AT&T Provides Update to Shareholders at Oppenheimer Conference

John Stephens, chief financial officer of AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), spoke today at the 22nd Annual Oppenheimer Technology, Internet and Communications Conference in Boston. While there, he discussed AT&T’s recently announced second-quarter results and the company’s plans for the remainder of 2019 and into 2020. AT&T’s detailed second-quarter 2019 results may be found here. Stephens discussed key details around the company’s 2019 priorities:

Wireless growth The performance of AT&T’s U.S. wireless operations in the first half of the year were strong, and the company expects total wireless service revenue to grow for full-year 2019. The company expects future wireless growth to be driven by postpaid smartphone growth; customer upgrades to unlimited plans; growth in AT&T’s Cricket wireless unit; reduced pressure from reseller; and leadership in 5G.

Stability in Entertainment Group Another of AT&T’s 2019 priorities is stabilizing EBITDA for its Entertainment Group. Entertainment Group EBITDA grew in both the first and second quarter of 2019. The company continues to expect to achieve its full-year stability target for the Entertainment Group EBITDA.

Beyond 2019, several factors are expected to help sustain Entertainment Group EBITDA, including broadband revenue growth; a higher-quality customer base; benefits from better cost management; advertising growth; the introduction of AT&T TV and reduced pressure from legacy services.

Video trends AT&T’s premium video subscribers declined in the second quarter due to elevated churn related to the expiration of two-year price locks as well as expected pressure as it focuses on EBITDA stability and attracting subscribers with higher long-term value. In the quarter, customers on two-year price locks declined by about 600,000, leaving about 1 million subscribers on those pricing plans.

The company’s focus on attracting higher-value subscribers reduced gross additions in the second quarter. The company raised its credit standards, reduced promotions and focused on attracting subscribers in areas in which it offers internet speeds of 50 Mbps or higher.

For the remainder of 2019, AT&T expects elevated video churn to continue in part due to customers rolling off two-year price locks and as carriage negotiations with two major content providers continue. The company expects to maintain its focus on improving the quality of its video subscriber base, taking a disciplined approach to promotional activity and retention offers, as it continues to prioritize stabilizing Entertainment Group EBITDA.

New video products AT&T expects to introduce its AT&T TV, its thin-client broadband TV service, in select markets by the end of the third quarter of 2019, expanding to nationwide availability in early 2020. The service will have lower acquisition costs since it does not require a truck roll to install a satellite dish at subscribers’ homes. The company says AT&T TV will also offer an improved user experience with a modern user interface, great search capabilities and in-app support. AT&T TV will be available over any broadband network and because it doesn’t require line of sight, it will increase the size of the addressable video market beyond satellite.

AT&T will host WarnerMedia Day in Los Angeles on Oct. 29 to discuss its upcoming video streaming service, HBO Max, which the company plans to launch in spring 2020 with approximately 10,000 hours of premium content. The service will offer an extensive content library built around HBO’s premium content; original and exclusive programming; the best of the best from WarnerMedia’s vast portfolio and beloved brands; and high-quality third-party content.

*About AT&T AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a diversified, global leader in telecommunications, media and entertainment, and technology. It executes in the market under four operating units. WarnerMedia is a leading media and entertainment company that creates and distributes premium and popular content to global audiences through its consumer brands including: HBO, Warner Bros., TNT, TBS, truTV, CNN, DC Entertainment, New Line, Cartoon Network, Adult Swim, Turner Classic Movies and others. AT&T Communications provides more than 100 million U.S. consumers with entertainment and communications experiences across TV, mobile and broadband services. Plus, it serves nearly 3 million business customers with high-speed, highly secure connectivity and smart solutions. AT&T Latin America provides pay-TV services across 11 countries and territories in Latin America and the Caribbean, and is the fastest growing wireless provider in Mexico, serving consumers and businesses. Xandr provides marketers with innovative and relevant advertising solutions for consumers around premium video content and digital advertising through its AppNexus platform.

AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc. Additional information is available at about.att.com. © 2019 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T, the Globe logo and other marks are trademarks and service marks of AT&T Intellectual Property and/or AT&T affiliated companies. All other marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise.

This news release may contain certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures and the GAAP financial measures are available on the company’s website at https://investors.att.com.

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Erin McGrath AT&T Inc. Phone: [phone] Email: [e-mail]