Discovery, Inc. Reports Third-Quarter 2020 Results

SILVER SPRING, Md., Nov. 5, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Discovery, Inc. ("Discovery" or the "Company") DISCA DISCB, DISCK))) today reported financial results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of Discovery said, "Discovery delivered improving financial results in the third quarter, a testament to the powerful appeal of our content and brands, led in the U.S. by TLC, which beat top-rated sports and news networks in coveted Primetime demos, even in a record year for cable news. And as promised, our healthy liquidity position and another robust quarter of free cash flow generation allowed us to return $228 million to shareholders through share repurchases. In the midst of macroeconomic uncertainty with the ongoing COVID pandemic, as well as the continuing evolution of our industry, we remain focused on positioning Discovery for long-term growth and shareholder value creation through the execution of our strategic priorities, including our next generation initiatives."

Third-Quarter 2020 Financial Highlights

• Total revenues of $2,561 million decreased 4% compared to the prior year quarter, or decreased 5% ex-FX.⁽¹⁾
• U.S. distribution revenues increased 2% and advertising revenues decreased 8%; and
• International distribution revenues decreased 4% and advertising revenues decreased 9%, both ex-FX.
• Net income available to Discovery, Inc. was $300 million and EPS was $0.44 per diluted share.
• Adjusted EPS⁽²⁾ was $0.81 per diluted share.
• Total Adjusted OIBDA⁽³⁾ decreased 15% to $954 million, or decreased 14% ex-FX.
• Cash provided by operating activities was $860 million and Free Cash Flow⁽⁴⁾ was $787 million.
• Repurchased 11.2 million Series C common shares for $228 million at an average price of $20.37 per share.

Operational Highlights

• Total share of viewing across the international portfolio in the third quarter of 2020 improved 5% on average, with strong growth in the UK, Germany, Italy and Norway. Additionally, Q3 marked five consecutive quarters of year-over-year share improvement.⁽⁶⁾
• Discovery's portfolio of networks accounted for 4 of the top 5 cable networks during Total Day in the third quarter among key women demos, including HGTV, ID, TLC and Food Network,⁽⁷⁾ and gained more share in Primetime than any other TV portfolio.⁽⁸⁾
• For 2020 to-date, TLC continues to be the #1 ad-supported cable network in Primetime among women and #2 among persons aged 25-54 and 18-49.⁽⁹⁾ On Sunday and Monday nights in the third quarter, TLC was the #1 network on all of TV among women, driven by mega-hit franchise shows 90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After and 90 Day Fiancé: The Other Way.⁽¹⁰⁾ And the most recent 90 Day spinoff series, Darcey & Stacey, has become the #1 freshman cable series year-to-date among women demos and persons aged 25-54.⁽¹¹⁾

Segment Results

U.S. Networks

Third-Quarter 2020 Highlights

• Total U.S. Networks revenues of $1,659 million decreased 4% compared to the prior year quarter.
• Advertising decreased 8% primarily driven by softer demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic, secular declines in the pay-TV ecosystem, and lower ratings, partially offset by higher pricing.
• Distribution increased 2% driven by increases in contractual affiliate rates, partially offset by a decline in linear subscribers.
• At September 30, 2020, subscribers to our fully distributed networks were 4% lower than the prior year while total portfolio subscribers were 6% lower than at September 30, 2019.

• Total operating expenses of $708 million decreased 2% compared to the prior year quarter.
• Costs of revenues increased 3% primarily due to investments in content to support next generation initiatives.
• SG&A expenses decreased 8% primarily due to lower marketing-related expenses and, as a result of COVID-19, a reduction in travel costs.

• Adjusted OIBDA decreased 5% to $951 million.

International Networks

Third-Quarter 2020 Highlights

• Total International Networks revenues of $902 million decreased 5%, or decreased 6% ex-FX, compared to the prior year quarter.
• Ex-FX, advertising decreased 9% primarily driven by a decline in demand stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic and the discontinuation of pay-TV distribution with certain European operators.
• Ex-FX, distribution decreased 4% primarily driven by lower contractual affiliate rates, the discontinuation of pay-TV distribution with certain European operators, and the impact from the timing of sporting events due to COVID-19, partially offset by higher next generation revenues due to subscriber growth.

• Total operating expenses of $775 million increased 9%, or increased 5% ex-FX, compared to the prior year quarter.
• Ex-FX, costs of revenues increased 11% primarily due to sports content spend in Europe.
• Ex-FX, SG&A decreased 8% primarily due to a reduction in travel costs as a result of COVID-19 and lower marketing-related expenses, partially offset by higher personnel costs.

