Agile and competitive formats, together with strategies that drive efficiencies in content production, generated superior operating results

MEXICO CITY, July 23, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: AZTECACPO; Latibex: XTZA), one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world, today announced financial results for the second quarter of 2019.

“We have proposed an intense process of transformation of TV Azteca to lay the foundations of the television of the future, and this strategy begins to generate tangible results. In face of an industry in the process of change, we have innovated, modifying the traditional television. Today, we are privileging live programs and consolidating our noticeable leadership in news and sports,” commented Benjamín Salinas, CEO of TV Azteca. "This has resulted in a more agile and efficient company that has managed to soundly increase EBITDA and operating profit."

Second quarter results

Net revenue for the period was Ps.2,767 million, 29% lower than the Ps.3,876 million for the same quarter of last year. Total costs and expenses were Ps.2,415 million, 32% less compared to Ps.3,577 million for the previous year.
                                                                                         
As a result, TV Azteca reported EBITDA of Ps.353 million, 18% above Ps.299 million a year ago. The EBITDA margin for the quarter was 13%, five percentage points higher than previous year. Operating income was Ps.85 million, in comparison with Ps.38 million for the previous year.

The company registered a net income of Ps.112 million, compared to a net loss of Ps.1,150 million for the same period of 2018.

	2Q 2018		2Q 2019		Change
					Ps.		%
Consolidated revenue	$3,876		$2,767		$(1,108)		-29%
EBITDA	$299		$353		$53		18%
Operating profit	$38		$85		$47		126%
Net result	$(1,150)		$112		$1,262		----
Net result per share	$(0.39)		$0.04		$0.43		----

Figures in millions of pesos.
EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.       
The number of CPOs outstanding as of June 30, 2018 was 2,986 million and as of June 30, 2019 was 2,987 million.

Net sales

Advertising sales in Mexico decreased 29%, to Ps.2,604 million, from Ps.3,650 million the previous year, as a result of lower government demand for advertising space in the media market this quarter, as well a skewed comparison to sales related to the transmission of the World Cup in Russia last year.

During the period, content sales to other countries were Ps.27 million in comparison with Ps.76 million in the previous year. Revenue for the quarter resulted mainly from the commercialization of the shows Siempre tuya Acapulco, Vivir a Destiempo and Las Bravo, as well as the sale of TV Azteca content to pay TV channels around the rest of the world.

Revenue from TV Azteca Guatemala and TV Azteca Honduras was Ps.39 million, in comparison with Ps.55 million of the previous year.

Azteca Comunicaciones Perú reported revenue of Ps.97 million, in comparison with Ps.95 million a year ago. The revenue resulted from telecommunications services and reimbursements from the Peruvian government for maintenance and operation of the fiber optic network.

Costs and SG&A Expenses

Total costs and expenses decreased 32% in the quarter as a result of a 36% reduction in production, programming, transmission and telecommunications services costs down to Ps.2,068 million, from Ps.3,236 million a year ago. This is in conjunction with a 2% increase in sales and administrative expenses, to Ps.347 million, compared to Ps.341 million in the previous year.

The reduction in production costs results from licensing fees and costs related to the transmission of World Cup matches in Russia a year ago, as well as strategies to strengthen efficiency in content generation this quarter.

The costs of Azteca Comunicaciones Perú were Ps.71 million, from Ps.120 million a year ago. The lower costs are derived from transmission infrastructure rent reduction, operations efficiencies and lower advisory fees.

The increase in expenses at TV Azteca reflects higher operating expenses, partially offset by lower personnel and services expenses this quarter.

EBITDA and net result

EBITDA of the company was Ps.353 million, 18% higher from Ps.299 million for the same period of the prior year. Operating profit was Ps.85 million, in comparison to Ps.38 million a year ago.

The most significant variations below EBITDA were the following:

Foreign exchange gain of Ps.55 million this quarter compared to a Ps.615 million loss in foreign exchange a year ago, as a result of the company's net monetary liability position in dollars, together with the exchange rate appreciation this quarter, compared with depreciation a year ago.

Tax provision benefit of Ps.298 million this period, compared to a Ps.238 million charge the previous year. The benefit this quarter is derived from the partial release of the deferred tax asset reserve, based on the analysis of the recovery of the company's tax losses, which includes the financial and fiscal estimate of future results.

TV Azteca registered a net income of Ps.112 million for the quarter, compared to a net loss of Ps.1,150 million for the same period a year ago.

Cash Flow

During the period that ended on June 30, 2019, TV Azteca generated cash flow from operations of Ps.1,228 million, in comparison to Ps.321 million of the previous year.

Once the flows of investment and financing activities were included, the generation of cash and cash equivalents of the company was Ps.338 million in the period, which contributed to strengthening TV Azteca's balance sheet.

