WWE releases 2020 first quarter financial report

Results by Operating Segment

Media

Revenues increased 90% to $256.6 million from $135.4 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to the escalation of domestic rights fees for the Company’s flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown, and the favorable timing of the Company’s large-scale international event, Super ShowDown, as reflected in Other media revenues.

WWE Network’s average paid subscribers decreased 8% to approximately 1.46 million, consistent with the Company’s guidance.

Operating income increased by $73.0 million to $89.3 million as the growth in revenue was partially offset by increased fixed costs, particularly to support the creation of content.

Adjusted OIBDA increased to $102.6 million as compared to $28.5 million in the prior year quarter.

Key Highlights: During the quarter, WWE continued to produce high-quality flagship programming, secured content distribution agreements in key international markets, and leveraged platforms and partners to expand reach. Monday Night Raw remained the highest-rated program on USA Network and Friday Night SmackDown viewership on FOX broadcast increased by 16% over the prior year period.¹⁰ The Company completed multi-year distribution agreements with Sony Pictures Networks in India and DAZN in Germany, extending the reach of WWE content among television and digital platforms. The Company continued to develop new original programs across platforms, partnering with Netflix to launch a feature film, The Main Event, and scripted series, The Big Show Show, which both ranked among Netflix’s top 10 most viewed programs during their premiere week in the second week of April. The Company also completed its second season of Miz & Mrs. on USA Network, premiered the fifth season of Total Bellas (April 2020), and expanded the reach of its content with sports partners. These sports partnerships included an expansion of its relationship with Fox Sports to offer 22 hours of content on Tuesday nights, beginning with a re-airing of Royal Rumble 2020 (March 31), and a collaboration with ESPN to air historic WrestleMania events on Sundays (March 22 – April 5). On WWE Network, the Company continued to provide compelling content to fans, airing historic pay-per-view events, headlined by its first-ever, two-night (April 4-5) marquee annual event, WrestleMania, and its Saudi Arabia event, Super ShowDown, as well as granting free access of its library content to global fans for a limited time.

Live Events

Revenues declined to $17.5 million from $26.2 million in the prior year quarter primarily due to a decrease in ticket revenue from events in North America. This reduction in ticket revenue was driven by the staging of 49 fewer events, resulting from the Company’s efforts to optimize its touring schedule and, to a lesser extent, COVID-19 related impacts. Average attendance at these events increased 33% to approximately 6,320 while the average ticket price of $53.46 was essentially unchanged from the prior year quarter. There were no Raw or SmackDown events held in international markets during the quarter.

Operating income reflected a loss of $3.2 million as compared to a loss of $0.2 million in the prior year quarter, as the decrease in North America ticket sales (as described above) was partially offset by a reduction in event-related expenses.

Adjusted OIBDA reflected a loss of $2.6 million as compared to income of $0.8 million in the prior year quarter.

Key Highlights: During the quarter, WWE continued to stage successful, large-scale events globally, including Royal Rumble, which was performed before a capacity crowd of more than 42,000 fans at Minute Maid Park in Houston, and Super ShowDown in Saudi Arabia. Late in the quarter, WWE’s ability to stage action-packed events in front of arena audiences was impacted by both public health concerns associated with the COVID-19 outbreak and the related government mandates. This resulted in the cancellation, postponement, and relocation of the Company’s live events beginning in mid-March. Despite these challenges, WWE demonstrated its creativity in continuing to deliver compelling content to its global fanbase, including its flagship programs, Raw and SmackDown, and its marquee annual event, WrestleMania.

Consumer Products

Revenues declined to $16.9 million from $20.8 million in the prior year quarter reflecting lower product sales across the Company’s distribution platforms, including licensing agreements, live event venues and, to a lesser extent, at the Company’s e-commerce site, WWE Shop. Lower sales of merchandise at the Company’s live event venues was driven by the staging of fewer events (as described above).

Operating income was $2.9 million as compared to $5.0 million in the prior year quarter resulting from the decline in revenue.

Adjusted OIBDA was $3.8 million as compared to $6.0 million in the prior year quarter.

Key Highlights: During the quarter, WWE continued to support new product releases in key and emerging categories such as Food, Toy, and proprietary Title Belts, while driving growth in its mobile game portfolio. Expanding its channels of distribution, WWE and Unilever launched its Superstar Ice Cream Sandwiches at grocery accounts nationwide. WWE Shop continued to grow the collectibles business, releasing three unique replica titles resulting in more than 21% collectibles category revenue growth year over year, for the quarter. Additionally, mobile games WWE SuperCard and WWE Champions both saw greater than 10% revenue growth over the prior year quarter.

COVID-19 Actions and Business Outlook¹²

The spread of COVID-19 and related government mandates have impacted WWE’s business as the Company has been directed to cancel, postpone or relocate its live events beginning in mid-March. To-date, the company has been able to substantially offset the loss of ticket and merchandise sales at its live events by reducing its operating expenses across each area of business. These efforts were highlighted by the introduction of a new model for producing content.

The Company believes, however, that the potential impact of COVID-19 may not be limited to the sale of live event tickets and merchandise and the adverse impacts on other areas of operation are not known at this time. To mitigate the potential risks to its performance, the Company evaluated its operations and developed extensive contingency plans, which resulted in the implementation of various short-term cost reductions and cash flow improvement actions. These precautionary measures included reducing executive and board member compensation, decreasing operating expenses, cutting third party staffing, consulting and talent expenses, and a reduction of headcount by way of furlough. The decision to furlough rather than permanently reduce headcount reflects the fact that the Company currently believes the reduction will be temporary in nature. Notably, the Company’s reductions of employee compensation and headcount result in an estimated savings of $4 million per month.

