Rogers Reports Third Quarter 2010 Financial and Operating Results
Revenue and Adjusted Operating Profit Increase 3% with 39% Margins, 16% Growth in Free Cash Flow and 24% Growth in Free Cash Flow per Share Compared to Third Quarter 2009; Wireless Activates and Upgrades a Record 529,000 Smartphones in Quarter; Wireless Data Revenue Growth Continues Strong at 28%, while the Addition of Cable Total Service Units Accelerates from Third Quarter 2009; $522 Million of Cash Returned to Rogers Shareholders in Dividends and Share Buybacks During Third Quarter
TORONTO, Oct. 26 /CNW/ - Rogers Communications Inc. today announced the filing of its consolidated financial and operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Financial highlights are as follows(1):
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (In millions of September 30, September 30, dollars, except -------------------------------------------------- per share amounts) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue $ 3,118 $ 3,036 3 $ 9,034 $ 8,674 4 Operating profit 1,164 1,152 1 3,468 3,267 6 Net income 370 485 (24) 1,201 1,168 3 Basic and diluted net income per share $ 0.64 $ 0.79 (19) $ 2.06 $ 1.86 11 As adjusted: Operating profit $ 1,216 $ 1,181 3 $ 3,579 $ 3,269 9 Net income 476 505 (6) 1,348 1,173 15 Basic and diluted net income per share $ 0.83 $ 0.82 1 $ 2.32 $ 1.87 24 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) For a detailed discussion of our financial and operating metrics and results, please review our 2009 Annual Report together with our third quarter 2010 MD&A and our third quarter 2010 Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto which can be found at www.rogers.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
"The third quarter 2010 results demonstrate continued steady growth in new subscribers, revenues and free cash flow, and the return of significant amounts of cash to our shareholders through dividends and share buybacks," said Nadir Mohamed, President and CEO of Rogers Communications Inc. "Importantly, we continued to make significant investments in both customer retention initiatives and opportunistic acquisitions consistent with our strategic priorities to support the future growth of the business."
Highlights of the third quarter of 2010 include the following:
- Generated consolidated quarterly revenue growth of 3%, with Wireless network revenue growth of 4%, and revenue growth of 3% in Cable Operations and 3% in Media, versus the same quarter last year. Cable Operations and Media adjusted operating profit increased by 13% and 6%, respectively, partially offset by the modest decline in Wireless reflecting the related costs attributable to the significant year- over-year increase in smartphone activations and upgrades this quarter. Revenue growth and cost reduction initiatives combined to keep adjusted operating profit margin steady at 39.0% year-over-year on a consolidated basis, with Cable Operations margins increasing to 46.2% from 42.0%, and Media margins increasing to 10.1% from 9.9%, partially offset by Wireless network margins decreasing to 48.3% from 51.4% as a result of increased smartphone costs through stronger activations and upgrades. - Wireless network revenue growth was fuelled by data revenue growth of 28% and net subscriber additions of 211,000. Wireless data revenue now comprises 28% of Wireless network revenue and was helped by the activation and upgrade of a record 529,000 additional smartphones during the quarter, predominantly BlackBerry, iPhone and Android devices, of which approximately 33% were for subscribers new to Wireless, compared to 370,000 in the prior year quarter. The number of new Smartphone subscribers was the second highest ever in a quarter. This resulted in subscribers with smartphones, who typically generate ARPU nearly twice that of voice only subscribers, representing 37% of the overall postpaid subscriber base as at September 30, 2010, up from 28% as at September 30, 2009. - Wireless launched the next generation Apple iPhone 4 that includes new features such as video calling, higher-resolution display, multi-tasking and HD video recording. Wireless upgraded 61% more iPhones than in the third quarter of 2009. - Sony Canada and Rogers announced the integration of Rogers' wireless, Internet, and cable products and services into its Sony Style retail stores, where customers can now select from a wide variety of Rogers services, devices and product bundles. - Wireless announced the launch of technical trials of Long Term Evolution ("LTE") wireless network technology, a fourth generation ("4G") wireless technology that enables network at speeds of up to 150 Mbps. Through this trial we will determine how LTE technology performs across a variety of spectrum frequencies in urban, suburban, and rural environments. In addition, we will verify LTE throughput speeds, performance quality, and interoperability of LTE with our existing HSPA+ network. - Cable grew total service units (television, Internet and telephony subscribers) by 54,000 during the quarter or 8% faster than the third quarter of 2009, with Internet subscriber penetration now at 72% of television subscribers and residential voice-over-cable telephony penetration at 43% of television subscribers. - Rogers announced the acquisition of Atria Networks on October 5, 2010, one of Ontario's largest fibre-optic networks, which will augment the Rogers Business Solutions ("RBS") small and medium sized business offerings by enhancing its ability to deliver on-net data centric services within and adjacent to Cable's footprint. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011. - Cable divested certain assets related to its remaining circuit- switched operations, including co-location sites and related equipment. In addition, the remaining residential circuit-switched lines in Cable Operations will be transferred to a third party reseller over the next six months approximately. The portion of RBS's business customer lines provisioned over these circuit-switched co-location facilities will continue to be serviced by RBS under a separate wholesale arrangement. - Cable announced that its Rogers On Demand Online broadband video distribution platform, Canada's leading on-demand portal, now carries over 10,000 hours of primetime TV, movies, series and sports entertainment from hundreds of top studios and networks, including the recent addition of on-demand programming from Sony, Disney, HBO, Showtime, and more. - Rogers announced the appointment of Keith Pelley as the President of Rogers Media succeeding retiring President Tony Viner. Pelley joins Rogers from CTV and most recently was President of Canada's highly successful Olympic Broadcast Media Consortium. He previously served as President of the Toronto Argonauts and of the TSN sports specialty