WWE® Reports 2009 Third Quarter Results

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STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE - News) today announced financial results for its third quarter ended September 30, 2009. Revenues totaled $111.3 million as compared to $108.8 million in the prior year quarter. Operating income was $14.5 million as compared to $7.9 million in the prior year quarter. Net income was $8.9 million, or $0.12 per share, as compared to $5.3 million, or $0.07 per share, in the prior year quarter.

“We are pleased with our solid performance. During the quarter we achieved an 84% increase in our operating income and managed a 26% increase for the first nine months of the year,” stated Vince McMahon, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “Entering the year, we established clear goals to reduce our cost structure and to improve our operating efficiency. Our results to date, including significant and sustained improvement in our profit margins, demonstrate our ongoing commitment in meeting these objectives.”

“Looking ahead, we believe WWE can achieve meaningful growth by taking advantage of our strategic opportunities and maintaining our focus on managing costs. Our portfolio of businesses exhibit significant operating leverage and, through disciplined cost management, we expect that leverage to drive future earnings growth.”

Results by Business Segment

The following charts reflect net revenues by segment and by geographical region for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008. (Dollars in millions)

Revenues from outside North America increased 17% led by the timing and performance of our live events in Asia Pacific.

Live and Televised Entertainment

Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $77.9 million for the current quarter as compared to $68.7 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 13% increase.

• Live Event revenues were $27.2 million as compared to $20.3 million in the prior year quarter. Revenues increased 34% primarily due to higher average attendance and an increase in the number of international events.
• There were 94 events, including 17 international events, during the current quarter as compared to 89 events, including 12 international events, in the prior year quarter.
• North American events generated $16.6 million of revenues from 77 events as compared to $15.5 million from 77 events in the prior year quarter. North American average attendance increased 9% to approximately 5,800 from 5,300 in the prior year quarter. The average ticket price for North American events was $36.26 in the current quarter as compared to $38.21 in the prior year quarter.
• International events generated approximately $10.6 million of revenues as compared to $4.8 million in the prior year quarter. The quarter-over-quarter increase reflected five additional events in the current quarter and a 38% increase in average attendance to approximately 9,100 fans. These factors were partially offset by a 19% reduction in average ticket prices to $65.59, in part due to changes in foreign exchange rates.
• Pay-Per-View revenues were $14.5 million as compared to $16.4 million in the prior year quarter reflecting a 10% decline in total pay-per-view buys and a higher percentage of international buys, which are generally lower in price. For the comparable pay-per-view events which occurred in both the current and prior year periods, pay-per-view buys declined 22% in the quarter and 9% on a year-to-date basis.

The details for the number of buys (in 000s) are as follows:

• Venue Merchandise revenues were $4.3 million as compared to $4.2 million in the prior year quarter, as higher average attendance and the impact of five additional international events was offset by an 11% decline in lower domestic per capita merchandise sales to $8.71 in the current quarter.
• Television Rights Fees revenues were $28.3 million as compared to $24.4 million in the prior year quarter. This increase was primarily due to fees received from our new WWE Superstars television show and contractual increases from our existing programs.
• WWE Classics On Demand™ revenues were $1.2 million as compared to $1.4 million in the prior year quarter.

Consumer Products

Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $23.0 million versus $26.6 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 14% decrease.

• Home Video net revenues were $11.2 million as compared to $11.0 million in the prior year quarter. The increase reflects the performance of our new releases and catalog titles.
• Licensing revenues were $7.9 million as compared to $10.6 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease primarily reflects the reduction in royalties earned on the sales of toys and videogames, particularly in international markets.
• Magazine publishing net revenues were $3.4 million as compared to $4.7 million in the prior year quarter. The decrease primarily reflects a reduction in subscription revenue and the publication of one fewer issue of WWE Magazine in the current quarter.

Digital Media

Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $7.4 million as compared to $7.9 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 6% decrease.

• WWE.com revenues were $4.5 million as compared to $4.0 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting increased sales of online advertising and expanded licensing of our website for international markets.
• WWEShop revenues were $2.9 million as compared to $3.9 million in the prior year quarter. The number of orders declined by 21% to approximately 55,000 and the average revenue per order decreased by approximately 8% to $50.46 from the prior year quarter.

WWE Studios

During the current quarter, we recorded revenue of $3.0 million related to four previously released films, including Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia as compared to $5.6 million in the prior year quarter related to See No Evil, The Marine, and The Condemned. In the prior year quarter, we recorded a $1.9 million charge related to revised expectations for our film See No Evil. During the first quarter of 2009, we released our fourth feature film, 12 Rounds, as well as a Direct-to-DVD film, Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia. 12 Rounds generated approximately $12.2 million in gross domestic box office receipts and was released on DVD on June 30, 2009. We participate in revenues generated by the distribution of these films after the print, advertising and distribution costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us. As such, no revenues have been recorded for 12 Rounds to-date.

Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)

Profit contribution increased to $51.2 million in the current quarter as compared to $42.5 million in the prior year quarter. Gross profit margins increased to 46% as compared to 39% in the prior year quarter, reflecting increased efficiencies in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment. Improved margins were driven by continued cost reductions in marketing and TV production, and by the impact of the staff reduction at the beginning of the 2009 year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

SG&A expenses were $33.1 million for the current quarter as compared to $31.3 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting an increase in accrued incentive compensation, partially offset by decreases in advertising, travel expenses, as well as legal and professional fees.

EBITDA

EBITDA was approximately $18.1 million in the current quarter as compared to $11.2 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the improved efficiencies discussed above.

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

The decline in investment income of $0.6 million in the current quarter reflects lower interest rates. Other income of $0.2 million, as compared to other expense of $1.4 million in the prior year quarter, reflected changes in realized foreign exchange gains and losses and the revaluation of warrants held in certain licensees.

Effective tax rate

In the current quarter the effective tax rate was 42% as compared to 32% in the prior year quarter. The effective tax rate reflects differences between the taxes provided for as compared to actual amounts calculated on returns for both periods.

Summary Results for the Nine Months Ended

Total revenues through the nine months ended September 30, 2009 were $357.9 million as compared to $401.1 million in the prior year period. Operating income for the current period was $59.3 million versus $47.0 million in the prior year period. Net income was $39.1 million, or $0.53 per share, as compared to $31.8 million, or $0.43 per share, in the prior year period. EBITDA was $70.3 million for the current nine month period as compared to $56.5 million in the prior year period.

The following charts reflect net revenues by segment and by geographical region for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and September 30, 2008. (Dollars in millions)

Live and Televised Entertainment

Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $251.2 million for the current period as compared to $255.3 million in the prior year, a decrease of 2%.

Consumer Products

Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $77.0 million versus $102.4 million in the prior year, a decrease of 25%.

Digital Media

Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $22.2 million as compared to $23.9 million in the prior year, a decrease of 7%.

WWE Studios

We recorded revenue of $7.5 million in the current period related to four of our releases, See No Evil, The Marine, The Condemned, and Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia as compared to $19.5 million in the prior year period, which was led by the performance of The Marine. During the first quarter of 2009, we released our fourth feature film, 12 Rounds, as well as a Direct-to-DVD film, Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia.

Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)

Profit contribution increased to $165.6 million in the current period as compared to $158.4 million in the prior year period, as improved efficiencies essentially offset the impact of revenue declines as discussed above. Total profit contribution margin increased to approximately 46% as compared to 39% in the prior year period, reflecting increased efficiencies in our Live and Televised Entertainment segment.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

SG&A expenses were $95.3 million for the current period as compared to $101.9 million in the prior year period, reflecting decreases in advertising, legal and professional fees and travel expenses, offset by an increase in accrued incentive compensation and bad debt expense. Current period expenses include the impact of our corporate restructuring of approximately $2.2 million in severance costs while expenses in the prior year included $3.5 million associated with our McMahon’s Million Dollar Mania brand awareness campaign.

EBITDA

EBITDA for the current period was approximately $70.3 million as compared to $56.5 million in the prior year period.

Investment and Other Income (Expense)

The $2.0 million decline in investment income in the current period reflects lower average interest rates. Other income of $0.3 million as compared to other expense of $3.7 million in the prior year period includes the revaluation of warrants held in certain licensees.

Effective tax rate

The effective tax rate was 37% in the current period as compared to 33% in the prior year period. The prior year rate reflects tax benefits related to previously unrecognized tax positions.

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $92.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 as compared to $17.7 million in the prior year period. The increase was driven by the timing of feature film investments, favorable changes in working capital and reduced capital expenditures. Capital expenditures were $3.7 million for the current period as compared to $19.8 million in the prior year period as the prior year reflected an approximate $11.5 million investment in High Definition broadcasting equipment.

Additional Information

Additional business metrics are made available to investors on a monthly basis on our corporate website – corporate.wwe.com.

Note: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. will host a conference call on November 5, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company’s earnings results for the third quarter of 2009. All interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 888-647-2706 (conference ID: WWE). Please reserve a line 15 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. A presentation that will be referenced during the call can be found at the Company web site at corporate.wwe.com. A replay of the call will be available approximately three hours after the conference call concludes, and can be accessed at corporate.wwe.com.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE - News) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information on the Company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, copyrights and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.

Non-GAAP Measure:

EBITDA is defined as net income before investment, interest and other income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. The Company’s definition of EBITDA does not adjust its U.S. GAAP basis earnings for the amortization of Feature Film production assets. Although it is not a recognized measure of performance under U.S. GAAP, EBITDA is presented because it is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company’s performance. The Company uses EBITDA to measure its own performance and to set goals for operating managers. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or any other indicator of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.’s performance or liquidity, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Non-GAAP Measure:

We define Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less cash used for capital expenditures. Although it is not a recognized measure of liquidity under U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow provides useful information regarding the amount of cash our continuing business is generating after capital expenditures, available for reinvesting in the business and for payment of dividends.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Media:
Robert Zimmerman 203-359-5131
or
Investors:
Michael Weitz 203-352-8642