DECEMBER SKY NETWORK TELEVISION LIMITED

Transcription

1 DECEMBER SKY NETWORK TELEVISION LIMITED

2 CEO REPORT DEAR SHAREHOLDERS We are pleased to report that the SKY business has performed strongly in the six months to 31 December 2007 with net profit after tax increasing to $51.2 million, a 40% increase on the previous year s interim result. JOHN FELLET Chief Executive Officer

3 1 SUBSCRIBERS SKY has added 9,708 new subscribers to its pay television business over the six month period to give a total subscriber base of 720,919 at 31 December This compares to the 16,215 subscribers added in the comparative interim period. We attribute the decline in net gain to the impact of a shortened international rugby season during a world cup year. There was a similar impact on SKY s subscriber growth during the last Rugby World Cup (2003) with subscribers returning to SKY in the second half of that year. SKY gained 16,847 new digital subscribers whilst the UHF network lost 7,316 subscribers, most of whom have migrated to the digital platform. The 37,434 increase in subscribers for the 12 month period ended 31 December 2007 continues the growth trend that SKY has experienced since Gross churn is a measure of the number of subscribers who disconnect from SKY as a percentage of the total subscriber base. During the six month period, SKY s gross churn was 13.9% compared to 13.8% in the comparative period. This slight increase in churn reflects the impact of higher churn following the Rugby World Cup. SKY experienced a similar impact when the Rugby World Cup was held four years ago.

4 2 FINANCIAL RESULTS Revenue The business has performed strongly with total revenue increasing by $25.3 million to $328.7 million, an increase of 8.3% over the comparative period. Average Revenue per Subscriber per month ( ARPU ) has increased by 2.8% to $61.96 from $60.28 in the comparative period. In addition to the increase in ARPU, the increase in revenue is also due to a 5.5% increase in subscribers. Installation revenue decreased due to lower installation rates charged to customers. This 2007 interim result also includes the results from an improving Prime. SKY s revenue includes $14.3 million of advertising revenue from Prime compared to $11.7 million in the comparative period, an increase of 22%. Operating costs Total operating costs increased by 2.5% to $229.4 million. Programming costs increased by 0.5%, with the cost of new channels being offset by savings from a stronger NZ$ exchange rate and lower rugby programming costs due to fewer All Black test matches in a world cup year. The increase in subscriber management costs of $1.7 million (8.3%) is mainly related to the increase in subscriber numbers and also to additional decoder repair costs reflecting the increasing age of SKY s decoder base. Sales and marketing expenses have increased by 4.3% to $19.4 million. This small increase is mainly attributable to increased subscriber acquisition costs. The increase of $7.8 million in broadcasting and infrastructure costs is mainly due to a change in accounting treatment for the new Optus D1 satellite which is treated as an operating lease and is part of SKY s broadcasting and infrastructure costs. The old B1 satellite was previously accounted for as a finance lease and therefore its costs were included as part of the interest expense and depreciation. Operating lease costs were $12.3 million compared to $6.2 million in the prior period. In the prior period the D1 satellite operating lease costs were for three months compared with six months for the current period.

5 Depreciation costs have decreased by $6.4 million (14.4%) mainly due to the older, more expensive decoders now being fully depreciated for accounting purposes. Also, depreciation costs no longer include depreciation of the Optus B1 satellite which has been replaced with the Optus D1 satellite and which is now treated as an operating lease. Financial expense has reduced by $2.4 million (9.7%) due to lower interest payments as a result of a decrease in debt. Capital expenditure has increased by $12.5 million to $54.9 million from the comparative period due mainly to the costs of the broadcasting upgrade project of $20.5 million. These increases were offset by decreases in decoder costs that were high in the comparative period due to the purchase of a stock of MY SKY decoders and broadcast equipment costs related to the building of a second satellite uplink facility. PERIOD HIGHLIGHTS New Channels On 1 July 2007, a new sports channel SKY Sport Highlights was launched. The channel offers the top sporting action packed into two hours and is updated on a regular basis to keep the highlights package as current as possible. Also on 1 July 2007, SKY added a new movie channel to its digital line up. SKY Movies Greats plays alongside SKY Movies and SKY Movies 2. By adding an additional movie channel, SKY digital movie subscribers get a greater choice of films in all time slots. On 2 September 2007, SKY launched Crime & Investigation Network, a channel providing unique and exclusive content relating to crime programming including in-depth quality documentaries, docu-dramas and a broad range of true crime dramas. 3

