The Walt Disney Company Reports First Quarter Earnings for Fiscal 2021

BURBANK, Calif. — The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS) today reported earnings for its first fiscal quarter ended January 2, 2021. Diluted earnings per share (EPS) from continuing operations for the quarter decreased 98% to $0.02 from $1.17 in the prior-year quarter. Excluding certain items,⁽¹⁾ diluted EPS for the quarter decreased 79% to $0.32 from $1.53 in the prior-year quarter. Results in the quarter ended January 2, 2021 were adversely impacted by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). The most significant impact was at the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment where since late in the second quarter of fiscal 2020, our parks and resorts have been closed or operating at significantly reduced capacity and our cruise ship sailings have been suspended.

“We believe the strategic actions we’re taking to transform our Company will fuel our growth and enhance shareholder value, as demonstrated by the incredible strides we’ve made in our DTC business, reaching more than 146 million total paid subscriptions across our streaming services at the end of the quarter,” said Bob Chapek, Chief Executive Officer, The Walt Disney Company. “We’re confident that, with our robust pipeline of exceptional, high-quality content and the upcoming launch of our new Star-branded international general entertainment offering, we are well-positioned to achieve even greater success going forward.”

The following table summarizes the first quarter results for fiscal 2021 and 2020 (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):

Since late in the second quarter of fiscal 2020 and continuing into fiscal 2021, COVID-19 and measures to prevent its spread have impacted our segments in a number of ways, most significantly at Disney Parks, Experiences and Products. In the current quarter, our theme parks were closed or operating at significantly reduced capacity and cruise ship sailings and guided tours were suspended. In addition, we have delayed, or in some cases, shortened or canceled, theatrical releases, and stage play performances have been suspended. We have experienced disruptions in the production and availability of content, including the cancellation or shift of key live sports programming from fiscal 2020 into fiscal 2021, as well as the suspension of production of most film and television content. Although most film and television production resumed beginning in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, we continue to see disruption of film and television production depending on local circumstances. We have incurred, and will continue to incur, additional costs to address government regulations and implement safety measures for our employees, talent and guests. The timing, duration and extent of these costs will depend on the timing and scope of our operations as they resume. We currently estimate these costs may total approximately $1 billion in fiscal 2021. Some of these costs may be capitalized and amortized over future periods.

The most significant impact on operating income in the current quarter from COVID-19 was an estimated detriment of approximately $2.6 billion at the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment due to revenue lost as a result of the closures and reduced operating capacities. The impacts of COVID-19 on our Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution segment were less significant. Higher sports programming costs reflecting the shift of key sporting events from prior quarters to the current quarter were largely offset by higher advertising revenue related to broadcast of the events. Lower revenues due to the deferral or cancellation of significant film releases as a result of theater closures were largely offset by the related reduction in film cost amortization, marketing and distribution costs.

The following table summarizes the first quarter segment revenue and segment operating income for fiscal 2021 and 2020 (in millions):

Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution

Revenue and operating results for the Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution segment are as follows (in millions):

Linear Networks

Linear Networks revenues for the quarter increased 2% to $7.7 billion, and operating income decreased 4% to $1.7 billion. The following table provides further detail of the Linear Networks results (in millions):

Domestic Channels

Domestic Channels revenues for the quarter increased 1% to $6.1 billion and operating income decreased 7% to $1.1 billion. The decrease in operating income was due to lower results at our cable business, partially offset by an increase at our broadcasting business.

The decrease at cable was due to higher programming and production costs and lower advertising revenue, partially offset by affiliate revenue growth. The increase in programming and production costs was due to the timing of the College Football Playoffs (CFP) relative to our fiscal periods and higher NBA programming costs. The current quarter included six CFP bowl games compared to three in the prior-year quarter. As a result of delays due to COVID-19, four NBA Finals games were played in the current quarter, whereas these games would have normally occurred in the third quarter of the prior year. Lower advertising revenue was due to lower average viewership, partially offset by an increase in rates. Affiliate revenue growth was due to an increase in contractual rates, partially offset by fewer subscribers.

