Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Central European Media Enterprises Reports Strong Full-Year Revenues and EBITDA

- Net Revenues of $1,019.9 million -

- Segment EBITDA of $345.7 million -

- Non-cash impairment charges relating to Bulgaria and Ukraine -

HAMILTON, Bermuda, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Central European Media Enterprises Ltd. ("CME" or the "Company") (Nasdaq/Prague Stock Exchange - CETV) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full-year ended December 31, 2008.

Net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased 22% to $1,019.9 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007. Operating income decreased $338.3 million to a loss of $(127.8) million as a result of an impairment charge of $336.8 million relating to the Company's Ukraine and Bulgarian operations. Net income from continuing operations decreased $344.8 million to a loss of $(251.8) million, and fully diluted earnings per share in respect of continuing operations decreased $8.18 to a loss of $(5.95). Segment EBITDA(1) for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased 7% to $345.7 million, compared to the year ended December 31, 2007.

Net revenues for the fourth quarter of 2008 decreased 3% to $291.5 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2007. Operating income for the quarter decreased $378.4 million to a loss of $(279.2) million as a result of the impairment charge. Net income from continuing operations decreased $394.6 million to a loss of $(322.0) million, and fully diluted earnings per share in respect of continuing operations decreased by $9.35 to a loss of $(7.61). Segment EBITDA for the quarter declined 28% to $93.6 million, compared to the fourth quarter of 2007.

Adrian Sarbu, President and Chief Operating Officer of CME, commented: "2008 was an outstanding year for our core stations despite a difficult fourth quarter. I am particularly pleased with the performance of our Czech and Romanian operations which both delivered their best ever results. In Croatia we enjoyed our highest growth yet in audience share and revenues. In an environment where companies all over the world are struggling, we remain leaders in our markets. 2009 will be challenging as we face adverse macroeconomic conditions and reduced visibility across our markets. We have taken aggressive measures to reduce our operating costs and capex and will take steps necessary to maximize our revenues and liquidity. We expect to emerge from the current economic crisis with our leadership positions intact and to return to our path of growth."

(1) Total Segment Data, Segment Net Revenues and Segment EBITDA as used in this press release are all non-US GAAP measures. For further details, including a reconciliation to the most directly comparable US GAAP financial measures, see 'Reconciliation Between Consolidated Statements of Operations and Segment Data (non-US GAAP)' below. We define Segment EBITDA margin as Segment EBITDA expressed as a percentage of Segment Net Revenue.

Consolidated Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2008

Consolidated net revenues for the three months ended December 31, 2008 decreased by 3% to $291.5 million from $300.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Operating income for the quarter was a loss of $(279.2) million compared to income of $99.2 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Net income for the quarter was a loss of $(323.3) million compared to income of $73.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Fully diluted earnings per share for the three months ended December 31, 2008 decreased $9.35 to a loss of $(7.64).

Headline Consolidated Results for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were:

                                     CONSOLIDATED RESULTS (Unaudited)
                                  For the Three Months Ended December 31,
                                                  (US $000's)
                                        2008      2007   $ change  % change
    Net revenues                    $291,500  $300,552    $(9,052)    (3)%
    Operating (loss) / income     $(279,170)   $99,195  $(378,365)     Nm
    Net (loss) / income from
     continuing operations        $(322,039)   $74,418  $(396,457)     Nm
    Net (loss) / income           $(323,289)   $72,991  $(396,280)     Nm
    Fully diluted (loss) /
     earnings per share from
     continuing operations           $(7.61)     $1.74     $(9.35)     Nm
    Fully diluted (loss) / earnings
     per share                       $(7.64)     $1.71     $(9.35)     Nm

Consolidated Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

Consolidated net revenues for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased by 22% to $1,019.9 million from $838.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Operating income for the year was a loss of $(127.8) million compared to income of $210.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Net income for the year was a loss of $(255.5) million compared to income of $88.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Fully diluted earnings per share decreased from $2.12 to a loss of $(6.04) for the year ended December 31, 2008.

Headline Consolidated Results for the years ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were:

                                            CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
                                        For the Year Ended December 31,
                                                  (US $000's)
                                        2008      2007   $ change  % change
    Net revenues                  $1,019,934  $838,856   $181,078     22%
    Operating (loss) / income      $(127,797) $210,456  $(338,253)     Nm
    Net (loss) / income from
     continuing operations         $(251,759)  $93,048  $(344,807)     Nm
    Net (loss) / income            $(255,544)  $88,568  $(344,112)     Nm
    Fully diluted (loss) /
     earnings per share from
     continuing operations            $(5.95)    $2.23     $(8.18)     Nm
    Fully diluted (loss) / earnings
     per share                        $(6.04)    $2.12     $(8.16)     Nm

Segment Results

We evaluate the performance of our television operations based on Segment Net Revenues and EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization).

