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Cincinnati Bell Reports Third Quarter 2020 Results


November 5, 2020

HIGHLIGHTS
  • Consolidated revenue totaled $390 million generating operating income of $25 million
  • Adjusted EBITDA1 was $102 million, consistent with the prior year; results include a one-time $6 million bonus to reward employees due to their efforts in minimizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic to the business
  • Entertainment and Communications revenue was $241 million and Adjusted EBITDA totaled $89 million
    • Fiber-to-the-premise (“FTTP”) High Speed Internet subscribers were up 20,400 in Cincinnati and 4,000 in Hawaii, compared to a year ago
  • IT Services and Hardware revenue totaled $155 million and Adjusted EBITDA totaled $16 million
  • Year-to-date cash provided by operating activities totaled $139 million with free cash flow2 of $27 million
  • Merger agreement with a controlled subsidiary of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners ("MIP") remains on target to close in the first half of 2021


CINCINNATI, Ohio – Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE:CBB), today announced financial results for the third quarter of 2020.

Leigh Fox, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cincinnati Bell, commented, “I am extremely proud of the Cincinnati Bell team. Despite the ongoing challenges presented by COVID-19, we continue to execute, delivering strong financial results quarter after quarter. As we approach the end of 2020, demand for fiber and our strategic IT solutions remains robust, and I am confident that we will achieve our goal of generating full year Adjusted EBITDA growth.”

Mr. Fox concluded, “The regulatory approval process is progressing as expected. Our team continues to work closely with MIP to ensure a successful close in the first half of 2021.”

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS
• Revenue totaled $390 million for the third quarter of 2020 and $1,150 million year-to-date
• Operating income of $25 million in the third quarter of 2020 and $32 million year-to-date
• Adjusted EBITDA totaled $102 million for the third quarter of 2020 and $311 million year-to-date
 
Entertainment and Communications Segment
  • Entertainment and Communications revenue totaled $241 million for the third quarter of 2020, down 3% year-over-year due to consumers migrating to over-the-top video services and continued legacy decline
  • Cincinnati revenue totaled $167 million in the third quarter
  • Fioptics revenue totaled $91 million for the third quarter, up $3 million from a year ago
  • FTTP internet subscribers totaled 235,000 at the end of the third quarter, adding 4,400 customers during the quarter
  • FTTP is available to 60% of Greater Cincinnati, or 494,800 addresses
  • Hawaii revenue totaled $74 million in the third quarter
  • Consumer / SMB Fiber revenue totaled $21 million in the third quarter, consistent with the prior year
  • FTTP internet subscribers totaled 58,600 at the end of the third quarter, adding 1,200 customers during the quarter
  • FTTP is available to 36% of Hawaii, or 178,100 addresses
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $89 million for the third quarter, down $4 million year-over-year primarily due to a one-time bonus to reward employees for their efforts during COVID-19

IT Services and Hardware Segment
  • IT Services and Hardware revenue totaled $155 million for the third quarter, up 10% compared to a year ago
  • Communications revenue was $54 million in the third quarter, up 5% compared to a year ago
  • Consulting revenue totaled $49 million for the third quarter, up 31% year-over-year
  • Cloud revenue totaling $21 million during the third quarter, down 7% from the prior year
  • Infrastructure Solutions revenue was $31 million during the third quarter, up 6% year-over-year
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $16 million for the third quarter, up 27% from the prior year, including a one-time bonus to reward employees for their efforts during COVID-19

Macquarie Infrastructure Partners Transaction Details
On March 13, 2020, Cincinnati Bell Inc. ("Cincinnati Bell" or the "Company"), together with MIP, announced an agreement through which an MIP-controlled subsidiary will acquire all outstanding shares of Cincinnati Bell for $15.50 per share in a cash transaction valued at approximately $2.9 billion, including debt (the "Transaction").

The Transaction follows the determination by Cincinnati Bell's Board of Directors, after consultation with its legal and financial advisors, that the MIP proposal constituted a "Superior Company Proposal" as defined in Cincinnati Bell's previously announced Brookfield merger agreement. Consistent with that determination, and following the expiration of the negotiation period during which Brookfield declined to propose an amendment to the Brookfield merger agreement, Cincinnati Bell terminated the Brookfield merger agreement. In connection with the termination, Cincinnati Bell paid Brookfield an approximately $25 million break-up fee.

On May 7, 2020, Cincinnati Bell’s shareholders adopted the MIP merger agreement at a virtual special meeting of shareholders.

