Interim Results
Catalyst Media Group PLC
30 January 2006
30 January 2006
CATALYST MEDIA GROUP PLC
(CMG or the Company)
UNAUDITED SECOND INTERIM RESULTS FOR THE TWELVE MONTHS ENDED 31 OCTOBER 2005
Catalyst Media Group plc, the media company, today announces its unaudited
second interim results for the 12 months ended 31 October 2005.
OVERVIEW
CMG is a media company that manages and distributes high quality audio-visual
content using interactive digital technology. Through its associated companies,
CMG provides services to support clients online strategies and is a partner for
media companies in the digitalisation and distribution of broadcast content and
interactive programme creation. CMG supports corporations enabling them to use
streaming and download distribution to support communication with customers,
investors and employees. CMG is also a rights holder on its own account
specialising in historic entertainment and educational content, generating
revenues from the licensing of content globally to third parties, from consumer
subscriptions, pay-per-view fees and from advertising revenue.
CMG also owns a 17.6% stake in Satellite Information Services (Holdings) Limited
(SIS), the leading producer of sports content in the UK, providing over 9,700
bookmakers with live television pictures, data display systems and other
broadcast services.
OPERATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
In September 2005 CMG completed the acquisition of a 20% stake in SIS through
the acquisition of Alternateport Ltd from United Business Media plc (the
Acquisition) for £23 million in cash. The Acquisition was made through CMG's
subsidiary, Catalyst Media Holdings Ltd (CMH), which is owned 80% by CMG and 20%
by Eureka Interactive Fund Limited (Eureka). At the time of the Acquisition
Alternateport owned 20% of SIS, giving CMG an effective 16% interest in SIS.
In November 2005 SIS purchased 20,638 of its own shares from the Racecourse
Association for a consideration of £10.7 million in cash. As a consequence,
CMG's interest in SIS increased from 16% to 17.6% at no cost to CMG.
In December 2005 SIS paid an interim dividend of £10 million. CMH's share of
this dividend was £2.2 million which was applied to the early reduction of debt
which was raised to part finance the Acquisition.
The Acquisition was partly financed by the issuance of secured deep discounted
Bonds to Eureka for a subscription of £11.75 million. Whilst the Bonds have a
nominal value on maturity of £16.7 million they may be redeemed at any time at a
deep discount which equates to an interest rate of 10% per annum. Consequently,
following application of the funds from this dividend, the outstanding balance
was reduced from £12.1 million, including accrued interest, to £9.9 million.
SIS has, in the recent past, had a policy of declaring a substantial dividend
every four years. The Directors of CMG expect the next dividend in line with
this policy to be declared before the end of 2006.
Since the completion of the Acquisition, CMG has embarked on a strategy to
de-risk and reduce costs in the Group so as to maximise the benefit to
shareholders of its ownership in SIS. As part of this process Global Media
Services (GMS), the New York based media services business, was sold to
management in October 2005. As consideration CMG will receive 15 per cent. of
the gross revenues of the holding company of GMS from 1 January 2006 to 31
December 2010. In addition BPI, the wholly owned New York based television
production company, entered into a joint venture with PowPix Productions who
assumed the responsibility for running the post production facility. As a result
of this agreement BPI's annual cost base has been reduced to less than £50,000
from £1.1 million. CMG is currently in discussions with a number of interested
parties with regard to the disposal of its remaining US subsidiary, NPG Inc.,
which operates the world's leading stock footage portal, Footage.net.
In the UK a comprehensive re-structuring was implemented which has reduced
overheads by a further £500,000 annually. Consequently the Group now employs a
total of 6 people worldwide. The cost of the Group restructuring amounted to
£1.1m, which will be included in the results for the period ending 31 March
2006. Despite the significant reduction on the Groups cash resources and
notwithstanding the reduction in overhead the Group continues to generate
revenues from its on-going relationships with GMS, BPI and Footage.net as well
as its content licensing activities in the UK and its investment in SIS.I am
pleased to report that the Group is now profitable at the EBITDA level on a
monthly basis.
