WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC. REPORTS FIRST-QUARTER 2022 RESULTS

April 26, 2022

NEW YORK, April 26, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. ("Warner Bros. Discovery" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: WBD) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2022. The results presented in this earnings release cover the period from January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022 for Discovery, Inc., and do not include first-quarter performance for the WarnerMedia business, which was acquired on April 8, 2022.

David Zaslav, President and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Bros. Discovery said, "With Warner Bros. Discovery, we are creating a pure-play media company with diversified revenues and the most compelling IP ownership, franchises, and brand portfolio in our industry. Importantly, we also have an unrivaled global footprint of touchpoints to get our content into the hands of consumers on every screen. We are putting together the strategic framework and organization to drive our balanced approach to growing our businesses and maximizing the value of our storytelling, news and sports. To do this, we have brought together a strong leadership team in a streamlined structure to foster better command and control and strategic clarity across the entire company. I could not be more excited about the massive opportunity ahead."

Financial Highlights

  • Q1 2022 total revenues of $3,159 million increased 13%, or increased 15% ex-FX(1), compared to the prior year quarter.

          –   U.S. advertising revenues increased 5% and distribution revenues increased 11%; and

          –   International advertising revenues increased 5%, or 11% ex-FX, and distribution revenues increased 4%, or 8% ex-FX.

  • Net income available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. was $456 million.
  • Total Adjusted OIBDA(2) was $1,027 million.
  • Cash provided by operating activities increased to $323 million and free cash flow(3) increased to $238 million.
  • Ended Q1 with $4.2 billion of cash and cash equivalents, gross debt(4) of $15.1 billion, and net leverage(4) of 2.7x.
  • Ended Q1 2022 with 24 million DTC Subscribers(5), an increase of 2 million subscribers since the end of Q4.
  • Generated nearly $450 million of Next Generation Revenues(5) in Q1, growth of 55% versus the prior year quarter.

 


Three Months Ended March 31,

Dollars in millions, except per share amounts

2022


2021


% Change

Ex-FX(1)

Total revenue

$             3,159


$             2,792


13%

15%

Net income available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.

$                456


$                140


NM


Total Adjusted OIBDA

$             1,027


$                837


23%

23%

Diluted earnings per share

$               0.69


$               0.21


NM


Cash provided by operating activities

$                323


$                269


20%


Free cash flow

$                238


$                179


33%


NM - Not meaningful

The above financial results are for Discovery, Inc. only.

 

Segment Results
U.S. Networks


Three Months Ended March 31,

Dollars in millions

2022


2021


% Change

     Advertising

$                  1,025


$                     980


5%

     Distribution

886


796


11%

     Other

21


30


(30)%

Total revenues

$                  1,932


$                  1,806


7%

Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation & amortization

489


428


14%

Selling, general & administrative(6)

418


555


(25)%

Adjusted OIBDA

$                  1,025


$                     823


25%

The above financial results are for Discovery, Inc. only.

 

First-Quarter 2022

  • U.S. Networks revenues increased 7% compared to the prior year quarter to $1,932 million.

          –   Advertising revenue increased 5% primarily due to higher pricing and the continued monetization of content offerings on our next generation initiatives, partially offset by secular declines in the pay-TV ecosystem and lower overall ratings.

          –   Distribution revenue increased 11% primarily driven by the growth of discovery+ and an increase in contractual affiliate rates, partially offset by a decline in linear subscribers.

          –   Subscribers to our fully distributed linear networks at March 31, 2022 were 4% lower versus the prior year. Total subscribers to our linear networks were 8% lower, or 4% lower excluding the impact from the sale of our Great American Country linear network.

  • Total operating expenses decreased 8% compared to the prior year quarter to $907 million.

          –   Costs of revenues increased 14% primarily due to higher content amortization at discovery+, which launched in January 2021, and the linear networks.

          –   SG&A expenses decreased 25% primarily due to lower marketing-related expenses for discovery+ compared to last year's launch period.

  • Adjusted OIBDA increased 25% compared to the prior year quarter to $1,025 million.

