Presented below is a discussion of the performance of Time Warner’s segments for the first quarter of 2013. Unless otherwise noted, the dollar amounts in parentheses represent year-over-year changes.
NETWORKS (Turner Broadcasting and HBO)
Revenuesincreased 3% ($93 million) to $3.7 billion, benefiting from growth of 5% ($115 million) in Subscription revenues, partly offset by declines of 1% ($12 million) in Advertising revenues and 4% ($11 million) in Content revenues. The increase in Subscription revenues resulted primarily from higher domestic rates and international growth. Advertising revenues benefited from growth at Turner’s domestic entertainment networks due principally to higher pricing, offset in part by the timing of the 2013 NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball National Championship tournament (the “NCAA Tournament”). Advertising revenue growth at Turner’s domestic entertainment networks was more than offset by declines at its news networks, due to lower demand, and the shutdown of Turner’s general entertainment network, Imagine, in India and TNT television operations in Turkey in the first half of 2012.
Adjusted Operating Incomegrew 7% ($87 million) to $1.3 billion due primarily to higher revenues. Programming costs were essentially flat compared to the prior year quarter as higher costs for originals were offset by the timing of the NCAA Tournament, lower programming write-downs and cost reductions due to the shutdown of Imagine and the TNT television operations in Turkey.
Operating Incomeincreased 11% ($125 million) to $1.3 billion. The current year quarter included $20 million of charges related to Turner’s international operations. The prior year quarter included a $58 million charge related to Turner’s decision to shut down Imagine.
The NCAA Tournament across TBS, TNT, truTV and CBS averaged 10.7 million total viewers, up 11% from last year, and was the most-watched NCAA Tournament in 19 years. During the first quarter of 2013, TBS ranked #1 among ad-supported cable networks with adults 18-34 and adults 18-49 in primetime.The Big Bang Theory on TBS ranked as ad-supported cable’s top comedy series of the quarter in total day delivery among all key adult demographics. Adult Swim was ad-supported cable’s #1 network for key adult and male viewers in total day delivery, and the first quarter was the most-watched quarter in its history. In March 2013,Southland on TNT andCoverage Inside Syria & Homs 2012on CNN both received 2013 George Foster Peabody Awards.
For the first two episodes of its third season, HBO’sGame of Thrones is averaging a gross audience of 13.4 million viewers per episode, putting it on pace to become HBO’s second most popular series ever. HBO earned five George Foster Peabody Awards in March 2013, including awards forGirlsandGame Change.
FILM AND TV ENTERTAINMENT (Warner Bros.)
Revenuesdecreased 4% ($103 million) to $2.7 billion, reflecting mainly lower theatrical performance and a decline in television licensing revenues resulting primarily from fewer significant international syndication availabilities. The declines were offset in part by higher home video revenues from the strong performance ofThe Hobbit: An Unexpected JourneyandArgoand revenues from the Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter, which opened in March 2012.
Adjusted Operating Income rose 23% ($50 million) to $265 million, as contributions fromThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey and lower print and advertising costs more than offset the decline in revenues.
Operating Income grew 23% ($49 million) to $263 million.
The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey surpassed $1 billion at the global box office, making it the fourth biggest film in Warner Bros.’ history. The Ellen DeGeneres Show,which is in its 10th season,has been renewed by stations covering 97% of the U.S. through the 2015-2016 season. Season-to-date, Warner Bros.
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