Segment Results for the Three Months Ended December 31, 2008

For the three months ended December 31, 2008, Total Segment Net Revenues declined 3% to $291.5 million from $300.6 million for the three months ended December 31, 2007. Total Segment EBITDA for the three months ended December 31, 2008 declined 28% to $93.6 million from $129.8 million in the three months ended December 31, 2007. Segment EBITDA margin for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was 32% compared to 43% for the three months ended December 31, 2007.

Our Total Segment Net Revenues, Total Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA margin for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were:

                                          SEGMENT RESULTS (Unaudited)
                                   For the Three Months Ended December 31,
                                                  (US $000's)
                                        2008      2007   $ change  % change
    Segment Net Revenues -
     Broadcast Operations           $288,899  $298,996  $(10,097)      (3%)
    Segment Net Revenues -
     Non-Broadcast Operations         $2,601    $1,556    $1,045       67%
    Total Segment Net Revenues      $291,500  $300,552   $(9,052)      (3%)
    Segment EBITDA - Broadcast
     Operations                      $96,137  $131,248  $(35,111)     (27%)
    Segment EBITDA - Non-Broadcast
     Operations                      $(2,548)  $(1,481)   $1,067       72%
    Total Segment EBITDA             $93,589  $129,767  $(36,178)     (28%)
    Segment EBITDA margin                 32%       43%

Segment Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2008

For the year ended December 31, 2008, Total Segment Net Revenues increased 22% to $1,019.9 million from $838.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2007. Total Segment EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2008 increased 7% to $345.7 million from $323.5 million in the year ended December 31, 2007. Segment EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2008 was 34% compared to 39% for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Our Total Segment Net Revenues, Total Segment EBITDA and Segment EBITDA margin for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007 were:

                                      SEGMENT RESULTS (Unaudited)
                                         For the Year Ended December 31,
                                                  (US $000's)
                                        2008      2007   $ change  % change
    Segment Net Revenues -
     Broadcast Operations         $1,010,404  $835,232   $175,172      21%
    Segment Net Revenues -
     Non-Broadcast Operations         $9,530    $3,624     $5,906     163%
    Total Segment Net Revenues    $1,019,934  $838,856   $181,078      22%
    Segment EBITDA - Broadcast
     Operations                     $354,387  $327,330    $27,057       8%
    Segment EBITDA - Non-Broadcast
     Operations                      $(8,707)  $(3,878)    $4,829     125%
    Total Segment EBITDA            $345,680  $323,452    $22,228       7%
    Segment EBITDA margin                 34%       39%

CME will host a teleconference to discuss its fourth quarter and 2008 year-end results on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. EST (3:00 p.m. GMT and 4:00 p.m. CET). The teleconference will refer to presentation slides, which will be available on CME's website at www.cetv-net.com prior to the call.

To access the teleconference, U.S. and international callers may dial +1 412-317-9250 ten minutes prior to the start time and reference passcode: 9381217. The conference call will be broadcast live via www.cetv-net.com.

A replay of the teleconference will be available for one week following the call and can be accessed by dialing +1 412-317-0088 for U.S. and international callers, passcode: 9381217. A digital audio replay in mp3 format will also be archived on the Company's web site for two weeks following the call.

Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including those relating to our capital needs, business strategy, expectations and intentions. For these statements and all other forward-looking statements, we claim the protection of the safe harbor for forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which cannot be predicted with accuracy or are otherwise beyond our control and some of which might not even be anticipated. Future events and actual results, affecting our strategic plan as well as our financial position, results of operations and cash flows, could differ materially from those described in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that contribute to such risks include, but are not limited to: the effect of the credit crisis and economic downturn in our markets as well as in the United States and Western Europe; decreases in television advertising spending and the rate of development of the advertising markets in the countries in which we operate; the impact of any additional investments we make in our Bulgaria, Croatia and Ukraine operations; our effectiveness in implementing our strategic plan for the Studio 1+1 group in Ukraine; our ability to make future investments in television broadcast operations; our ability to develop and implement strategies regarding sales and multi-channel distribution; changes in the political and regulatory environments where we operate and application of relevant laws and regulations; the timely renewals of broadcasting licenses and our ability to obtain additional frequencies and licenses; and our ability to acquire necessary programming and attract audiences. For a more detailed description of these uncertainties and other factors, please see the "Risk Factors" section in CME's Annual Report on Form 10-K as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2009.