MIP is a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets ("MIRA"). In addition to MIP, certain Special Opportunities funds or co-investment vehicles managed by the Private Equity Group of Ares Management Corporation (NYSE: ARES) ("Ares Management"), and entities controlled by the Retail Employees Superannuation Trust (“REST”), an Australian superannuation fund managed by Retail Employees Superannuation Pty Limited, have agreed to provide equity financing for the Transaction. MIRA is a global alternative asset manager with extensive experience in investing in the communications infrastructure industry. For more than two decades, MIRA has partnered with investors, governments, and communities to manage, develop, and enhance assets relied on by more than 100 million people each day. As of March 31, 2020, MIRA had $136.95 billion in assets under management (based on proportionate enterprise value), of which $107.9 billion were invested in infrastructure assets.

Ares Management is a global alternative investment manager operating three integrated businesses across Credit, Private Equity, and Real Estate. Ares Management’s global platform had $149 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2020 and employs approximately 1,200 employees in over 20 offices in more than 10 countries.

REST is a widely held Australian public offer pension fund managing over AUD 52 billion (USD $36 billion) on behalf of approximately 1.7 million members.

The Transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2021. It is subject to customary closing conditions, including receipt of certain regulatory approvals.

 
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACT:
Kei Lawson, 513-565-0510
Takeitha.Lawson@cinbell.com
 
or
 
MEDIA CONTACT:
Josh Pichler, 513-565-0310
Josh.Pichler@cinbell.com


Safe Harbor Note
This release may contain “forward-looking” statements, as defined in federal securities laws including the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are based on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, financing needs, plans or intentions relating to acquisitions and restructuring, business trends, statements regarding the Transaction and the expected timetable for completing the Transaction, are forward-looking statements. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “endeavors,” “strives,” “will,” “may,” “proposes,” “potential,” “could,” “should,” “outlook,” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of future financial performance, anticipated growth and trends in businesses, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances are forward-looking statements. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this report. The following important factors, among other things, could cause or contribute to actual results being materially and adversely different from those described or implied by such forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to:
  • those discussed in this release;
  • we operate in highly competitive industries, and customers may not continue to purchase products or services, which would result in reduced revenue and loss of market share;
  • we may be unable to grow our revenues and cash flows despite the initiatives we have implemented;
  • failure to anticipate the need for and introduce new products and services or to compete with new technologies may compromise our success in the telecommunications industry;
  • our access lines, which generate a significant portion of our cash flows and profits, are decreasing in number and if we continue to experience access line losses similar to the past several years, our revenues, earnings and cash flows from operations may be adversely impacted;
  • our failure to meet performance standards under our agreements could result in customers terminating their relationships with us or customers being entitled to receive financial compensation, which would lead to reduced revenues and/or increased costs;
  • we generate a substantial portion of our revenue by serving a limited geographic area;
  • a large customer accounts for a significant portion of our accounts receivable and the loss or significant reduction in business from this customer would cause operating results to decline and could negatively impact profitability and cash flows;
  • maintaining our telecommunications networks requires significant capital expenditures, and our inability or failure to maintain our telecommunications networks could have a material impact on our market share and ability to generate revenue;
  • increases in broadband usage may cause network capacity limitations, resulting in service disruptions or reduced capacity for customers;
  • we may be liable for material that content providers distribute on our networks;
  • cyber attacks or other breaches of network or other information technology security could have an adverse effect on our business;
  • natural disasters, terrorists acts or acts of war could cause damage to our infrastructure and result in significant disruptions to our operations;
  • the regulation of our businesses by federal and state authorities may, among other things, place us at a competitive disadvantage, restrict our ability to price our products and services and threaten our operating licenses;
  • we depend on a number of third party providers, and the loss of, or problems with, one or more of these providers may impede our growth or cause us to lose customers;
  • a failure of back-office information technology systems could adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition;
  • if we fail to extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements with our labor unions when they expire or if our unionized employees were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage, our business and operating results could be materially harmed;
  • the loss of any of the senior management team or attrition among key sales associates could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows;
  • our debt could limit our ability to fund operations, raise additional capital, and fulfill our obligations, which, in turn, would have a material adverse effect on our businesses and prospects generally;
  • our indebtedness imposes significant restrictions on us; we depend on our loans and credit facilities to provide for our short-term financing requirements in excess of amounts generated by operations, and the availability of those funds may be reduced or limited;
  • the servicing of our indebtedness is dependent on our ability to generate cash, which could be impacted by many factors beyond our control;
  • we depend on the receipt of dividends or other intercompany transfers from our subsidiaries and investments;
  • the trading price of our common shares may be volatile, and the value of an investment in our common shares may decline;
  • the uncertain economic environment, including uncertainty in the U.S. and world securities markets, could impact our business and financial condition;
  • our future cash flows could be adversely affected if we are unable to fully realize our deferred tax assets;
  • adverse changes in the value of assets or obligations associated with our employee benefit plans could negatively impact shareowners’ deficit and liquidity;
  • third parties may claim that we are infringing upon their intellectual property, and we could suffer significant litigation or licensing expenses or be prevented from selling products;
  • third parties may infringe upon our intellectual property, and we may expend significant resources enforcing our rights or suffer competitive injury; we could be subject to a significant amount of litigation, which could require us to pay significant damages or settlements;
  • we could incur significant costs resulting from complying with, or potential violations of, environmental, health and human safety laws;
  • the risk that unexpected costs will be incurred;
  • risks and uncertainties relating to the Transaction, including the timing and likelihood of completion of the Transaction; the possibility that any or all of the various conditions to the consummation of the Transaction may not be satis
  • fied or waived, including the failure to receive any required regulatory approvals from any applicable governmental entities (or any conditions, limitations or restrictions placed on such approvals); the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Transaction; the effect of the announcement or pendency of the Transaction on our ability to retain and hire key personnel, our ability to maintain relationships with our customers, suppliers and others with whom we do business, or our operating results and business generally; risks related to diverting management’s attention from the Company’s ongoing business operations; and the risk that shareholder litigation in connection with the Transaction may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability;
  • risks and uncertainties related to the effect of the recent global outbreak of COVID-19 and related government, private sector and individual consumer responsive actions on the Company’s business operations, employee availability, financial performance, liquidity and cash flow;
  • the other risks and uncertainties detailed in our filings with the SEC, including our Form 10-K report, Form 10-Q reports and Form 8-K reports; and
  • other factors outside the Company's control.
  • These forward-looking statements are based on information, plans and estimates as of the date hereof and there may be other factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. We assume no obligation to update the information contained in this release except as required by applicable law.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
This press release contains information about adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (Adjusted EBITDA), Adjusted EBITDA margin, net debt, net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders excluding special items and free cash flow. These are non-GAAP financial measures used by Cincinnati Bell management when evaluating results of operations and cash flow. Management believes these measures also provide users of the financial statements with additional and useful comparisons of current results of operations and cash flows with past and future periods. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be construed as being more important than comparable GAAP measures. Detailed reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP financial measures have been included in the tables distributed with this release and are available in the Investor Relations section of www.cincinnatibell.com.