6 4 On 1 October 2007, SKY launched Vibe, a pure entertainment channel exclusive to New Zealand, targeting a female audience that includes comedy series, compelling one-hour documentaries, high-concept reality shows, international hits and exclusive NZ premieres. In October 2007, SKY also re-launched CNBC, a dedicated business news channel that was welcomed back to the SKY platform by its very dedicated audience of viewers. Sports Rights During the period the International Olympic Committee (IOC) awarded Prime and SKY the New Zealand broadcast rights for the Vancouver 2010 and London 2012 Olympic games. Prime and SKY were selected as a result of their capacity to reach the broadest possible audience through a variety of broadcast platforms including free-to-air television, subscription television and digital media. SKY will significantly expand the free-to-air coverage of these Olympic Games from what has been historically provided by TVNZ, while also offering SKY subscribers dedicated coverage of specific events on separate dedicated 24 hour channels. Prime Television Prime s ratings continue to grow as a result of programming initiatives including the continued success of programmes such as Top Gear, America s Got Talent and Midsomer Murders, and with the summer launch of new series such as Don t Forget the Lyrics, Antiques Roadshow, Rick Stein s Mediterranean Escapes and Lisa Williams Life among the Dead. Prime s share of peak viewing has increased to an average for the six month period of 6.2% from 6.1% for the comparative six month period. Television Station Upgrade Work on the new high definition, digital television station continues according to plan and we are still on track for completion during the 2008 financial year. This has been a large project for SKY and I would like to acknowledge the significant commitment that has been made from senior managers in our IT and Broadcasting Departments in ensuring that the project delivers to our expectations. Dividends The Board of Directors has considered the performance of the business over the last six months and its prospects for the full year, and announced on 22 February that it will pay a fully imputed dividend of 7.0 cents per share, with the record date being 7 March A supplementary dividend of cents per share will also be paid to non-resident shareholders. This is an increase of 40% over the previous interim dividend. John Fellet Chief Executive Officer

7 INTERIM REPORT DECEMBER SKY NETWORK TELEVISION LIMITED FINANCIAL INFORMATION 5

8 Sky Network Television limited AS AT 31 DECEMBER 31 DEC DEC 2006 Total UHF, DBS and other subscribers Total number of households in New Zealand (1) 1,585,000 1,566,000 Subscribers UHF: Residential 46,411 58,161 Commercial Total UHF 47,030 58,847 Subscribers DBS (Satellite): Residential 542, ,174 Residential wholesale (2) 118, ,622 Commercial 7,796 7,406 Total DBS 668, ,202 Subscribers Other: (3) 5,462 4,436 Total subscribers 720, ,485 Percent of households within reach subscribing to the SKY network: Total UHF and DBS residential 44.6% 42.8% Gross churn rate (4) 13.9% 13.8% Average monthly revenue per residential subscriber: UHF DBS excluding wholesale DBS wholesale Total UHF and DBS excluding wholesale Total UHF and DBS including wholesale Notes 1 Based upon New Zealand Government census data as of March Includes subscribers receiving SKY packages via affiliate services, such as arrangements with TelstraClear and Telecom. 3 Includes subscribers to programmed music, via SKY s subsidiary company, Sky DMX Music Limited and DVD Unlimited. 4 Gross churn refers to the percentage of residential subscribers over a rolling 12 month period ended on the date shown who terminated their subscriptions, net of existing subscribers who transferred their service to new residences during the period. 6

