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RNS Number:2026J Music Choice Europe PLC 26 March 2003 26 March 2003 Music Choice Europe plc ("Music Choice" or "the Company") Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2002 Music Choice Europe plc ("Music Choice" or "the Company"), Europe's leading digital audio broadcaster, is pleased to announce preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2002. Preliminary Preliminary Results Results 2002 2001 Turnover #9.8m #8.0m EBITDA loss #7.3m #11.4m Operating loss #8.2m #15.3m Loss before tax #7.3m #13.1m Loss per share - basic and diluted 6.09p 10.86p - Turnover up 22% to #9.8 million from #8 million - Operating loss reduced to #8.2 million from #15.3 million - Cash and cash equivalents at year end of #21 million - Appointment of Margot Daly as Chief Executive Officer - Structure and organisational capability in place to enable Music Choice to break even on a monthly basis at EBITDA within the next 12 months - Renewed all distribution deals which were due to expire in 2002 - Subscriber base grown by 27% to 14 million from 11 million - Rapid expansion in audience reach, with nearly one million people using the Music Choice service during December Commenting on the outlook for the coming year, Margot Daly, Chief Executive, said: "The digital TV and music world continues to be in a state of flux, and Music Choice has been realistic about shaping the business to match the conditions of the market. "The Company remains well-funded, and is in a strong position to reach its goal of sustainable profitability with significant cash headroom. We have contracts in place with most digital TV distributors, providing assurance on future subscriber income streams. "Music Choice is ideally placed to focus on product development and the delivery of real value to existing and new customers and consumers, within a framework of profitability." - Ends - For further information, please contact: Music Choice Europe plc 020 7014 8700 Margot Daly, Chief Executive Dylan Jones Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700 Louise Robson or Becky Haywood 26 March 2003 Music Choice Europe plc ("Music Choice" or "the Company") Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2002 Chairman's Report This has been a demanding year for Music Choice. The increase in the size of our audience across Europe and the successful renewal of all our key distribution deals has helped to offset the inability to deliver projected advertising revenues, caused by the continued downturn in media advertising and marketing budgets. In light of the changing economic climate, the Company has conducted a thorough review of its structure from top to bottom. As a result, on 25 February 2003, we announced that both Chief Executive Simon Bazalgette and Chief Financial Officer Jonathan Apps had left the Company, and former Chief Operating Officer Margot Daly had been appointed Chief Executive. Simon joined Music Choice on start-up in 1993, and led the Company to its successful flotation in October 2000. His commitment to the business has been one of the key factors in the company achieving its current position as Europe's leading digital audio broadcaster. Jonathan moved to Music Choice in December 2001, and last year led the acquisition of our key European competitor MultiMusic. I would like to record the Board's thanks for the hard work and integrity that both Simon and Jonathan brought to Music Choice during their time here. The appointment of Margot Daly as Chief Executive reflects the new management needs and operational focus of the business. Having been with the company since 1995, Margot provides the product and customer attention that Music Choice needs at the current time. We are currently reviewing our precise financial management needs, but in the meantime, these are being handled by Company Secretary, Mark Hillier, and interim Finance Director, John Brocklebank. The Company's operating loss in 2002 is much reduced from 2001, and reflects the series of efficiencies put in place during the course of the year. We believe that we now have the structure and organisational capability to reach monthly break even within the next twelve months, while maintaining the technical development of the service, and its roll-out on digital and interactive platforms. It is a testament to the quality of the Music Choice offering, and its importance to major platforms across Europe, that we successfully renewed every distribution deal that would have expired in 2002. Research in the UK shows that the ongoing development of the service has had a very real impact on the size of our audience, with the number of people using Music Choice every month increasing by 74% from March to December. Despite this increase, we have been unable to deliver the level of revenue we had anticipated through sales of advertising space. We remain convinced that an improved economic situation will allow us to establish this entirely new advertising model, but this cannot be achieved in the current climate. In the meantime, by minimising our costs in this area, we have accelerated our ability to breakeven on subscription revenue alone. With a cash balance of #21 million at year end, we firmly believe that the Company has sufficient funds to see it through to profitability. In line with the Company's articulated strategy, the Board recommends that no dividend be paid in respect of 2002. During the year, we welcomed three new members to the Music Choice Board. Philippe-Olivier Rousseau, Executive Director and Senior Advisor at BNP Paribas Structured Finance, has held a series of senior posts in broadcast and telecommunications companies. He is already proving to be instrumental in helping Music Choice build its business across Europe, particularly in France, which is