– Annual Gross Margins of 68%, up from 65% in 2016 –
– Seventh consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA –
CARLSBAD, Calif., March 6, 2018, 2017 — NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE American: NTN), reported financial results for the fourth quarter and twelve months ended December 31, 2017.
“In 2017, we expanded our gross margin and maintained positive EBITDA, invested in product development, while reorganizing our marketing and sales team to drive scale,” said Ram Krishnan, NTN Buzztime CEO. “In the fourth quarter, we completed the Buffalo Wild Wings software integration and delivered the first batch of new tablets with magnetic swipe, EMV and NFC capabilities. Then, in December, we initiated order and pay rollout at select locations. In January, we signed a contract with a service provider in another market for several thousand tablets, showing again the value of our platform and its broader market appeal. We anticipate several follow-on tablet orders and believe that this is an exciting recurring revenue opportunity that scales. During the quarter, we ran the Smartest Bar and followed with a football promotion in January and History Trivia sweepstakes in February. Going forward we will be focused on continuing to bring good experiences and promotions to our existing customers. Finally, our other sales partnerships for licensing software and advertising are gaining momentum, and we expect to continue adding partners throughout the year.”
Financial Results for the Fourth-Quarter Ended December 31, 2017
Total revenues were $5.3 million, compared to $6.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2016 due to lower site count and fewer advertising programs. Direct costs were $1.7 million, down from $2.1 million for the same period in 2016 due to decreases in costs associated advertising programs, depreciation, and service provider expenses. As a result, gross margin increased to 67%, up from 65% in the prior year quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $4.0 million for the fourth quarter of 2017, compared to $4.1 million for the fourth quarter of 2016. Net loss was $639,000, or $0.25 per share compared to a net loss of $459,000, or $0.22 per share, for the fourth quarter of 2016. EBITDA was $117,000 compared to $390,000 in the same period last year.
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.
Financial Results for the Year Ended December 31, 2017
Total revenues were $21.2 million, compared to $22.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2016. Gross margin increased to 68%, up from 65% for the prior year. Net loss, including $916,000 of non-recurring other income recorded in the first quarter, was $1.1 million, or $0.44 per share, compared to a net loss of $2.9 million, or $1.54 per share, for the prior year. EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2017 grew to $1.8 million, up from $578,000 for the prior year.
Metric Review for the Year Ended December 31, 2017
The site count was 2,730 venues, compared to 2,734 venues at September 30, 2017. Management anticipates the net site count will continue to fluctuate. As of December 31, 2017, BEOND platform installations increased to 2,201 venues, or 81% of the installed base, compared to 2,166 venues, or 79% of the installed base, as of September 30, 2017.
Liquidity
Cash and cash equivalents were $3.4 million at December 31, 2017, compared to $4.5 million at September 30, 2017 and $5.7 million at December 31, 2016. Total deferred revenue was $3.6 million, up from $1.3 million at December 31, 2016.
Conference Call
Management will review the results on a conference call with a live question and answer session today, March 6, 2018, at 4:30 p.m. ET. To access the call, please use passcode 8955939 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 https://www.buzztime.com. The replay of the call will be available until March 13, 2018.
Forward-looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management’s current views of future events and operations, including statements regarding our product’s value and its acceptance in the market, future revenue, and customer experiences. 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, including performance analytics and secure payment with Europay, MasterCard® and Visa® (EMV) chip card readers or with near-field communication (NFC) technology to accept Apple, Android and Samsung Pay. Most frequently used in bars and restaurants in North America, the Buzztime tablets and technology offer engaging solutions to establishments that have guests who experience dwell time, such as casinos, senior living, car dealerships 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, personalized menus and self-service dining features. Buzztime’s platform improves operating efficiencies, creates connections among the players and venues, and amplifies guests’ positive experiences. The Buzztime platform has also been recently resold and the content licensed for other businesses serving other markets. For more information, please visit https://www.buzztime.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @buzztime.
IR AGENCY CONTACT:
Kirsten Chapman/Becky Herrick, LHA Investor Relations
buzztime@lhai.com
415-433-3777
