NTN Buzztime, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2019 Results

CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 9, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE American: NTN), reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2019. 

"During the second quarter, Buzztime Entertainment improved net loss compared to the prior year period and delivered its 13^th consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA and gained traction on three important growth initiatives," said Ram Krishnan, NTN Buzztime CEO. "Upon test-marketing our new capital-light product, called Buzztime Basic, we signed over 80 locations in the first 75 days after it was released. After releasing a new mobile app, we achieved over 37,000 downloads. We launched our new ad platform in limited beta and began seeing transactions on the open exchange, both on a local and national basis. In addition, we completed a Nielsen study designed to measure the value of our audience, revealing we have one of the largest place-based advertising networks in the country and confirming we have a great market opportunity."

"The investments we made in the tablet platform continue to pay off in new markets. We've secured a second order from our jail partner that provides for $3.0 million of revenue through 2020 and continue to see momentum in our hardware and platform segment. In the third quarter, we will reduce our SG&A run rate to help ensure our prudent use of capital and keep our investments focused. Our new products present an exciting trajectory for growth, and we believe we will be better positioned to capture these market opportunities down the road," concluded Mr. Krishnan.

Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2019
Total revenues were $5.2 million, compared to $4.8 million in the first quarter of 2019 and $5.7 million in the second quarter of 2018. The year over year decrease reflects lower subscription and professional development revenue, partially offset by increases in advertising revenue. Direct costs were $1.7 million, compared to $1.9 million for the same period in 2018. Gross margin was 67%, compared to 66% for the same period in 2018, reflecting decreased equipment sales in the current period that typically carry lower gross margins. Selling, general and administrative expense decreased to $3.4 million, compared to $3.7 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting cost management measures. Net loss attributable to common shareholders was $98,000, or $0.03 per share, improved from a net loss attributable to common shareholders of $132,000, or $0.05 per share, in the prior year quarter. Net loss was $90,000, improved from a net loss of $124,000 in the prior year quarter.  EBITDA was $686,000, compared to $691,000 in the prior year quarter.

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and is not intended to represent a measure of performance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP).  Although EBITDA is positive this quarter, it may not be positive in future quarters. A detailed description and reconciliation of EBITDA and management's reasons for using this measure is set forth at the end of this press release.

Metric Review for the Quarter Ended June 30 , 2019
The site count was 2,609 at June 30, 2019, compared to 2,632 at March 31, 2019. Management anticipates that site count will continue to fluctuate.

Liquidity
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash was $3.0 million at June 30, 2019, compared to $2.8 million at December 31, 2018. For the first six months in 2019, cash flow from operations was $1.3 million, increasing from $239,000 in the same period last year.  

Conference Call
Management will review the results on a conference call with a live question and answer session today, August 9, 2019, at 4:30 p.m. ET. To access the call, please use passcode 8597009 and dial:

• (877) 307-1373 for the live call and (855) 859-2056 for the replay, if calling from the United States or Canada; or
• (678) 224-7873 for the live call and (404) 537-3406 for the replay, if calling internationally.

The call will also be accompanied live by webcast that will be accessible at the company's website at http://www.buzztime.com/investors.  The replay of the call will be available until August 16, 2019.

Forward-looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements that reflect management's current views of future events and operations, including statements regarding the ability of the company's new products to increase the company's growth, the impact of the company's planned reduction in selling, general and administrative expense, and management's view regarding the company's ability to capture market opportunities.  These risks and uncertainties include the risks of unsuccessful execution or launch of products, platforms or brands, risks associated with customer retention and growth plans, the impact of alternative entertainment options and technologies and competitive products, brands, technologies and pricing, adverse economic conditions, the regulatory environment and changes in the law, failure of customer and/or player acceptance or demand for new or existing products, lower market acceptance or appeal of both existing and new products and services by particular demographic groups or audiences as a whole, termination of partnership and contractual relationships and technical problems or outages. Please see NTN Buzztime, Inc.'s recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks that may affect the Company. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. These statements speak only as of the date hereof and NTN Buzztime, Inc. does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.

About Buzztime:
Buzztime (NYSE American: NTN) delivers interactive entertainment and innovative technology that helps its customers acquire, engage and retain its patrons. Most frequently used in bars and restaurants in North America, the Buzztime tablets, mobile app and technology offer engaging solutions to establishments that have guests who experience dwell time, such as casinos, senior living, and more. Casual dining venues license Buzztime's customizable solution to differentiate themselves via competitive fun by offering guests trivia, card, sports and arcade games. Buzztime's platform creates connections among the players and venues and amplifies guests' positive experiences. Buzztime's in-venue TV network creates one of the largest digital out of home ad audiences in the US and Canada. Buzztime hardware solutions leverages the company's experience manufacturing durable tablets and charging systems, enabling a diverse group of businesses including corrections, point-of-sale and loyalty with product implementation. Buzztime games have also been recently licensed by other businesses serving other markets.  For more information, please visit http://www.buzztime.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter@buzztime.

IR AGENCY CONTACT:
Kirsten Chapman, LHA Investor Relations, [email protected] 415-433-3777

NTN BUZZTIME, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION of GAAP TO NON-GAAP
(unaudited)
(In thousands)

A schedule reconciling the Company's consolidated net loss calculated in accordance with GAAP to EBITDA is included in the supplemental table below. The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not intended to represent a measure of performance in accordance with GAAP, nor should EBITDA be considered as an alternative to statements of cash flows as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is included herein because the Company believes it is a measure of operating performance that financial analysts, lenders, investors and other interested parties find to be a useful tool for analyzing companies like Buzztime that carry significant levels of non-cash depreciation and amortization charges in comparison to their net income or loss calculation in accordance with GAAP.

The following table reconciles our net loss per GAAP (in thousands) to EBITDA:

SOURCE NTN Buzztime, Inc.

Related Links

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