one of the largest digital television markets. Dr. Kenji Kitatani was named the new representative from Sony Corporation of America (SCA), one of Music Choice's founding corporate shareholders, replacing Gary Podorowsky. Similarly, Martin Goswami joined the board as a representative from British Sky Broadcasting, replacing Richard Freudenstein. I would like to record here the Board's thanks to both Gary and Richard for their contribution to the Company during their time as non-executive directors. Music Choice has tight control over its costs, and continues to increase its distribution and audience. With a new structure headed by Margot Daly, we believe the Company is well positioned to cement its position as Europe's leading digital audio broadcaster. Chief Executive's Review 2002 was a year of pragmatism for Music Choice. Real progress was made improving our product, renewing long-term distribution deals, and purchasing our largest European competitor. However, the difficult economic climate prompted us to review the structure of our business, and cut costs significantly in those areas of the business that do not affect our ability to increase our revenues. The advertising downturn markedly affected our ability to deliver advertising revenues to the level that we had planned. This has resulted in the Company reducing UK staff numbers by more than 40% over the last eighteen months. Such strict control on costs should make the Company ideally positioned to breakeven on a monthly basis within the next twelve months. Financials At the end of the financial year, the Company held cash and cash equivalents of #21 million (Interim 2002: #23.5 million). Strong stewardship of our funds continues to be the Company's financial priority. Turnover rose 22% to #9.8 million (2001: #8 million). The operating loss of #8.2 million is significantly better than last year (#15.3 million) due to a concerted effort to contain costs. Total costs during the year reduced from #23.2 million to #18 million, while further cost reductions will be realised in 2003 to bring the Company to monthly breakeven within the next twelve months. Product enhancement While cutting our cloth to reflect the market, we continue to optimise the Music Choice offering on digital television. In October 2002, we launched a new look and new channels, improving the previous design and matching our visual output with the music. By providing a series of organic, atmospheric screen designs, we are able to balance the emotional nature of the audio with the visual content on the viewer's television set. This year, Music Choice began to be measured by the UK's television audience research body BARB, providing us with accurate audience figures based on a representative panel of UK homes. BARB viewer research has allowed us to improve our focus on providing a compelling proposition to consumers and to platforms, and more closely define the service's target audience. Ongoing product development has already led to consistent month-on-month rises in our UK audience, with a 74% rise from March to December. With almost a million people now tuning in to Music Choice every month, the new line-up of channels and new look screen designs are clearly appealing to viewers more than ever before. In 2003, we will be looking to drive audiences even further, and increase our audience share, frequency and reach. Broadband Despite accelerated low-level growth in broadband take-up during 2002, the main providers remain unclear about their content strategies. However, with key players including Microsoft working with Music Choice to develop an advanced consumer-friendly broadband product, the potential for us to roll out the service on major European platforms remains strong. Interactive TV We have continued to roll-out our interactive TV ("iTV") application this year, with the launch of the service on Canal Satelite Digital in Spain. The interactive application offers four key opportunities. Firstly, the graphic interface further builds consumer awareness of Music Choice through non- intrusive in-home branding. Secondly, it reinforces our mood- led offering, allowing consumers to use both music and visuals to create the atmosphere they want in their home. Thirdly, as DTV platforms increasingly transmit traditional 'interruption- based' radio stations, our iTV application and its graphic capabilities further distinguish us from such providers and enable us to serve both platforms and consumers in a unique way. Finally, the iTV service ensures that Music Choice is able to capitalise on future potential to diversify revenue streams through return path transactions and on screen advertising, when this market returns. With more and more platforms around Europe improving their broadcast technology, we will look to roll out versions of our interactive application in key markets where iTV can offer differentiating and revenue- generating opportunities. Distribution Our subscriber base has grown by 27% to 14 million over the last year, with 18 countries throughout Europe and the Middle East receiving the Music Choice service. We successfully secured the renewal of all the distribution contracts that would have come to an end in 2002, with operators including Premiere, Canal Digital Scandinavia and Com Hem. The Company re-secured almost a quarter of its overall revenue on better or same terms, demonstrating the clear value that platforms place on Music Choice even during times of economic difficulty. In July 2002, Music Choice also acquired Multi Radio SA, whose MultiMusic brand distributes music channels through digital TV platforms such as Telepiu in Italy, to almost two million homes across Europe and Asia. The completion of key renewal deals and the acquisition of MultiMusic ensured that we entered 2003 with ongoing broadcast deals