channel. - Media announced a 10-year programming partnership with Alberta's two NHL teams, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, and the launch of a new national sports network called Sportsnet ONE that will feature extensive live-event programming, including professional hockey, basketball, baseball and soccer. - Rogers issued an aggregate $1.7 billion of public debt in the third quarter with the August 2010 issuance of $800 million of 6.11% Senior Notes due 2040 and the September 2010 issue of $900 million of 4.70% Senior Notes due 2020. - In August 2010, Rogers redeemed all three of our public debt issues maturing in 2011, including US$490 million of 9.625% Senior Notes, $460 million of 7.625% Senior Notes and $175 million of 7.25% Senior Notes. The total cash outlay, including redemption premiums and costs to terminate the associated Derivatives, was $1,499 million. - For the quarter, free cash flow, defined as adjusted operating profit less property, plant and equipment expenditures and interest, was $607 million representing an increase of 16% from the same quarter last year. On a per share basis, free cash flow increased by 24% over the same period reflecting share buybacks over the past year which decreased the base of outstanding shares. - Rogers repurchased 9.0 million RCI Class B Non-Voting shares for $335 million during the quarter under our $1.5 billion share buyback authorization and paid dividends on our common shares totalling $187 million. Also, we plan to introduce shortly a new dividend reinvestment plan ("DRIP"), whereby Rogers investors are able to automatically reinvest their quarterly dividends to purchase additional Rogers Class B common shares. This summary of our third quarter 2010 earnings ("earnings release"), which is current as of October 25, 2010, should be read in conjunction with our third quarter 2010 MD&A, our third quarter 2010 Interim Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, our 2009 Annual MD&A and our 2009 Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto. The financial information presented herein has been prepared on the basis of Canadian generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial statements and is expressed in Canadian dollars. Please refer to Note 25 of our 2009 Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for a summary of the differences between Canadian GAAP and United States ("U.S.") GAAP for the year ended December 31, 2009.
In this earnings release, the terms "we", "us", "our", "Rogers" and "the Company" refer to Rogers Communications Inc. and our subsidiaries, "Wireless", "Cable" and Media".
SUMMARIZED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (In millions of September 30, September 30, dollars, except -------------------------------------------------- per share amounts) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue Wireless $ 1,822 $ 1,760 4 $ 5,184 $ 4,920 5 Cable Cable Operations 797 773 3 2,376 2,279 4 RBS 146 126 16 419 379 11 Rogers Retail 89 97 (8) 264 289 (9) Corporate items and eliminations (12) (7) 71 (38) (18) 111 -------------------------------------------------- 1,020 989 3 3,021 2,929 3 Media 376 364 3 1,073 1,014 6 Corporate items and eliminations (100) (77) 30 (244) (189) 29 -------------------------------------------------- Total 3,118 3,036 3 9,034 8,674 4 -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit (loss) Wireless 823 846 (3) 2,470 2,298 7 Cable Cable Operations 368 325 13 1,051 962 9 RBS 11 8 38 28 30 (7) Rogers Retail - (4) n/m (12) (7) 71 -------------------------------------------------- 379 329 15 1,067 985 8 Media 38 36 6 112 63 78 Corporate items and eliminations (24) (30) (20) (70) (77) (9) -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit 1,216 1,181 3 3,579 3,269 9 Stock-based compensation recovery (expense) (40) (6) n/m (74) 62 n/m Integration and restructuring expenses (8) (11) (27) (18) (52) (65) Other items, net (4) - n/m (19) - n/m Contract termination fees - (12) n/m - (12) n/m -------------------------------------------------- Operating profit 1,164 1,152 1 3,468 3,267 6 Other income and expense, net 794 667 19 2,267 2,099 8 -------------------------------------------------- Net income $ 370 $ 485 (24) $ 1,201 $ 1,168 3 -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Basic and diluted net income per share $ 0.64 $ 0.79 (19) $ 2.06 $ 1.86 11 As adjusted: Net income $ 476 $ 505 (6) $ 1,348 $ 1,173 15 Basic and diluted net income per share $ 0.83 $ 0.82 1 $ 2.32 $ 1.87 24 Additions to property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") Wireless $ 186 $ 221 (16) $ 591 $ 599 (1) Cable Cable Operations 177 180 (2) 454 440 3 RBS 11 10 10 25 27 (7) Rogers Retail 1 3 (67) 5 9 (44) -------------------------------------------------- 189 193 (2) 484 476 2 Media 15 11 36 29 41 (29) Corporate 52 66 (21) 143 168 (15) -------------------------------------------------- Total $ 442 $ 491 (10) $ 1,247 $ 1,284 (3) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- SEGMENT REVIEW
WIRELESS --------
Summarized Wireless Financial Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (In millions of September 30, September 30, dollars, except -------------------------------------------------- margin) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue Postpaid $ 1,624 $ 1,562 4 $ 4,698 $ 4,424 6 Prepaid 79 83 (5) 219 223 (2) -------------------------------------------------- Network revenue 1,703 1,645 4 4,917 4,647 6 Equipment sales 119 115 3 267 273 (2) -------------------------------------------------- Total operating revenue 1,822 1,760 4 5,184 4,920 5 -------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses before the undernoted Cost of equipment sales 341 272 25 821 751 9 Sales and marketing expenses 175 155 13 438 444 (1) Operating, general and administrative expenses 483 487 (1) 1,455 1,427 2 -------------------------------------------------- 999 914 9 2,714 2,622 4 -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit 823 846 (3) 2,470 2,298 7 Stock-based compensation recovery (expense) (7) (3) 133 (14) 5 n/m Integration and restructuring expenses (3) (5) (40) (4) (14) (71) Other items, net - - n/m (10) - n/m -------------------------------------------------- Operating profit $ 813 $ 838 (3) $ 2,442 $ 2,289 7 -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit margin as % of network revenue 48.3% 51.4% 50.2% 49.5% Additions to PP&E $ 186 $ 221 (16) $ 591 $ 599 (1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summarized Wireless Subscriber Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Subscriber statistics in Three months ended Nine months ended thousands, except September 30, September 30, ARPU, churn and ---------------------------------------------------- usage) 2010 2009 Chg 2010 2009 Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Postpaid