WideOpenWest, Inc.: Wow! Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

First Quarter 2024 High-Speed Data Revenue increased 1% from the same period last year to $106.2 million

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., May 7, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- WideOpenWest, Inc. ("WOW!" or the "Company") (NYSE: WOW), one of the nation's leading broadband providers, with an efficient, high-performing network that passes 1.9 million residential, business and wholesale consumers, today announced financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

First Quarter 2024 Highlights ⁽¹⁾

• Total Revenue of $161.5 million, a decrease of $10.7 million, or 6.2% compared to the first quarter of 2023
• HSD Revenue totaled $106.2 million, an increase of $1.0 million, or 1.0%, compared to the first quarter of 2023
• Net Loss was $15.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024
• Adjusted EBITDA of $67.4 million, an increase of $2.2 million, or 3.4%, compared to the first quarter of 2023
• Passed approximately 18,100 new homes in Greenfield and Edge-out markets in the first quarter of 2024
• Jose Segrera joined WOW!'s Board of Directors and will become Chair of the Audit Committee

"Our first quarter results represent a strong start to the year as we make further progress in our new Greenfield markets and continued improvements in our legacy footprint," said Teresa Elder, WOW!'s CEO. "The strong penetration rates across our business reinforces our conviction in our strategy and confidence in our teams to continue growing our business."

"Our first quarter results which included year-over-year growth in high-speed data revenue, ARPU and Adjusted EBITDA, reflect the momentum we are seeing across our business," said John Rego, WOW!'s CFO. "We are continuing to aggressively manage our cost base while also driving further growth in our broadband-first strategy."

Revenue
Total Revenue was $161.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, down $10.7 million, or 6%, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023.

Total Subscription Revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $149.0 million, down $10.4 million, or 7%, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The decrease is primarily driven by a shift in service offering mix as we continue to experience a reduction in Video and Telephony RGUs, coupled with a decrease in volume across all services. The decrease is partially offset by an increase in average revenue per unit ("ARPU") driven by rate increases issued in the third quarter of 2023 and first quarter of 2024.

Other Business Services Revenue totaled $5.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, up $0.1 million, or 2%, as compared with the corresponding period in 2023.

Other Revenue totaled $7.2 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, down $0.4 million, or 5%, as compared to the corresponding period in 2023 primarily due to decreases in advertising and shopping revenue partially offset by an increase in paper statement revenue.

(1)

Costs and Expenses
Operating Expenses (excluding Depreciation and Amortization) totaled $67.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, down $10.6 million, or 14%, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The decrease was primarily driven by decreases in direct operating expense, specifically programming expense, which aligns with the reduction in Video RGUs between periods, as well as increases in capitalizable expenses, and decreases in insurance expenses. Selling, General, and Administrative expenses totaled $36.4 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, down $49.1 million, or 57%, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. The decrease is primarily attributable to the effect of the patent litigation settlement incurred in 2023, and a decrease in stock compensation expense, marketing expenses, and certain cash compensation expenses partially offset by increases in employee severance charges and other professional service fees.

Net Loss
Net Loss for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 was $15.0 million as compared to net loss of $38.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2023. Net Profit Margin was (9.3)% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 as compared to (22.1)% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, was $67.4 million, an increase of $2.2 million, compared to the corresponding period in 2023. Adjusted EBITDA margin was 41.7% for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, as compared to 37.9% for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.

Subscribers
WOW! reported Total Subscribers of 500,700 as of March 31, 2024, a decrease of 26,600, or 5%, compared to March 31, 2023, down 3,400 compared to December 31, 2023. HSD RGUs totaled 489,700 as of March 31, 2024, a decrease of 19,000, or 4%, compared to March 31, 2023, and down 400 compared to December 31, 2023.

Market Expansion
Market Expansion projects reached a total of 18,100 additional homes passed for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, including 15,100 additional homes in Greenfield markets and 3,000 additional homes in Edge-out projects. As of March 31, 2024, Greenfield initiatives passed a total of 45,500 homes and 5,700 subscribers, representing a 12.5% penetration rate.

At March 31, 2024, the 2024 Edge-out projects passed 2,500 new homes and 800 subscribers, representing a 32.0% penetration rate. The 2023 Edge-out projects include 5,000 Subscribers, which represents 27.0% penetration on such nodes. The 2022 Edge-out projects include 900 Subscribers, which represents 31.0% on such nodes.

Capital Expenditures
Capital Expenditures totaled $72.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, representing a $12.3 million increase compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2023. The increase is primarily related to increases in costs related to our market expansion in locations adjacent and nonadjacent to our existing network through our greenfield initiatives. Core Capital Expenditures, or total capital expenditures excluding expansion capital expenditures, equated to 16% of Total Revenue for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

Liquidity and Leverage
As of March 31, 2024, the total outstanding amount of long-term debt and finance lease obligations was $969.9 million, and cash and cash equivalents were $19.2 million. Total Net Leverage as of March 31, 2024, was 3.4x on a LTM Adjusted EBITDA basis and undrawn revolver capacity totaled $4.3 million.