The increase at broadcasting was due to higher political advertising revenue at the owned television stations, partially offset by a decrease at the ABC Television Network. The decrease at the Network was due to lower advertising revenue and higher marketing costs, partially offset by affiliate revenue growth. The decrease in advertising revenue was due to lower impressions, reflecting lower average viewership, and lower rates, partially offset by a benefit from airing New Year’s Rockin’ Eve in the current quarter, whereas in the prior fiscal year it aired in the second quarter. Affiliate revenue growth was due to an increase in contractual rates.

International Channels

International Channels revenues for the quarter increased 5% to $1.6 billion and operating income decreased 3% to $375 million. The decrease in operating income was due to higher programming and production costs and lower affiliate revenue, partially offset by advertising revenue growth and a reduction in non-programming costs. Higher programming and production costs and advertising revenue reflected a shift in the timing of Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket matches from the third quarter of fiscal 2020 to the first quarter of fiscal 2021 as a result of COVID-19. IPL cricket matches generally occur during our third fiscal quarter. The decrease in affiliate revenue was primarily due to channel closures.

Equity in the Income of Investees

Income from equity investees increased $20 million, to $234 million from $214 million, driven by higher income from A+E Television Networks due to higher program sales, partially offset by lower advertising revenue.

Direct-to-Consumer

Direct-to-Consumer revenues for the quarter increased 73% to $3.5 billion and operating loss decreased from $1.1 billion to $466 million. The decrease in operating loss was due to improved results at Hulu, and to a lesser extent, at Disney+ and ESPN+.

The increase at Hulu was due to subscriber growth and increased advertising revenues driven by higher impressions, partially offset by an increase in programming and production costs due to higher subscriber-based fees for programming the live television service.

The improvement at Disney+ was driven by an increase in subscribers, partially offset by higher programming and production cost amortization and increased marketing and technology costs. The increases in subscribers and costs reflected the ongoing expansion of Disney+ including launching in additional markets. The current quarter included three months of Disney+ operations whereas the prior-year quarter included two months.

Higher results at ESPN+ were driven by subscriber growth, partially offset by higher sports programming costs.

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

The following table presents the average monthly revenue per paid subscriber⁽²⁾ for the quarter ended:

The average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for Disney+ decreased from $5.56 to $4.03 due to the launch of Disney+ Hotstar.

The average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for ESPN+ increased from $4.44 to $4.48 due to an increase in retail pricing, partially offset by a higher mix of subscribers to the bundled offering available in the U.S.

The average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for the Hulu SVOD Only service increased from $13.15 to $13.51 due to higher per-subscriber advertising revenue, a lower mix of wholesale subscribers and an increase in per-subscriber premium and feature add-on revenue. These increases were partially offset by a higher mix of subscribers to the bundled offering. The average monthly revenue per paid subscriber for the Hulu Live TV + SVOD service increased from $59.47 to $75.11 due to increases in retail pricing, higher per-subscriber advertising revenue and an increase in per-subscriber premium and feature add-on revenue. These increases were partially offset by a higher mix of subscribers to the bundled offering.

Content Sales/Licensing and Other

Content Sales/Licensing and Other revenues for the quarter decreased 56% to $1.7 billion and segment operating income decreased 76% to $188 million. The decrease in operating income was due to lower theatrical, TV/SVOD distribution and home entertainment results.

Theatrical distribution was lower as there were no significant worldwide theatrical releases in the current quarter compared to Frozen II, which was released in the prior-year quarter. The current quarter was negatively impacted by COVID-19 as many theaters globally were either closed or operating at reduced capacity.

Lower TV/SVOD distribution results were driven by the shift from licensing our content to third parties to distribution on our direct-to-consumer services.

The decrease in home entertainment results was due to lower unit sales, partially offset by lower marketing costs. The prior-year quarter reflected the performance of Toy Story 4, The Lion King and Aladdin compared to no significant titles in the current quarter.