Gross additions 387 381 6 986 1,043 (57) Net additions 125 167 (42) 270 419 (149) Total postpaid retail subscribers 7,293 6,869 424 7,293 6,869 424 Average monthly revenue per user ("ARPU") $ 74.98 $ 76.79 $(1.81) $ 73.53 $ 74.08 $(0.55) Average monthly minutes of usage 544 580 (36) 559 585 (26) Monthly churn 1.21% 1.06% 0.15% 1.12% 1.05% 0.07% Prepaid Gross additions 217 171 46 510 436 74 Net additions 86 43 43 73 5 68 Total prepaid retail subscribers 1,588 1,496 92 1,588 1,496 92 ARPU $ 17.10 $ 18.80 $(1.70) $ 16.10 $ 16.84 $(0.74) Average monthly minutes of usage 107 127 (20) 108 122 (14) Monthly churn 2.84% 2.93% (0.09%) 3.23% 3.27% (0.04%) Total Postpaid and Prepaid Gross additions 604 552 52 1,496 1,479 17 Net additions 211 210 1 343 424 (81) Total postpaid and prepaid retail subscribers 8,881 8,365 516 8,881 8,365 516 Monthly churn 1.50% 1.39% 0.11% 1.49% 1.45% 0.04% Blended ARPU $ 64.80 $ 66.45 $(1.65) $ 63.45 $ 63.70 $(0.25) Blended average monthly minutes of usage 465 498 (33) 478 499 (21) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wireless Subscribers and Network Revenue
The modest year-over-year increase in net subscriber additions for the quarter primarily reflects increased prepaid subscriber additions offset by an increase in the level of postpaid churn associated with heightened competitive intensity. The increase in prepaid subscriber additions was the result of Wireless' launch of its urban zone-based unlimited voice and text 'chatr' product and also its continued offering from earlier in the summer of prepaid wireless service plans for Apple's recently introduced touch screen tablet computer, the iPad. In addition, Wireless introduced prepaid Rocket stick wireless data plans that offer the same speed and reliability as existing postpaid plans but designed for customers seeking the convenience of prepaid online credit card activation.
During the third quarter ended September 30, 2010, we acquired British Columbia based wireless service reseller Cityfone, a wholesale customer of Wireless. The Cityfone customer base of approximately 44,000 subscribers was added as an adjustment to Wireless' postpaid subscriber base during the quarter.
The increase in network revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009, was driven predominantly by the continued growth of Wireless' postpaid subscriber base and the continued adoption of wireless data services. Year-over-year, blended ARPU decreased by 2.5%, which reflects higher wireless data, feature and long-distance revenues, more than offset by declines in roaming, out-of-plan usage, and network access fee revenues. These decreases reflect a combination of factors, including the creation over the past year of voice and data roaming value plans for frequent travelers, continued economic softness, and general competitive intensity.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, wireless data revenue increased by approximately 28% and 35%, respectively, over the corresponding periods of 2009, to $477 million and $1,328 million, respectively. This growth in wireless data revenue reflects the continued penetration and growing usage of smartphone and wireless laptop devices which are driving increased usage of e-mail, wireless Internet access, text messaging and other wireless data services. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, data revenue represented approximately 28% and 27% of total network revenue, respectively, compared to approximately 23% and 21% in the corresponding periods of 2009.
Wireless activated and upgraded approximately 529,000 smartphones, predominately iPhone, BlackBerry and Android devices, of which approximately 33% were for subscribers new to Wireless, during the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to approximately 370,000 smartphones in the third quarter of 2009. This resulted in subscribers with smartphones representing 37% of the overall postpaid subscriber base compared to 28% as at September 30, 2009. These subscribers generally commit to new multi-year-term contracts, and typically generate ARPU nearly twice that of voice only subscribers.
Wireless Equipment Sales
The year-over-year increase for the three months ended September 30, 2010, in the equipment sales component of revenue, including activation fees and net of equipment subsidies, versus the corresponding period of 2009, reflects the increase in the number of iPhone sales due to the availability of the new iPhone 4 during the third quarter of 2010, as well as increases in the number of BlackBerry and Android devices activated during the same period. The year-over-year decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, versus the corresponding period of 2009, reflects fluctuations in the mix, volumes, and subsidy levels associated with device sales to new and upgrading subscribers.
Wireless Operating Expenses
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (In millions -------------------------------------------------- of dollars) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses Cost of equipment sales $ 341 $ 272 25 $ 821 $ 751 9 Sales and marketing expenses 175 155 13 438 444 (1) Operating, general and administrative expenses 483 487 (1) 1,455 1,427 2 -------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses before the undernoted 999 914 9 2,714 2,622 4 Stock-based compensation expense (recovery) 7 3 133 14 (5) n/m Integration and restructuring expenses 3 5 (40) 4 14 (71) Other items, net - - n/m 10 - n/m -------------------------------------------------- Total operating expenses $ 1,009 $ 922 9 $ 2,742 $ 2,631 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
The increase in cost of equipment sales for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009, was primarily the result of an increase in hardware upgrade units versus the prior periods and a continued increase in the smartphone mix. A large number of existing iPhone subscribers becoming eligible for hardware upgrades combined with limited promotional offers coinciding with the launch of the iPhone 4 drove a 61% increase in the number of iPhone upgrades versus the corresponding period of the prior year.
Sales and marketing expenses increased 13% for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding period of 2009, due to increased spending on advertising and promotion costs for new marketing campaigns, including the launch of the new chatr brand, higher data activations, and higher dealer compensation associated with both volumes and mix, offset by savings resulting from cost reduction initiatives. Sales and marketing expenses were relatively unchanged for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding period of 2009, due to lower sales volumes in the early part of 2010 as well as savings resulting from cost reduction initiatives.
