Belo Reports Results for the Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2005

DALLAS, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Belo Corp. today reported net earnings per share for the fourth quarter and full-year 2005 of $0.36 and $1.12, respectively, compared with $0.46 and $1.13, respectively, for the fourth quarter and full-year 2004.

Fourth quarter 2004 earnings include a pre-tax severance charge of $2.1 million, which equates to $1.3 million on an after-tax basis or $0.01 per share. Full-year 2004 results include special items totaling $0.21 per share.

In the fourth quarter of 2005, had Belo expensed stock-based compensation, pro forma net earnings per share would have been $0.35 compared to the $0.36 reported today. Pro forma net earnings per share in the fourth quarter of 2004 would have been $0.45 compared to the reported net earnings per share of $0.46. The pro forma effect of expensing stock-based compensation would have been $0.06 per share for the full-year 2005 and $0.07 per share for full-year 2004. Effective January 1, 2006, the Company began expensing stock-based compensation in accordance with the new accounting rules.

2005 in Review

Robert W. Decherd, Belo's chairman, president, and chief executive officer, said, "Belo's financial performance in 2005 was solid, achieving record revenues for a non-political year. In the Newspaper Group, revenue momentum built during the year, with each quarter's advertising revenue exceeding the previous quarter. The Dallas Morning News finished the year with fourth quarter ad revenues up mid-single digits versus the prior year. The Morning News launched several new products in 2005 that are reaching targeted demographics and attracting new advertisers. Industry-leading ad revenue growth at The Providence Journal and The Press-Enterprise led to record revenue levels at both newspapers in 2005.

"Television Group local spot revenue, national spot revenue and total spot revenue excluding political accelerated in the second half of the year as compared to the first half. For full-year 2005, 12 of Belo's 19 television stations posted record revenues for a non-political year, with five of these stations achieving their highest revenues ever. When final market revenue audits are received for 2005, we expect to have maintained or increased our share of market television revenue in 10 of 15 Belo television markets, even with the absence of meaningful political spending.

"In 2005, we integrated the Web sites of Belo operating units into their legacy businesses, and interactive revenues hit record levels, growing almost 40 percent in 2005 versus 2004. Significant increases were noted in all major online categories including display, with classifieds leading the way, up 56 percent.

"Overall, Belo enters 2006 with significant operating momentum."

Effective with the fourth quarter of 2005, Belo combined the results of the Other segment, which primarily reflected the Company's cable news operations, into the Television Group. The name of the combined segment remains the "Television Group".

Consolidated

Belo's fourth quarter 2005 consolidated revenue decreased less than one percent to $411 million versus the fourth quarter of 2004, while full-year 2005 revenue increased 0.4 percent to $1.52 billion, as compared to full-year 2004. Political revenues were $25 million and $46 million less than the prior year for the fourth quarter and full-year of 2005, respectively, while lost revenue related to Hurricane Katrina, and to a lesser extent, Hurricane Rita, is estimated at $4.3 million for the fourth quarter and $7.2 million for the full year. Fourth quarter and full-year 2005 consolidated revenue include increases in circulation revenue associated with the change in distribution methods at The Dallas Morning News of $6.2 million and $11.4 million, respectively. Full-year 2004 revenue included a $20 million reduction in revenue associated with The Dallas Morning News' advertiser plan.

Consolidated EBITDA decreased 16 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005 and 2.5 percent for full-year 2005. Operating costs and expenses increased 5.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005, including an increase of $6.4 million in circulation expenses resulting from the change in distribution methods at The Dallas Morning News and an incremental $3.7 million to support the Company's advertising and promotion initiatives. Full-year operating costs and expenses increased only 2.7 percent, with most of the increase attributable to $14.3 million in circulation expenses at The Dallas Morning News, $9.0 million in planned incremental advertising and promotion initiatives, and $4.1 million in costs related to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Television Group

Television Group revenue decreased 6.6 percent in the fourth quarter, with an estimated $4.3 million in lost revenue at WWL-TV in New Orleans due to Hurricane Katrina. Local and national spot revenues increased 7.2 percent and 6.1 percent, respectively. Spot revenue excluding political increased 6.8 percent, while spot including political decreased 7.6 percent. Political revenues were $3.3 million in the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to $28.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2004. For the full-year 2005, Television Group revenues decreased 5.1 percent with a six percent decrease in spot revenue. Lost revenue related to the hurricanes is estimated at $7.2 million for the full year. Full-year 2005 political revenues were $7.3 million compared to $53 million for full-year 2004. Excluding political revenues, local and national spot revenues increased 0.5 percent and 1.4 percent, respectively. Advertising revenues from Belo's Television Group Web sites increased 22 percent in the fourth quarter and 31 percent for the full year.

Television Group operating expenses decreased 0.1 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005 versus last year with a decrease in segment EBITDA of 14 percent and a decrease in earnings from operations of 16 percent. For the full-year, the Television Group's operating expenses decreased 0.3 percent while segment EBITDA decreased 12 percent and earnings from operations decreased 14 percent.

Newspaper Group

Fourth quarter and full-year total revenue comparisons for the Newspaper Group were affected by increases in circulation revenue of $6.2 million and $11.4 million, respectively, resulting from the change in distribution methods at The Dallas Morning News. Advertising revenue comparisons were not affected by these items.

Newspaper Group total revenues increased 4.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005. Advertising revenues increased 4.2 percent compared to the fourth quarter of 2004 with a 4.4 percent increase at The Dallas Morning News, a 6.5 percent increase at The Providence Journal and a one percent increase at The Press-Enterprise. Advertising revenues associated with the Newspaper Group's Web sites increased 38 percent versus the fourth quarter of the prior year. For the full-year, Newspaper Group total revenue increased 5.6 percent with a 2.6 percent increase in advertising revenue and a 54 percent increase in Web site advertising revenue.

Retail revenue decreased four percent in the fourth quarter and general revenues were down 1.1 percent. Classified revenues increased 10 percent in the fourth quarter with a 19 percent increase in classified real estate revenue, a 13 percent increase in classified employment revenue and a decrease of less than one percent in classified automotive.

Newspaper Group operating expenses increased 10 percent versus the fourth quarter of 2004, including a $6.4 million increase in circulation expenses at The Dallas Morning News, $2.8 million related to advertising and promotion initiatives, primarily at The Dallas Morning News, and a 9.2 percent increase in newsprint expense. All other Newspaper Group operating costs increased about four percent in the fourth quarter. Fourth quarter Newspaper Group segment EBITDA and earnings from operations decreased 14 percent and 17 percent, respectively. For full-year 2005, operating costs and expenses at the Newspaper Group increased 4.9 percent including $14.3 million in incremental circulation expenses. Segment EBITDA for the Newspaper Group increased 5.4 percent for full-year 2005, with earnings from operations up 9.2 percent.

Corporate operating expenses increased 4.2 percent in the fourth quarter and 1.8 percent for 2005 as compared to the fourth quarter and full-year 2004.

Belo's total depreciation and amortization expense decreased 1.6 percent in the fourth quarter of 2005 and 2.3 percent for the full-year. Other income (expense), net, improved slightly in the fourth quarter, but was up significantly for the full-year 2005 due to the discontinuation in July 2004 of the cable news joint ventures with Time Warner in Charlotte, Houston and San Antonio.

Long-term debt at December 31, 2005, was $1.24 billion, up $75 million from December 31, 2004. Capital spending in the fourth quarter and full-year was $58 million and $87 million, respectively. The Company repurchased 3.3 million shares in the fourth quarter for a total of $73 million. For the full-year 2005, the Company repurchased 7.9 million shares, seven million shares more than stock options exercised. Interest expense increased $556,000, or 2.5 percent, in the fourth quarter. Belo's leverage ratio, as defined in the Company's bank agreement, was 3.1 times at December 31, 2005.

Circulation Update

At the December Media Week conferences, the Company noted that circulation for the six months ending March 31, 2006 at The Dallas Morning News should be approximately equal to March 2005, even with continued process re-engineering. The Company also noted then that it was assessing third-party barter circulation at all Belo newspapers, as well as same-day delivery of The Dallas Morning News to cities outside the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Effective April 1, 2006, third-party barter circulation will be eliminated from reported circulation figures at all Belo newspapers. Other third-party initiatives and bonus days may be undertaken by Belo newspapers subject to a Company guideline that will limit these activities to a benchmark of 3.5 percent of a newspaper's overall reported circulation. In addition, The Dallas Morning News will cease distribution to areas approximately 200 miles or more outside of the Dallas/Fort Worth DMA, with the exception of Austin, the capital city of Texas. Dallas Morning News readers in these outlying areas will be encouraged to migrate to DallasNews.com or other electronic versions of the paper, and The Dallas Morning News will be available to them by mail.

These decisions allow Belo's newspapers to focus on the home delivery and single copy circulation that matters most to advertisers. Advertisers have clearly stated that they are most interested in consumer-paid distribution. Moreover, Newspaper Group segment EBITDA will improve an estimated $5 to $6 million from April through December 2006 due to related cost savings, most of which were built into the Company's projections for 2006. On an annualized basis, the projected cost savings are $7 to $8 million.

At The Dallas Morning News, elimination of outlying and third-party barter circulation and the 3.5 percent Company benchmark for other third-party and bonus days circulation will reduce reported circulation by approximately 7.5 percent daily and 6.5 percent Sunday for the September 2006 reporting period. Approximately 15,000 daily and 17,000 Sunday papers delivered to outlying areas and 18,000 daily and 24,000 Sunday papers distributed through third- party arrangements will be eliminated. The March 2007 reporting period will also be affected by these changes.

The Providence Journal, which began reducing third-party barter circulation during the current reporting period, will show a decrease in third-party barter circulation of two percent Sunday (approximately 5,000 papers) for the March 2006 reporting period. The September 2006 reporting period will fully reflect the impact of the changes, resulting in a decrease of about 700 papers daily, or less than one percent, and 11,000 papers Sunday, or approximately five percent. The March 2007 period will reflect the remaining incremental impact for March circulation reporting periods. The Journal's total circulation for the March 2006 period is expected to decline about three percent daily and six percent Sunday. The additional declines are related to the newspaper's decision to reduce Newspaper in Education (NIE) sponsored programs and softer-than-anticipated single copy sales.

Circulation at The Press-Enterprise is not expected to be affected by the announced changes in third-party arrangements. Total reported circulation at The Press-Enterprise for the March 2006 period is expected to decrease about one percent daily and increase about two percent Sunday.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

A reconciliation of Consolidated EBITDA to net earnings is set forth in an exhibit to this release.

First Quarter 2006 Outlook

Regarding Belo's outlook for the first quarter of 2006, Decherd said, "Belo's Television Group spot revenues increased about four percent in January versus the prior year. Excluding WWL-TV in New Orleans, spot revenues would have been up 5.6 percent. Including WWL, the Television Group's spot revenues are pacing up high-teens in February due in part to incremental revenue from the Super Bowl and the Winter Olympics. For the first quarter overall, we currently expect Television Group spot revenue to increase in the mid-to-high single digits. Excluding WWL, we would expect first quarter spot revenues to increase high-single digits. In addition, we expect revenues associated with the Television Group's Web sites to increase from $2.3 million in the first quarter of 2005 to approximately $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2006.

"We are encouraged by pacings within the Newspaper Group and expect solid revenue growth for the first quarter. We currently expect ad revenue for the Newspaper Group to increase in the mid-to-high single digits, with increases of approximately five percent in January, mid-to-high single digits in February and high-single digits in March.

"As we noted at the December Media Week conferences, first quarter results will be affected by the recording of circulation revenues and expenses related to the change in distribution methods at The Dallas Morning News, the timing of expenses versus last year, and expenses related to new products. The increase in circulation expenses at The Morning News will affect expenses throughout 2006, with the greatest effect in the first and second quarters. First quarter operating costs include approximately $7 million in incremental distribution expenses.

"The first quarter will also include almost $3 million in incremental stock-based compensation that we began expensing in January 2006 in accordance with the new accounting rules. Advertising and promotion spending that began in the third quarter of 2005 will be spent more evenly throughout the year in 2006, increasing this expense in the first quarter relative to 2005. New products at The Dallas Morning News launched in the third quarter of 2005 will result in higher expenses in the first quarter of 2006 relative to 2005, including personnel costs and consumption of newsprint, ink and supplies.

"Excluding these expenses, consolidated operating costs and expenses are expected to increase low-to-mid single digits, even with significantly higher energy and medical insurance costs. On a reported basis, operating costs and expenses are expected to increase in the low-double digits for the first quarter. As we stated in December, full-year 2006 expenses should increase mid-to-high single digits on a reported basis and mid-single digits excluding the incremental circulation expenses."

Belo plans to issue a press release providing greater detail about first quarter projections, including an estimate of first quarter earnings per share, in late February. The Company will also continue to provide information on operating trends in its monthly statistical reports.

A conference call to discuss this earnings release and other matters of interest to shareholders and analysts will follow at 1:00 p.m. CST this afternoon. The conference call will be simultaneously Webcast on the Company's Web site (http://www.belo.com/invest). Following the conclusion of the Webcast, a replay of the conference call will be archived on Belo's Web site. To access the listen-only conference lines, dial 1-800-288-8968. A replay line will be open from 4:30 p.m. CST on February 9 until 11:30 p.m. CST on February 16. To access the replay, dial 800-475-6701 or 320-365-3844. The access code for the replay is 816277.

About Belo

Belo Corp. is one of the nation's largest media companies with a diversified group of market-leading television, newspaper, cable and interactive media assets. A Fortune 1000 company with 7,700 employees and $1.5 billion in annual revenues, Belo operates in some of America's most dynamic markets in Texas, the Northwest, the Southwest, Rhode Island, and the Mid- Atlantic. Belo owns 19 television stations, six of which are in the 15 largest U.S. broadcast markets. The Company also owns or operates seven cable news channels and manages one television station through a local marketing agreement. Belo's daily newspapers are The Dallas Morning News, The Providence Journal, The Press-Enterprise (Riverside, CA) and the Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, TX). The Company also publishes specialty publications targeting young adults, and the fast-growing Hispanic market, including Quick and Al Dia in Dallas/Fort Worth, and El D and La Prensa in Riverside. Belo operates more than 30 Web sites associated with its operating companies. Additional information is available at http://www.belo.com/ or by contacting Carey Hendrickson, vice president/Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, at 214-977-6626.

Statements in this communication concerning Belo's business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated profitability, revenues, expenses, capital expenditures, investments, future financings or other financial and non-financial items that are not historical facts, are "forward-looking statements" as the term is defined under applicable federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those statements.

Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to, changes in capital market conditions and prospects, and other factors such as changes in advertising demand, interest rates and newsprint prices; newspaper circulation matters, including changes in readership, and audits and related actions (including the censure of The Dallas Morning News) by the Audit Bureau of Circulations; technological changes, including the transition to digital television and the development of new systems to distribute television and other audio-visual content; development of Internet commerce; industry cycles; changes in pricing or other actions by competitors and suppliers; regulatory changes; adoption of new accounting standards or changes in existing accounting standards by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other accounting standard-setting bodies or authorities; the effects of Company acquisitions and dispositions; the recovery of the New Orleans market from the effects of Hurricane Katrina; general economic conditions; and significant armed conflict, as well as other risks detailed in Belo's other public disclosures, and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") including the Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Belo Corp. Guidance as of 2/9/06 Item Guidance FIRST QUARTER 2006 Newspaper Group Newspaper Group advertising revenue Expected to increase in the mid-to-high single digits Television Group Television Group spot revenue Expected to increase in the mid-to-high single digits Other Items Incremental circulation expense Expected to be about $7 million Incremental stock-based compensation Expected to be almost $3 million Total operating costs and expenses Expected to increase low-double digits FULL-YEAR 2006 Total operating costs and expenses Expected to increase mid-to-high single digits Consolidated Statements of Earnings BELO Three months ended Twelve months ended December 31, December 31, In thousands, except per share amounts (unaudited) 2005 2004 2005 2004 Net Operating Revenues $410,749 $414,102 $1,521,234 $1,515,752 Operating Costs and Expenses Salaries, wages and employee benefits 135,242 138,280 544,806 556,376 Other production, distribution and operating costs 125,275 107,088 441,680 401,759 Newsprint, ink and other supplies 38,804 35,710 142,911 137,283 Depreciation 21,653 22,019 87,511 89,674 Amortization 2,087 2,119 8,380 8,476 Total operating costs and expenses 323,061 305,216 1,225,288 1,193,568 - - - - Earnings from operations 87,688 108,886 295,946 322,184 Other income and expense Interest expense (22,956) (22,400) (91,004) (90,164) Other income (expense), net (1) 653 411 2,018 (16,219) Total other income and expense (22,303) (21,989) (88,986) (106,383) - - - - Earnings Earnings before income taxes 65,385 86,897 206,960 215,801 Income taxes 25,459 33,403 79,272 83,305 Net earnings $39,926 $53,494 $127,688 $132,496 - - - - Net earnings per share Basic $.37 $.47 $1.14 $1.15 Diluted $.36 $.46 $1.12 $1.13 Average shares outstanding Basic 109,204 114,754 112,104 115,036 Diluted 110,208 116,541 113,552 117,272 Cash dividends declared per share $.10 $.10 $.40 $.385 Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Note 1: Other income (expense), net consists primarily of equity earnings (losses) from partnerships and joint ventures and other non-operating income (expense). Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets BELO December 31, December 31, In thousands 2005 2004 Assets Current assets Cash and temporary cash investments $33,243 $28,610 Accounts receivable, net 262,240 245,078 Other current assets 60,794 68,805 Total current assets 356,277 342,493 Property, plant and equipment, net 534,112 536,321 Intangible assets, net 2,582,566 2,597,026 Other assets 116,258 112,160 Total assets $3,589,213 $3,588,000 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities Accounts payable $91,210 $75,860 Accrued expenses 97,142 100,686 Other current liabilities 59,077 62,065 Total current liabilities 247,429 238,611 Long-term debt 1,244,875 1,170,150 Deferred income taxes 445,730 451,658 Other liabilities 117,698 97,929 Total shareholders' equity 1,533,481 1,629,652 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $3,589,213 $3,588,000 - - Note: Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Industry Segment Information BELO In thousands (unaudited) Three months ended December 31, 2005 Operating Earnings Depreciation Net Operating Costs and (Loss) from and EBITDA (1) Revenues Expenses Operations Amortization Television Group $ 80,810 $ 191,638 $ 121,904 $69,734 $ 11,076 Newspaper Group 46,071 219,111 183,728 35,383 10,688 Corporate (15,453) - 17,429 (17,429) 1,976 $ 410,749 $ 323,061 $ 87,688 $ 23,740 Three months ended December 31, 2004 Operating Earnings Depreciation Net Operating Costs and (Loss) from and EBITDA (1) Revenues Expenses Operations Amortization Television Group $94,046 $205,219 $122,048 $83,171 $10,875 Newspaper Group 53,711 208,883 166,445 42,438 11,273 Corporate (14,733) - 16,723 (16,723) 1,990 $414,102 $305,216 $108,886 $24,138 Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Note 1: Belo's management uses segment EBITDA as the primary measure of profitability to evaluate operating performance and to allocate capital resources and bonuses to eligible operating company employees. Segment EBITDA represents a segment's earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Other income (expense), net is not allocated to the Company's operating segments because it consists primarily of equity earnings (losses) from investments in partnerships and joint ventures and other non-operating income (expense).

Industry Segment Information BELO In thousands (unaudited) Twelve months ended December 31, 2005 Operating Earnings Depreciation Net Operating Costs and (Loss) from and EBITDA (1) Revenues Expenses Operations Amortization Television Group $273,516 $703,426 $474,619 $228,807 $44,709 Newspaper Group 178,377 817,808 682,543 135,265 43,112 Corporate (60,056) - 68,126 (68,126) 8,070 $1,521,234 $1,225,288 $295,946 $95,891 Twelve months ended December 31, 2004 Operating Earnings Depreciation Net Operating Costs and (Loss) from and EBITDA (1) Revenues Expenses Operations Amortization Television Group $310,257 $741,154 $475,945 $265,209 $45,048 Newspaper Group 169,246 774,598 650,679 123,919 45,327 Corporate (59,169) - 66,944 (66,944) 7,775 $1,515,752 $1,193,568 $322,184 $98,150 Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation.

Note 1: Belo's management uses segment EBITDA as the primary measure of profitability to evaluate operating performance and to allocate capital resources and bonuses to eligible operating company employees. Segment EBITDA represents a segment's earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Other income (expense), net is not allocated to the Company's operating segments because it consists primarily of equity earnings (losses) from investments in partnerships and joint ventures and other non-operating income (expense).

Consolidated EBITDA BELO In thousands (unaudited) Three months ended December 31, 2005 2004 Consolidated EBITDA (1) $ 112,081 $ 133,435 Depreciation and Amortization (23,740) (24,138) Interest Expense (22,956) (22,400) Income Taxes (25,459) (33,403) Net Earnings $ 39,926 $ 53,494 Twelve months ended December 31, 2005 2004 Consolidated EBITDA (1) $393,855 $404,115 Depreciation and Amortization (95,891) (98,150) Interest Expense (91,004) (90,164) Income Taxes (79,272) (83,305) Net Earnings $127,688 $132,496

Note 1: The Company defines EBITDA as net earnings before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amoritzation. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). Management uses Consolidated EBITDA in internal analyses as a supplemental measure of the financial performance of the Company to assist it with determining consolidated performance targets, senior management bonus and performance comparisons against our peer group of companies, as well as capital spending and other investing decisions. EBITDA is also a common alternative measure of performance used by investors, financial analysts, and rating agencies to evaluate financial performance.

First Call Analyst: Carey P. Hendrickson