CJREF Corus Entertainment Inc (PK)

• Record high consolidated revenues and segment profit for the quarter
• Annual dividend increased by $0.05 per share
• Television revenues and segment profit up 2% for the quarter
• Net income attributable to shareholders of $51.9 million for the quarter
• Adjusted basic earnings per share of $0.60 per share, down 8% for the quarter

TORONTO, Jan. 13, 2015 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX: CJR.B) announced its first quarter financial results today.

"In the first quarter, the Company's recent acquisitions drove consolidated revenue and segment profit growth in a soft advertising market.  In addition, we continued to deliver strong ratings in Television, particularly on our Women's and Family networks," said John Cassaday, President and Chief Executive Officer of Corus Entertainment. "Looking forward, signs of a recovery in television advertising demand are materializing and we expect this to gain traction as the year progresses.  We are also encouraged by our recent repositioning of key large market Radio stations, which is starting to translate into improved ratings, particularly in Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary. Importantly, we are making good progress on our key strategic priorities, which will further strengthen our business going forward."

Consolidated Results from Operations

Consolidated revenues for the three months ended November 30, 2014 were $227.1 million, up from $226.0 million last year.  Consolidated segment profit was $93.3 million, up 1% from $92.3 million last year.  Net income attributable to shareholders for the quarter was $51.9 million ($0.60 per share basic and diluted), compared to net income attributable to shareholders of $150.9 million ($1.78 per share basic and diluted) last year.  Net income attributable to shareholders for the prior year quarter includes charges related to a non-cash gain of  $127.9 million ($1.51 per share) resulting from the remeasurement to fair value of the Company's 50% interest in TELETOON which was held prior to consolidation on September 1, 2013, business acquisition, integration and restructuring costs of $21.9 million ($0.25 per share), an increase in the purchase price obligation of $7.3 million ($0.09 per share) and investment impairment charges of $3.3 million ($0.04 per share).  Removing the impact of these items results in an adjusted basic earnings per share of $0.65 per share in the prior year.  

Operational Results - Highlights

Television

• Specialty advertising revenues increased 1% in Q1 2015 
• Subscriber revenues increased 8% in Q1 2015
• Merchandising, distribution and other revenues declined 14% in Q1 2015
• Segment profit⁽¹⁾ increased 2% in Q1 2015
• Segment profit margin⁽¹⁾ of 46% in Q1 2015

Radio

• Segment revenues decreased 5% in Q1 2015
• Segment profit⁽¹⁾ decreased 19% in Q1 2015
• Segment profit margin⁽¹⁾ of 28% in Q1 2015

Corus Entertainment Inc. reports in Canadian dollars.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the three month period ended November 30, 2014 and Management's Discussion and Analysis are available on the Company's website at www.corusent.com in the Investor Relations section.

A conference call with Corus senior management is scheduled for January 13, 2015 at 8:30 a.m. ET.  While this call is directed at analysts and investors, members of the media are welcome to listen in. The dial-in number for the conference call for local and international callers is 416.981.9030 and for North America is 1.800.768.2950.  PowerPoint slides for the call will be posted 15 minutes prior to the start of the call and can be found on the Corus Entertainment website at www.corusent.com in the Investor Relations section.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release includes the non-GAAP financial measures of adjusted net income attributable to shareholders, segment profit margin, adjusted basic earnings per share and free cash flow that are not in accordance with, nor an alternate to, generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies.  In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles.

Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. They are limited in value because they exclude charges that have a material effect on the Company's reported results and, therefore, should not be relied upon as the sole financial measures to evaluate the Company's financial results. The non-GAAP financial measures are meant to supplement, and to be viewed in conjunction with, GAAP financial results.  A reconciliation of the Company's non-GAAP measures is included in the Company's most recent Report to Shareholders which is available on Corus' website at www.corusent.com as well as on SEDAR.

Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information and should be read subject to the following cautionary language:

To the extent any statements made in this report contain information that is not historical, these statements are forward-looking statements and may be forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements").  These forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, our objectives, goals, strategies, intentions, plans, estimates and outlook, including advertising, distribution, merchandise and subscription revenues, operating costs and tariffs, taxes and fees, and can generally be identified by the use of the words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may" and other similar expressions.  In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements.  Although Corus believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements.  Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements, including without limitation factors and assumptions regarding advertising, distribution, merchandise and subscription revenues, operating costs and tariffs, taxes and fees and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things: our ability to attract and retain advertising revenues; audience acceptance of our television programs and cable networks; our ability to recoup production costs, the availability of tax credits and the existence of co-production treaties; our ability to compete in any of the industries in which we do business; the opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by us; conditions in the entertainment, information and communications industries and technological developments therein; changes in laws or regulations or the interpretation or application of those laws and regulations; our ability to integrate and realize anticipated benefits from our acquisitions and to effectively manage our growth; our ability to successfully defend ourselves against litigation matters arising out of the ordinary course of business;  and changes in accounting standards. Additional information about these factors and about the material assumptions underlying such forward-looking statements may be found in our Annual Information Form.  Corus cautions that the foregoing list of important factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive.  When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Corus, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, we disclaim any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, events or circumstances that arise after the date thereof or otherwise.

About Corus Entertainment Inc.

Corus Entertainment Inc. is a Canadian-based media and entertainment company that creates, broadcasts and licenses content across a variety of platforms for audiences around the world. The Company's portfolio of multimedia offerings encompasses specialty television and radio with additional assets in pay television, television broadcasting, children's book publishing, children's animation and animation software. Corus' brands include YTV, TELETOON, ABC Spark, W Network, OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network (Canada), HBO Canada, Historia and Séries+, as well as Nelvana, Kids Can Press, Toon Boom and 39 radio stations including CKNW AM 980, Rock 101, Country 105, 630 CHED, Fresh FM London, JUMP! 106.9, Q107 and 102.1 the Edge. A publicly traded company, Corus is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (CJR.B). Experience Corus on the web at www.corusent.com.

SOURCE Corus Entertainment Inc.