The year-over-year decrease in operating, general and administrative expenses for the third quarter, excluding retention spending discussed below, was driven by savings related to operating and scale efficiencies across various functions, offset by growth in the Wireless postpaid subscriber base.
Total retention spending, including subsidies on handset upgrades, was $221 million and $546 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, compared to $148 million and $435 million in the corresponding periods of 2009. The increases are a result of a higher volume of upgrade activity by existing subscribers as discussed above and a higher proportion of smartphones, versus the corresponding periods in 2009.
Wireless Adjusted Operating Profit
The 3% year-over-year decrease in adjusted operating profit and the adjusted operating profit margin of 48.3% on network revenue (which excludes equipment sales revenue) for the three months ended September 30, 2010 primarily reflect the increase in the total operating expenses discussed above, driven heavily by the increase in smartphone activations and upgrade related retention spending, partially offset by the increase in network revenue. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the 7% year-over-year increase in adjusted operating profit and the adjusted operating profit margin of 50.2% on network revenue (which excludes equipment sales revenue) primarily reflects the increase in network revenue, partially offset by the increase in the total operating expenses discussed above.
Wireless Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment ("PP&E")
Wireless additions to PP&E are classified into the following categories:
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (In millions -------------------------------------------------- of dollars) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additions to PP&E Capacity $ 76 $ 140 (46) $ 300 $ 349 (14) Quality 65 44 48 181 143 27 Network - other 10 6 67 23 25 (8) Information technology and other 35 31 13 87 82 6 -------------------------------------------------- Total additions to PP&E $ 186 $ 221 (16) $ 591 $ 599 (1) -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wireless PP&E additions reflect spending on network capacity, such as radio channel additions, network core improvements and network enhancing features, including the continued deployment of our HSPA+ (21Mbps) network. Quality related PP&E is associated with upgrades to the network to enable higher throughput speeds in addition to improved network access associated activities such as site build programs, and network sectorization work. In addition, Quality includes test and monitoring equipment and operating support system activities. Investments in Network - other are associated with network reliability and renewal initiatives, infrastructure upgrades, and new product platforms. Information technology and other wireless specific system initiatives include billing and back-office system upgrades, and other facilities and equipment spending.
Overall PP&E spending for the three months ending September 30, 2010 decreased by 16% compared to the same period in 2009, with the HSPA+ (21Mbps) roll-out program entering the final phases. This decrease was also partially due to the timing of Capacity spend associated with radio access network installations and IP transmission projects. Offsetting the decrease from the corresponding prior year period were higher Quality category new site build spend and increased Network - other capital resulting from the construction of a new switch facility in Edmonton, Alberta. In addition, higher spend in Information technology and other was related to the start up of the chatr brand during the third quarter of 2010.
Subsequent to the end of the quarter, we announced that together with Ericsson we will be conducting technical trials of Long Term Evolution ("LTE") wireless network technology in various frequency bands in the Ottawa area to better understand and plan for LTE data throughput speeds, performance quality, and the interoperability of LTE with our existing advanced HSPA+ network.
CABLE -----
Summarized Cable Financial Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (In millions of September 30, September 30, dollars, except -------------------------------------------------- margin) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue Cable Operations $ 797 $ 773 3 $ 2,376 $ 2,279 4 RBS 146 126 16 419 379 11 Rogers Retail 89 97 (8) 264 289 (9) Intercompany eliminations (12) (7) 71 (38) (18) 111 -------------------------------------------------- Total operating revenue 1,020 989 3 3,021 2,929 3 -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit (loss) before the undernoted Cable Operations 368 325 13 1,051 962 9 RBS 11 8 38 28 30 (7) Rogers Retail - (4) n/m (12) (7) 71 -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit 379 329 15 1,067 985 8 Stock-based compensation recovery (expense) (6) - n/m (11) 21 n/m Integration and restructuring expenses (5) (6) (17) (13) (17) (24) Other items, net - - n/m (5) - n/m -------------------------------------------------- Operating profit $ 368 $ 323 14 $ 1,038 $ 989 5 -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit (loss) margin Cable Operations 46.2% 42.0% 44.2% 42.2% RBS 7.5% 6.3% 6.7% 7.9% Rogers Retail 0.0% (4.1%) (4.5%) (2.4%) Additions to PP&E Cable Operations $ 177 $ 180 (2) $ 454 $ 440 3 RBS 11 10 10 25 27 (7) Rogers Retail 1 3 (67) 5 9 (44) -------------------------------------------------- Total additions to PP&E $ 189 $ 193 (2) $ 484 $ 476 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
The following segment discussions provide a detailed discussion of the Cable operating results.