Debt
           
As of June 30, 2019, TV Azteca’s outstanding debt was Ps.13,238 million, in comparison to Ps.12,386 million in the previous year.

The cash and cash equivalents balance at the end of the quarter totalled Ps.2,040 million, from Ps.3,858 million a year ago. The reduction resulted from the payment made for the renewal of TV Azteca´s television channel concessions in the fourth quarter of 2018, for Ps.3,940 million as was previously detailed; this was partially offset by the generation of cash in the period.

Net debt of the company as of June 30, 2019 was Ps.11,198 million, in comparison to Ps.8,528 million in the previous year.

Six months results

Net sales for the first six months of 2019 were Ps.6,015 million, 18% lower than the Ps.7,303 million for the same period of 2018, as a result of lower advertising investment by the federal government this period, as well as revenues that were related to the Soccer World Cup one year ago.

Total costs and expenses were Ps.5,281 million, a 19% reduction from Ps.6,483 million for the same period of the previous year, as a result of strategies that boost content production efficiencies and the absence of costs related to the transmission of the Soccer World Cup in Russia during this period last year.

TV Azteca reported EBITDA of Ps.734 million, compared to Ps.820 million for the first half of last year. EBITDA margin for the first half of 2019 was 12%. Operating profit was Ps.196 million, from Ps.254 million a year ago. The company reported a net loss of Ps.275 million, compared to a net loss of Ps.977 million for the same period of 2018.

	6M 2018		6M 2019		Change
					Ps.		%
Consolidated revenue	$7,303		$6,015		$(1,288)		-18%
EBITDA	$820		$734		$(86)		-11%
Operating profit	$254		$196		$(58)		-23%
Net result	$(977)		$(275)		$702		72%
Net result per share	$(0.33)		$(0.09)		$0.24		72%

Figures in millions of pesos.
EBITDA: Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization.       
The number of CPOs outstanding as of June 30, 2018 was 2,986 million and as of June 30, 2019 was 2,987 million.

About TV Azteca

TV Azteca is one of the two largest producers of Spanish-language television programming in the world, operating four television networks in Mexico:  Azteca uno, Azteca 7, adn40 and a+, through more than 300 owned and operated stations across the country. The company also operates TV Azteca Digital, the operator of several Mexico’s most visited websites and social media platforms.

TV Azteca is a Grupo Salinas company (www.gruposalinas.com), a group of dynamic, fast growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating: economic value through market innovation and goods and services that improve standards of living; social value to improve community wellbeing; and environmental value by reducing the negative impact of its business activities. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. These companies include TV Azteca (www.TVazteca.com; www.irtvazteca.com), Grupo Elektra (www.grupoelektra.com.mx), Banco Azteca (www.bancoazteca.com.mx), Advance America (www.advanceamerica.net), Afore Azteca (www.aforeazteca.com.mx), Seguros Azteca (www.segurosazteca.com.mx), Punto Casa de Bolsa (www.puntocasadebolsa.mx), Totalplay (www.totalplay.com.mx) and Totalplay Empresarial (totalplayempresarial.com.mx). TV Azteca and Grupo Elektra trade shares on the Mexican Stock Market and in Spains' Latibex market. Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. The group of companies shares a common vision, values and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results and world-class performance.

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are concepts about the future that involve risks and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Other risks that may affect TV Azteca and its subsidiaries are presented in documents sent to the securities authorities.

Investor Relations:

Bruno Rangel Grupo Salinas Tel. +52 (55) 2601-5400, ext. 11502 jrangelk@gruposalinas.com.mx

Rolando Villarreal TV Azteca, S.A.B. de C.V. Tel. +52 (55) 2601-5400, ext. 11508 rvillarreal@gruposalinas.com.mx

Press Relations:
Luciano Pascoe
Tel. +52 (55) 1720 1313 ext. 36553
lpascoe@gruposalinas.com.mx

TV AZTECA, S.A.B. DE C.V.  AND  SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Millions of Mexican pesos of June 30 of 2018 and 2019 )
	Second Quarter of:
	2018					2019
											Change
Net revenue	Ps	3,876		100	%	Ps	2,767		100	%	Ps	(1,108	)	-29	%
Programming, production and transmission costs		3,236		83	%		2,068		75	%		(1,168	)	-36	%
Selling and administrative expenses		341		9	%		347		13	%		6		2	%
Total costs and expenses		3,577		92	%		2,415		87	%		(1,162	)	-32	%
EBITDA		299		8	%		353		13	%		53		18	%
Depreciation and amortization		183					192					9
Other expense -Net		78					75					(3	)
Impairment of assets		-					-					-
Operating profit		38		1	%		85		3	%		47		126	%
Equity in income from affiliates		(10	)				(3	)				6
Comprehensive financing result:
Interest expense		(337	)				(341	)				(4	)
Other financing expense		(22	)				(13	)				9
Interest income		34					30					(4	)
Exchange loss  -Net		(615	)				55					670
		(940	)				(269	)				671
Income before the following provision		(912	)	-24	%		(187	)	-7	%		725		80	%
Provision for income tax		(238	)				298					537
Net income	Ps	(1,150	)			Ps	112				Ps	1,262
Non-controlling share in net profit	Ps	(0	)			Ps	0				Ps	0
Controlling share in net profit	Ps	(1,150	)	-30	%	Ps	111		4	%	Ps	1,261

