CORUS ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES FISCAL 2024 FOURTH QUARTER RESULTS
Consolidated revenue decreased 21% for the quarter and 16% for the year
Consolidated segment profit(1) decreased 9% for the quarter and 15% for the year
Consolidated segment profit margin(1) of 16% for the quarter and 22% for the year
Net loss attributable to shareholders of $25.7 million ($0.13 loss per share basic) for the quarter and $772.6 million ($3.87 loss per share basic) for the year, which includes non-cash impairment charges of $960.0 million for the year ($742.0 million after tax)
Proforma net debt to segment profit(1) of 3.84 times at August 31, 2024, which excludes contributions to segment profit from a prior year business divestiture, was up from the proforma net debt to segment profit as at August 31, 2023 of 3.62 times
Free cash flow(1) of $39.1 million for the quarter and $114.2 million for the year
TORONTO, Oct. 25, 2024 /CNW/ - Corus Entertainment Inc. (TSX:CJR) announced its fourth quarter and annual financial results today.
"We have made significant progress on our plan to create a more sustainable future following challenging industry wide conditions and increased competitive intensity this past year," said Troy Reeb, Co Chief Executive Officer. "Notably, we've generated considerable interest for the upcoming launch of our two all-new lifestyle brands, Flavour Network and Home Network, and the expansion of programming on Slice has yielded impressive results. Coupled with the strength of our fall schedule, these initiatives give us confidence we are on the right path."
"Our commitment to right-sizing our business is evident in our fourth quarter and year-end results," said John Gossling, Co Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. "We delivered increased free cash flow for the year, benefitting from our meaningful cost reduction efforts and deliberate focus on assets with the highest potential to generate returns. We also announced today that we have entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Facility, which is an important step in our more comprehensive plan to address our balance sheet and facilitates the execution of our business strategy."
Financial Highlights
Three months ended
Year ended
August 31,
%
August 31,
%
(in thousands of Canadian dollars except per share amounts)
2024
2023
Change
2024
2023
Change
Revenue
Television
248,048
314,232
(21 %)
1,176,738
1,408,468
(16 %)
Radio
21,305
24,611
(13 %)
93,860
102,772
(9 %)
269,353
338,843
(21 %)
1,270,598
1,511,240
(16 %)
Segment profit (loss) (1)
Television
45,707
49,774
(8 %)
294,780
340,580
(13 %)
Radio
1,407
2,976
(53 %)
9,442
13,460
(30 %)
Corporate
(4,814)
(6,477)
26 %
(20,793)
(20,035)
(4 %)
42,300
46,273
(9 %)
283,429
334,005
(15 %)
Segment profit margin (1)
Television
18 %
16 %
25 %
24 %
Radio
7 %
12 %
10 %
13 %
Consolidated
16 %
14 %
22 %
22 %
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders
(25,675)
50,412
(151 %)
(772,641)
(428,724)
(80 %)
Adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders(1)
(4,003)
(9,075)
56 %
11,427
28,553
(60 %)
Earnings (loss) per share:
Basic
($0.13)
$0.25
($3.87)
($2.15)
Diluted
($0.13)
$0.25
($3.87)
($2.15)
Adjusted basic(1)
($0.02)
($0.04)
$0.06
$0.14
Free cash flow (1)
39,142
31,654
24 %
114,152
106,840
7 %
(1)
In addition to disclosing results in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board ("IASB"), the Company also provides supplementary non-IFRS measures as a method of evaluating the Company's performance and to provide a better understanding of how management views the Company's performance. These non-IFRS or non-Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP") measures can include: segment profit (loss), segment profit margin, free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders, adjusted basic earnings (loss) per share, net debt to segment profit, proforma net debt to segment profit and new platform revenue. These are not measurements in accordance with IFRS and should not be considered as an alternative to any other measure of performance under IFRS. Please see additional discussion and reconciliations under the Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of the Company's Fourth Quarter 2024 Report to Shareholders.
