The Walt Disney Company Reports First Quarter Earnings for Fiscal 2020

BURBANK, Calif.–The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today reported earnings for its first fiscal quarter ended December 28, 2019. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the quarter decreased 37% to $1.17 from $1.86 in the prior-year quarter. Excluding certain items affecting comparability⁽¹⁾, diluted EPS for the quarter decreased 17% to $1.53 from $1.84 in the prior-year quarter.

“We had a strong first quarter, highlighted by the launch of Disney+, which has exceeded even our greatest expectations,” said Robert A. Iger, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “Thanks to our incredible collection of brands, outstanding content from our creative engines and state-of-the-art technology, we believe our direct-to-consumer services, including Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu, position us well for continued growth in today’s dynamic media environment.”

Results for the current quarter reflect the consolidation of TFCF Corporation (TFCF) and Hulu LLC (Hulu), which the Company started consolidating on March 20, 2019.

The following table summarizes the first quarter results for fiscal 2020 and 2019 (in millions, except per share amounts):

SEGMENT RESULTS

The Company evaluates the performance of its operating segments based on segment operating income, and management uses total segment operating income as a measure of the performance of operating businesses separate from non-operating factors. The Company believes that information about total segment operating income assists investors by allowing them to evaluate changes in the operating results of the Company’s portfolio of businesses separate from non-operational factors that affect net income, thus providing separate insight into both operations and the other factors that affect reported results.

The following is a reconciliation of income from continuing operations before income taxes to total segment operating income (in millions):

The following table summarizes the first quarter segment revenue and total segment operating income for fiscal 2020 and 2019 (in millions):

Media Networks

Media Networks revenues for the quarter increased 24% to $7.4 billion, and segment operating income increased 23% to $1.6 billion. The following table provides further detail of the Media Networks results (in millions):

Cable Networks

Cable Networks revenues for the quarter increased 20% to $4.8 billion and operating income increased 16% to $862 million. Higher operating income was due to the consolidation of TFCF businesses (primarily the FX and National Geographic networks), partially offset by a decrease at ESPN.

The decrease at ESPN was due to an increase in programming and production costs and lower advertising revenue, partially offset by higher affiliate revenue. Higher programming and production costs were driven by rate increases for NFL, College Football Playoffs and other college sports programming as well as costs for the ACC Network, which launched in August 2019. The decrease in advertising revenue was due to lower average viewership. Affiliate revenue growth was due to an increase in contractual rates, partially offset by a decrease in subscribers. The decrease in subscribers was net of the impact of the ACC Network.

Broadcasting

Broadcasting revenues for the quarter increased 34% to $2.6 billion and operating income increased 41% to $575 million. The increase in operating income was due to the consolidation of TFCF, largely reflecting program sales, and a timing benefit from new accounting guidance, partially offset by lower results at our legacy operations.

At the beginning of fiscal 2020, the Company adopted new accounting guidance, which removes certain limitations on the capitalization of episodic television production costs. Compared to the previous accounting, programming and production expense will generally be lower in the first half of the fiscal year and higher in the second half of the fiscal year as the capitalized costs are amortized.

The decrease at our legacy operations was due to lower advertising revenue, a decrease in ABC Studios program sales and higher network programming and production costs, partially offset by an increase in affiliate revenue due to higher rates. Lower advertising revenue reflected decreases at the owned television stations and in average network viewership, partially offset by higher network rates. The decrease in ABC Studios program sales was driven by the comparison to the prior-year sale of The Punisher. Higher network programming and production costs were driven by a higher cost mix of programming in the current quarter compared to the prior-year quarter.

Equity in the Income of Investees

Equity in the income of investees increased from $179 million in the prior-year quarter to $193 million in the current quarter primarily due to higher income from A+E Television Networks driven by lower programming costs and higher advertising revenue.

Parks, Experiences and Products

Parks, Experiences and Products revenues for the quarter increased 8% to $7.4 billion, and segment operating income increased 9% to $2.3 billion. Operating income growth for the quarter was due to increases at merchandise licensing and domestic parks and resorts, partially offset by lower results at our international parks and resorts.

Higher merchandise licensing results were due to an increase in revenue from sales of merchandise based on Frozen, Star Wars and Toy Story, partially offset by lower sales of merchandise based on Mickey and Minnie.

Growth at our domestic parks and resorts was due to higher guest spending and, to a lesser extent, increased attendance, partially offset by higher costs. Guest spending growth was primarily due to higher average ticket prices and an increase in food, beverage and merchandise spending. Higher costs were due to new guest offerings, driven by Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, and the impact of wage increases for union employees.