FINANCIAL RESULTS
CMG recorded a loss for the twelve month period ended 31 October 2005 of £7.3
million (EBITDA: loss £2.3million) compared to a loss of £5.4 million (EBITDA:
loss £4.7 million) for the equivalent period in 2004. The loss being reported
for this period includes the goodwill write off in respect of GMS and BPI of
£4.1million. Net assets increased to £11.6 million at the end of the period from
£0.1 million in the prior year, primarily as a result of the acquisition of SIS.
No dividend has been paid or is proposed.
For the financial year ended 31 March 2005 SIS generated revenue of £117.7
million (2004: £110.4 million) and profit before tax of £17.1million (2004:
£14.9million). For the 12 months ended 31 October 2005 under Associate
accounting rules CMG recorded a two month net contribution from SIS of £500,000.
CHANGE OF YEAR END
Following completion of the SIS acquisition, the current financial year of CMG
was extended to 31 March 2006. CMG will publish its audited results for the
seventeen month period ending 31 March 2006 by 30 September 2006.
OUTLOOK
The acquisition of a significant stake in SIS is a very positive development for
the Group which, combined with the subsequent extensive re-structuring, offers
excellent prospects for the future. The outstanding debt in respect of this
investment should be substantially reduced over the next 12 months from the
dividends which the Directors expect to be paid. This will result in both a
significant increase in net assets of the Group and in its future earnings.
Paul Duffen
Chief Executive Officer
Enquiries:
Paul Duffen, Chief Executive
Catalyst Media Group plc
+44 20 7927 6699
Unaudited results for the year ended 31 October 2005
Consolidated profit and loss account
For the twelve months ended 31 October 2005
Note 12 months Six months Year
ended ended ended
31 Oct 2005 30 April 2005 31 Oct 2004
£ £ £
Turnover
Existing operations 1 224,786 106,363 794,623
Discontinued operations 2,414,354 1,764,722 6,249,912
---------- ---------- ----------
2,639,140 1,871,085 7,044,535
Cost of sales (2,176,576) (1,278,610) (6,843,917)
---------- ---------- ----------
Gross profit 462,564 592,475 200,618
Operating expenses (4,165,246) (2,046,139) (3,359,608)
---------- ---------- ----------
Operating loss 2
Existing operations (3,130,077) (1,346,424) (1,870,208)
Discontinued operations (572,605) (107,240) (1,288,782)
---------- ---------- ----------
(3,702,682) (1,453,664) (3,158,990)
Impairment of goodwill (4,093,016) - (2,194,000)
Share of associates
operating profit 592,167
---------- ---------- ----------
Profit on ordinary
activities before finance
charges (7,203,531) (1,453,664) (5,352,990)
Interest receivable 93,452 74,843 29,195
Interest payable (282,507) (54,838) (80,660)
---------- ---------- ----------
Loss on ordinary activities
before taxation (7,392,586) (1,433,659) (5,404,455)
Taxation 151,999 (500) (1,166)
---------- ---------- ----------
Loss on ordinary activities
after taxation (7,240,587) (1,434,159) (5,405,621)
========== ========== ==========
Minority Interests (68,793) - -
Profit for the financial
year (7,309,380) (1,434,159) (5,405,621)
========== ========== ==========
Loss per ordinary share 3 (3.85p) (0.82p) (4.02p)
Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses
For the 12 months ended 31 October 2005
12 months Six months Year
ended ended ended
31 October 30 April 2005 31 Oct 2004
£ £ £
Loss for the year (7,309,380) (1,434,159) (5,405,621)
Currency translation
difference (165,822) 89,712 3,063
---------- --------- ----------
Total recognised
losses for the year (7,475,202) (1,344,447) (5,402,558)
========== ========= ==========
Consolidated Balance Sheet
As at 31 October 2005
Note At At At
31 October 30 April 31 Oct
2005 2005 2004
£ £ £
Fixed assets
Intangible assets 4 10,486,394 4,984,238 5,255,822
Tangible assets 283,872 259,672 258,216
Investments 16,393,443 - -
---------- ---------- ---------
27,163,709 5,243,910 5,514,038
Current assets
Debtors 5 1,655,547 2,103,431 1,744,291
Cash at bank 630,048 6,519 427,160
---------- ---------- ---------
2,285,595 2,109,950 2,171,451
Creditors: amounts falling due
within one year 6 (5,103,990) (6,484,959) (6,557,561)
---------- ---------- ---------
Net current liabilities (2,818,395) (4,375,009) (4,386,110)
---------- ---------- ---------