9 interim report december 2007 IN NZD 000 NOTES 31 DEC DEC 2006 Revenue Residential satellite subscriptions 234, ,829 Other subscriptions 44,123 44,016 Installation 9,433 10,017 Advertising 33,877 31,437 Other income 6,664 6,082 Expenses 328, ,381 Programme rights 83,519 82,096 Programme operations 18,054 18,966 Subscriber management 22,148 20,458 Sales and marketing 19,439 18,631 Advertising 9,960 9,101 Broadcasting and infrastructure 5 29,681 21,854 Depreciation and amortisation 38,285 44,733 Corporate 8,314 7, , ,761 Operating profit 99,280 79,620 Financial (expense)/income Interest and other financial expense (21,434) (24,714) Realised exchange (loss)/gain (759) 214 Unrealised exchange loss (393) (525) (22,586) (25,025) Share of loss of equity accounted investee (90) Profit before tax 76,604 54,595 Income tax expense 25,402 18,103 Profit for the period 51,202 36,492 Earnings per share Basic and diluted earnings per share (cents)

10 Sky Network Television limited IN NZD 000 NOTES 31 DEC DEC jun 2007 (Audited) Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 23,682 24,902 16,602 Trade and other receivables 52,232 51,707 52,292 Programme rights 26,186 23,353 23,418 Derivative financial instruments Income tax receivable ,728 Non-current assets 103, ,743 94,404 Property, plant and equipment 228, , ,117 Other intangible assets 25,220 28,119 25,323 Investments in equity accounted investees Goodwill 1,422,115 1,422,115 1,422,115 Derivative financial instruments 15,943 5,600 13,547 Deferred tax assets 3,111 17,950 12,568 1,694,524 1,681,878 1,685,777 Total assets 1,797,620 1,782,621 1,780,181 Current liabilities Trade and other payables 7 114, , ,496 Derivative financial instruments 10,659 9,975 14,488 Provisions 305 Income tax payable 4,825 4,784 Non current liabilities 130, , ,984 Borrowings 304, , ,195 Derivative financial instruments 10,593 7,125 15,294 Provisions 607 1,638 1,177 Bonds 6 197, , , , , ,886 Total liabilities 643, , ,870 Equity Share capital 577, , ,403 Hedging reserve (1,350) (5,409) (8,457) Retained earnings 578, , ,365 Total equity attributable to equity holders of the company 1,154,162 1,096,455 1,115,311 Total equity and liabilities 1,797,620 1,782,621 1,780,181 8

11 interim report december 2007 SHARE HEDGING RETAINED TOTA L CAPITAL RESERVE EARNINGS EQUITY Balance at 1 July ,403 (8,457) 546,365 1,115,311 Profit for the period 51,202 51,202 Fair value gains net of tax 7,107 7,107 Total recognised income for the period 7,107 51,202 58,309 Dividend paid (19,458) (19,458) Supplementary dividends (2,121) (2,121) Foreign investor tax credits 2,121 2,121 Balance at 31 December ,403 (1,350) 578,109 1,154,162 FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED 31 DECEMBER 2006 (UNAUDITED) Balance at 1 July ,403 17, ,534 1,098,769 Profit for the period 36,492 36,492 Fair value losses net of tax (23,241) (23,241) Total recognised income for the period (23,241) 36,492 13,251 Dividend paid (15,565) (15,565) Supplementary dividends (1,698) (1,698) Foreign investor tax credits 1,698 1,698 Balance at 31 December ,403 (5,409) 524,461 1,096,455 FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2007 (AUDITED) Balance at 1 July ,403 17, ,534 1,098,769 Profit for the period 77,855 77,855 Fair value gains net of tax (26,289) (26,289) Total recognised income for the period (26,289) 77,855 51,566 Dividend paid (35,024) (35,024) Supplementary dividend (3,798) (3,798) Foreign investor tax credits 3,798 3,798 Balance at 30 June ,403 (8,457) 546,365 1,115,311 9

