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  Title	Altice USA Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results
  ID	4401759
  External ID	7273871362
  Author	Unknown
  Published Date	Nov. 4, 2024, 3:11 p.m.
  Summary	NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 4, 2024-- Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) today reports results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Dennis Mathew, Altice USA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
  Tags	press-release
  URL	https://apnews.com/press-release/business-wire/altice-usa-inc-earnings-a1c0c35ca79d407b8731cd2f950982a6
  Sentiment	Negative: 0.05611    Neutral: 0.03030    Positive: 0.91358
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• Content Details

  Content ID	2619234
  Key	1b76a8be-db69-448d-8384-0507a58acad1
  Content	NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov 4, 2024-- Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) today reports results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024. Dennis Mathew, Altice USA Chairman and Chief Executive Officer , said: “Over the last two years, we've made significant progress in strengthening our networks, stabilizing our operations, and setting a strong foundation for long-term growth. These efforts have resulted in positive momentum across our fiber and mobile product lines in the third quarter. Our focus remains on transforming our business for future growth with significant revenue opportunities, including expanding our advanced product portfolio, increasing penetration of our best-in-class fiber network, and driving operational efficiencies with a sustainable capital structure. Executing on these goals will drive free cash flow, increase shareholder value and support sustainable long-term growth over time.” Third Quarter 2024 Financial Overview Total revenue of $2.2 billion (-3.9% year over year) Residential revenue of $1.7 billion (-5.6% year over year) Residential revenue per user (“ARPU”) (1) of $135.77 (-1.9% year over year) Business Services revenue of $366.4 million (-0.1% year over year) News and Advertising revenue of $117.7 million (+9.5% year over year) Net income (loss) attributable to stockholders of ($43.0) million ($(0.09)/share on a diluted basis) in Q3 2024 and $66.8 million ($0.15/share on a diluted basis) in Q3 2023 Net cash flows from operating activities of $436.0 million in Q3 2024 and $474.5 million in Q3 2023 Adjusted EBITDA (2) of $862.0 million (-5.8% year over year) , and margin of Cash capital expenditures of $359.2 million (+1.7% year over year) and Capital intensity (3) of 16.1% (13.1% excluding fiber and new builds) We remained disciplined on capital spend over the course of the year and now anticipate cash capital expenditures of $1.5 billion in full year 2024, representing a $200 million dollar reduction compared to full year 2023 cash capital expenditures Free Cash Flow (2) of $76.9 million, including $115 million of higher cash interest in Q3 2024 year over year Third Quarter 2024 Key Operational Highlights Strong Fiber Net Adds Reaching 482k Fiber Customers, a +63% Increase in Total Fiber Customers Compared to Q3 2023 Fiber customer growth continued in Q3 2024 with +47k fiber net additions, of which 73% were driven by migrations of existing customers Fiber network penetration reached 16.6% at the end of Q3 2024, up from 10.8% at the end of Q3 2023 Mobile Line Net Adds of +36k in Q3 2024, Representing the Highest Mobile Line Net Adds in Four Years; Reaching 420k Lines Optimum Mobile line net additions of +36k in Q3 2024, compared to +24k in Q3 2023 5.2% of broadband base converged with mobile (4) at the end of Q3 2024, up from 3.2% at the end of Q3 2023 Strengthening Our Go-To-Market Strategy to Leverage Convergence Opportunities Simplified product offers and base management strategy to drive convergence and provide customers more value Evolved our video model with the introduction of new TV packages -- Entertainment TV, Extra TV, Everything TV -- which drive higher margins via mutually beneficial programming agreements, offer consumers more content flexibility and are available alongside a customer's favorite streaming services via Optimum Stream Total Broadband Primary Service Units (PSUs) Net Losses of -50k (5) Broadband net losses were -50k (5) in Q3 2024, compared to -31k in Q3 2023 Performance was driven by continued low levels of switching activity, competitive pressures across our footprint, and muted trends in the income-constrained segment, including elevated non-pay disconnects from prior ACP subscribers Continued Progress in Delivering on Multi-Year Network Strategy; Reaching Nearly 3 million Fiber Passings Fiber passings additions of +52k in Q3 2024, reaching 2.9 million fiber passings, and targeting approximately 3 million fiber passings by year-end 2024 Total passings additions of +38k in Q3 2024, reaching 9.8 million total passings, and targeting over 175k additional passings in full year 2024 Capital intensity (3) of 16.1% in Q3 2024 compared to 15.2% in Q3 2023 Service call rate (6) improved by 11% year over year in Q3 2024 Service visit repeat rate (7) improved by 28% year over year in Q3 2024 Achieved approximately 99% node health across our entire footprint in Q3 2024 through enhanced node monitoring and proactive maintenance Deploying new digital modulation technologies on our DOCSIS 3.1 HFC network to improve broadband performance with over 3 million customers expected to benefit from better speed attainability and reliability this year Opportunities to Improve Free Cash Flow(2)Over Time Revenue Opportunities Improve broadband subscriber trends Reach 1 million+ mobile lines by year-end 2027 Launch additional high margin value-added services Expand B2B product portfolio and scalable solutions Fiber Penetration Maximize asset value and competitive positioning Accelerate growth of fiber base with plans to achieve 1 million+ fiber subscribers by year-end 2026 Deliver 30%+ fiber penetration year-end 2026 Operational Efficiency Achieve gross margin of ~70% by year-end 2026 Improve other operating expenses (8) by 4-6% by year-end 2026 Return normalized Adjusted EBITDA (2) margins to ~40% Sustainable Capital Structure Sufficient liquidity to support long-term operational roadmap Deliver