with the majority of Europe's leading digital broadcast platforms, providing a solid platform for growth in the current year. Music Choice in 2003 The digital TV and music world continues to be in a state of flux, and Music Choice has been realistic about shaping the business to match the conditions of the market. The Company remains well-funded, and is in a strong position to reach its goal of sustainable profitability with significant cash headroom. We are also in an ideal position to benefit from both the recovery in the advertising market, and the expected rapid expansion in broadband. The Company has multi period contracts in place with most DTV distributors, providing assurance on subscriber income streams for the immediate future. Music Choice is ideally placed to focus on product development and the delivery of real value to existing and new customers and consumers, within a framework of profitability. - Ends - For further information, please contact: Music Choice Europe plc 020 7014 8700 Margot Daly, Chief Executive Dylan Jones Weber Shandwick Square Mile 020 7067 0700 Louise Robson or Becky Haywood Music Choice Europe plc Group Profit and Loss Account For the year ending 31 December 2002 Year to 31 Year to December 31 December Notes 2002 2001 #'000 #'000 Turnover 9,776 8,019 Cost of sales (7,607) (6,449) ______________ ________________ Gross profit 2,169 1,570 ______________ ________________ Distribution costs (4,472) (7,214) Amortisation and impairment of intangible fixed assets (100) (1,211) Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets (814) (2,701) Other administrative expenses (4,997) (5,752) Administrative expenses (5,911) (9,664) ______________ ________________ (10,383) (16,878) ______________ ________________ Operating loss (8,214) (15,308) ______________ ________________ Loss on disposal of fixed assets - (11) Interest receivable 941 2,257 ______________ ________________ 941 2,246 ______________ ________________ Loss on ordinary activities before taxation (7,273) (13,062) Taxation on loss on ordinary activities (162) (158) ______________ ________________ Loss for the period/year (7,435) (13,220) ______________ ________________ Loss per share Basic & diluted - pence per share 3 (6.09) (10.86) ______________ ________________ Derivation of EBITDA Operating loss (8,214) (15,308) Amortisation and impairment of intangible fixed assets 100 1,211 Depreciation and impairment of tangible fixed assets 814 2,701 ________________ ________________ EBITDA (7,300) (11,396) ________________ ________________ Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Losses For the year ending 31 December 2002 Year to Year to 31 31 December December 2002 2001 #'000 #'000 Loss for the financial year (7,435) (13,220) Exchange difference on translation of net 23 2 ________________ ________________ Total recognised gains and losses relating to the financial year (7,412) (13,218) ________________ ________________ Group Balance Sheet As at 31 December 2002 31 December 31 December 2002 2001 #'000 #'000 Fixed assets Intangible assets 585 - Tangible assets 539 752 Investments - - _______________ _________________ 1,124 752 _______________ _________________ Current assets Debtors 3,851 4,514 Investments 17,842 29,268 Cash 3,100 135 _______________ _________________ 24,793 33,917 _______________ _________________ Creditors: amounts falling due within one year (6,768) (8,130) _______________ _________________ Net current assets 18,025 25,787 _______________ _________________ Total assets less current 19,149 26,539 liabilities _______________ _________________ Capital and reserves Equity share capital 1,227 1,224 Share premium account 46,160 46,137 Other reserve 22,922 22,922 Profit and loss account (51,160) (43,744) _______________ _________________ Equity shareholders' funds 19,149 26,539 _______________ _________________ Group Statement of Cashflows For the year ending 31 December 2002 31 December 31 December 2002 2001 Notes #'000 #'000 Net cash outflow from operating activities 2 (8,017) (9,224) __________________ ________________ Returns on investment and servicing of finance Interest received 941 2,257 __________________ ________________ 941 2,257 __________________ ________________ Taxation Tax paid (174) (135) Consortium relief received 54 137 __________________ ________________ (120) 2 Capital expenditure and __________________ ________________ financial investment Payments to acquire tangible fixed assets (209) (2,853) __________________ ________________ (209) (2,853) __________________ ________________ Acquisitions and disposals Payment to acquire subsidiary undertaking (1,056) (828) ____________________ ______________ (1,056) (828) ____________________ ______________ Net cash outflow before management of liquid resources and financing (8,461) (10,646) Management of liquid resources Purchase of interest bearing investments (28,877) (5,085) Sale of interest bearing investments 40,303 15,206 __________________ ________________ 11,426 10,121 __________________ ________________ Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 2,965 (525) __________________ ________________ Reconciliation of Net Cashflows to Movement in Net Funds 31 December 31 December 2002 2001 #'000 #'000 Increase/(decrease) in cash in the year 2,965 (525) Purchase of interest bearing investments 28,877 5,085 Sale of interest bearing investments (40,303) (15,206) __________________ ________________ Movement in net funds in the year (8,461) (10,646) Net funds at 1 January 2002 29,403 40,049 __________________ ________________ Net funds at 31 December 2002 20,942 29,403 __________________ ________________ Notes to the Interim Statement 1. Basis of preparation The accounts are prepared in accordance with accounting policies adopted in the preparation of the accounts for the year to 31 