Total assets less current
liabilities 24,345,314 868,901 1,127,928
Creditors: amounts falling due
after more than one year 7 (12,710,447) (878,752) (1,012,122)
---------- ---------- ---------
Total net (liabilities)/assets 11,634,867 (9,851) 115,806
========== ========== =========
£ £ £
Capital and reserves
Called up share capital 6,272,361 1,771,889 1,405,099
Shares to be issued - 476,000 476,000
Share premium account 29,906,684 16,155,683 15,303,683
Merger reserve 2,402,674 2,402,674 2,402,674
--------- ---------- ---------
Profit and loss account (26,878,059) (20,816,097) (19,471,650)
Minority Interest' (68,793)
--------- ---------- ---------
Equity shareholders' funds 9 11,634,867 (9,851) 115,806
========= ========== =========
Consolidated Cash Flow Statement
For the 12 months ended 31 October 2005
Note 12 months Six months Year
ended ended ended
31 Oct 2005 30 April 2004 31 Oct 2004
£ £ £
Net cash
outflow from
operating
activities 10 (3,289,643) (1,557,911) (2,087,355)
Returns on
investment and
servicing of
finance 11 (189,054) 20,005 (51,465)
Taxation 151,999 (500) (1,166)
Capital
expenditure and
financial
investment 11 (184,076) (76,252) (133,806)
Acquisitions (26,430,901) - (141,911)
--------- ---------- ---------
Cash outflow
before
financing (29,941,675) (1,614,658) (2,415,703)
Financing 11 30,144,563 1,194,017 2,255,540
--------- ---------- ---------
Increase/(decrease) in cash 13 202,888 (420,641) (160,163)
========= ========== =========
Notes to the Accounts
1. Accounting policies and additional information
These interim results for the 12 months ended 31 October 2005 do not constitute
statutory accounts and have been neither reviewed nor audited by our auditors.
The financial information for the 12 months ended 31 October 2004 is derived
from the statutory accounts for that year. The auditors reported on those
accounts; their report was unqualified and did not contain a statement under
s237(2) or (3) Companies Act 1985.
The accounting policies are consistent with those applied in the preparation of
the statutory accounts for the year ended 31 October 2004.
Basis of accounting
The financial statements are prepared under the historical cost convention.
During the year, the company acquired Alternateport Limited whose single asset
was 20% stake in Satellite Information Services (Holdings) Limited.
Alternateport Limited is a 100% subsidiary of Catalyst Media Holdings Limited
which is 80% owned by CMG and 20% owned by Eureka Interactive Fund Limited.
Catalyst Media Holdings Limited is accounted for under Subsidiary accounting
rules and Eurekas minority interest is shown separately on the face of the
Profit and Loss statement. Alternateport Limited is accounted for under
Associate accounting rules, where its attributable profits are included in the
Profit and Loss statement, and shown as an investment on the Balance sheet.
The directors have prepared the financial statements on the basis that the Group
is a going concern.
Revenue recognition and turnover
Revenue is recognised under an exchange transaction with a customer, when, and
to the extent that, the Group obtains the right to consideration in exchange for
its performance.
Turnover represents amounts derived from the provision of services which fall
within the groups ordinary activities after deduction of trade discounts and
value added tax. Those services include internet web design, television
programme editing and production, website administration and revenues from
streamed advertising.
2. Operating loss on ordinary activities before taxation
12 months Six months Year
ended ended ended
31 Oct 30 April 31 Oct
2005 2005 2004
£ £ £
Operating loss is stated after charging:
Amortisation of goodwill 706,555 297,489 510,702
Depreciation 139,151 63,031 152,013
---------- ---------- ---------
3. Loss per share
The calculation of loss per share has been based on the loss after taxation for
the period of £7,309,380 and the weighted average number of ordinary shares in
issue during the period of 488,640,167.
The diluted loss per share calculation is identical to that used for basic
earnings per share as the exercise of share options would have the effect of
reducing the loss per ordinary share and therefore is not dilutive under the
terms of the Financial Reports Standard 14 Earnings per Share.