annual capex under $1.3bn in full year 2025 Maintain positive annual Free Cash Flow (2) Balance Sheet Review as of September 30, 2024 Net debt (9) for CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group was $23,180 million at the end of Q3 2024, representing net leverage of 7.2x L2QA (10) The weighted average cost of debt for CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group was 6.9% and the weighted average life of debt was 4.4 years Net debt (9) for Cablevision Lightpath LLC was $1,410 million at the end of Q3 2024, representing net leverage of 5.7x L2QA (10) The weighted average cost of debt for Cablevision Lightpath LLC was 5.4% and the weighted average life of debt was 3.3 years Consolidated net debt (9) for Altice USA was $24,564 million, representing consolidated net leverage of 7.1x L2QA (10) The weighted average cost of debt for consolidated Altice USA was 6.8% and the weighted average life of debt was 4.3 years Shares Outstanding As of September 30, 2024, Altice USA had 461,189,373 combined shares of Class A and Class B common stock outstanding Customer Metrics Total Passings (11) Total Passings additions Total Customer Relationships (5)(12)(13) Residential Total Unique Customer Relationships Residential net additions (losses) Business Services net additions (losses) Total customer net additions (losses) Residential PSUs (5) Broadband Video Telephony Broadband net additions (losses) Video net additions (losses) Telephony net additions (losses) Residential ARPU ($) (1) SMB PSUs Broadband Video Telephony Broadband net additions (losses) Video net additions (losses) Telephony net additions (losses) Total Mobile Lines (14) Mobile ending lines Mobile ending lines excluding free service Mobile line net additions Mobile line net additions ex-free service Fiber (“FTTH”) Customer Metrics FTTH Total Passings (15) FTTH Total Passing additions FTTH Residential customer relationships FTTH SMB customer relationships FTTH Total Customer Relationships (16) FTTH Residential net additions FTTH SMB net additions FTTH Total Customer Net Additions Altice USA Consolidated Operating Results ($ and shares in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Revenue: Broadband Video Telephony Mobile Residential revenue Business services and wholesale News and Advertising Other Total revenue Operating expenses: Programming and other direct costs Other operating expenses Restructuring, impairments and other operating items Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) Operating income Other income (expense): Interest expense, net Gain on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net — — Loss on derivative contracts, net — — — Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, net Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — — Other income (loss), net Income (loss) before income taxes Income tax benefit (expense) Net income (loss) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests Net income (loss) attributable to Altice USA stockholders Basic net income (loss) per share Diluted net income (loss) per share Basic weighted average common shares Diluted weighted average common shares Altice USA Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ($ in thousands) (unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, Cash flows from operating activities: Net income (loss) Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) Gain on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net Loss on derivative contracts, net — Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs Amortization of deferred financing costs and discounts (premiums) on indebtedness Share-based compensation Deferred income taxes Decrease in right-of-use assets Allowance for credit losses Other Change in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions and dispositions: Accounts receivable, trade Prepaid expenses and other assets Amounts due from and due to affiliates Accounts payable and accrued liabilities Deferred revenue Interest rate swap contracts Net cash provided by operating activities Cash flows from investing activities: Capital expenditures Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired — Other, net Net cash used in investing activities Cash flows from financing activities: Proceeds from long-term debt Repayment of debt Proceeds from derivative contracts in connection with the settlement of collateralized debt — Principal payments on finance lease obligations Payment related to acquisition of a noncontrolling interest Additions to deferred financing costs — Other, net Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of year Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures We define Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income (loss) excluding income taxes, non-operating income or expenses, gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs, gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, gain (loss) on derivative contracts, gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, interest expense, net, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, restructuring, impairments and other operating items (such as significant legal settlements and contractual payments for terminated employees). We define Adjusted EBITDA margin as Adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenue. Adjusted EBITDA eliminates the significant non-cash depreciation and amortization expense that results from the capital-intensive nature of our business and from intangible assets recognized from acquisitions, as well as certain non-cash and other operating items that affect the period-to-period comparability of our operating performance. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is unaffected by our capital and tax structures and by our investment activities. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating our operating performance. Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors, analysts and peers to compare performance in our industry. Internally, we use revenue and Adjusted EBITDA measures as important indicators of our business performance and evaluate management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core business and operating results by excluding items that are not comparable across reporting periods or that do not otherwise relate to our ongoing operating results. Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of performance presented in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Since Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies. We also use Free Cash Flow (defined as net cash flows from operating activities less cash capital expenditures) as a liquidity measure. We believe this measure is useful to investors in evaluating our ability to service our debt and make continuing investments with internally generated funds, although it may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA ($ in thousands) (unaudited) Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Net income (loss) Income tax expense (benefit) Other loss (income), net Loss (gain) on interest rate swap contracts, net Loss on derivative contracts, net — — — Gain on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net — — Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs — — Interest expense, net Depreciation and amortization Restructuring, impairments and other operating items Share-based compensation Adjusted EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA margin Reconciliation of net cash flow from operating activities to Free Cash Flow (Deficit) (in thousands) (unaudited): Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, Net cash flows from operating activities Less: Capital expenditures (cash) Free Cash Flow (Deficit) Consolidated Net Debt as of September 30, 2024 CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group Principal Coupon / Maturity Drawn RCF Term Loan B-5 Term Loan B-6 Guaranteed Notes Guaranteed Notes Guaranteed Notes Guaranteed Notes Guaranteed Notes Guaranteed Notes Guaranteed Notes Guaranteed Notes Senior Notes Legacy unexchanged Cequel Notes Senior Notes Senior Notes Senior Notes CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group Gross Debt CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group Cash CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group Net Debt CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group Undrawn RCF Cablevision Lightpath LLC Principal Amount Coupon / Margin Maturity Drawn RCF (19) $— Term Loan Senior Secured Notes Senior Notes Cablevision Lightpath Gross Debt Cablevision Lightpath Cash Cablevision Lightpath Net Debt Cablevision Lightpath Undrawn RCF Net Leverage Schedules as of September 30, 2024 CSC Holdings Restricted Group (20) Cablevision Lightpath LLC CSC Holdings Consolidated (21) Altice USA Consolidated Gross Debt Consolidated (22) Cash Net Debt Consolidated (9) Net Leverage (LTM) 7.2x 5.7x 7.1x 7.1x Net Leverage (L2QA) (10) 7.2x 5.7x 7.1x 7.1x Reconciliation to Financial Reported Debt Altice USA Consolidated Total Debenture and Loans from Financial Institutions (Carrying Amount) Unamortized financing costs and discounts, net of unamortized premiums Gross Debt Consolidated (22) Finance leases and other notes Total Debt Cash Net Debt ARPU is calculated by dividing the average monthly revenue for the respective period derived from the sale of broadband, video, telephony and mobile services to residential customers by the average number of total residential customers for the same period and excludes mobile-only customer relationships. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” beginning on page 7 of this earnings release. Capital intensity refers to total cash capital expenditures as a percentage of total revenue. Broadband base converged with mobile is expressed as the percentage of customers subscribing to both broadband and mobile services divided by the total broadband customer base. Excludes mobile only customers. Customer metrics as of September 30, 2024 reflect adjustments to align to the Company's bulk residential subscriber count policy, resulting in an increase of 4.7 thousand residential customer relationships, 3.8 thousand broadband customers and 5.2 thousand video customers. The impact of these adjustments to customer relationships, broadband and video customer net additions was not material for any period presented and as such prior period metrics were not restated. Service call rate represents technical, care and support calls per customer. Service visit repeat rate represents the number of repeat visits or truck rolls per customer within 30 days. Other Operating Expenses exclude programming and direct costs, depreciation and amortization, share-based compensation, restructuring, impairments and other operating items. Net debt, defined as the principal amount of debt less cash, and excluding finance leases and other notes. L2QA leverage is calculated as quarter end net leverage divided by the last two quarters of Adjusted EBITDA annualized. Total passings represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by the HFC and FTTH network in areas serviceable without further extending the transmission lines. In addition, it includes commercial establishments that have connected to our HFC and FTTH network. Broadband services were not available to approximately 30 thousand total passings and telephony services were not available to approximately 500 thousand total passings. Total Unique Customer Relationships represent the number of households/businesses that receive at least one of our fixed-line services. Customers represent each customer account (set up and segregated by customer name and address), weighted equally and counted as one customer, regardless of size, revenue generated, or number of boxes, units, or outlets on our hybrid-fiber-coaxial (HFC) and fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) network. Free accounts are included in the customer counts along with all active accounts, but they are limited to a prescribed group. Most of these accounts are also not entirely free, as they typically generate revenue through pay-per-view or other pay services and certain equipment fees. Free status is not granted to regular customers as a promotion. In counting bulk residential customers, such as an apartment building, we count each subscribing unit within the building as one customer, but do not count the master account for the entire building as a customer. We count a bulk commercial customer, such as a hotel, as one customer, and do not count individual room units at that hotel. Total Customer Relationship metrics do