The decrease in operating income at our international parks and resorts was due to lower results at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, partially offset by growth at Shanghai Disney Resort. Lower results at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort were due to decreases in attendance and occupied room nights reflecting the impact of recent events. At Shanghai Disney Resort, higher operating income was driven by an increase in attendance.

Studio Entertainment

Studio Entertainment revenues for the quarter increased from $1.8 billion to $3.8 billion and segment operating income increased from $309 million to $948 million. Higher operating income was due to increases in theatrical and TV/SVOD distribution results at our legacy operations, partially offset by a loss from the consolidation of the TFCF businesses.

The increase in theatrical distribution results was due to the performance of Frozen II and Star Wars: The Rise Of Skywalker in the current quarter compared to Ralph Breaks the Internet in the prior-year quarter. The prior-year quarter also included Mary Poppins Returns and The Nutcracker and the Four Realms and the current quarter included Maleficent: Mistress of Evil.

Growth in TV/SVOD distribution results was due to sales of content to Disney+, partially offset by a decrease in pay television sales to third parties.

Operating results at the TFCF businesses reflected income from TV/SVOD distribution, which was more than offset by a loss from theatrical distribution and general and administrative costs. TFCF theatrical releases in the current quarter included Spies in Disguise, Ford v. Ferrari and Terminator: Dark Fate.

Direct-to-Consumer & International

Direct-to-Consumer & International revenues for the quarter increased from $0.9 billion to $4.0 billion and segment operating loss increased from $136 million to $693 million. The increase in operating loss was due to costs associated with the launch of Disney+, the consolidation of Hulu and a higher loss at ESPN+. These increases were partially offset by a benefit from the inclusion of the TFCF businesses due to income at the international channels including Star.

The increase in operating loss at ESPN+ was primarily due to higher programming costs, primarily for Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) rights, and an increase in marketing spend, partially offset by subscriber revenue growth and UFC pay-per-view fees.

Commencing March 20, 2019, as a result of our acquisition of a controlling interest in Hulu, 100% of Hulu’s revenues and expenses are included in the Direct-to-Consumer & International segment. Prior to March 20, 2019, only the Company’s ownership share of Hulu results was included (as equity in the loss of investees).

The following table presents the number of paid subscribers⁽¹⁾ (in millions) for Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu:

The following table presents the average monthly revenue per paid subscriber ⁽³⁾ for these services:

The average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for ESPN+ decreased from $4.67 to $4.44 due to a shift in the mix of subscribers to our bundled offering. In November 2019, the Company began offering a bundled subscription package of Disney+, ESPN+ and Hulu. The bundled offering has a lower average retail price per service compared to the average retail price of each service on a standalone basis.

The average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for our Hulu SVOD Only service decreased from $14.49 to $13.15 driven by lower retail pricing and a shift in the mix of subscribers to our bundled offering. The average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for our Hulu Live TV + SVOD service increased from $52.31 to $59.47 due to higher retail pricing.

Eliminations

Revenue eliminations increased from $184 million to $1.7 billion and eliminations of segment operating income were $221 million in the current quarter compared to zero in the prior-year quarter. The eliminations of segment operating income in the current quarter were due to sales of Studio Entertainment content to Disney+ and sales of ABC Studios and Twentieth Century Fox Television content to Hulu and Disney+.

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Corporate and Unallocated Shared Expenses

Corporate and unallocated shared expenses increased $76 million from $161 million to $237 million for the quarter primarily due to higher compensation costs and the absence of a benefit from amortization of a deferred gain on a sale leaseback due to the adoption of new lease accounting guidance, partially offset by lower costs related to TFCF. The decrease in costs related to TFCF was due to lower acquisition-related professional fees, partially offset by the consolidation of TFCF.

Restructuring Charges

During the quarter, the Company recorded charges totaling $150 million, primarily for severance, in connection with the integration of TFCF. These charges are recorded in “Restructuring and impairment charges” in the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income.

Interest Expense, net

Interest expense, net was as follows (in millions):

The increase in interest expense was due to higher debt balances as a result of the TFCF acquisition.

The decrease in interest income, investment income and other was due to a lower benefit related to pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than service cost.

Equity in the Income of Investees

Equity in the income of investees was as follows (in millions):

The increase in equity income at Media Networks was primarily due to higher income from A+E Television Networks driven by lower programming costs and higher advertising revenue.