December 2001 and which are set out in the Company's Annual Report. In preparing the financial statements for the current year, the group has adopted FRS 18 'Accounting Policies', FRS 19 'Deferred Tax' and the transitional arrangements of FRS 17 'Retirement Benefits' relating to accounting period ending on or after 22 June 2002. The adoption of FRS 19 has resulted in a change in accounting policy for deferred tax. Deferred tax is recognised on a full provision basis. Previously, deferred tax was provided for on a partial provision basis, whereby provision was made on all differecnces to the extent that they were expected to reverse in the future without replacement. Adoption of FRS 18 and FRS 19 has not required any revisions to the financial statements in either the current or prior years. The abridged results for the 12 months to 31 December 2002 do not constitute statutory accounts within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985. The auditor's report on the Statutory Accounts for the 12 months to 31 December 2001 was unqualified and did not contain any statement under Section 237 of that Act. These accounts have been delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 2. Reconciliation of operating loss to net cash flow from operating activities 12 months to 12 months to 31 December 31 December 2002 2001 #'000 #'000 Operating loss (8,214) (15,308) ______________ _________________ Depreciation of tangible fixed assets 350 799 Impairment of tangible fixed assets 464 1,902 Amortization of goodwill 100 - Impairment of intangible fixed assets - 1,211 Foreign exchange adjustment to tangible fixed assets (11) - Decrease in debtors 1,018 504 (Decrease)/increase in creditors (1,724) 1,668 ______________ _________________ Net cash outflow from operating activities (8,017) (9,224) ______________ _________________ 3. Tax a) Tax on loss on ordinary activities 2002 2001 #000 #000 _______________ _________________ Corporation tax at 30% (146) (135) Double tax relief 146 135 _______________ _________________ Foreign tax paid (146) (135) Foreign corporation taxes (16) (23) _______________ _________________ (162) (158) _______________ _________________ The group was a consortium under the provisions of the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1998 and was entitled to surrender its tax losses to consortium members. Under an agreement with these consortium members the group was entitled to charge for the surrender of these losses at the prevailing corporation tax rate. On flotation, the group ceased to fulfil the rules governing consortium companies and hence such surrender ceased. b) Factors affecting current tax charge 2002 2001 #000 #000 ___________ _____________ Loss on ordinary activities before tax (7,273) (13,062) ___________ _____________ Loss on ordinary activities multiplied by the standard rate of corporation tax in the UK of 30% (2001: 30%) (2,182) (3,918) Expenses not deductible for tax purposes (including amortisation and impairment of goodwill) 202 487 Accelerated capital allowances (130) 350 Higher taxes on foreign earnings 14 20 Losses arising in the year not relievable 2,258 3,219 against current tax ___________ _____________ Total current tax charge (note 3a) 162 158 ___________ _____________ c) Factors that may affect future tax charges Since no deferred tax has been recognised in the financial statements, future profits will not be subject to corporation tax until such losses, which at the balance sheet date amounted to #33m, have been used up. d) Deferred tax No deferred tax has been booked due to the availability of tax losses of approximately #33m (2001: #26million) available for carrying forward against future profits. There is no potential deferred tax on fixed assets due to accelerated capital allowances, because the tax written down value of eligible assets is higher than the value carried in the balance sheet. 4. Loss per share The calculation of loss per ordinary share for the year, is based on losses of #7,435,000 and on 122,129,859 ordinary shares being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year after excluding the shares owned by the Music Choice Europe plc Employee Benefit Trust. The calculation of loss per ordinary share for the year to 31 December 2001 is based on losses of #13,220,000 and on 121,689,734 ordinary shares being the weighted average number of ordinary shares in issue during the year after excluding the shares owned by the Music Choice Europe plc Employee Benefit Trust. The loss attributable to ordinary shareholders and weighted average number of ordinary shares for the purpose of calculating the diluted earnings per ordinary share are identical to those used for basic earnings per ordinary share. This is because the exercise of share options would have the effect of reducing the loss per ordinary share and is therefore not dilutive under the terms of FRS14. 2002 2001 #000 #000 ______________ _____________ Loss on ordinary activities after taxation (7,435) (13,220) ______________ _____________ No. 000 No. 000 ______________ _____________ Weighted average number of ordinary shares 122,130 121,689 ______________ _____________ Pence Pence per share per share Loss per share - basic and diluted (6.09) (10.86) ______________ _____________ 5. Analysis of net funds At 1 At 31 January December 2002 Cashflow 2002 Group #000 #000 #000 ___________ _____________ _____________ Investment in money market fund 24,183 (22,470) 1,713 Fixed term deposits 5,085 11,044 16,129 ___________ _____________ _____________ Investments 29,268 (11,426) 17,842 Cash at bank and in hand 135 2,965 3,100 ___________ _____________ _____________ 29,403 (8,461) 20,942 ___________ _____________ _____________ 6. Reconciliation of shareholders' funds Profit Share Share Other and loss Capital Premium Reserve account Total Group #'000 #'000 #'000 #'000 #'000 ________ ________ __________ __________ _________ At 31 December 2002 1,224 46,137 22,922 (43,744) 26,539 Shares issued to Employee Benefit Trust 3 23 - (26) - On grant of LTIP awards - - - 22 25 Exchange difference on translation of net assets of subsidiary undertaking - - - 23 20 Loss for the year - - - (7,435) (7,435) ________ ________ __________ __________ _________ Balance at 31 December 2002 1,227 46,160 22,922 (51,160) 19,149 ________ ________ __________ __________ _________ 7. Post Balance Sheet Events On 24 February 2003, Simon Bazalgette and Jonathan Apps resigned. Compensation amounting to #228,000 in total was agreed to be paid. 8. Music Choice will not be paying a dividend in respect of the year to 31 December 2002. The Board will continue to review the Group's dividend policy as appropriate. 