This press release should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 25, 2009.

We make available, free of charge, on our website at www.cetv-net.com our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file such material with, or furnish it to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CME is a broadcasting company operating leading networks in seven Central and Eastern European countries with an aggregate population of approximately 97 million people. The company's television stations are located in Bulgaria (TV2 and Ring TV), Croatia (Nova TV), Czech Republic (TV Nova, Nova Cinema and Nova Sport), Romania (PRO TV, PRO TV International, Acasa, PRO Cinema, Sport.ro and MTV Romania), Slovakia (TV Markiza and Nova Sport), Slovenia (POP TV and Kanal A) and Ukraine (Studio 1+1, Studio 1+1 International and Kino). CME is traded on the NASDAQ and the Prague Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "CETV".

For additional information, please visit www.cetv-net.com.

                        CENTRAL EUROPEAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES LTD.
                         CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                      (US$ 000's, except share and per share data)
                                      (Unaudited)

                                           For the Years Ended December 31,
                                              2008       2007       2006

    Net revenues                        $1,019,934   $838,856   $602,646
    Operating costs                        145,210    116,859     89,486
    Cost of programming                    438,203    327,230    226,133
    Station selling, general and
     administrative expenses                90,841     71,315     64,975
    Depreciation of station property,
     plant & equipment                      51,668     32,653     25,430
    Amortization of broadcast
     licenses and other intangibles         35,381     24,970     18,799
    Corporate operating costs (including
     the cost of settling our Croatia
     litigation of $12.5 million in 2007
     and non-cash stock-based compensation
     of $6.1 million, $5.7 million and $3.6
     million in 2008, 2007 and 2006,
     respectively)                          49,676     55,373     34,104
    Impairment charge                      336,752          -        748
    Operating (loss) / income             (127,797)   210,456    142,971
    Interest expense, net                  (58,469)   (49,208)   (37,853)
    Foreign currency exchange loss, net    (37,877)   (34,409)   (44,892)
    Change in fair value of derivatives      6,360     (3,703)   (12,539)
    Other income                             2,620      7,891      3,059
    (Loss) / income before provision
     for income taxes, minority
     interest, equity in income of
     unconsolidated affiliates and
     discontinued operations              (215,163)   131,027     50,746
    Provision for income taxes             (34,525)   (20,822)   (14,952)
    (Loss) / income before minority
     interest, equity in income of
     unconsolidated affiliates and
     discontinued operations              (249,688)   110,205     35,794
    Minority interest in income of
     consolidated subsidiaries              (2,071)   (17,157)   (13,602)
    Equity in loss of unconsolidated
     affiliates                                  -          -       (730)
    Gain on sale of unconsolidated
     affiliate                                   -          -      6,179
    Net (loss) / income from continuing
     operations                           (251,759)    93,048     27,641
    Net loss from discontinued
     operations                             (3,785)    (4,480)    (7,217)
    Net (loss) / income                  $(255,544)   $88,568    $20,424

    PER SHARE DATA:
    Net (loss) / income per share
    Continuing operations - Basic           $(5.95)     $2.25      $0.69
    Continuing operations - Diluted          (5.95)      2.23       0.68
    Discontinued operations - Basic          (0.09)     (0.11)     (0.18)
    Discontinued operations - Diluted        (0.09)     (0.11)     (0.18)
    Net (loss) / income - Basic              (6.04)      2.14       0.51
    Net (loss) / income - Diluted           $(6.04)     $2.12      $0.50

    Weighted average common shares used
     in computing per share amounts (000s):
    Basic                                   42,328     41,384     40,027
    Diluted                                 42,328     41,833     40,600



                       CENTRAL EUROPEAN MEDIA ENTERPRISES LTD.
                        CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                     (US$ 000's, except share and per share data)
                                       (Unaudited)

                                                   For the Three Months Ended
                                                           December 31,
                                                       2008           2007