4. Intangible fixed assets
Development Goodwill Intellectual Total
Expenditure Property
£ £ £ £
Cost
At 1 November
2004 64,484 7,975,331 4,213,834 12,253,649
Additions 30,467 10,037,458 - 10,067,925
Write down
contingent
revaluation (42,000) (42,000)
Exchange
adjustments - 7,103 - 7,103
---------- --------- --------- ---------
At 31 October
2005 94,951 17,977,892 4,213,834 22,286,677
========== ========= ========= =========
Amortisation
At 1 November
2004 - (2,783,993) (4,213,834) (6,997,827)
Charge for the
6 months (60,000) (646,555) - (706,555)
---------- --------- --------- ---------
Impairment - (4,093,016) - (4,093,016)
Exchange
adjustments (2,885) (2,885)
---------- --------- --------- ---------
At 31 October
2005 (60,000) (7,526,449) (4,213,834) (11,800,283)
========== ========= ========= =========
Net book value
At 31 October
2005 34,951 10,451,443 - 10,486,394
========== ========= ========= =========
At 31 October
2004 64,484 5,191,338 - 5,255,822
========== ========= ========= =========
5. Debtors:
At At
31 Oct 31 Oct
2005 2004
£ £
Debtors: amounts falling due within one year 987,883 658,335
Trade debtors
Other debtors 502,071 144,808
Called up share capital not paid 1,000 10,500
Prepayments and accrued income 164,593 930,648
---------- ---------
1,655,547 1,744,291
========== =========
6. Creditors: amounts falling due within one year
At At
31 Oct 31 Oct
2005 2004
£ £
Bank loan 201,500 759,640
Loan notes 391,890 387,138
Obligations under finance leases 263,550 191,012
Trade creditors 2,660,969 2,234,625
Taxation and social security 60,236 238,657
Other creditors 654,004 1,314,948
Accruals and deferred income 871,841 1,431,541
--------- ---------
5,103,990 6,557,561
========= =========
7. Creditors: amounts falling due after more than one year
At At
31 Oct 31 Oct
2005 2004
£ £
Bank loan 33,710 51,494
Loan notes 12,422,597 637,507
Obligations under finance leases 49,869 122,263
Convertible loan note 160,000 160,000
Other creditors 44,271 40,858
--------- ---------
12,710,447 1,012,122
========= =========
8. Changes in share capital
In September 2005, 3,055,555 new ordinary shares of 1p were issued to Paradine
Productions, a company owned by Sir David Frost OBE at 4p per share.
In September 2005, 425,000,000 new ordinary shares of 1p were placed with
institutional and other investors at 4p per share, in order to finance the
acquisition of Alternateport Limited, whose sole asset is its 20% holding in
SIS. The holding increased to 22.05% in November 2005 after the share buy back
by SIS.
In September 2005, 8,750,000 new ordinary shares of 1p were issued to Strand
Partners at 4p per share in part consideration of their professional fees for
the acquisition of SIS.
In July 2005, 367,404 new ordinary shares of 1p were issued to Entendre in
settlement of a legal claim based on a closing price of 7.75p.
In May 2005 7,274,286 new ordinary shares of 1p were placed with institutional
and other investors at 3.5p per share.
In May 2005 5,600,000 new ordinary shares of 1p were issued to Adam Cohen
(2,856,000) and Jennifer Sultan (2,744,000), in full and final settlement of all
deferred consideration on the acquisition of GMS.
In November 2004 15,000,000 new ordinary shares of 1p were placed with Gartmore
Investment Management Limited at 5p per share.
In November 2004 7,000,000 new ordinary shares of 1p were placed with Williams
De Broe at 5p per share.
In December 2004 14,678,968 new ordinary shares of 1p were issued to Champ Car
World Series LLC, based on closing price of 7.75p.