1Adjusted EBITDA provides a useful measure of operational performance. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as GAAP operating income plus depreciation, amortization, stock-based compensation, restructuring and severance related charges, (gain) loss on sale or disposal of assets, transaction and integration costs, transaction related employee retention agreements, asset impairments, and other special items. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to comparable GAAP measures of profitability and may not be comparable with the measure as defined by other companies.

Adjusted EBITDA margin provides a useful measure of operational performance. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by revenue. Adjusted EBITDA margin should not be considered as an alternative to comparable GAAP measures of profitability and may not be comparable with the measure as defined by other companies.

2Free cash flow provides a useful measure of operational performance, liquidity and financial health. The Company defines free cash flow as cash provided by (used in) operating activities, adjusted for restructuring and severance related payments, transaction and integration payments, less capital expenditures and preferred stock dividends. Free cash flow should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income (loss), cash flow from operating activities, or the change in cash on the balance sheet and may not be comparable with free cash flow as defined by other companies. Although the Company feels there is no comparable GAAP measure for free cash flow, the attached financial information reconciles cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow.

Net debt provides a useful measure of liquidity and financial health. The Company defines net debt as the sum of the face amount of short-term and long-term debt, unamortized premium and/or discount and unamortized note issuance costs, offset by cash and cash equivalents.

Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders excluding special items in total and per share provides a useful measure of operating performance. Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders excluding special items should not be considered as an alternative to comparable GAAP measures of profitability and may not be comparable with net income (loss) excluding special items as defined by other companies.
 
 
About Cincinnati Bell Inc.

With headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio, Cincinnati Bell Inc. (NYSE: CBB) delivers integrated communications solutions to residential and business customers over its fiber-optic and copper networks including high-speed internet, video, voice and data. Cincinnati Bell provides service in areas of Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana and Hawaii. In addition, enterprise customers across the United States and Canada rely on CBTS and OnX, wholly-owned subsidiaries, for efficient, scalable office communications systems and end-to-end IT solutions. For more information, please visit www.cincinnatibell.com. The information on the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference in this press release.