CABLE OPERATIONS
Summarized Financial Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (In millions of September 30, September 30, dollars, except -------------------------------------------------- margin) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue Core Cable $ 457 $ 447 2 $ 1,362 $ 1,315 4 Internet 213 198 8 631 579 9 Rogers Home Phone 127 128 (1) 383 385 (1) -------------------------------------------------- Total Cable Operations operating revenue 797 773 3 2,376 2,279 4 -------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses before the undernoted Sales and marketing expenses 55 63 (13) 165 182 (9) Operating, general and administrative expenses 374 385 (3) 1,160 1,135 2 -------------------------------------------------- 429 448 (4) 1,325 1,317 1 -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit 368 325 13 1,051 962 9 Stock-based compensation recovery (expense) (6) 1 n/m (11) 20 n/m Integration and restructuring expenses (2) (4) (50) (3) (11) (73) Other items, net - - n/m (7) - n/m -------------------------------------------------- Operating profit $ 360 $ 322 12 $ 1,030 $ 971 6 -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit margin 46.2% 42.0% 44.2% 42.2% -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summarized Subscriber Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (Subscriber September 30, September 30, statistics in -------------------------------------------------- thousands) 2010 2009 Chg 2010 2009 Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cable homes passed 3,688 3,609 79 3,688 3,609 79 Television Net additions (losses) 7 - 7 8 (27) 35 Total television subscribers 2,309 2,292 17 2,309 2,292 17 Digital cable Households, net additions 16 32 (16) 53 75 (22) Total digital cable household 1,719 1,625 94 1,719 1,625 94 Cable high-speed Internet Net additions 27 19 8 51 26 25 Total cable high-speed Internet subscribers 1,673 1,597 76 1,673 1,597 76 Cable telephony lines Net additions and migrations 20 31 (11) 58 69 (11) Total cable telephony lines 995 909 86 995 909 86 Total cable service units Net additions 54 50 4 117 68 49 Total cable service units 4,977 4,798 179 4,977 4,798 179 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Circuit-switched lines Net losses and migrations (12) (22) 10 (39) (72) 33 Total circuit-switched lines 83 143 (60) 83 143 (60) -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Core Cable Revenue
The increase in Core Cable revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009, reflects the continuing increase in penetration of our digital cable product offerings. The slowdown in the year-over-year growth rate of Core Cable revenue from the second quarter to the third quarter of 2010 partially reflects the timing of annual pricing changes, which took place in March 2009 and July 2010, combined with certain bundling and retention initiatives.
Cable continues to lead the Canadian cable industry in digital cable penetration. The digital cable subscriber base grew by 6% from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010, to 74% of television households passed by our cable networks, compared to 71% as at September 30, 2009. Increased demand from subscribers for the larger selection of digital content, video on demand, HDTV and personal video recorder ("PVR") equipment continues to drive the growth in the digital subscriber base and core cable revenue.
Cable Internet Revenue
The year-over-year increase in Internet revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, primarily reflects the increase in the Internet subscriber base, combined with Internet services price changes made in March 2010 and increased promotional programs.
With the high-speed Internet base at approximately 1.7 million subscribers, Internet penetration is approximately 45% of the homes passed by our cable networks and 72% of our television subscriber base, at September 30, 2010.
Rogers Home Phone Revenue
Rogers Home Phone revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, reflects the year-over-year growth in the cable telephony customer base with a corresponding cable telephony revenue growth of approximately 7% and 9% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, offset by the ongoing decline of the legacy circuit-switched telephony and long-distance only customer bases. The lower net additions of cable telephony lines in the third quarter of 2010 versus the corresponding period of 2009 are partially the result of fewer customer migrations from circuit-switch to cable telephony.
Cable telephony lines in service grew 9% from September 30, 2009 to September 30, 2010. At September 30, 2010, cable telephony lines represented 27% of the homes passed by our cable networks and 43% of television subscribers.
Continuing with its strategy of de-emphasizing the off-net circuit-switched telephony business where services cannot be provisioned fully over Rogers' own network facilities, during the third quarter of 2010, Cable divested certain assets related to the remaining circuit-switched telephony operations. Under this arrangement, certain co-location sites and related equipment in the provinces of British Columbia, Alberta, Quebec and Ontario were sold. In addition, the sale involved residential circuit-switched lines, with the customers served by these facilities being migrated from Cable Operations to a third party reseller over the next approximately six months. For the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2010 the revenue reported by Cable Operations associated with the residential circuit-switched telephony business being divested totalled approximately $15 million and $50 million, respectively. As part of the transaction, the portion of RBS's business lines provisioned over these circuit-switched co-location facilities will continue to be serviced by RBS under a separate wholesale arrangement.
Excluding the impact of the shrinking circuit-switched telephony business which Cable is in the process of divesting, the year-over-year revenue growth for Rogers Home Phone and Cable Operations for the three months ended September 30, 2010 would have been 7% and 4%, respectively.
Cable Operations Operating Expenses
The decrease in Cable Operations' operating expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding period of 2009, was primarily due to cost reductions and efficiency initiatives across various functions combined with certain one time items. The increase in Cable Operations' operating expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding period of 2009, was primarily due to higher costs associated with programming and other content, network operations, and increases in information technology costs. Cable Operations continues to focus on implementing a program of permanent cost reduction and efficiency improvement initiatives to control the overall growth in operating expenses.
Cable Operations Adjusted Operating Profit
The year-over-year growth in adjusted operating profit was primarily the result of the revenue growth and cost changes described above. As a result, Cable Operations' adjusted operating profit margins increased to 46.2% and 44.2%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to 42.0% and 42.2%, respectively, in the corresponding periods of 2009.
Other Cable Operations Developments
On July 30, 2010, Cable acquired the assets of Kincardine Cable for cash consideration of approximately $20 million. Kincardine Cable offers TV and Internet service to approximately 6,000 subscribers in Kincardine, Ontario and the surrounding area. In the Summarized Subscriber Results above, the approximately 6,000 television subscribers, 2,000 digital cable households, and 3,000 high-speed Internet subscribers acquired from Kincardine Cable were added to Cable's subscriber base upon acquisition, but were not reflected in the net additions for the applicable three and nine month periods.
ROGERS BUSINESS SOLUTIONS ("RBS")
Summarized Financial Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (In millions of September 30, September 30, dollars, except -------------------------------------------------- margin) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue $ 146 $ 126 16 $ 419 $ 379 11 -------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses before the undernoted Sales and marketing expenses 9 7 29 31 19 63 Operating, general and administrative expenses 126 111 14 360 330 9 -------------------------------------------------- 135 118 14 391 349 12 -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit 11 8 38 28 30 (7) Stock-based compensation recovery - (1) n/m - - n/m Integration and restructuring expenses (1) - n/m (4) (1) n/m -------------------------------------------------- Operating profit $ 10 $ 7 43 $ 24 $ 29 (17) -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit margin 7.5% 6.3% 6.7% 7.9% -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Summarized Subscriber Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (Subscriber September 30, September 30, statistics in -------------------------------------------------- thousands) 2010 2009 Chg 2010 2009 Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Local line equivalents Total local line equivalents 153 180 (27) 153 180 (27) Broadband data circuits Total broadband data circuits 36 36 - 36 36 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------
RBS Revenue
The increase in RBS revenues reflects the increase in long-distance revenue, which includes higher volumes by both carrier and internal customers, and the acquisition of Blink, partially offset by the ongoing decline in the legacy portions of the business. RBS is focused on leveraging on-net revenue opportunities utilizing Cable's existing network facilities to launch business Ethernet services while maintaining its existing medium enterprise customer base. Excluding the acquisition of Blink, revenue growth for the three months ended September 30, 2010 would have been 11%. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, long-distance and data and Internet revenue increased, which was partially offset by a decline in local revenues, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009.