12 Sky Network Television limited IN NZD DEC DEC 2006 Cash flows from operating activities Cash was provided from: Customers 328, ,639 Interest received 708 1,719 Net GST received 3,686 3, , ,069 Cash was applied to: Suppliers and employees (162,709) (152,179) Related parties (25,047) (25,102) Interest paid (21,386) (23,861) Income tax paid (10,627) (7,458) (219,769) (208,600) Net cash from operating activities 113,471 96,469 Cash flows from investing activities Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment Acquisition of property, plant, equipment and intangibles (54,862) (42,379) Net cash used in investing activities (54,799) (42,329) Cash flows from financing activities Repayment of borrowings (30,000) (140,000) Proceeds from bond issue 163,140 Repayment of capital notes (68,450) Payment of bond issue costs (2,991) Payment of bank facility fees (13) (13) Payment of finance lease liabilities (6,055) Dividends paid (21,579) (17,263) Net cash used in financing activities (51,592) (71,632) Net INCREASE/(decrease) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 7,080 (17,492) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 16,602 42,394 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 23,682 24,902 10

13 interim report december 2007 IN NZD DEC DEC 2006 Reconciliation of operating cash flows with net profit Net profit 51,202 36,492 Plus/(Less) non-cash items: Depreciation and amortisation 38,285 44,733 Unrealised foreign exchange loss Movement in provision for doubtful debts 1, Amortisation of bond/capital notes issue costs Movement in deferred tax 6,112 (495) Other non-cash items (396) 1,624 Items classified as investing activities: Gain on disposal of assets (40) (45) Movement in working capital items: Increase in receivables (1,319) (4,792) Increase in payables 11,789 5,695 Increase in provision for tax 8,663 11,140 (Increase)/decrease in programme rights (2,768) 451 Net cash from operating activities 113,471 96,469 11

14 Sky Network Television limited 1 general INFORMATION Sky Network Television Limited ("SKY") is a company incorporated and domiciled in New Zealand. The address of its registered office is 10 Panorama Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland, New Zealand. The consolidated interim financial statements of the Group for the six months ended 31 December 2007 comprise SKY and its subsidiaries. The Optus D1 satellite was launched in October 2006 and commissioned in November The changeover from the previous Optus B1 satellite is covered by a new lease contract which is an operating lease. The previous Optus B1 satellite lease contract was classified as a finance lease under NZ IAS 17 "Leases". In October 2006 SKY raised $200 million by way of a new bond issue. The funds received were utilised to repay the capital notes ($105 million) due in October 2006, with the balance being utilised for repayment of a portion of the bank loan. SKY is a company registered under the Companies Act 1993 and is an issuer in terms of the Financial Reporting Act These consolidated interim financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Financial Reporting Act SKY operates as a provider of multi-channel, pay-per-view and free-to-air television services in New Zealand. 2 BASIS OF PREPARATION These consolidated interim financial statements of SKY are for the six months ended 31 December They have been prepared in accordance with New Zealand Equivalents to International Financial Reporting Standard ("NZ IFRS") NZ IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. They do not include all of the information required for full annual financial statements, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements of the Group as at and for the year ended 30 June Accounting policies applied in these consolidated interim financial statements comply with NZ IFRS and NZ IFRIC interpretations issued and effective or issued and early adopted as at the time of preparing these statements (February 2008) as applicable to SKY as a profit-oriented entity. SKY in complying with NZ IAS 34 is simultaneously in compliance with International Accounting Standard 34 (IAS 34). The NZ IFRS standards and NZ IFRIC interpretations that will be applicable as at 30 June 2008, including those that will be applicable on an optional basis, are not known with certainty at the time of preparing these condensed consolidated interim financial statements. The preparation of interim financial statements in accordance with NZ IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting requires management to make judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the application of policies and reported amounts of assets and liabilities, income and expenses. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and various other factors that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis of making the judgments about carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates. These financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention except for the revaluation of certain financial instruments (including derivative instruments). These consolidated interim financial statements were approved by the Board of Directors on 21 February