not include mobile-only customers. Mobile ending lines include lines receiving free service. Mobile ending lines excluding free service exclude additions relating to mobile lines receiving free service from all periods presented, and includes net additions from when customers previously on free service start making payments. Represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by the FTTH network in areas serviceable without further extending the transmission lines. In addition, it includes commercial establishments that have connected to our FTTH network. Represents number of households/businesses that receive at least one of our fixed-line services on our FTTH network. FTTH customers represent each customer account (set up and segregated by customer name and address), weighted equally and counted as one customer, regardless of size, revenue generated, or number of boxes, units, or outlets on our FTTH network. Free accounts are included in the customer counts along with all active accounts, but they are limited to a prescribed group. Most of these accounts are also not entirely free, as they typically generate revenue through pay-per view or other pay services and certain equipment fees. Free status is not granted to regular customers as a promotion. In counting bulk residential customers, such as an apartment building, we count each subscribing unit within the building as one customer, but do not count the master account for the entire building as a customer. We count a bulk commercial customer, such as a hotel, as one customer, and do not count individual room units at that hotel. The Incremental Term Loan B-5 bears interest at a rate equal to Synthetic USD London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.50% per annum through March 31, 2025. Thereafter, we will be required to pay interest at a rate equal to the alternate base rate (“ABR”), plus the applicable margin, where the ABR is the greater of (x) prime rate or (y) the federal funds effective rate plus 50 basis points and the applicable margin for any ABR loan is 1.50% per annum. The Incremental Term Loan B-6 is due on the earlier of (i) January 15, 2028 and (ii) April 15, 2027 if, as of such date, any Incremental Term Loan B-5 borrowings are still outstanding, unless the Incremental Term Loan B-5 maturity date has been extended to a date falling after January 15, 2028. Under the extension amendment to the Lightpath credit agreement entered into in February 2024, $95 million of revolving credit commitments, if drawn, would be due on June 15, 2027 and $20 million of revolving credit commitments, if drawn, would be due on November 30, 2025. CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group excludes the unrestricted subsidiaries, primarily Cablevision Lightpath LLC and NY Interconnect, LLC. CSC Holdings Consolidated includes the CSC Holdings, LLC Restricted Group and the unrestricted subsidiaries. Principal amount of debt excluding finance leases and other notes. About Altice USA Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to approximately 4.6 million residential and business customers across 21 states through its Optimum brand. We operate Optimum Media, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience-based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional and national businesses and advertising clients. We also offer hyper-local, national and international news through our News 12 and i24NEWS networks. Certain statements in this earnings release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, all statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this earnings release, including, without limitation, those regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things: our future financial conditions and performance, our revenue streams, results of operations and liquidity, including Free Cash Flow; our strategy, objectives, prospects, trends, service and operational improvements, capital expenditure plans, broadband, fiber, video and mobile growth, product offerings and passings; our ability to achieve operational performance improvements; our ability to achieve near and longer term revenue, penetration, operational efficiency and capital structure opportunities (including mobile lines, fiber subscribers, fiber penetration, gross margin, operating expenses, EBITDA margins, annual capital expenditures, and annual Free Cash Flow); and future developments in the markets in which we participate or are seeking to participate. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including without limitation the terms “anticipate”, “believe”, “could”, “estimate”, “expect”, “forecast”, “intend”, “may”, “opportunity”, “plan”, “project”, “should”, “target”, or “will” or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. Where, in any forward-looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. To the extent that statements in this earnings release are not recitations of historical fact, such statements constitute forward-looking statements, which, by definition, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements including risks referred to in our SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on Altice USA's forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Altice USA specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, as of any future date. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241104860652/en/ CONTACT: Investor Relations John Hsu: +1 917 405 2097 / john.hsu@alticeusa.com Sarah Freedman: +1 631 660 8714 / sarah.freedman@alticeusa.comMedia Relations Lisa Anselmo: +1 516 279 9461 / lisa.anselmo@alticeusa.com Janet Meahan: +1 516 519 2353 / janet.meahan@alticeusa.com INDUSTRY KEYWORD: MOBILE/WIRELESS TECHNOLOGY CONTENT MARKETING CARRIERS AND SERVICES MARKETING ADVERTISING COMMUNICATIONS TELECOMMUNICATIONS AUDIO/VIDEO NETWORKS SOURCE: Altice USA Copyright Business Wire 2024. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241104860652/en
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  Publisher URL	https://apnews.com
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  Citation Flow Score	70

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  Data Source Name	Quantexa News (#5)
  Data Source Type	news
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  Weight	10