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products

Disney Parks, Experiences and Products revenues for the quarter decreased 53% to $3.6 billion, and segment operating results decreased $2.6 billion to a loss of $119 million. Lower operating results for the quarter were due to decreases at both the domestic and international parks and experiences businesses.

As a result of COVID-19, Disneyland Resort was closed and our cruise business was suspended in the current quarter. Disneyland Paris closed on October 30, 2020 and Hong Kong Disneyland Resort closed on December 2, 2020. Walt Disney World Resort and Shanghai Disney Resort were open in the current quarter. Our parks and resorts that were open during the quarter operated at significantly reduced capacities.

At our consumer products business, operating income growth was driven by an increase in games licensing revenue reflecting the release of Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales.

We estimate the total net adverse impact of COVID-19 on segment operating income in the quarter was approximately $2.6 billion.

The following table presents supplemental revenue and operating income (loss) detail for the Disney Parks, Experiences and Products segment:

OTHER FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Restructuring and Impairment Charges

During the current and prior-year quarters, the Company recorded charges totaling $113 million and $150 million, respectively. The current quarter charges were due to severance. The charges in the prior-year quarter were due to severance in connection with the acquisition and integration of TFCF.

Interest Expense, net

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

The increase in interest expense was due to higher average debt balances, partially offset by lower average interest rates.

Interest income, investment income and other was comparable to the prior-year quarter as higher pension and postretirement benefit costs, other than service cost were offset by higher investment gains.

Equity in the Income of Investees

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

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate was as follows:

The increase in the effective income tax rate was due to higher foreign losses for which we are unable to recognize a tax benefit, partially offset by higher excess tax benefits on employee share-based awards. An excess tax benefit arises when the value of an employee share-based award on the exercise or vesting date is higher than the fair value on the grant date.

Noncontrolling Interests

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

The decrease in net income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests was due to lower operating results at ESPN.

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):

Cash provided by operations for fiscal 2021 decreased by $1.6 billion from $1.6 billion in the prior year to $0.1 billion in the current year. The decrease in cash provided by operations was due to lower segment operating results, partially offset by lower spending for licensed and produced film and television content.

Capital Expenditures and Depreciation Expense

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

Capital expenditures decreased from $1.3 billion to $0.8 billion driven by the temporary suspension of certain capital projects as a result of COVID-19.

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, 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 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 on page 2.

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

The Company uses diluted EPS excluding (1) certain items affecting comparability of results from period to period and (2) amortization of TFCF and Hulu intangible assets, including purchase accounting step-up adjustments for released content, to facilitate the evaluation of the performance of the Company’s operations exclusive of these items, and these adjustments reflect how senior management is evaluating segment performance.

The Company believes that providing diluted EPS exclusive of certain items impacting comparability is useful to investors, particularly where the impact of the excluded items is significant in relation to reported earnings and 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.

The Company further believes that providing diluted EPS exclusive of amortization of TFCF and Hulu intangible assets associated with the acquisition in 2019 is useful to investors because TFCF and Hulu acquisition was considerably larger than the Company’s historic acquisitions with a significantly greater acquisition accounting impact.

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

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

In conjunction with this release, The Walt Disney Company will host a conference call today, February 11, 2021, 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 and information in this communication may be deemed to be “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Federal Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements such as expected or estimated costs, the future impact of COVID-19 on our businesses, business positioning, expected growth, the future of our business or Company 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, new or expanded business lines or cessation of certain operations) or other business decisions, as well as from developments beyond the Company’s control, including:

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

each such risk includes the current and future impacts of, and is amplified by, COVID-19 and related mitigation efforts.

Such developments may further affect entertainment, travel and leisure businesses generally and may, among other things, affect (or further affect, as applicable):

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

Additional factors are set forth in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended October 3, 2020 under Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis,” Item 1, “Business,” and subsequent reports, including, among others, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.

The terms “Company,” “we,” and “our” are used in this report to refer collectively to the parent company and the subsidiaries through which our various businesses are actually conducted.