15 interim report december SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES The accounting policies applied by the Group in these consolidated interim financial statements are the same as those applied by the Group in its consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 30 June group STRUCTURE At 31 December 2007 SKY had the following subsidiaries: Sky DMX Music Limited Cricket Max Limited Media Finance Limited Sky Telecommunications (MR7) Limited On 21 December 2006 INL Holdings Limited was amalgamated into SKY and on 22 December 2006 INL Publishing was amalgamated into SKY. These amalgamations had no impact on the financial position and results of the Group. The following Australian subsidiaries of Independent Publishers Limited have been wound up and were deregistered on 27 February INL Investments (Australia) Limited INL Newspapers Limited INL Bendigo Pty Limited INL Wimmera Pty Limited The Independent Property Company Pty Limited INL Horshamprint Pty Limited Following the liquidation and deregistration of the Australian subsidiaries Independent Publishers Limited was amalgamated into SKY on 1 May operating LEASE COMMITMENTS SKY has entered into a contract with Optus to lease five transponders on the D1 satellite which was launched in October 2006 and commissioned in November The contract is for a period of 15 years from the time of commissioning with monthly payments in Australian Dollars. These payments are hedged in accordance with the Group s current hedging policy. This contract is accounted for as an operating lease. Non-cancellable operating lease payments, including Optus lease payments, are as follows: IN NZD DEC DEC jun 2007 (Audited) Year 1 26,187 26,202 26,026 Year 2 26,672 25,787 26,352 Year 3 26,562 26,108 26,490 Year 4 26,573 26,151 26,498 Year 5 26,114 25,997 25,431 Later than 5 years 227, , , , , ,786 13

16 Sky Network Television limited 5 operating LEASE COMMITMENTS (continued) In prior periods the lease commitments were stated on a net present value basis. The commitments shown above represent the gross payments due, with the comparatives restated on the same basis. During the six month period ended 31 December 2007, $12.3 million was recognised as an expense in the income statement in respect of the Optus operating lease (31 December 2006: $6.2 million; 30 June 2007: $18.8 million). Using hedge exchange rates for the hedged portion and a balance date rate of for the remaining portion (31 December 2006: ; 30 June 2007: ), the present value of the commitment equates to $213.4 million. (31 December 2006: $227.7 million; 30 June 2007: $210.9 million). 6 BOND ISSUE On 16th October 2006 SKY issued bonds for a value of $200 million which were fully subscribed. The funds were utilised for repayment of the capital notes maturing on 15 October 2006 and repayment of bank debt. Terms and conditions of outstanding bonds are as follows: 31 DEC DEC jun 2007 (Audited) Nominal interest rate 9.37% 8.34% 8.34% Date of maturity 16-Oct Oct Oct-16 in NZD 000 Carrying amount 197, , ,220 Face value 200, , ,000 The bonds are subject to a call option commencing on 16 October 2009 and each subsequent 16 October until 16 October 2015 whereby SKY has the right to redeem or repurchase all or some of the bonds on each anniversary of the issue date. The market yield of the bonds at 31 December 2007 was 10.47% (31 December 2006: 8.51%; 30 June %), The fair value of the bonds at 31 December 2007 was $191 million (31 December 2006: $201.2 million; 30 June 2007: $198.0 million). The difference between the carrying amount and fair value has not been recognised in the interim financial statements as the bonds are intended to be held until maturity. 14

17 interim report december related PARTY TRANSACTIONS The following transactions were carried out with related parties: IN NZD DEC DEC jun 2007 (Audited) Transactions included in the balance sheet Payable to related parties 3,194 3,814 2,655 Transactions included in the income statement The News Corporation Limited Programme, smartcard and broadcasting equipment and publishing 25,586 24,944 50,107 There were no loans to directors by the Group or associated parties at balance date. The gross remuneration of directors and key management personnel during the period was $5.4 million. (31 December 2006: $4.9 million) 8 DIVIDENDS On 22 February 2008 the Board of Directors announced that it will pay a fully imputed dividend of 7.0 cents per share with the record date being 7 March A supplementary dividend of cents per share will be paid to non-resident shareholders. 15