International Networks


Three Months Ended March 31,

Dollars in millions

2022


2021


% Change

Ex-FX

     Advertising

$                457


$                435


5%

11%

     Distribution

536


514


4%

8%

     Other

236


38


NM

NM

Total revenues

$             1,229


$                987


25%

30%

Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation & amortization

751


543


38%

45%

Selling, general & administrative(6)

317


293


8%

14%

Adjusted OIBDA

$                161


$                151


7%

9%

NM - Not meaningful

The above financial results are for Discovery, Inc. only.

 

First-Quarter 2022

  • International Networks revenues increased 25%, or 30% ex-FX, compared to the prior year quarter to $1,229 million.

          –   Advertising revenue increased 5%, or 11% ex-FX, primarily driven by the broadcast of the Winter Olympics across Europe.

          –   Distribution revenue increased 4%, or 8% ex-FX, primarily driven by discovery+ subscriber growth, partially offset by lower contractual affiliate rates in some European markets.

          –   Other revenue increased to $236 million, driven by sublicensing of Olympics sports rights to broadcast networks throughout Europe.

  • Total operating expenses increased 28%, or 34% ex-FX, compared to the prior year quarter to $1,068 million.

          –   Costs of revenues increased 38%, or 45% ex-FX, primarily due to the Olympics.

          –   SG&A increased 8%, or 14% ex-FX, primarily due to higher personnel costs and marketing-related expenses to support discovery+ and the Olympics.

  • Adjusted OIBDA increased 7% or increased 9% ex-FX, compared to the prior year quarter to $161 million.

Free Cash Flow
First quarter 2022 cash provided by operating activities increased to $323 million from $269 million in the prior year quarter. Free cash flow increased 33% to $238 million, primarily driven by higher Adjusted OIBDA, partly offset by higher content spend.

Other
Interest Rate Derivative Contracts
During the first quarter of 2022 the Company had total net gains on interest rate derivative instruments of $512 million that were recognized in "Other income, net" in the consolidated statements of operations. The derivative contracts were unwound with the closing of the $30 billion notes issuance to partially fund the cash consideration paid to AT&T at the closing of the WarnerMedia transaction.

Discontinuation of Operations in Russia
During the first quarter of 2022 we exited our operations in Russia and removed all of our channels and services from the market. We are currently evaluating the impact of these actions, but do not expect it to have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.

2022 Outlook (7)
Warner Bros. 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
Warner Bros. Discovery will host a conference call today, April 26, 2022 at 8:00 a.m. ET, to discuss the first quarter 2022 financial results. These results will cover the period from January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022 for Discovery, Inc., and will not include first-quarter performance for the WarnerMedia business, which was acquired on April 8, 2022. To listen to the audio webcast of the earnings call, please visit the Investor Relations section of the Corporate website at www.wbd.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this communication contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions 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 Warner Bros. Discovery 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 the Company's 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 24, 2022 and its subsequent filings made with the SEC.

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 include, without limitation, statements regarding future financial and operating results, the Company's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions, and other statements that are not historical facts. 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.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"), this communication may also contain certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures and the closest GAAP financial measures are available on the Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. investor relations website at: https://ir.wbd.com.

About Warner Bros. Discovery
Warner Bros. Discovery (NASDAQ: WBD) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates and distributes the world's most differentiated and complete portfolio of content and brands across television, film and streaming. Available in more than 220 countries and territories and 50 languages, Warner Bros. Discovery inspires, informs and entertains audiences worldwide through its iconic brands and products including: Discovery Channel, discovery+, CNN, DC, Eurosport, HBO, HBO Max, HGTV, Food Network, OWN, Investigation Discovery, TLC, Magnolia Network, TNT, TBS, truTV, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, Science Channel, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Television, Warner Bros. Games, New Line Cinema, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies, Discovery en Español, Hogar de HGTV and others. For more information, please visit www.wbd.com.

 

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(unaudited; in millions, except per share amounts)



Three Months Ended March 31,


2022


2021

Revenues:




     Advertising

$                         1,482


$                         1,415

     Distribution

1,422


1,310

     Other

255


67

Total revenues

3,159


2,792

Costs and expenses:




     Costs of revenues, excluding depreciation and amortization

1,236


969

     Selling, general and administrative

1,040


1,051

     Depreciation and amortization

525


361

     Restructuring and other charges

5


15

Total costs and expenses

2,806


2,396

Operating income

353


396

Interest expense, net

(153)


(163)

Loss from equity investees, net

(14)


(4)

Other income, net

490


68

Income before income taxes

676


297

Income tax expense

(201)


(106)

Net income

475


191

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests

(16)


(46)

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests

(3)


(5)

Net income available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.