RBS Operating Expenses
Operating, general and administrative expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009. An increase in long-distance costs due to higher call volumes and country mix resulted in higher operating costs which were partially offset by lower local carrier charges.
Sales and marketing expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009, and reflect increased marketing within the medium and large enterprise and carrier segments associated with RBS's launch of a new suite of Ethernet services. The increase also reflects the organizational changes to support an increase in the sales and marketing effort.
RBS Adjusted Operating Profit
The changes in revenues and operating expenses described above resulted in an adjusted operating profit margin of 7.5% and 6.7%, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to 6.3% and 7.9%, respectively, in the corresponding periods of the prior year. Excluding the acquisition of Blink, adjusted operating profit for the three months ended September 30, 2010 would have been approximately $8 million.
Other RBS Developments
On October 5, 2010, Rogers announced that it had entered into an agreement to acquire Atria Networks LP ("Atria") for cash consideration of $425 million, subject to certain adjustments and approval from the Competition Bureau. Atria is based in Kitchener, Ontario and owns and operates one of the largest fibre-optic networks in Ontario, delivering facilities-based on-net business Internet and data services in and around Cable's footprint. This transaction is subject to regulatory approval and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011.
As discussed above under Cable Operations, as part of the divesture of certain residential circuit-switched telephony infrastructure, certain of RBS's business lines provisioned over those circuit-switched co-location facilities will continue to be serviced by RBS but under a separate wholesale arrangement.
ROGERS RETAIL
Summarized Financial Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (In millions of September 30, September 30, dollars, except -------------------------------------------------- margin) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue Wireless and Cable sales $ 57 $ 53 8 $ 154 $ 148 4 Video rental and sales 32 44 (27) 110 141 (22) -------------------------------------------------- Total Rogers Retail operating revenue 89 97 (8) 264 289 (9) -------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses before the undernoted 89 101 (12) 276 296 (7) -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating loss - (4) n/m (12) (7) 71 Stock-based compensation recovery - - n/m - 1 n/m Integration and restructuring expenses (2) (2) - (6) (5) 20 Other items, net - - n/m 2 - n/m -------------------------------------------------- Operating loss $ (2) $ (6) (67) $ (16) $ (11) 45 -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating loss margin 0.0% (4.1%) (4.5%) (2.4%) -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rogers Retail Revenue
The decrease in Rogers Retail revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009, was the result of a continued decline in video rental and sales activities partially offset by higher sales of wireless and other communications products versus the prior year period.
Early in 2010, Rogers began an initiative to more deeply integrate its wireless, cable and video rental distribution channels to better respond to changing customer needs and preferences. As a result of this integration, certain facilities and stores associated principally with the video rental portion of Rogers Retail have been and will continue to be closed.
Rogers Retail Adjusted Operating Loss
The adjusted operating loss at Rogers Retail decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009, reflecting the trends noted above.
CABLE ADDITIONS TO PP&E
The Cable Operations segment categorizes its PP&E expenditures according to a standardized set of reporting categories that were developed and agreed to by the U.S. cable television industry and which facilitate comparisons of additions to PP&E between different cable companies. Under these industry definitions, Cable Operations additions to PP&E are classified into the following five categories:
- Customer premise equipment ("CPE"), which includes the equipment for digital set-top terminals, Internet modems and associated installation costs; - Scalable infrastructure, which includes non-CPE costs to meet business growth and to provide service enhancements, including many of the costs to-date of the cable telephony initiative; - Line extensions, which includes network costs to enter new service areas; - Upgrades and rebuild, which includes the costs to modify or replace existing coaxial cable, fibre-optic equipment and network electronics; and - Support capital, which includes the costs associated with the purchase, replacement or enhancement of non-network assets. Summarized Cable PP&E Additions
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, (In millions -------------------------------------------------- of dollars) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Additions to PP&E Customer premise equipment $ 87 $ 67 30 $ 199 $ 145 37 Scalable infrastructure 47 64 (27) 134 168 (20) Line extensions 10 10 - 30 28 7 Upgrades and rebuild 6 5 20 14 15 (7) Support capital 27 34 (21) 77 84 (8) -------------------------------------------------- Total Cable Operations 177 180 (2) 454 440 3 RBS 11 10 10 25 27 (7) Rogers Retail 1 3 (67) 5 9 (44) -------------------------------------------------- $ 189 $ 193 (2) $ 484 $ 476 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Additions to Cable PP&E include continued investments in the cable network to enhance customer experience through increased speed and performance of our Internet service and capacity enhancements to our digital network to allow for the addition of incremental HD and On-Demand services.
The decrease in Cable Operations PP&E for the three months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding period of 2009 resulted primarily from higher CPE spending offset by lower Scaleable infrastructure expenditures due to the completion of certain projects associated with our Internet platform and infrastructure investments. The higher CPE spending corresponds with higher levels of cable service unit net additions versus the corresponding prior year periods.
The RBS PP&E additions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased slightly compared to the corresponding periods of 2009 and reflects the timing of expenditures on customer networks and support capital.
Rogers Retail PP&E additions are attributable to improvements made to certain retail locations.