• Adjusted OIBDA of $127 million decreased 46%, or decreased 41% ex-FX.

Corporate, Inter-segment Eliminations, and Other

• In Q3, Corporate Adjusted OIBDA decreased by $8 million compared to the prior year quarter.

Free Cash Flow

• Cash provided by operating activities decreased to $860 million from $951 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow decreased to $787 million from $884 million, primarily attributable to lower operating results due to the negative impact of COVID-19 on revenues and higher capital expenditures. Capital expenditures increased due to investments in technology infrastructure, software development, and facilities.

Other Items
Share Buyback
In February 2020, the Company's Board of Directors authorized common stock repurchases of up to $2 billion. During the three months ended September 30, 2020, the Company repurchased 11.2 million Series C common shares for $228 million at an average price of $20.37 per share, under its $2 billion repurchase authorization. There is $1.6 billion remaining under the authorization.

2020 Outlook⁽¹³⁾
Discovery may provide forward-looking commentary in connection with this earnings announcement on its quarterly earnings conference call. Details on how to access the audio webcast are included below.

Earnings Conference Call Information
Discovery will host a conference call today, November 5, 2020 at 8:00 a.m. ET to discuss its third quarter 2020 results. To listen to the audio webcast of the call, please visit https://corporate.discovery.com/.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties and on information available to the Company as of the date hereof. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied, due to risks and uncertainties associated with its business, which include the risk factors disclosed in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 27, 2020 and its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, expected to be filed today.

Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will" and "would" or similar words. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, statements regarding investing in the Company's programming, strategic growth initiatives, changes in the pay-TV ecosystem, and the impact of COVID-19. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

About Discovery
Discovery, Inc. DISCA DISCB, DISCK))) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and in nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player, Food Network Kitchen and MotorTrend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media; a landmark natural history and factual content partnership with the BBC; and a strategic alliance with PGA TOUR to create the international home of golf. Discovery's portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, and the forthcoming multi-platform JV with Chip and Joanna Gaines, Magnolia, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.

NM: Not Meaningful

Impact of COVID-19
On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus disease 2019 ("COVID-19") outbreak to be a global pandemic. COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the world, and the duration and severity of its effects and associated economic disruption remain uncertain. Restrictions on social and commercial activity in an effort to contain the virus have had, and are expected to continue to have, a significant adverse impact upon many sectors of the U.S. and global economy, including the media industry. We continue to closely monitor the impact of COVID-19 on all aspects of our business and geographies, including how it will impact our customers, employees, suppliers, vendors, distribution and advertising partners, production facilities, and various third parties.

Demand for our advertising products and services has been reduced by the pandemic due to economic disruptions from limitations on social and commercial activity, which slightly eased during the third quarter of 2020. Most of our third-party production partners that were shut down due to COVID-19 restrictions came back online in the third quarter of 2020. Our advertising revenues, which represented 54% of our consolidated revenues in 2019, have declined during 2020 and may continue to decline significantly throughout the remainder of 2020 if our advertising partners in certain sectors (such as travel) further reduce or fail to resume their advertising spending or if we continue to be limited in our ability to create and air new content due to prolonged production shutdowns and delays. Additionally, certain sporting events that we have rights to have been cancelled or postponed, thereby eliminating or deferring the related revenues and expenses, including the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games which were postponed to 2021. We expect that the postponement of the Olympic Games will shift Olympic-related revenues and defer significant expenses from fiscal year 2020 to fiscal year 2021.

In response to these impacts of the pandemic, we continued to employ innovative production and programming strategies, including producing content filmed by our on-air talent and seeking viewer feedback on which content to air. We continued to pursue a number of cost savings initiatives during the third quarter of 2020 that we believe will offset a portion of anticipated revenue losses and deferrals, through the implementation of travel, marketing, production and other operating cost reductions, including personnel reductions, restructurings and resource reallocations to align our expense structure to ongoing changes within the industry, and will continue to do so for the remainder of 2020 and into 2021. We also implemented remote work arrangements effective mid-March 2020 and to date, these arrangements have not materially affected our ability to operate our business. We continue to re-open office locations across the globe on a case-by-case basis, after careful consideration of the number of COVID-19 cases in each respective area, rate of infection growth, recovery and mortality rates, local environment, governmental restrictions, health recommendations, benchmarking and overall business need and impact; however, we have also re-closed certain office locations as conditions have warranted. We are monitoring these locations closely and remain agile and flexible as needed. We expect to continue this process throughout the remainder of 2020 and beyond as conditions warrant. During the third quarter of 2020, most of our production operations began to restart and as a result, we have incurred additional costs to comply with various governmental regulations and implement certain safety measures for our employees, talent, and partners.

