice president-Investor Relations & Corporate Communications of Belo Corp., +1-214-977-6626 Web site: http://www.belo.com/

Copyright