Segment Revenue
Three months ended
Year ended
August 31,
%
August 31,
%
(in thousands of Canadian dollars)
2024
2023
Change
2024
2023
Change
Revenue
248,048
1,176,738
Television
314,232
(21 %)
1,408,468
(16 %)
Advertising
115,865
137,391
(16 %)
652,322
768,036
(15 %)
Subscriber
117,883
126,466
(7 %)
470,332
502,257
(6 %)
Distribution, production and other
14,300
50,375
(72 %)
54,084
138,175
(61 %)
Radio
21,305
24,611
(13 %)
93,860
102,772
(9 %)
Total Revenue
269,353
338,843
(21 %)
1,270,598
1,511,240
(16 %)
New platform revenue percentage (1)
13 %
13 %
(5 %)
12 %
11 %
(6 %)
(1)
New platform revenue does not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. For definition and explanation, see the discussion under the Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of the Fourth Quarter 2024 Report to Shareholders.
Operational Highlights
Corus has launched its Fall schedule for Global TV and Corus' Specialty networks on traditional and streaming platforms. In addition, Corus announced the upcoming launch of new lifestyle channels, Flavour Network and Home Network, added new content for specialty channel Slice, continued to implement cost savings initiatives and made bank debt repayments. The Company continues to navigate an uncertain macroeconomic and competitive environment.
Corus Introduces: Flavour Network and Home Network. On September 18, 2024, Corus announced its two all-new, Canadian-owned lifestyle brands will launch in Canada on December 30, 2024. Launching with more than 460 premiere hours in Winter/Spring 2025, the Corus-owned networks will feature a mix of Canadian original programming, as well as international acquisitions through new and expanded licence deals. The broad slate of exclusive content delivers new voices and formats, familiar faces from proven hits, and global representation to deliver a hand-picked, content-first strategy and curated brand experience.
Corus adds 173 hours of premium new content to Slice's fall schedule. While continuing to be home to premium reality content featuring real-life experiences and iconic talent, Slice expands deals with trusted studio partners to feature new unscripted genres including true crime and daily news.
Financial Highlights
Free cash flow(1) of $39.1 million in Q4 and $114.2 million for the year compared to $31.7 million and $106.8 million, respectively, in the same comparable prior year periods. The increase in free cash flow(1) for the fourth quarter and the year is mainly attributable to higher cash provided by operating activities, offset by higher cash used in investing activities.
Net debt to segment profit(1) was 3.84 times as at August 31, 2024. Proforma net debt to segment profit(2) was 3.84 times at August 31, 2024, up from 3.62 times at August 31, 2023. This ratio increased as a result of the decline in segment profit(1) for the most recent four quarters exceeding the effect of the reduced net debt.
Corus paid down $2.7 million of debt during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024 and $38.8 million for the year.
As of August 31, 2024, the Company had $82.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and $30.0 million available to be drawn under its Revolving Facility.
(1)
Free cash flow, segment profit (loss), net debt to segment profit and proforma net debt to segment profit do not have standardized meanings prescribed by IFRS. The Company reports on these because they are key measures used to evaluate performance. For definitions and explanations, see the discussion under the Key Performance Indicators and Non-GAAP Financial Measures section of the Fourth Quarter 2024 Report to Shareholders and/or Management's Discussion and Analysis in the Company's Annual Report for the year ended August 31, 2023 ("2023 MD&A").
(2)
Proforma net debt to segment profit ratio excludes contributions to segment profit from Toon Boom Animation Inc., which was sold in August 2023, for the most recent four quarters.
Corus Entertainment Inc. reports its financial results in Canadian dollars.
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for the three months and year ended August 31, 2024 and Management's Discussion and Analysis are available on the Company's website at www.corusent.com in the Investor Relations section and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.
A conference call with Corus senior management is scheduled for October 25, 2024 at 8:00 a.m. ET. While this call is directed at analysts and investors, members of the media are welcome to listen in. To instantly join the conference call by phone, please use the following URL to easily register and be connected to the conference call automatically: https://emportal.ink/3zGVLV8. You can also dial direct to be entered into the call by an Operator. The dial-in number for the conference call for local and international callers is 1.416.945.7677 and for North America is 1.888.699.1199. This call will be archived and available for replay in the Investor Relations section of the Corus website beginning October 25, 2024, at 11 a.m.ET or accessible by telephone until November 1, 2024, at 1.888.660.6345 (toll-free North America) or 1.289.819.1450 (local or international), using replay code 23680#. More information can be found on the Corus Entertainment website at www.corusent.com in the Investor Relations section.