MEDIA -----
Summarized Media Financial Results
------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended (In millions of September 30, September 30, dollars, except -------------------------------------------------- margin) 2010 2009 % Chg 2010 2009 % Chg ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue $ 376 $ 364 3 $ 1,073 $ 1,014 6 -------------------------------------------------- Operating expenses before the undernoted 338 328 3 961 951 1 -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit 38 36 6 112 63 78 Stock-based compensation recovery (expense) (6) (1) n/m (12) 13 n/m Integration and restructuring expenses - - n/m (1) (21) (95) Other items (4) - n/m (4) - n/m Contract termination fees - (12) n/m - (12) n/m -------------------------------------------------- Operating profit $ 28 $ 23 22 $ 95 $ 43 121 -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Adjusted operating profit margin 10.1% 9.9% 10.4% 6.2% Additions to property, plant and equipment $ 15 $ 11 36 $ 29 $ 41 (29) -------------------------------------------------------------------------
Media Revenue
The increase in Media's revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009, reflects continuous increases in Media's prime time TV ratings, increased subscriber fees and improvements in the advertising market, which together are favorably impacting Television, Sportsnet, and Radio revenues. Publishing revenue declined due to lower advertising revenues, The Shopping Channel revenue declined due to lower than expected demand for certain products, while Sports Entertainment reported modest revenue declines associated with fluctuations in Blue Jays attendance levels and Major League Baseball revenue sharing.
Media Operating Expenses
Media's operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased slightly compared to the corresponding periods of 2009. While focused cost reduction programs across all of Media's divisions over the past year have resulted in reduced operating expenses, these savings were offset by certain planned increases in programming costs at Television and Sportsnet associated with the acquisition of new content.
Media Adjusted Operating Profit
The increase in Media's adjusted operating profit for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to the corresponding periods of 2009, primarily reflects the revenue and expense changes discussed above and resultant operating leverage which caused adjusted operating profit and margins to both increase.
Media Additions to PP&E
Media's PP&E additions in the three months ended September 30, 2010 increased from the corresponding period in 2009 due to the timing of spending on certain initiatives. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, Media's PP&E additions declined from the corresponding period of 2009 due to the completion of Television's new Ontario broadcasting facility in 2009 combined with numerous cost containment initiatives across Media's divisions.
Other Media Developments
During the quarter, Media announced a 10-year programming partnership with Alberta's two NHL teams, the Edmonton Oilers and Calgary Flames, and the launch of a new national sports network called Sportsnet ONE that will feature extensive live-event programming, including professional hockey, basketball, baseball and soccer.
On October 1, 2010, Media closed a transaction to acquire all the issued and outstanding common shares of BV! Media Inc. for $0.40 in cash per share for total consideration of $25 million. BV! Media Inc. is a leading Canadian Internet advertising network and publisher of news and information portals.
2010 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING GUIDANCE
We have no specific revisions to the 2010 annual financial and operating guidance ranges which we provided on February 17, 2010. However, given the results to date at this point in the year, directionally our bias is to the higher ends of both the adjusted operating profit and free cash flow guidance ranges. See the section entitled "Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Risks and Assumptions" below.
Rogers Communications Inc. Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Income (In millions of dollars, except per share amounts) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, 2010 2009 2010 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating revenue $ 3,118 $ 3,036 $ 9,034 $ 8,674 Operating expenses: Cost of sales 399 345 1,021 983 Sales and marketing 314 300 869 877 Operating, general and administrative 1,233 1,228 3,658 3,495 Integration and restructuring 8 11 18 52 Depreciation and amortization 401 416 1,215 1,306 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income 763 736 2,253 1,961 Interest on long-term debt (167) (166) (505) (474) Foreign exchange gain 14 72 7 123 Change in fair value of derivative instruments (12) (27) 7 (28) Loss on repayment of long-term debt (87) - (87) - Debt issuance costs (10) - (10) (5) Other income (expense), net 1 (1) 5 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income before income taxes 502 614 1,670 1,582 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Income tax expense: Current 2 112 221 111 Future 130 17 248 303 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 132 129 469 414 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net income for the period $ 370 $ 485 $ 1,201 $ 1,168 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic and diluted net income per share $ 0.64 $ 0.79 $ 2.06 $ 1.86 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rogers Communications Inc. Unaudited Interim Consolidated Balance Sheets (In millions of dollars) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 30, December 31, 2010 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 344 $ 383 Accounts receivable 1,402 1,310 Other current assets 432 338 Current portion of derivative instruments 2 4 Future income tax assets 181 220 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,361 2,255 Property, plant and equipment 8,291 8,197 Goodwill 3,101 3,018 Intangible assets 2,688 2,643 Investments 569 547 Derivative instruments 125 78 Other long-term assets 302 280 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 17,437 $ 17,018 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 2,111 $ 2,175 Income taxes payable 273 208 Current portion of long-term debt - 1 Current portion of derivative instruments 59 80 Unearned revenue 268 284 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 2,711 2,748 Long-term debt 9,067 8,463 Derivative instruments 742 1,004 Other long-term liabilities 133 133 Future income tax liabilities 659 397 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 13,312 12,745 Shareholders' equity 4,125 4,273 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ 17,437 $ 17,018 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Rogers Communications Inc. Unaudited Interim Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In millions of dollars) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Three months ended Nine months ended September 30, September 30, 2010 2009 2010 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash provided by (used in): Operating activities: Net income for the period $ 370 $ 485 $ 1,201 $ 1,168 Adjustments to reconcile net income for the period to cash flows from operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 401 416 1,215 1,306 Program rights and Rogers Retail rental amortization 52 42 157 119 Future income taxes 130 17 248 303 Loss on repayment of long-term debt 87 - 87 - Unrealized foreign exchange gain (13) (67) (8) (114) Change in the value of derivative instruments 12 27 (7) 28 Pension contributions, net of expense (5) (73) (22) (92) Stock-based compensation expense (recovery) 40 6 74 (62) Amortization of fair value increment (decrement) on long-term debt 1 (1) (2) (4) Other 6 5 7 5 ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 1,081 857 2,950 2,657 Change in non-cash operating working capital items (250) 362 (287) 126 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 