9. Reconciliation of movement in shareholders' funds
12 months Six months Year
ended ended ended
31 Oct 30 April 31 Oct
2005 2005 2004
£ £ £
Loss for the period (7,309,380) (1,434,159) (5,405,621)
Issue of shares 4,867,262 366,790 2,718,966
Premium on issue of shares (net of
issue costs) 14,603,001 852,000 1,106,998
Currency translation difference (165,822) 89,712 3,063
Shares to be issued (476,000) - (536,640)
----------- ----------- ----------
Net increase/(reduction) in
shareholders' funds 11,519,061 (125,657) (2,113,234)
Opening shareholders' funds 115,806 115,806 2,229,040
----------- ----------- ----------
Closing shareholders' funds 11,634,867 (9,851) 115,806
=========== =========== ==========
10. Reconciliation of operating loss to operating cashflows
12 months Six months Year
ended ended ended
31 Oct 30 April 31 Oct
2005 2005 2004
£ £ £
Operating loss (3,702,682) (1,453,664) (5,352,990)
Impairment of intellectual property
rights - - 2,194,000
Depreciation 139,151 63,031 152,013
Amortisation of goodwill on
acquisition 706,555 297,489 510,702
Loss on disposal of fixed assets 803
(Decrease)/Increase in debtors 680,910 (359,140) (478,873)
(Decrease)/increase in creditors (1,015,551) (102,224) 875,955
Exchange adjustment (98,026) (3,403) 11,035
----------- ------------ ----------
Net cash outflow from operating
activities (3,289,643) (1,557,911) (2,087,355)
=========== ============ ==========
11. Analysis of cash flows for headings netted in the cash flow statement
At At
31 Oct 31 Oct
2005 2004
£ £
Returns on investments and servicing of finance
Interest paid (220,690) 29,195
Interest paid on finance leases (61,816) (66,559)
Interest received 93,452 (14,101)
---------- ---------
(189,054) (51,465)
---------- ---------
Capital expenditure and financial investment
Purchase of intangible assets (30,467) (73,811)
Purchase of tangible assets (158,811) (59,995)
Disposal of fixed assets 5,202
---------- ---------
(184,076) (133,806)
---------- ---------
Financing
Capital element of finance lease payments (58,233) (63,868)
Repayment of bank loan (583,467) (263,318)
Repayment of loan notes - (129,470)
Issue of ordinary share capital 19,036,263 2,660,702
Issue of bank loan - 51,494
Issue of loan 11,750,000 -
---------- ---------
30,144,563 2,255,540
---------- ---------
12. Reconciliation of net cash flow to movement in net (debt)/funds
At At
31 Oct 31 Oct
2005 2004
£ £
Decrease in cash in the period 202,888 (160,163)
Loans and finance leases acquired with subsidiary - (2,551,366)
Repayment of loan notes - 129,470
Repayment of bank loan 585,470 263,318
Repayment of finance leases 58,233 63,868
New bank loan - (51,924)
Loan note issue (11,750,000) -
Translation (77,493) (2,850)
---------- ---------
Movement in debt in the period (10,980,902) (2,309,217)
Net (debt)/funds at start of period (1,881,894) 427,323
---------- ---------
Net (debt) at end of period (12,862,796) (1,884,894)
========== =========
13. Analysis of net (debt)/funds
At 31 Oct Cash flow Acquired Exchange At 31 Oct
2004 Movement 2005
£ £ £ £ £
Cash at bank 427,160 202,888 630,048
Bank loan (811,134) 585,470 (9,545) (235,209)
Convertible
loan note (160,000) (160,000)
Finance leases (313,275) 58,233 (35,829) (290,871)
Loan - (11,750,000) (11,750,000)
Loan notes (1,024,645) (32,119) (1,056,764)
--------- --------- -------- -------- ---------
(1,881,894) (10,903,409) 0 (77,493) (12,862,796)
========= ========= ======== ======== =========
14. Post balance sheet events
In November 2005, SIS bought back shares from the Race Course Association, which
led to CMGs stake in SIS increasing to 17.6% from 16%. SIS also declared a £10
million dividend of which CMH received £2.205 million. These monies have been
used to pay down part of the £11.75 million debt.
In December 2005, BPI entered into a joint venture with PowPix Productions who
assumed the responsibility for running the post production facility. As a result
of this agreement BPI's annual cost base was reduced to less than £50,000 from
£1.1 million
This Interim Report was approved by the Directors on 26th January 2005.
15. The report will be sent to all registered shareholders and will be
available to members of the public from the Company's registered office at 12
Gough Square, London EC4A 3DW and online from the Company's corporate website at
www.CMG-plc.com.
This information is provided by RNS
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