9. Copies of the 2002 Report and Accounts will be sent to shareholders in due course. Further copies will be available from the registered office of Music Choice Europe plc, Fleet House, 57-61 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5AR. INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT TO THE MEMBERS OF MUSIC CHOICE EUROPE PLC We have audited the group's financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2002 which comprise Group Profit and Loss Accounts, Group Balance Sheet, Company Balance Sheet, Group Statement of Total Recognised Gains and Loss and the related notes. These financial statements have been prepared on the basis of the accounting policies set out therein. We have also audited the information in the Directors' Remuneration Report that is described as having been audited. This report is made solely to the company's members, as a body, in accordance with Section 235 of the Companies Act 1985. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the company and the company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed. Respective responsibilities of directors and auditors The directors' responsibilities for preparing the Annual Report, the Directors' Remuneration Report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable United Kingdom law and accounting standards are set out in the Statement of Directors' Responsibilities. Our responsibility is to audit the financial statements and the part of the Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited in accordance with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, United Kingdom Auditing Standards and the Listing Rules of the Financial Services Authority. We report to you our opinion as to whether the financial statements give a true and fair view and whether the financial statements and the part of the Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. We also report to you if, in our opinion, the Directors' Report is not consistent with the financial statements, if the company has not kept proper accounting records, if we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit, or if information specified by law or the Listing Rules regarding directors' remuneration and transactions with the group is not disclosed. We review whether the Corporate Governance Statement reflects the company's compliance with the seven provisions of the Combined Code specified for our review by the Listing Rules, and we report if it does not. We are not required to consider whether the board's statements on internal control cover all risks and controls, or form an opinion on the effectiveness of the group's corporate governance procedures or its risk and control procedures. We read other information contained in the Annual Report and consider whether it is consistent with the audited financial statements. This other information comprises the Directors' Report, unaudited part of the Directors' Remuneration Report, Chairman's Statement and Financial Review and Corporate Governance Statement. We consider the implications for our report if we become aware of any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the financial statements. Our responsibilities do not extend to any other information. Basis of audit opinion We conducted our audit in accordance with United Kingdom Auditing Standards issued by the Auditing Practices Board. An audit includes examination, on a test basis, of evidence relevant to the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and the part of the Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited. It also includes an assessment of the significant estimates and judgments made by the directors in the preparation of the financial statements, and of whether the accounting policies are appropriate to the group's circumstances, consistently applied and adequately disclosed. We planned and performed our audit so as to obtain all the information and explanations which we considered necessary in order to provide us with sufficient evidence to give reasonable assurance that the financial statements and the part of the Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited are free from material misstatement, whether caused by fraud or other irregularity or error. In forming our opinion we also evaluated the overall adequacy of the presentation of information in the financial statements and the part of the Directors' Remuneration Report to be audited. Opinion In our opinion the financial statements give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the company and of the group as at 31 December 2002 and of its loss of the group for the year then ended; and the financial statements and the part of the Directors'Remuneration Report to be audited have been properly prepared in accordance with the Companies Act 1985. Ernst & Young LLP 26 March 2003 This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange END FR BELLLXXBLBBV
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