18 Sky Network Television limited To the shareholders of Sky Network Television Limited We have reviewed the interim condensed consolidated financial statements ( the financial statements ) on pages 7 to 15. The financial statements provide information about the past consolidated financial performance and consolidated cash flows of the Group for the period ended 31 December 2007 and its consolidated financial position as at that date. This information is stated in accordance with the accounting policies referred to on page 13. Directors responsibilities The Company s Directors are responsible for the preparation and presentation of the financial statements that present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2007 and its consolidated financial performance and consolidated cash flows for the period ended on that date. Accountants responsibilities We are responsible for reviewing the financial statements presented by the Directors in order to report to you whether, in our opinion and on the basis of the procedures performed by us, anything has come to our attention that would indicate that the financial statements do not present fairly the matters to which they relate. Basis of opinion A review is limited primarily to enquiries of company personnel and analytical review procedures applied to financial data and thus provides less assurance than an audit. We have not performed an audit on the financial statements and, accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion. We have reviewed the financial statements of the Group for the period ended 31 December 2007 in accordance with the Review Engagement Standards issued by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of New Zealand. We carry out other assignments for the Company in the area of assurance services. In addition, certain partners and employees of our firm may deal with the Company on normal terms within the ordinary course of trading activities of the Company. We have no other relationships with or interests in the Company. Review opinion Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the financial statements do not present fairly the consolidated financial position of the Group as at 31 December 2007 and its consolidated financial performance and consolidated cash flows for the period ended on that date in accordance with both International Accounting Standard 34 and New Zealand Equivalent to International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting. Our review was completed on 21 February 2008 and our review opinion is expressed as at that date. Chartered Accountants 16

19 Insight Creative. Auckland/Sydney. SKY023 02/08 REGISTRARS Shareholders should address questions relating to share certificates, or changes of address or any administrative questions to SKY s share registrar as follows: NEW ZEALAND ORDINARY SHARE REGISTRAR Computershare Investor Services Limited Level 2, 159 Hurstmere Road, Takapuna, Auckland, New Zealand Mailing address: Private Bag 92119, Auckland 1142, New Zealand Tel: ; Fax: enquiry@computershare.co.nz AUSTRALIAN BRANCH REGISTER Computershare Investor Services Pty Limited Level 3, 60 Carrington Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia Mailing address: G.P.O Box 7045, Sydney, NSW 2001, Australia Tel: ; Fax: sydney.services@computershare.com.au BONDHOLDER TRUSTEE The New Zealand Guardian Trust Company Limited Vero Centre, Level 7, 48 Shortland Street, Auckland, New Zealand Mailing address: P.O. Box 1934 Auckland, New Zealand Tel: ; Fax: web.corporatetrusts@nzgt.co.nz DIRECTORS Peter Macourt (Chairman) Robert Bryden (Deputy Chairman) John Fellet (Chief Executive) John Hart, ONZM Michael Miller Humphry Rolleston EXECUTIVES John Fellet: Director and Chief Executive Jason Hollingworth: Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary Kevin Cameron: Director of Sport Programming Greg Drummond: Director of Broadcast Operations Travis Dunbar: Director of Entertainment Programming Brian Green: Director of Engineering Charles Ingley: Director of Technology Richard Last: Director of Advertising Sales Tony O Brien: Director of Communications Mike Watson: Director of Marketing Martin Wrigley: Director of Operations NEW ZEALAND REGISTERED OFFICE 10 Panorama Road, Mt Wellington, Auckland Tel: ; Fax: Website: AUSTRALIAN REGISTERED OFFICE c/- Allens Arthur Robinson Corporate Advisory Pty Limited Level 4, Deutsche Bank Place Corner Hunter and Phillip Streets Sydney, NSW 2000; Tel: ; Fax: AUDITOR TO SKY PricewaterhouseCoopers PricewaterhouseCoopers Tower, 188 Quay Street, Auckland Tel: ; Fax: SOLICITORS TO SKY Buddle Findlay PricewaterhouseCoopers Tower, 188 Quay Street, Auckland Tel: ; Fax:

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