    Net revenues                                   $291,500       $300,552
    Operating costs                                  36,975         33,873
    Cost of programming                             130,978        114,196
    Station selling, general and administrative
     expenses                                        29,958         22,716
    Depreciation of station property, plant &
     equipment                                       12,631          9,755
    Amortization of broadcast licenses and
     other intangibles                                9,319          8,057
    Corporate operating costs (including non-cash
     stock-based compensation of $0.6 million,
     $1.6 million and $1.2 million in 2008, 2007
     and 2006, respectively)                         14,057         12,760
    Impairment charge                               336,752              -
    Operating (loss) / income                      (279,170)        99,195
    Interest expense, net                           (16,263)       (10,866)
    Foreign currency exchange (loss), net           (32,291)        (5,884)
    Change in fair value of derivatives              20,031         (7,200)
    Other income                                      1,012          8,638
    (Loss) / income before provision for income
     taxes, minority interest, equity in income
     of unconsolidated affiliates and
     discontinued operations                       (306,681)        83,883
    Provision for income taxes                      (15,048)        (2,189)
    (Loss) / income before minority interest,
     equity in income of unconsolidated
     affiliates and discontinued operations        (321,729)        81,694
    Minority interest in income of consolidated
     subsidiaries                                      (310)        (7,276)
    Net (loss) / income from continuing
     operations                                    (322,039)        74,418
    Net loss from discontinued operations            (1,250)        (1,427)
    Net (loss) / income                           $(323,289)       $72,991

    PER SHARE DATA:
    Net (loss) / income per share
    Continuing operations - Basic                    $(7.61)         $1.76
    Continuing operations - Diluted                   (7.61)          1.74
    Discontinued operations - Basic                   (0.03)         (0.03)
    Discontinued operations - Diluted                 (0.03)         (0.03)
    Net (loss) / income - Basic                       (7.64)          1.73
    Net (loss) / income - Diluted                    $(7.64)         $1.71

    Weighted average common shares used in
     computing per share amounts (000s):
    Basic                                            42,337         42,297
    Diluted                                          42,337         42,654

Segment Data

We manage our business on a geographic basis, and review the performance of each business segment using data that reflects 100% of operating and license company results. Our segments are comprised of Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Romania, the Slovak Republic, Slovenia and our two businesses in Ukraine.

We evaluate the performance of our segments based on Segment EBITDA. Segment Net Revenues and Segment EBITDA include the results of certain entities (primarily our operations in the Slovak Republic) that were not consolidated until January 23, 2006.

Segment EBITDA is determined as segment net income/(loss), which includes costs for program rights amortization costs, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets. Items that are not allocated to our business segments for purposes of evaluating their performance, and therefore are not included in Segment EBITDA, include:

  • expenses presented as corporate operating costs in our consolidated statements of operations;

  • stock-based compensation charges;

  • foreign currency exchange gains and losses;

  • changes in fair value of derivatives; and

  • certain unusual or infrequent items (e.g., extraordinary gains and losses, impairments of assets or investments).

We use Segment EBITDA as a component in determining management bonuses.

Below is a table showing our Segment EBITDA by operation and a reconciliation of these figures to our consolidated results for the years ended December 31, 2008, 2007 and 2006, and for the three months ended December 31, 2008 and 2007:

             Reconciliation between Consolidated Statements of Operations
                       and Total Segment Data (non-US GAAP)

                                     SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                    For the Years Ended December 31,

                                              (US $000's)

                       Segment Net Revenues (1)           Segment EBITDA

                      2008      2007      2006      2008       2007      2006

    Country
    Bulgaria (TV2,
     RING TV)(2)    $1,263        $-        $-  $(10,185)        $-        $-
    Croatia
     (NOVA TV)      54,651    37,193    22,310    (5,415)   (13,882)  (14,413)
    Czech
     Republic(3)   376,546   279,237   208,387   208,655    156,496   100,488
    Romania (4)    274,627   215,402   148,616   111,783     93,075    65,860
    Slovak Republic
     (TV MARKIZA)  132,693   110,539    73,420    50,228     41,532    20,805
    Slovenia (POP
     TV and
     KANAL A)       80,696    69,647    54,534    25,413     22,767    19,842
    Ukraine
     (STUDIO 1+1)   96,738   125,323    96,413   (32,944)    27,000    29,973
    Ukraine (KINO,
     CITI)(5)        2,720     1,515       726    (1,855)    (3,536)   (1,795)
    Total Segment
     Data       $1,019,934  $838,856  $604,406  $345,680   $323,452  $220,760