Second Quarter 2024 Guidance

		Q2 2024
HSD Revenue		$104.0 - $107.0 million
Total Revenue		$158.0 - $161.0 million
Adjusted EBITDA		$63.0 - $66.0 million
HSD net additions		(2,000) - (500)

Webcast
ir.wowway.com. Those parties interested in participating can use the information as follows:

Call Date:	Tuesday, May 7, 2024		Call Time:	8:00 a.m. Eastern
Dial In:	[phone]		International:	[phone]
Conf. ID:	9830786

A replay of the call will be available on Tuesday, May 7, 2024 on the investor relations website.

WIDEOPENWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (unaudited)
		March 31,			December 31,
		2024			2023
		(in millions, except share data)
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents		$	19.2		$	23.4
Accounts receivable-trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $6.4 and $6.7, respectively			37.3			38.8
Accounts receivable-other, net			8.4			9.5
Prepaid expenses and other			47.0			38.5
Total current assets			111.9			110.2
Right-of-use lease assets-operating			21.6			20.1
Property, plant and equipment, net			848.1			830.4
Franchise operating rights			278.3			278.3
Goodwill			225.1			225.1
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net			0.9			1.0
Other non-current assets			50.1			49.6
Total assets		$	1,536.0		$	1,514.7
Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities
Accounts payable-trade		$	61.8		$	59.5
Accrued interest			1.8			1.6
Current portion of long-term lease liability-operating			4.4			4.3
Accrued liabilities and other			58.2			60.0
Current portion of long-term debt and finance lease obligations			17.5			18.8
Current portion of unearned service revenue			25.4			25.4
Total current liabilities			169.1			169.6
Long-term debt and finance lease obligations-less current portion and debt issuance costs			952.4			915.7
Long-term lease liability-operating			19.5			18.0
Deferred income taxes, net			124.2			125.7
Other non-current liabilities			26.2			27.5
Total liabilities			1,291.4			1,256.5
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 0 shares issued and outstanding			-			-
Common stock, $0.01 par value, 700,000,000 shares authorized; 98,706,060 and 98,594,629 issued as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively; 83,329,326 and 83,557,786 outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively			1.0			1.0
Additional paid-in capital			394.8			391.8
Retained earnings			5.3			20.3
Treasury stock at cost, 15,376,734 and 15,036,843 shares as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively			(156.5)			(154.9)
Total stockholders' equity			244.6			258.2
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity		$	1,536.0		$	1,514.7

WIDEOPENWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED (unaudited)
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2024			2023
		(in millions, except for share data)
Revenue:
HSD		$	106.2		$	105.2
Video			31.8			42.1
Telephony			11.0			12.1
Total subscription services revenue			149.0			159.4
Other business services			5.3			5.2
Other			7.2			7.6
Total revenue			161.5			172.2
Costs and expenses:
Operating (excluding depreciation and amortization)			67.5			78.1
Selling, general and administrative			36.4			85.5
Depreciation and amortization			52.4			45.5
			156.3			209.1
Income (loss) from operations			5.2			(36.9)
Other income (expense):
Interest expense			(21.0)			(14.9)
Other income, net			0.3			1.2
Loss from operations before provision for income tax			(15.5)			(50.6)
Income tax benefit			0.5			12.6
Net loss		$	(15.0)		$	(38.0)
Basic and diluted loss per common share
Basic		$	(0.18)		$	(0.46)
Diluted		$	(0.18)		$	(0.46)
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic			81,347,672			83,028,769
Diluted			81,347,672			83,028,769

WIDEOPENWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2024			2023
		(in millions)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss		$	(15.0)		$	(38.0)
Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			52.7			45.5
Deferred income taxes			(1.4)			(14.5)
Provision for doubtful accounts			2.7			2.6
Gain on sale of operating assets, net			(0.3)			-
Amortization of debt issuance costs and discount			0.4			0.4
Change in fair value of derivative instruments			1.1			-
Non-cash compensation			3.0			5.4
Other non-cash items			(0.2)			(0.1)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables and other operating assets			(6.0)			(5.4)
Payables and accruals			(3.8)			36.7
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	33.2		$	32.6
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures		$	(72.5)		$	(60.2)
Other investing activities			-			0.1
Net cash used in investing activities		$	(72.5)		$	(60.1)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt, net		$	40.0		$	51.0
Payments on long-term debt and finance lease obligations			(5.4)			(4.9)
Reimbursement of finance lease payments			1.7			-
Purchase of shares			(1.2)			(28.4)
Net cash provided by financing activities		$	35.1		$	17.7
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(4.2)			(9.8)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			23.4			31.0
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	19.2		$	21.2
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the periods for interest, net		$	19.3		$	14.5
Cash paid during the periods for income taxes		$	-		$	-
Cash received during the periods for refunds of income taxes		$	-		$	4.3
Non-cash operating activities:
Operating lease additions		$	2.5		$	0.8
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Finance lease additions		$	0.5		$	1.9
Excise tax payable		$	0.4		$	-
Capital expenditures within accounts payable and accruals		$	41.4		$	32.2

About WOW!
www.wowway.com for more information.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Non-GAAP Financial Measures
The Company has included certain non-GAAP financial measures in this release, including Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin. These terms, as defined herein, are not intended to be considered in isolation, as a substitute for, or superior to, the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America ("GAAP"). These terms may vary from the use of similar terms by other companies in our industry due to different methods of calculation and therefore are not necessarily comparable.

