The WWE announced its 3rd quarter earnings this past Thursday in a conference call hosted by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and other WWE executives. Despite beating analysts expectations for Q3 earnings, net income for WWE fell to $10.6 million vs. $14.3 million in 2010.
The WWE announced that revenues totaled $108.5 million as opposed to $109.6 in 2010. A decline of 1%. Analysts expected adjusted net income of $0.15 per share. WWE announced its adjusted net income as $0.19 per share.
One of the bigger questions on the earnings call was the WWE Network announced to debut in 2012. Notably, there was no talk about the recent announcement that there would be a WWE channel on YouTube. So, it appears that the WWE will go forward with an over the air network in addition to its YouTube channel.
McMahon and other WWE executives were quite vague regarding the plans for the WWE Network. But here are some tidbits.
Via Seeking Alpha:
(McMahon) Capital expenditure is about $10 million to $15 million mostly in equipment and construction for our network. And we believe that, obviously we have finally turned the corner on where we are with our network, and we’ll soon be making a very big announcement as it relates to that.
So that we are generally speaking of where we are with the quarter this year. And notwithstanding that, again, we are taking advantage as we always do with all of our strategic opportunities as well as I’ve said before, including launch of the WWE Network, so with that we can achieve meaningful growth as far as that in other aspects of our company is concerned.
We expect our fourth quarter 2011 results will reflect $46 million in startup operating expense and $10 million to $15 million in capital expenditures for equipment and construction. This investment will provide space for additional staff and production equipment and allows for a redesign of enhanced interactive website to support a full range of network programs.
– McMahon indicated that the network would not partner with distributors. The network will be wholly owned by the WWE.
– WWE entered into a revolving credit agreement of $200 million based on favorable conditions in capital markets. Although the WWE indicated no plans to borrow at the time, it could utilize the agreement for the WWE network.
Other information:
– Q3 saw an impairment charge of $5.1 million coming from its film division
– PPV buys increased domestically by 3%, TV ratings were flat compared to Q2 and live attendance saw a 6% decline.
– Excluding the impact of the film impairments in the current quarter, Adjusted Operating income was $21.0 million as compared to $20.3 million in the prior year quarter. Adjusted Net income was $14.1 million, or $0.19 per share, as compared to $14.3 million, or $0.19 per share. (via WWE press release)
– Although the WWE announced a shift in its business strategy earlier this year. there are no threats of a takeover.
– Analysts actually take issue with the WWE’s creative team as it cites the lack of taking advantage of wrestler C.M. Punk’s anti-hero storyline. However, the return of The Rock to the WWE this quarter, it should help with ratings. McMahon addressed the fact that the WWE could address these “creative challenges”
WWE stock price was up to $10.70 but closed down slightly for the week at $10.58.
Great work Jason!
Very good information which we can use to see how both the UFC and WWE are both performing under the same economic conditions. Good stuff.
That is some great info. Very interesting.