    Reconciliation to Consolidated
     Statement of Operations:
    Consolidated Net
     Revenues / (Loss) /
     income before
     provision for
     income taxes,
     minority interest,
     equity in income of
     unconsolidated
     affiliates and
     discontinued
     operations $1,019,934  $838,856  $602,646 $(215,163)  $131,027   $50,746
    Corporate operating
     costs (including
     the cost of
     settling Croatian
     litigation of
     $12.5 million in
     2007 and non-cash
     stock-based
     compensation of
     $6.1 million, $5.7
     million and $3.6
     million in 2008,
     2007 and 2006,
     respectively)       -         -         -    49,676     55,373    34,104
    Impairment charge    -         -         -   336,752          -       748
    Unconsolidated
     Equity
     Affiliates(6)       -         -     1,760         -          -    (1,292)
    Depreciation of
     station assets      -         -         -    51,668     32,653    25,430
    Amortization of
     broadcast licenses
     and other
     intangibles         -         -         -    35,381     24,970    18,799
    Interest expense,
     net                 -         -         -    58,469     49,208    37,853
    Foreign currency
     exchange loss,
     net                 -         -         -    37,877     34,409    44,892
    Change in fair
     value of
     derivatives         -         -         -    (6,360)     3,703    12,539
    Other income         -         -         -    (2,620)    (7,891)   (3,059)
    Total Segment
     Data       $1,019,934  $838,856  $604,406  $345,680   $323,452  $220,760

    (1) All net revenues are derived from external customers.  There are no
    inter-segmental revenues.
    (2) We acquired our Bulgaria operations on August 1, 2008.
    (3) Czech Republic networks are TV NOVA, NOVA SPORT and NOVA CINEMA,
    which was launched in December 2007.
    (4) Romanian networks are PRO TV, PRO CINEMA, ACASA, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL,
    SPORT.RO and MTV.
    (5) We acquired our Ukraine (KINO, CITI) operations in January 2006 and
    ceased operating the CITI channel in January 2009.
    (6) Our Slovak Republic operations were accounted for as an equity
    affiliate until January 23, 2006.



                                       SEGMENT FINANCIAL INFORMATION

                                  For the Three Months Ended December 31,

                                                  (US $000's)

                                 Segment Net Revenues(1)   Segment EBITDA

                                     2008       2007       2008       2007

    Country
    Bulgaria (TV2, RING TV)          $800         $-    $(7,084)        $-
    Croatia (NOVA TV)             $16,500    $12,492      1,034     (4,082)
    Czech Republic(2)             105,816     96,034     62,200     57,245
    Romania(3)                     77,508     79,424     29,999     35,922
    Slovak Republic (TV MARKIZA)   44,565     41,924     21,268     18,521
    Slovenia (POP TV and KANAL A)  22,305     25,338      8,057     10,523
    Ukraine (STUDIO 1+1)           23,212     44,965    (21,628)    12,207
    Ukraine (KINO, CITI)(4)           794        375       (257)      (569)
    Total Segment Data           $291,500   $300,552    $93,589   $129,767

    Reconciliation to Consolidated
     Statement of Operations:
    Consolidated Net Revenues /
     (Loss) / income before
     provision for income taxes,
     minority interest, equity in
     income of unconsolidated
     affiliates and discontinued
     operations                  $291,500   $300,552  $(306,681)   $83,883
    Corporate operating costs
     (including non-cash
     stock-based compensation of
     $0.6 million and $1.6
     million in 2008 and 2007,
     respectively)                     -           -     14,057     12,760
    Impairment charge                  -           -    336,752          -
    Depreciation of station assets     -           -     12,631      9,755
    Amortization of broadcast
     licenses and other intangibles    -           -      9,319      8,057
    Interest expense, net              -           -     16,263     10,866
    Foreign currency exchange
     loss, net                         -           -     32,291      5,884
    Change in fair value of
     derivatives                       -           -    (20,031)     7,200
    Other income                       -           -     (1,012)    (8,638)
    Total Segment Data          $291,500    $300,552    $93,589   $129,767

    (1) All net revenues are derived from external customers.  There are no
    inter-segmental revenues.
    (2) Czech Republic networks are TV NOVA, NOVA SPORT and NOVA CINEMA,
    which was launched in December 2007.
    (3) Romanian networks are PRO TV, PRO CINEMA, ACASA, PRO TV INTERNATIONAL,
    SPORT.RO and MTV.
    (4) We acquired our Ukraine (KINO, CITI) operations in January 2006 and
    ceased operating the CITI channel in January 2009.

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