We believe that these non-GAAP measures enhance an investor's understanding of our financial performance. We believe that these non-GAAP measures are useful financial metrics to assess our operating performance from period to period by excluding certain items that we believe are not representative of our core business. We believe that these non-GAAP measures provide investors with useful information for assessing the comparability between periods of our ability to generate cash from operations sufficient to pay taxes, to service debt and to undertake Capital Expenditures. We use these non-GAAP measures for business planning purposes and in measuring our performance relative to that of our competitors. We believe these non-GAAP measures are measures commonly used by investors to evaluate our performance and that of our competitors.

Adjusted EBITDA eliminates the impact of expenses that do not relate to overall business performance and is defined by WOW! as net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (including impairments), impairment losses on intangibles and goodwill, write-off of any asset, loss on early extinguishment of debt, integration and restructuring expenses and all non-cash charges and expenses (including stock compensation expense) and certain other income and expenses. Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss), operating income or any other performance measures derived in accordance with GAAP as measures of operating performance, operating cash flows or liquidity.

Refer to "Reconciliations of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures" and the accompanying tables below for a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income and Adjusted EBITDA margin to Net Profit margin which are the most directly comparable corresponding GAAP financial measures.

Subscriber Information
The Company uses the terms defined below throughout this release.

Homes passed are reported as the number of serviceable addresses, such as single residence homes, apartments and condominium units, and businesses passed by our broadband network and listed in our database.

We deliver multiple services to our customers, as such we report Total Subscribers as the number of Subscribers who receive at least one of our HSD, Video or Telephony services, without regard to which or how many services they subscribe. We define each of the individual HSD Subscribers, Video Subscribers and Telephony Subscribers as a Revenue Generating Unit ("RGU").

While we take appropriate steps to ensure subscriber information is presented on a consistent and accurate basis at any given balance sheet date, we periodically review our policies in light of the variability we may encounter across our different markets due to the nature and pricing of products and services and billing systems. Accordingly, we may from time to time make appropriate adjustments to our subscriber information based on such reviews.

WIDEOPENWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Reconciliations of GAAP Measures to Non-GAAP Measures (unaudited)
The following table provides a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA Margin to Net (Loss) Income and Net Profit Margin for the periods presented:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2024			2023
		(in millions)
Net loss		$	(15.0)		$	(38.0)
Net Profit Margin			(9.3) %			(22.1) %
Plus: Depreciation and amortization			52.4			45.5
Interest expense			21.0			14.9
Non-recurring professional fees, M&A integration and restructuring expense			6.8			5.8
Patent litigation settlement			-			45.4
Non-cash stock compensation			3.0			5.4
Other income, net			(0.3)			(1.2)
Income tax benefit			(0.5)			(12.6)
Adjusted EBITDA		$	67.4		$	65.2
Adjusted EBITDA Margin			41.7 %			37.9 %

WIDEOPENWEST, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Capital Expenditures and Subscriber Information (unaudited)
The following table provides additional information regarding our Capital Expenditures for the periods presented:
		Three months ended
		March 31,
		2024				2023
		(in millions)
Scalable infrastructure		$	32.6		$	17.9
Customer premise equipment			18.6			16.2
Line extensions			11.1			16.0
Support capital and other			10.2			10.1
Total		$	72.5		$	60.2
Capital expenditures included in total related to:
Greenfields		$	43.1		$	20.2
Edge-outs		$	1.7		$	4.2
Business services		$	2.2		$	3.9

The following table provides an unaudited summary of our continuing operations subscriber information:
		March 31,		June 30,		September 30,		December 31,		March 31,
		2023		2023		2023		2023		2024
Homes Passed		1,885,700		1,892,600		1,905,600		1,932,200		1,948,500
Total Subscribers		527,300		522,400		517,400		504,100		500,700
HSD RGUs		508,700		507,800		503,400		490,100		489,700
Video RGUs		117,100		110,000		100,800		90,800		79,300
Telephony RGUs		87,700		85,300		82,700		79,500		77,700
Total RGUs		713,500		703,100		686,900		660,400		646,700

Additional Information Available on Website:
The information in this press release should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and footnotes contained in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2024, which will be posted on of our investor relations website at ir.wowway.com, when it is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"). A slide presentation to accompany the conference call and a trending schedule containing historical customer and financial data will also be available on our website.

SOURCE WideOpenWest, Inc.