We are unable to predict the full impact that COVID-19 will have on our financial position, operating results, and cash flows due to numerous uncertainties. The extent to which COVID-19 impacts our results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted, including new information that may emerge concerning the severity and the extent of future surges of COVID-19 and the actions to contain the virus or treat its impact, among others. We will continue to monitor COVID-19 and its impact on our business results and financial condition. Our consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the latest estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and related disclosures as of the date of the consolidated financial statements and reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods presented. Actual results may differ significantly from these estimates and assumptions.

In addition, we have implemented several measures to preserve sufficient liquidity in the near term. In March 2020, we drew down $500 million under our $2.5 billion revolving credit facility to increase our cash position and maximize flexibility in light of the current uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19. In April 2020, we entered into an amendment to our revolving credit facility, which increased flexibility under our financial covenants and issued $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due May 2030 and $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of Senior Notes due May 2050. The proceeds from the notes were used to fund a tender offer for $1.5 billion of certain Senior Notes with maturities ranging from 2021 through 2023 and to repay the $500 million outstanding under our revolving credit facility.

In light of the impact of COVID-19, we assessed goodwill, other intangibles, deferred tax assets, programming assets, and accounts receivable for recoverability based upon our latest estimates and judgments with respect to expected future operating results, ultimate usage of content and latest expectations with respect to expected credit losses. We recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $36 million for our Asia-Pacific reporting unit during the second quarter of 2020. Asset impairments of $2 million were recorded as of June 30, 2020, as the carrying value of such assets exceeded their fair value. There were no impairments recorded during the third quarter of 2020. Adjustments to reflect increased expected credit losses were not material. Further, hedged transactions were assessed, and we have concluded such transactions remain probable of occurrence. Due to significant uncertainty surrounding the impact of COVID-19, management's judgments could change in the future. The effects of the pandemic may have further negative impacts on the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. However, the current level of uncertainty over the economic and operational impacts of COVID-19 means the related financial impact cannot be reasonably and fully estimated at this time.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act ("CARES Act") was enacted on March 27, 2020 in the United States. As of September 30, 2020, we do not expect the CARES Act to have a material effect on our financial position and results of operations. We continue to monitor other relief measures taken by the U.S. and other governments around the world.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to the results prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") provided in this release, the Company has presented Adjusted OIBDA, Adjusted EPS and free cash flow. These non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, operating income, net income, earnings per diluted share and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.  Please review the supplemental financial schedules for reconciliations to the most comparable GAAP measures.

Definitions and Sources
⁽¹⁾ Methodology for Calculating Growth Rates Excluding the Impact of Currency Effects: The impact of exchange rates on our business is an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons of our results. For example, our international revenues are favorably impacted as the U.S. dollar weakens relative to other foreign currencies, and unfavorably impacted as the U.S. dollar strengthens relative to other foreign currencies. We believe the presentation of results on a constant currency basis ("ex-FX"), in addition to results reported in accordance with GAAP, provides useful information about our operating performance because the presentation ex-FX excludes the effects of foreign currency volatility and highlights our core operating results. The presentation of results on a constant currency basis should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.

The ex-FX change represents the percentage change on a period-over-period basis adjusted for foreign currency impacts. The ex-FX change is calculated as the difference between the current year amounts translated at a baseline rate, which is a spot rate for each of our currencies determined early in the fiscal year as part of our forecasting process (the "2020 Baseline Rate"), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2020 Baseline Rate.

In addition, consistent with the assumption of a constant currency environment, our ex-FX results exclude the impact of our foreign currency hedging activities, as well as realized and unrealized foreign currency transaction gains and losses. Results on a constant currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies.

⁽²⁾ Adjusted EPS: The Company defines Adjusted EPS as earnings excluding the impact of amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and meaningful one-time items, per diluted share. The Company believes Adjusted EPS is relevant to investors because this metric allows them to evaluate the performance of the Company's operations exclusive of the non-cash amortization of acquisition-related intangible assets and meaningful one-time items that impact the comparability of results from period to period.