831 1,219 2,663 2,783 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Investing activities: Additions to property, plant and equipment ("PP&E") (442) (491) (1,247) (1,284) Change in non-cash working capital items related to PP&E 58 32 (12) (91) Acquisition of spectrum licences (10) (25) (40) (40) Acquisitions, net of cash and cash equivalents acquired (45) (5) (177) (16) Additions to program rights (24) (39) (109) (131) Other (1) (1) 20 (6) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- (464) (529) (1,565) (1,568) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Financing activities: Issuance of long-term debt 2,425 - 2,475 1,825 Repayment of long-term debt (1,701) (1) (1,752) (1,411) Premium on repayment of long-term debt (79) - (79) - Proceeds on settlement of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements and forward contracts 547 - 547 - Payment on settlement of cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements and forward contracts (816) - (816) - Repurchase of Class B Non-Voting shares (335) (408) (965) (917) Issuance of capital stock on exercise of stock options 1 2 3 2 Dividends paid (187) (184) (550) (527) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- (145) (591) (1,137) (1,028) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 222 99 (39) 187 Cash and cash equivalents (deficiency), beginning of period 122 69 383 (19) ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 344 $ 168 $ 344 $ 168 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Supplemental cash flow information: Income taxes paid $ 139 $ 1 $ 151 $ 1 Interest paid 182 147 521 454 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- The change in non-cash operating working capital items is as follows: Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable $ (147) $ (57) $ (89) $ 165 Decrease (increase) in other assets - 27 (131) 16 Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued liabilities 62 295 (115) (195) Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable (142) 112 65 115 Increase (decrease) in unearned revenue (23) (15) (17) 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- $ (250) $ 362 $ (287) $ 126 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- This earnings release should be read in conjunction with our 2009 Annual Report, our third quarter 2010 MD&A and our third quarter 2010 Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto that can be found at www.rogers.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com or on EDGAR at www.sec.gov.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Risks and Assumptions
This earnings release includes forward-looking statements and assumptions concerning our business, its operations and its financial performance and condition approved by management on the date of this earnings release. These forward-looking statements and assumptions include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to our objectives and strategies to achieve those objectives, statements with respect to our beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates or intentions, including guidance and forecasts relating to revenue, adjusted operating profit, PP&E expenditures, free cash flow, dividend payments, expected growth in subscribers and the services to which they subscribe, the cost of acquiring subscribers and the deployment of new services, the currently estimated financial impacts of converting to IFRS accounting standards, and all other statements that are not historical facts. Such forward-looking statements are based on current objectives, strategies, ! expectations and assumptions, most of which are confidential and proprietary, that we believe to be reasonable at the time including, but not limited to, general economic and industry growth rates, currency exchange rates, product pricing levels and competitive intensity, subscriber growth and usage rates, changes in government regulation, technology deployment, device availability, the timing of new product launches, content and equipment costs, the integration of acquisitions, industry structure and stability, and current guidance from accounting standard bodies with respect to the conversion to IFRS accounting standards.
Except as otherwise indicated, this earnings release and our forward-looking statements do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or other special items or of any dispositions, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or other transactions that may be considered or announced or may occur after the date of the financial information contained herein.
We caution that all forward-looking information, including any statement regarding our current intentions, is inherently subject to change and uncertainty and that actual results may differ materially from the assumptions, estimates or expectations reflected in the forward-looking information. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements or could cause our current objectives and strategies to change, including but not limited to new interpretations from accounting standards bodies, economic conditions, technological change, the integration of acquisitions, unanticipated changes in content or equipment costs, changing conditions in the entertainment, information and communications industries, regulatory changes, litigation and tax matters, the level of competitive intensity and the emergence of new opportunities, many of which are beyond our control and current expectation or knowledge. Therefore, should one ! or more of these risks materialize, should our objectives or strategies change, or should any other factors underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results and our plans may vary significantly from what we currently foresee. Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise caution when considering any such forward-looking information herein and that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating any legal rights regarding our future results or plans. We are under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any forward-looking statements or assumptions whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Before making any investment decisions and for a detailed discussion of the risks, uncertainties and environment associated with our business, fully review the sections of our third quarter 2010 MD&A entitled "Updates to Risks and Uncertainties" and "Government Regulation and Regulatory Developments", and also the sections entitled "Risks and Uncertainties Affecting our Businesses" and "Government Regulation and Regulatory Developments" in our 2009 Annual MD&A.
About Rogers Communications Inc.
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media company. We are Canada's largest provider of wireless voice and data communications services and one of Canada's leading providers of cable television, high-speed Internet and telephony services. Through Rogers Media we are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping, magazines and trade publications, and sports entertainment. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI). For further information about the Rogers group of companies, please visit www.rogers.com.
Quarterly Investment Community Conference Call
As previously announced by press release, a live webcast of our quarterly results conference call with the investment community will be broadcast via the Internet at rogers.com/webcast beginning at 8:00 a.m. ET today, October 26, 2010. A rebroadcast of this teleconference will be available on the Webcast Archive page of the Investor Relations section of rogers.com for a period of at least two weeks following the conference call.
For further information: Investment Community Contacts: Bruce M. Mann, 416.935.3532, bruce.mann@rci.rogers.com; Dan Coombes, 416.935.3550, dan.coombes@rci.rogers.com; Media Contacts: Wireless, Cable and Corporate: Terrie Tweddle, 416.935.4727, terrie.tweddle@rci.rogers.com; Media and Regulatory: Jan Innes, 416.935.3525, jan.innes@rci.rogers.com