To enhance WWE’s liquidity, management has deferred spending on the Company’s new headquarters, directly reducing 2020 capital expenditures by approximately $140 million. For 2020, the Company now estimates total capital expenditures of $40 – $50 million (as compared to previous guidance of $180 – $220 million). As additional precautionary measures, management has also temporarily suspended the repurchase of stock under its $500 million program and drew $200 million from its revolving credit facility after quarter-end. As such, management believes the Company will have sufficient liquidity, which currently totals approximately $500 million, to manage the challenges ahead.

The Company remains unable to quantify the potential impact of COVID-19 on its business, but the financial impact to the Company may be material. Accordingly, the Company previously withdrew its full year 2020 guidance and, based on sustained economic uncertainties, is not reinstating guidance at this time. Management continues to believe the Company’s growth prospects remain strong and that WWE is well positioned to take full advantage of the changing media landscape and increasing value of live sports rights over the longer term.

Notes

Non-GAAP Measures

The Company defines Adjusted OIBDA as operating income excluding depreciation and amortization, stock-based compensation expense, certain impairment charges and other non-recurring material items that otherwise would impact the comparability of results between periods. Adjusted OIBDA includes amortization and depreciation expenses directly related to the Company’s revenue generating activities, including content production asset amortization, depreciation and amortization of costs related to content delivery and technology assets utilized for the WWE Network, as well as amortization of right-of-use assets related to finance leases of equipment used to produce and broadcast our live events. The Company believes the presentation of Adjusted OIBDA is relevant and useful for investors because it allows them to view the Company’s segment performance in the same manner as the primary method used by management to evaluate segment performance and to make decisions regarding the allocation of resources. Additionally, the Company believes that Adjusted OIBDA is a primary measure used by media investors, analysts and peers for comparative purposes.

Adjusted OIBDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and may be different than similarly-titled non-GAAP financial measures used by other companies. WWE views operating income as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted OIBDA (and other non-GAAP measures such as Adjusted Operating Income, Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted EPS which are defined as the GAAP measures excluding certain nonrecurring, material items that impact the comparability between periods) should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, operating income, net income, EPS or other GAAP measures, such as operating cash flow, as an indicator of operating performance or liquidity.

The Company defines Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by operating activities less cash used for capital expenditures. WWE views net cash provided by operating activities as the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Although it is not a recognized measure of liquidity under U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow provides useful information regarding the amount of cash WWE’s continuing business generates after capital expenditures and is available for reinvesting in the business, debt service, and payment of dividends.

Additional Information

Additional business metrics are made available to investors on the corporate website – corporate.wwe.com/investors. Note: As previously announced WWE will host a conference call at 5:00 p.m. ET on April 23^rd to discuss the Company’s earnings results for the first quarter of 2020. All interested parties are welcome to listen to a live web cast that will be hosted through the Company’s website at corporate.wwe.com/investors. Participants can access the conference call by dialing 1-855-200-4993 (toll free) or 1-323-794-2092 from outside the U.S. (conference ID for both lines: 5927456). Please reserve a line 5-10 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call.

The earnings presentation referenced during the call will be made available on April 23, 2020 at corporate.wwe.com/investors. A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the conference call concludes, and can be accessed on the Company’s website.

About WWE

WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The Company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG, family-friendly programming can be seen in more than 800 million homes worldwide in 28 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 180 countries. The Company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo.

Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.

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

Forward-Looking Statements: This press 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, without limitation, risks relating to: the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our business, results of operations and financial condition; entering, maintaining and renewing major distribution agreements; a rapidly evolving media landscape; WWE Network (including the risk that we are unable to attract, retain and renew subscribers); our need to continue to develop creative and entertaining programs and events; the possibility of a decline in the popularity of our brand of sports entertainment; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent K. McMahon; possible adverse changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private sector initiatives; the highly competitive, rapidly changing and increasingly fragmented nature of the markets in which we operate and greater financial resources or marketplace presence of many of our competitors; uncertainties associated with international markets including possible disruptions and reputational risks; our difficulty or inability to promote and conduct our live events and/or other businesses if we do not comply with applicable regulations; our dependence on our intellectual property rights, our need to protect those rights, and the risks of our infringement of others’ intellectual property rights; the complexity of our rights agreements across distribution mechanisms and geographical areas; potential substantial liability in the event of accidents or injuries occurring during our physically demanding events including without limitation, claims alleging traumatic brain injury; large public events as well as travel to and from such events; our feature film business; our expansion into new or complementary businesses and/or strategic investments; our computer systems and online operations; privacy norms and regulations; a possible decline in general economic conditions and disruption in financial markets; our accounts receivable; our indebtedness including our convertible notes; litigation; our potential failure to meet market expectations for our financial performance, which could adversely affect our stock; Vincent K. McMahon exercises control over our affairs, and his interests may conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock; a substantial number of shares are eligible for sale by the McMahons and the sale, or the perception of possible sales, of those shares could lower our stock price; and the volatility of our Class A common stock. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends (including under our revolving credit facility), general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. Forward-looking statements made by the Company speak only as of the date made and are subject to change without any obligation on the part of the Company to update or revise them. Undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. For more information about risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.