⁽³⁾ Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted OIBDA Excluding the Impact of Currency Effects: The Company evaluates the operating performance of its segments based on financial measures such as revenues and Adjusted OIBDA. Adjusted OIBDA is defined as operating income excluding: (i) employee share-based compensation, (ii) depreciation and amortization, (iii) restructuring and other charges, (iv) certain impairment charges, (v) gains and losses on business and asset dispositions, (vi) certain inter-segment eliminations related to production studios, (vii) third-party transaction costs directly related to the acquisition and integration of Scripps Networks and other transactions, and (viii) other items impacting comparability, such as the non-cash settlement of a withholding tax claim.

The Company uses this measure to assess the operating results and performance of its segments, perform analytical comparisons, identify strategies to improve performance and allocate resources to each segment. The Company believes Adjusted OIBDA is relevant to investors because it allows them to analyze the operating performance of each segment using the same metric management uses.

The Company excludes share-based compensation, restructuring and other charges, certain impairment charges, gains and losses on business and asset dispositions and acquisition and integration costs from the calculation of Adjusted OIBDA due to their impact on comparability between periods. The Company also excludes depreciation of fixed assets and amortization of intangible assets, as these amounts do not represent cash payments in the current reporting period. Certain corporate expenses are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives. Total Adjusted OIBDA should be considered in addition to, but not a substitute for, operating income, net income, and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. Refer to the comments in footnote 1 for the methodology used to calculate growth rates excluding foreign currency effects.

⁽⁴⁾ Free Cash Flow: The Company defines free cash flow as cash flow from operations less acquisitions of property and equipment. The Company believes free cash flow is an important indicator for management and investors of the Company's liquidity, including its ability to reduce debt, make strategic investments, and return capital to stockholders.

⁽⁵⁾ Financial Highlights Table: This table presents a selection of the Company's financial results. Because the table as shown excludes the "Corporate, Inter-segment Eliminations, and Other" operating segment, the row "Total Adjusted OIBDA" will not foot as presented in the table.

⁽⁶⁾ Source: Total audience measurement among all individuals. Share of viewing is defined as the share of viewing to all TV channels in a market, except in the Nordics business unit, which is defined as the share of viewing for commercial channels only. Due to a change in methodology, Russia and Japan are excluded from totals. Change in share is calculated by adjusting the prior year to include any newly acquired channels.

⁽⁷⁾ Source: Nielsen, Q3 2020 (6/29/2020-9/27/2020). Total Day 6a-6a. Data based on program based daypart (000s). Excludes breakouts and networks with less than 50% duration per day. Some networks may include Out-of-Home measurement, effective 8/31/2020. W25-54/18-49. Live+3.

⁽⁸⁾ Source: Nielsen, Q3 2020 (6/29/2020-9/27/2020) vs. Q3 2019 (7/1/19-9/29/19) portfolio shares for total TV. Primetime is 8pm-11pm. Some networks may include Out-of-Home measurement, effective 8/31/2020. Key demos measured include women viewers aged 25-54, 18-49, and 18+. Live+7.

⁽⁹⁾ Source: Nielsen, YTD (12/30/2019-9/27/2020) for Primetime, 8pm-11pm. Data based on program based daypart (000s). Some networks may include Out-of-Home measurement, effective 8/31/20. W25-54/18-49/18-34 & P25-54/18-49. Live+3.

⁽¹⁰⁾ Source: Nielsen, Q3 2020 (6/29/2020-9/27/2020) for Primetime on Sunday and Monday nights, 8pm-11pm. Data based on program based daypart (000s). Some networks may include Out-of-Home measurement, effective 8/31/20. W25-54/18-49/18-34. Live+3.

⁽¹¹⁾ Source: Nielsen, YTD (12/30/2019-9/27/2020) for Primetime, 8pm-11pm. Data based on program based daypart (000s). Some networks may include Out-of-Home measurement, effective 8/31/20. P/W25-54 and W18-49/18-34. Excludes sports. Live+3.

⁽¹²⁾ SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude employee share-based compensation, third-party transaction and integration costs related to the acquisition of Scripps Networks and other transactions, and for 2019, exclude the settlement of a withholding tax claim.

⁽¹³⁾ 2020 Outlook: Discovery does not expect to be able to provide a reconciliation of the non-GAAP forward-looking commentary to comparable GAAP measures as, at this time, the Company cannot determine the occurrence or impact of the adjustments, such as the effect of future changes in foreign currency exchange rates or future acquisitions or divestitures that would be excluded from such GAAP measures.

SOURCE Discovery, Inc.