  

TV AZTECA, S.A.B. DE C.V.  AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Millions of Mexican pesos of June 30 of 2018 and 2019)
	Period ended June 30,
	2018					2019
											Change
Net revenue	Ps	7,303		100	%	Ps	6,015		100	%	Ps	(1,288	)	-18	%
Programming, production and transmission costs		5,836		80	%		4,601		76	%		(1,236	)	-21	%
Selling and administrative expenses		647		9	%		681		11	%		34		5	%
Total costs and expenses		6,483		89	%		5,281		88	%		(1,202	)	-19	%
EBITDA		820		11	%		734		12	%		(86	)	-11	%
Depreciation and amortization		373					388					14
Other expense -Net		193					150					(43	)
Impairment of assets		-					-					-
Operating profit		254		3	%		196		3	%		(58	)	-23	%
Equity in income from affiliates		(7	)				(0	)				7
Comprehensive financing result:
Interest expense		(671	)				(677	)				(7	)
Other financing expense		(87	)				(70	)				17
Interest income		68					58					(10	)
Exchange Gain  -Net		(34	)				146					180
		(724	)				(543	)				181
Income before the following provision		(477	)	-7	%		(347	)	-6	%		130		27	%
Provision for income tax		(500	)				72					572
Net income	Ps	(977	)			Ps	(275	)			Ps	702
Non-controlling share in net profit	Ps	(1	)			Ps	0				Ps	1
Controlling share in net profit	Ps	(976	)	-13	%	Ps	(275	)	-5	%	Ps	701		72	%

  

TV AZTECA, S.A.B.  DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Millions of Mexican pesos of June 30 of 2018 and 2019)
	At June 30
	2018			2019
							Change
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	Ps	3,858		Ps	2,040		Ps	(1,818	)
Accounts receivable		5,411			4,250			(1,161	)
Other current assets		4,914			3,943			(971	)
Total current assets		14,183			10,233			(3,950	)	-28	%
Accounts receivable		93			28			(65	)
Exhibition rights		2,176			2,570			394
Property, plant and equipment-Net		3,631			3,845			214
Television concessions-Net		5,489			9,445			3,956
Other assets		1,762			1,743			(19	)
Deferred income tax asset		1,123			1,087			(36	)
Total long term assets		14,274			18,718			4,444		31	%
Total assets	Ps	28,457		Ps	28,951		Ps	494		2	%
Current liabilities:
Short-term debt	Ps	-		Ps	1,708		Ps	1,708
Other current liabilities		5,880			4,935			(945	)
Total current liabilities		5,880			6,643			763		13	%
Long-term debt:
Securities Certificates		3,955			3,975			20
Long-term debt		8,431			7,555			(876	)
Total long-term debt		12,386			11,530			(856	)	-7	%
Other long term liabilities:
Advertising advances		4,775			6,848			2,073
American Tower Corporation (due 2069)		1,807			-			(1,807	)
Deferred income tax		324			721			397
Other long term liabilities		214			477			263
Total other long-term liabilities		7,120			8,046			926		13	%
Total liabilities		25,386			26,219			833		3	%
Total stockholders' equity		3,071			2,732			(339	)	-11	%
Total liabilities and equity	Ps	28,457		Ps	28,951		Ps	494		2	%

 

TV AZTECA, S.A.B. DE C.V.  AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Millions of Mexican pesos of June 30 of  2018 and  2019 )
	Period ended June 30,
	2018				2019
Operating activities:
Cash flow generated before taxes to income	Ps	533			Ps	639
Accounts receivable		(355	)			1,216
Inventories and performance rights		187				(118	)
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and taxes on earnings		(43	)			(510	)
Net cash flow from operating activities		321				1,228
Investing activities:
Acquisitions of property and equipment, intangibles and others		(257	)			(205	)
Investments accounted for using the equity method and other		-				(11	)
Net sale of Azteca America assets		830				-
Net cash flows from investing activities		572				(216	)
Financing activities:
Proceeds from borrowings		741				-
Interest paid		(544	)			(656	)
Others		(16	)			(19	)
Net cash flows from financing activities		181				(674	)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents		1,075				338
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		2,783				1,702
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year	Ps	3,858			Ps	2,040

 

 

 

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