$                           456


$                           140

Net income per share allocated to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. Series A common stockholders:




     Basic

$                          0.69


$                          0.21

     Diluted

$                          0.69


$                          0.21

Weighted average shares outstanding:




     Basic

591


585

     Diluted

665


667

All share and per share amounts have been retrospectively adjusted to reflect the reclassification and automatic conversion of each
issued and outstanding share of Discovery Series A common stock, Discovery Series B common stock, Discovery Series C common
stock, into one share of Warner Bros. Discovery common stock, and each issued and outstanding share of Discovery Series C-1
preferred stock was reclassified and automatically converted into 19.3648 shares of Warner Bros. Discovery common stock. Discovery
Series A-1 preferred stock and per share data has not been recast because the conversion to Warner Bros. Discovery common stock in
connection with the Merger was considered a discrete event and treated prospectively.

 

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(unaudited; in millions, except par value)



March 31, 2022


December 31, 2021

ASSETS




Current assets:




     Cash and cash equivalents

$                      4,162


$                      3,905

     Receivables, net

2,426


2,446

     Content rights and prepaid license fees, net

143


245

     Prepaid expenses and other current assets

442


668

Total current assets

7,173


7,264

Noncurrent content rights, net

3,866


3,832

Property and equipment, net

1,328


1,336

Goodwill

12,872


12,912

Intangible assets, net

5,873


6,317

Other noncurrent assets

2,687


2,766

Total assets

$                    33,799


$                    34,427

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY




Current liabilities:




     Accounts payable

$                         521


$                         412

     Accrued liabilities

1,966


2,230

     Deferred revenues

281


478

     Current portion of debt

794


339

Total current liabilities

3,562


3,459

Noncurrent portion of debt

13,605


14,420

Deferred income taxes

1,112


1,225

Other noncurrent liabilities

1,958


1,927

Total liabilities

20,237


21,031

Commitments and contingencies




Redeemable noncontrolling interests

335


363

Equity:




     Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. stockholders' equity:




          Series A-1 convertible preferred stock: $0.01 par value; 8 shares authorized, issued and outstanding


          Series C-1 convertible preferred stock: $0.01 par value; 6 shares authorized; 4 shares issued and outstanding


          Series A common stock: $0.01 par value; 1,700 shares authorized; 173 and 170 shares issued; and 172 and 169 shares outstanding

2


2

          Series B convertible common stock: $0.01 par value; 100 shares authorized; 7 shares issued and outstanding


          Series C common stock: $0.01 par value; 2,000 shares authorized; 559 shares issued; and 330 shares outstanding

5


5

     Additional paid-in capital

11,120


11,086

     Treasury stock, at cost: 230 shares

(8,244)


(8,244)

     Retained earnings

10,033


9,580

     Accumulated other comprehensive loss

(947)


(830)

Total Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. stockholders' equity

11,969


11,599

     Noncontrolling interests

1,258


1,434

Total equity

13,227


13,033

Total liabilities and equity

$                    33,799


$                    34,427

 

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(unaudited; in millions)



Three Months Ended March 31,


2022


2021

Operating Activities




Net income

$                         475


$                         191

Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:




     Content rights amortization and impairment

973


743

     Depreciation and amortization

525


361

     Deferred income taxes

(118)


(108)

     Share-based compensation expense

60


64

     Equity in losses of equity method investee companies and cash distributions

21


12

     Gain on sale of investments


(21)

     Gain from derivative instruments, net

(514)


(1)

     Other, net

33


(3)

     Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions and dispositions:




          Receivables, net

(5)


41

          Content rights and payables, net

(993)


(926)

          Accounts payable, accrued liabilities, deferred revenues and other noncurrent liabilities

(124)


(110)

          Foreign currency, prepaid expenses and other assets, net

(10)


26

Cash provided by operating activities

323


269

Investing Activities




Purchases of property and equipment

(85)


(90)

Proceeds from sales and maturities of investments


274

Investments in and advances to equity investments

(42)


(55)

Proceeds from derivative instruments, net

639


29

Other investing activities, net

17


(2)

Cash provided by investing activities

529


156

Financing Activities




Principal repayments of debt, including premiums to par value

(327)


(339)

Distributions to noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interests

(224)


(183)

Other financing activities, net

(36)


53

Cash used in financing activities

(587)


(469)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

(5)


(70)

Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

260


(114)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period

3,905


2,122

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, end of period

$                      4,165


$                      2,008

 

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC. 