The decrease in equity losses at Direct-to-Consumer & International was due to the consolidation of Hulu and, to a lesser extent, the inclusion of income from TFCF’s equity investments.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was as follows:

The decrease in the effective income tax rate was due to higher tax benefits from the exercise and vesting of employee share-based awards. These tax benefits arise when the value of employee share-based awards on the exercise or vesting date is higher than the fair value on the grant date.

Noncontrolling Interests

Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests was as follows (in millions):

The increase in net income attributable to noncontrolling interests was primarily due to accretion of the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest in Hulu and growth at Shanghai Disney Resort. These increases were partially offset by lower operating results at Hong Kong Disneyland Resort and a higher loss from our direct-to-consumer sports business.

Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests is determined on income after royalties and management fees, financing costs and income taxes, as applicable.

Cash Flow

Cash provided by operations and free cash flow were as follows (in millions):

⁽¹⁾ Free cash flow is not a financial measure defined by GAAP. See the discussion below.

Cash provided by operations for the first quarter of fiscal 2020 decreased by $0.5 billion from $2.1 billion in the prior-year quarter to $1.6 billion in the current quarter. The decrease was due to higher film and television production spending, and interest and restructuring payments, partially offset by higher segment operating results. The increases in film and television production spending and segment operating results were driven by the consolidation of TFCF’s and Hulu’s operations.

Capital Expenditures and Depreciation Expense

Investments in parks, resorts and other property were as follows (in millions):

Capital expenditures increased from $1.2 billion to $1.3 billion driven by higher spending on technology to support our direct-to-consumer services and on corporate equipment, facilities and technology.

Depreciation expense was as follows (in millions):

NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES

This earnings release presents free cash flow, diluted EPS excluding the impact of certain items affecting comparability, and total segment operating income, all of which are important financial measures for the Company, but are not financial measures defined by GAAP.

These measures should be reviewed in conjunction with the relevant GAAP financial measures and are not presented as alternative measures of operating cash flow, diluted EPS or income from continuing operations before income taxes as determined in accordance with GAAP. Free cash flow, diluted EPS excluding certain items affecting comparability and total segment operating income as we have calculated them may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies. See further discussion of total segment operating income below.

Free cash flow – The Company uses free cash flow (cash provided by operations less investments in parks, resorts and other property), among other measures, to evaluate the ability of its operations to generate cash that is available for purposes other than capital expenditures. Management believes that information about free cash flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to service debt obligations, make strategic acquisitions and investments and pay dividends or repurchase shares.

The following table presents a summary of the Company’s consolidated cash flows (in millions):

The following table presents a reconciliation of the Company’s consolidated cash provided by operations to free cash flow (in millions):

Diluted EPS excluding certain items affecting comparability – The Company uses diluted EPS excluding certain items to evaluate the performance of the Company’s operations exclusive of certain items affecting comparability of results from period to period. The Company believes that information about diluted EPS exclusive of these items is useful to investors, particularly where the impact of the excluded items is significant in relation to reported earnings, because the measure allows for comparability between periods of the operating performance of the Company’s business and allows investors to evaluate the impact of these items separately from the impact of the operations of the business.

The following table reconciles reported diluted EPS from continuing operations to diluted EPS excluding certain items affecting comparability for the first quarter:

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

In conjunction with this release, The Walt Disney Company will host a conference call today, February 4, 2020, at 4:30 PM EST/1:30 PM PST via a live Webcast. To access the Webcast go to www.disney.com/investors. The discussion will be archived.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this earnings release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements such as expectations regarding our future growth and other statements that are not historical in nature. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made. Management does not undertake any obligation to update these statements.

Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from actions taken by the Company, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments, asset acquisitions or dispositions, integration initiatives and timing of synergy realization) or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including:

• changes in domestic and global economic conditions, competitive conditions and consumer preferences;
• adverse weather conditions or natural disasters;
• health concerns;
• international, regulatory, political, or military developments;
• technological developments; and
• labor markets and activities.

Such developments may affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect:

• the performance of the Company’s theatrical and home entertainment releases;
• the advertising market for broadcast and cable television programming;
• demand for our products and services;
• construction;
• expenses of providing medical and pension benefits;
• income tax expense;
• performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products; and
• achievement of anticipated benefits of the TFCF transaction.

Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 28, 2019 under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” Item 1, “Business,” and subsequent reports.

⁽¹⁾ Total may not equal the sum of the column due to rounding.