Risks and Uncertainties
Significant risks and uncertainties affecting the Company and its business are discussed under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" and "Seasonal Fluctuations" in the 2023 MD&A, as filed at www.sedarplus.ca on October 30, 2023.
As discussed further in the 2023 MD&A, the Company's operating performance is affected by general Canadian and worldwide economic conditions. Changes or volatility in domestic or international economic conditions, economic uncertainty or geopolitical conflict and tensions, including current ongoing factors that can create or exacerbate recessionary conditions, may affect discretionary consumer and business spending, including on advertising and marketing, resulting in changes to demand for Corus' product and services offerings. The continued elevated consumer price index inflation also affects the Company's business, operations and financial performance through disruption to supply chains, increased costs of programming, services and labour, reduced advertising demand or spending, or lower demand for the Company's products and services, all of which may lead to decreased revenue or profitability.
As previously identified, additional key factors that have and may continue to adversely impact the Company's ability to compete successfully and its financial results include, but are not limited to: industry-wide, continuing reduced advertising demand or spending on linear television; macroeconomic supply chain disruptions, which in turn impact advertising; ability to secure programming rights; changes to acquired programming costs and arrangements, which continue to increase; and continued inaction or slower action by Corus' federal broadcast regulator to revisit Canadian program spending requirements, which represent a significant portion of the Company's cost base. A more extensive discussion of risks and uncertainties that may affect the Company's business, operations and financial performance can be found in the 2023 Annual MD&A.
Programming and trade mark output arrangements for HGTV, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Magnolia Network and OWN will not be renewed upon their expiry on December 31, 2024. The Company is currently undertaking a review of these channels and while some lifestyle channels will be retired, HGTV and Food Network will be rebranded as Home Network and Flavour Network based on the strength of top-rated Canadian programs and foreign content supply. This is expected to impact revenue on the Company's services in calendar 2025, which may lead to decreased profitability.
In addition, the Company has entered into the Credit Facility and issued the Senior Unsecured Notes, all of which contain certain financial covenants including with respect to the maintenance of certain leverage ratios. Management has taken and continues to take significant cost reduction actions and make appropriate investments in areas or assets which support sustainable profitability. Management also intends to actively pursue options for such amendments or relief, concurrent with such cost reduction actions and its regulatory advocacy. However, should the financial performance, specifically the impacts to profitability, continue to decline without successful mitigation and should there be no further changes or amendments to the foregoing financing arrangements, there is material risk that the Company will not meet its covenants under (i) the terms of the Credit Facility, which sets a maximum total debt to cash flow ratio of 5.75 through to and including December 31, 2024, 7.25 from January 1, 2025 through and including March 31, 2025, and 4.25 thereafter, or; (ii) the Senior Unsecured Notes.
The Company's ability to mitigate the concerns above is dependent on its ability to continue to access financing or obtain relief from or amendments to terms with lenders or noteholders with respect to relevant financial covenants or repayment terms under such facilities. While the Company has been successful in obtaining requisite relief and amendments in the past, there can be no assurance it will be able to do so in the future.
Other financial risks which may be related to or elevated by the foregoing include the volatility of the market price for the Company's Class B Non-Voting Shares, which can be impacted by factors beyond the Company's control and which can decline even if the Company's operating results, underlying asset values or prospects have not changed. Please see the 2023 MD&A for a full discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties.
Outlook
We continue to expect over-supply of premium digital video inventory from foreign competitors, and generally lower demand for linear advertising. As such, the Company expects year-over-year declines in Television advertising revenue in the first quarter of fiscal 2025 to be similar to the fourth quarter of fiscal 2024. Amortization of TV program rights in the first quarter is expected to increase by a mid-single digit percentage year-over-year. The Company will continue with its implementation of additional cost reduction initiatives and expects general and administrative expenses to decline in the range of 5% to 10% for the first quarter compared to the prior year. While the Company continues to expect improvement in the macroeconomic environment in the medium term, visibility remains limited at this time.
Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release includes the non-GAAP or non-IFRS financial measures of segment profit (loss), segment profit margin, free cash flow, adjusted net income (loss) attributable to shareholders, adjusted basic earnings per share, net debt to segment profit, proforma net debt to segment profit, as well as supplementary financial measures not presented in the financial statements such as new platform revenue. Non-GAAP or non-IFRS measures are not in accordance with, nor an alternate to, generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and may be different from non-GAAP or non-IFRS 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 IFRS. 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, IFRS financial results. A reconciliation of the Company's non-GAAP measures is included in the Company's most recent Report to Shareholders for the three months and year ended August 31, 2024, which is available on Corus' website at www.corusent.com as well as on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Caution Concerning Forward-Looking Information
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 press release 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 information"). This forward-looking information relates to, among other things, the Company's objectives, goals, strategies, targets, intentions, plans, estimates and outlook, including the adoption and anticipated impact of the Company's capital allocation strategy, capital structure and liability management including liquidity, leverage targets, ability to repay debt, and/or renegotiate existing debt terms, dividend policy and the payment of future dividends, strategic plan, advertising and expectations of advertising trends for fiscal 2025 and 2026, subscriber revenue and anticipated subscription trends, distribution, production and other revenue, the Company's ability to manage retention and reputation risks related to its on-air talent; expectations regarding financial performance, operating costs and tariffs, taxes and fees, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "believe", "anticipate", "expect", "intend", "plan", "will", "may" or the negatives of these terms and other similar expressions. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances may be considered forward-looking information.
Although Corus believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, such information involves assumptions, risks and uncertainties and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Certain material factors or assumptions are applied with respect to the forward-looking information, including without limitation, factors and assumptions regarding the Company's ability to maintain necessary access to loan and credit facilities, the general market conditions and general outlook for the industry including: the impact of recessionary conditions and continuing supply chain constraints; the potential impact of new competition and industry mergers and acquisitions; changes to applicable tax, licensing and regulatory regimes; inflation and interest rates, stability of the advertising, subscription, production and distribution markets; changes to key suppliers or clients; operating and capital costs and tariffs, taxes and fees, the Company's ability to source, produce or sell desirable content and the Company's capital and operating results being consistent with its expectations. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such information.
Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these expectations include, among other things: the Company's ability to maintain necessary access to loan and credit facilities, the Company's ability to attract, retain and manage fluctuations in advertising revenue; the Company's ability to maintain relationships with key suppliers and clients and on anticipated financial terms and conditions; audience acceptance of the Company's television programs and cable networks including new, re-branded or re-programmed channels; the Company's ability to manage retention and reputation risks related to its on-air talent; the Company's ability to recoup production costs; the availability of tax credits; the availability of expected news, production and related credits, programs and funding; the existence of co-production treaties; the Company's ability to compete in any of the industries in which it does business including with competitors which may not be regulated in the same way or to the same degree; the business and strategic opportunities (or lack thereof) that may be presented to and pursued by the Company; 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 including statements, decisions or positions by applicable regulators including, without limitation, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission ("CRTC"), Canadian Heritage and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ("ISED"); changes to licensing status or conditions; unanticipated or un-mitigatable programming costs; the Company's ability to integrate and realize anticipated benefits from its acquisitions and to effectively manage its growth; the Company's ability to successfully defend itself against litigation matters and complaints; failure to renegotiate, obtain relief from or meet covenants under the Company's senior credit facility, senior unsecured notes or other instruments or facilities; epidemics, pandemics or other public health and safety crises in Canada and globally; physical and operational changes to the Company's key facilities and infrastructure; cybersecurity threats or incidents to the Company or its key suppliers and vendors; and changes in accounting standards.
Additional information about these factors and about the material assumptions underlying any forward-looking information may be found under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended August 31, 2023 and under the heading "Risk Factors" in ...