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA 

RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME TO 

ADJUSTED OPERATING INCOME BEFORE DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION 

(unaudited; in millions)



Three Months Ended March 31, 2022


U.S. Networks


International
Networks


Corporate, Inter-
segment
Eliminations, and
Other


Total

Net income available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.







$                     456

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests







3

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests







16

Income tax expense







201

Other income, net







(490)

Loss from equity investees, net







14

Interest expense, net







153

Operating income (loss)

$                     627


$                       62


$                    (336)


$                     353

     Depreciation and amortization

385


101


39


525

     Employee share-based compensation



57


57

     Restructuring and other charges


4


1


5

     Transaction and integration costs

1


1


85


87

     Inter-segment eliminations

12


(7)


(5)


Adjusted OIBDA

$                  1,025


$                     161


$                    (159)


$                  1,027




Three Months Ended March 31, 2021


U.S. Networks


International
Networks


Corporate, Inter-
segment
Eliminations, and
Other


Total

Net income available to Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.







$                     140

Net income attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests







5

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests







46

Income tax expense







106

Other income, net







(68)

Loss from equity investees, net







4

Interest expense, net







163

Operating income (loss)

$                     599


$                       28


$                    (231)


$                     396

     Depreciation and amortization

224


104


33


361

     Employee share-based compensation



61


61

     Restructuring and other charges


15



15

     Transaction and integration costs


4



4

Adjusted OIBDA

$                     823


$                     151


$                    (137)


$                     837

 

WARNER BROS. DISCOVERY, INC.

SUPPLEMENTAL FINANCIAL DATA

SELECTED FINANCIAL DETAIL

(unaudited; in millions)


CALCULATION OF FREE CASH FLOW



Three Months Ended March 31,


2022


2021


$

Change

% Change

Cash provided by operating activities

$                      323


$                      269


$                        54

20%

Purchases of property and equipment

(85)


(90)


5

6%

Free cash flow

$                      238


$                      179


$                        59

33%

 

Definitions and Sources for Discovery, Inc.
(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 "2022 Baseline Rate"), and the prior year amounts translated at the same 2022 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 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 and integration costs, and (viii) other items impacting comparability.

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 the 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 and inter-segment eliminations related to production studios are excluded from segment results to enable executive management to evaluate segment performance based upon the decisions of segment executives. 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 U.S. GAAP. Refer to the comments in footnote 1 for the methodology used to calculate growth rates excluding foreign currency effects.

(3) 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.

(4) Gross debt: the Company defines gross debt as total debt plus finance leases. Net leverage is calculated by dividing net debt (gross debt less cash and cash equivalents) by the sum of the most recent four quarters Adjusted OIBDA.

(5) Direct-to-Consumer ("DTC") Definitions:

Next Generation Revenues: Subscription and advertising revenues generated from the Company's DTC products, as well as revenues from TV Everywhere, our GO applications and other digital properties.

DTC Subscription: We define a DTC subscription as 1) a subscription to a DTC product for which we have recognized subscription revenue from a DTC platform; 2) a subscription received through wholesale arrangements for which we receive a fee for the distribution of our DTC platforms, as well as subscriptions provided directly or through third-party platforms; and 3) a subscription recognized by certain joint venture partners and affiliated parties. We may refer to the aggregate number of subscriptions across our DTC services as subscribers. A subscription is only counted if it is on a paying status, and excludes users on free trials. At the end of each quarter, subscribers include the actual number of users that rolled to pay up to seven days immediately following quarter end. Our quarterly subscriber count continues to include Ukraine subscribers to discovery+ who are temporarily receiving the service for free, the total of which is not material.

(6) SG&A Expenses: Selling, general and administrative expenses exclude employee share-based compensation and third-party transaction and integration costs.

(7) 2022 Outlook: Warner Bros. 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.

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/warner-bros-discovery-inc-reports-first-quarter-2022-results-301532937.html

SOURCE Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc.