SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of May 2004
Matav Cable Systems Media Ltd.
(Translation of registrants name into English)
42 Pinkas Street
North Industrial Park
P.O. Box 13600
Netanya 42134
Israel
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F x Form 40-F o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes o No x
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
24 May 2004 |
Matav- Cable Systems Media Ltd. (Registrant) BY: /S/ Amit Levin Amit Levin Chief Executive Officer |
Print the name and title of the signing officer under his signature
Matav
Reports Increased Revenues of NIS 147.6 Million in Q1 2004-
13% Increase Compared to
Q1 2003
NETANYA, Israel, May 24, 2004
Matav-Cable Systems Media Ltd. (Nasdaq: MATV), a leading Israeli provider of
digital cable television services, today reported first-quarter 2004 financial
results. In this quarter, for the first time, Matavs financial results are
proportionally consolidated with HOT Vision Ltd. (formerly ICP Ltd., a production company
owned by the three cable companies). The proportional consolidation has no substantial
influence on the Companys financial results.
In addition, from this quarter on, as a
result of new Israeli regulations, the financial results will be presented on a nominal
basis, while in the past the financial results were adjusted to the Israeli CPI.
Revenues increased to NIS 147.6 million (US$32.6 million) from NIS 130.3 million (US$28.8 million) in first-quarter 2003. The increased revenues, which came despite a decrease in total subscribers, stems from higher ARPU as well as from higher sales of fast Internet access services.
First-quarter operating expenses totaled NIS 120.3 million (US$26.6 million) compared with NIS 117.6 million (US$26 million) in the year-earlier period. The increase is due mainly to higher than usual programming costs, especially original TV productions broadcast by the cable companies in the quarter and also due to an increase in operating costs associated with the Companys fast-internet service.
Gross profit reached NIS 27.4 million (US$6.1 million) compared with 12.7 million (US$2.8 million) in first-quarter 2003.
First-quarter selling and marketing expenses, totaled NIS 14.9 million (US$3.3 million), compared with NIS 10.1 million (US$2.2 million) for first-quarter 2003. The increase is due mainly to higher advertising expenses associated with the continued penetration of the HOT brand in the Israeli market.
First-quarter G&A expenses totaled NIS 10.1 million (US$2.2million), compared with NIS 11.8 million (US$2.6 million) for first-quarter 2003. The decrease stems mainly from a lower allowance for doubtful debts.
First-quarter EBITDA, not including proportional consolidation, improved 15% to NIS 36.3 million (US$8 million) from NIS 31.5 million (US$7 million) in first-quarter 2003.
At March 31, 2004, Matav had approximately 265,400 subscribers, compared with approximately 266,700 at March 31, 2003. During first-quarter 2003, the companys ARPU rose to NIS 207.9 (monthly, including 17% value-added tax) compared with NIS 185.0 in the first quarter of 2003.
The companys fast Internet access service has attracted more than 74,000 subscribers to date.
First-quarter financing expenses declined
to NIS 12.3 million (US$2.7 million) from NIS 14.8 million (US$3.3 million) for the
comparable quarter in 2003.
The two numbers are not precisely comparable since, as
explained above, the latest quarters figure is nominal while the results for a year
earlier are adjusted for the CPI. However, a substantial part of the reduction can be
attributed to two factors: a reduction in the Companys net debt and a decrease in
interest rate.
Matavs share in affiliated companies profits, (mainly Partner Communications), in the first quarter was NIS 3.6 million (US$0.8 million) compared with NIS 3.4 million (US$0.8 million) in first-quarter 2003.
Matav reported first-quarter net loss of NIS 7 million (US$1.5 million), or NIS 0.23 (US$0.05) per ordinary share, compared with a net loss of NIS 24.5 million (US$5.4 million), or NIS 0.85 (US$0.19), for the year-ago quarter.
Matavs CEO, Amit Levin, commented: During the first quarter we took measures to enhance our competitive position by increasing our investment in original TV productions. However, this came at the cost of higher than usual operating expenses in the quarter. Except for these unusually high expenses, the improvement trends that we have seen in previous quarters continued in the present quarter, and once again we successfully increased our revenues. We are continuously diversifying our product offerings and we recently launched a new game service for our subscribers. This new service, which enables subscribers to play against each other, is possible due to our advanced technological and interactive capabilities, abilities that our competitor lacks.
We have been conducting our fixed-telephony experiment in the Israeli market for the last few months. We are cooperating on this issue with the other two cable companies under the HOT Telecom brand, and we are taking steps to ensure that we will adhere to the timetable that has been set for the experiment.
Management will conduct a teleconference today at 10:00 a.m. U.S. Eastern Time. To participate, please dial +1-866-860-9642 in the United States and +972-3-918-0610 internationally, several minutes prior to the start of the conference.
Matav is one of Israels three cable television providers, serving roughly 25 percent of the population. Matavs investments include 5.3 percent of Partner Communications Ltd., a GSM mobile phone company, and 10 percent of Barak I.T.C. (1995), one of the three international telephony-service providers in Israel.
(This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to the Companys business, financial condition and results of operations. These forward-looking statements are based on the current expectations of the management of Matav Cable only, and are subject to risk and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in technology and market requirements, decline in demand for the Companys products, inability to timely develop and introduce new technologies, products and applications, loss of market share and pressure on pricing resulting from competition, which could cause the actual results or performance of the Company to differ materially from those contemplated in such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. For a more detailed description of the risk and uncertainties affecting the Company, reference is made to the Companys reports filed from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.)
Ori Gur-Arieh, Counsel
Matav Cable Systems
Telephone: +972-9-860-2261
Ayelet Shaked Shiloni
Integrated IR
Telephone US: +1-866-447-8633 / Israel: +972-3-635-6790
E-Mail: ayelet@integratedir.com
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
December 31 2003 |
March 31, |
Convenience translation March 31 2004 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 |
2004 | |||||||||||||
AUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED | |||||||||||
Adjusted (2) |
Reported (1) |
|||||||||||||
(NIS In thousands) |
U.S. dollars | |||||||||||||
ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 37,948 | 1,325 | 27,242 | 6,016 | ||||||||||
Trade receivables | 83,151 | 68,155 | 83,008 | 18,332 | ||||||||||
Other accounts receivables | 19,765 | 20,979 | 21,361 | 4,718 | ||||||||||
Total current assets | 140,864 | 90,459 | 131,611 | 29,066 | ||||||||||
INVESTMENTS AND LONG-TERM LOANS: | ||||||||||||||
Investments in affiliates | 66,807 | 25,594 | 72,100 | 15,923 | ||||||||||
Investments in other company | 16,241 | 16,241 | 16,241 | 3,587 | ||||||||||
Long-term loans granted to employees | - | 324 | - | - | ||||||||||
Investment in limited partnerships | 2,057 | - | 1,597 | 353 | ||||||||||
Rights to broadcast movies and programs | 34,927 | - | 45,910 | 10,139 | ||||||||||
Other receivables | 885 | - | 885 | 195 | ||||||||||
120,917 | 42,159 | 136,733 | 30,197 | |||||||||||
FIXED ASSETS: | ||||||||||||||
Cost | 2,028,447 | 2,003,088 | 2,050,836 | 452,923 | ||||||||||
Less - accumulated depreciation and amortization | 1,151,622 | 1,035,322 | 1,188,156 | 262,402 | ||||||||||
876,825 | 967,766 | 862,680 | 190,521 | |||||||||||
OTHER ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES | ||||||||||||||
Net of accumulated amortization | 3,946 | 6,209 | 3,710 | 819 | ||||||||||
1,142,552 | 1,106,593 | 1,134,734 | 250,604 | |||||||||||
(1)
Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
MATAV CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands)
December 31 2003 |
March 31, |
Convenience translation March 31 2004 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2003 |
2004 | |||||||||||||
AUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED | |||||||||||
Adjusted (2) |
Reported (1) |
|||||||||||||
(NIS In thousands) |
U.S. dollars | |||||||||||||
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||||||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||
Short-term bank credit and others | 435,403 | 518,031 | 413,374 | 91,293 | ||||||||||
Current maturities of debentures | 33,701 | 33,567 | 33,634 | 7,428 | ||||||||||
Accounts payable and accruals: | ||||||||||||||
Trade | 94,699 | 66,409 | 108,735 | 24,014 | ||||||||||
Jointly controlled entity - current account | 17,690 | 12,902 | 18,374 | 4,058 | ||||||||||
Other | 158,982 | 88,008 | 167,240 | 36,935 | ||||||||||
Total current liabilities | 740,475 | 718,917 | 741,357 | 163,727 | ||||||||||
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES: | ||||||||||||||
Accrued severance pay, net | 2,106 | 880 | 2,503 | 553 | ||||||||||
Loans and debentures (net of current maturities): | ||||||||||||||
Loans from bank and others | 127,403 | 136,035 | 126,056 | 27,839 | ||||||||||
Debentures | 66,145 | 99,091 | 66,101 | 14,598 | ||||||||||
Customers' set-up boxes' deposits, net of | ||||||||||||||
accumulated amortization | 25,675 | 29,057 | 24,974 | 5,515 | ||||||||||
Total long-term liabilities | 221,329 | 265,063 | 219,634 | 48,506 | ||||||||||
Total liabilities | 961,804 | 983,980 | 960,991 | 212,233 | ||||||||||
SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY: | ||||||||||||||
Share capital | 48,882 | 48,882 | 48,893 | 10,798 | ||||||||||
Share premium | 375,538 | 401,329 | 375,527 | 82,934 | ||||||||||
Retained earnings (loss) | (243,672 | ) | (262,681 | ) | (250,677 | ) | (55,362 | ) | ||||||
180,748 | 187,530 | 173,743 | 38,371 | |||||||||||
Less-Company's shares held by consolidated company | - | 64,917 | - | - | ||||||||||
Total shareholders' equity | 180,748 | 122,613 | 173,743 | 38,371 | ||||||||||
1,142,552 | 1,106,593 | 1,134,734 | 250,604 | |||||||||||
(1)
Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004.
(2)
Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003.
MATAV CABLE SYSTEMS MEDIA LTD.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except
per share and per ADS data)
Year ended December 31 |
Three months ended March 31, |
Convenience translation Three months ended March 31 | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED |
UNAUDITED | |||||||||||
2003 |
2003 |
2004 |
2004 | |||||||||||
Adjusted (2) |
Reported (1) |
|||||||||||||
(NIS In thousands) |
U.S. dollars | |||||||||||||
Revenue | 545,480 | 130,339 | 147,637 | 32,605 | ||||||||||
Depreciation | 160,521 | 40,608 | 37,068 | 8,186 | ||||||||||
Other operating expenses | 306,165 | 76,984 | 83,197 | 18,374 | ||||||||||
Total operating expenses | 466,686 | 117,592 | 120,265 | 26,560 | ||||||||||
Gross profit | 78,794 | 12,747 | 27,372 | 6,045 | ||||||||||
Selling, marketing, general and administrative | ||||||||||||||
expenses: | ||||||||||||||
Selling and marketing | 43,954 | 10,126 | 14,886 | 3,288 | ||||||||||
General and administrative | 42,659 | 11,771 | 10,115 | 2,234 | ||||||||||
86,613 | 21,897 | 25,001 | 5,521 | |||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (7,819 | ) | (9,150 | ) | 2,371 | 524 | ||||||||
Financial expenses, net | (83,958 | ) | (14,792 | ) | (12,257 | ) | (2,707 | ) | ||||||
Other income (expenses), net | 80,996 | (3,939 | ) | (758 | ) | (167 | ) | |||||||
Loss before taxes on income | (10,781 | ) | (27,881 | ) | (10,644 | ) | (2,351 | ) | ||||||
Taxes on income | 35,576 | - | - | - | ||||||||||
Loss from operations of the Company and its | ||||||||||||||
subsidiaries | (46,357 | ) | (27,881 | ) | (10,644 | ) | (2,351 | ) | ||||||
Equity in earnings of affiliated companies, net | 40,907 | 3,422 | 3,639 | 804 | ||||||||||
Net loss | (5,450 | ) | (24,459 | ) | (7,005 | ) | (1,547 | ) | ||||||
Loss per ordinary share | (0.19 | ) | (0.85 | ) | (0.23 | ) | (0.05 | ) | ||||||
Loss per ADS | (0.38 | ) | (1.7 | ) | (0.46 | ) | (0.1 | ) | ||||||
Weighted average number of shares outstanding | ||||||||||||||
in thousands | 29,347 | 28,860 | 30,215 | 30,215 | ||||||||||
Weighted average number of ADSs outstanding in | ||||||||||||||
thousands | 14,674 | 14,430 | 15,108 | 15,108 | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (7,819 | ) | (9,150 | ) | 2,371 | 524 | ||||||||
Canceling proportional consolidation influence | - | - | (2,044 | ) | (452 | ) | ||||||||
Depreciation and amortization (including income | ||||||||||||||
from amortization of set-up boxes' deposits) | 154,811 | 40,608 | 35,956 | 7,941 | ||||||||||
Memo EBITDA(*) | 146,992 | 31,458 | (**) | 36,283 | 8,013 | |||||||||
(1)
Nominal financial reporting beginning January 1, 2004. (2) Adjusted to the NIS of December 2003. (*) EBITDA is presented because it is a measure commonly used in the telecommunications industry and is presented solely in order to improve the understanding of the Companys operating results and to provide further a perspective regarding these results. EBITDA, however, should not be considered as an alternative to operating income or income for the period or as an indicator of the operating performance of the Company. Similarly, EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to cash flow from operating activities or as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under generally accepted accounting principles and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures for other companies. |
|
EBITDA may not be indicative of the historic operating results of the Company nor is it meant to be predictive of potential future results. |
Reconciliation between the operating profit in the financial statements and EBIDTA is presented in the attached summary financial statements. |
(**) Not including proportional consolidation.