 Powering The On-Demand TV Generation
Press ReleaseEspial Reports 2009 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year ResultsFebruary 25, 2010
Espial Reports 2009 Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Results OTTAWA, Feb. 25 /CNW Telbec/ - Espial(R) Group Inc. ("Espial" or the "Company"), (TSX:ESP), a leader in the delivery of on-demand TV software and services, today announced its fourth quarter and fiscal year financial results for the three and twelve month periods ended December 31, 2009. 2009 HIGHLIGHTS:Annual revenue of $12.2 million, an increase of 21% from last year and a record for the Company. Announced that Chongqing Cable TV Network - a Chinese cable operator providing analog and digital TV services to 4.2 million subscribers - selected Espial MediaBase to power their on-demand services including Video-On-Demand (VOD), Network PVR (Personal Video Recorder) and Timeshift-TV services. Announced Com Hem AB, Sweden's largest cable operator with 1.8 million homes served, launched next generation hybrid IP-Cable digital TV and VOD services using Espial's IPTV middleware. Announced Tele2 in the Netherlands selected Espial's IPTV middleware for its next generation television platform which provides advanced services including linear TV, Video-On-Demand, High Definition, PVR and interactive services. Announced Invitel (previously Vivendi Telecom) in Hungary has launched Video-On Demand, Network PVR and Timeshift-TV services using Espial's MediaBase VOD Platform. Announced reseller agreement with Power & Tel to distribute Espial MediaBase VOD Platform to telcos in North America. Announced 4 new wins with LeRu Telephone, Granby Telephone, Seneca Telephone and McDonald County Telephone in North America for Espial MediaBase. Announced Sogetel, the largest independent telephone company in Quebec, Canada is preparing to deliver IP-based television and Video On-Demand services using Espial IPTV Middleware and Espial MediaBase. Announced Buffalo Inc. in Japan selected Espial's set-top box (STB) middleware for their recently launched hybrid set-top box providing digital TV (satellite, terrestrial and IP) and on-demand services. Released new versions of our flagship Video-On-Demand and IPTV middleware products.For the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported revenues of $12.2 million compared to revenues of $10.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2008, a 21% annual growth in revenues. For the three-month period ended December 31, 2009, the Company reported revenues of $3.1 million compared to revenues of $3.3 million for the three months ended December 31, 2008. Earnings before interest, foreign exchange, taxes, stock compensation, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was a loss of $0.3 million compared to a loss of $1.2 million in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. For the year ended December 31, 2009, EBITDA was a loss of $2.1 million compared to an EBITDA loss of $5.2 million in 2008, a 60% annual improvement in EBITDA. Net loss, which includes non-cash items like depreciation, stock compensation and amortization of intangibles, for the quarter was $0.9 million or $0.06 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.3 million last year, or $0.09 per share. Net loss for fiscal 2009 was $4.2 million compared to a net loss of $5.4 million in 2008.“We are very pleased with our 2009 results and our market momentum”, said Jaison Dolvane, President and CEO. “We demonstrated revenue growth with a significant improvement in our EBITDA during one of the worst economic periods in recent times. Throughout 2009, we announced a series of new customer wins and deployments across various regions - these strategic wins testify to the value and strength of our products. This provides us with excellent global reference accounts for our target markets including cable operators, IPTV operators and consumer electronics manufacturers.” Q4 Financial Results Fourth quarter revenues were $3,100,699 compared with revenues of $3,279,368 in the same period a year ago. Fourth quarter software license and royalty revenues were $1,496,120 compared to software license and royalty revenues of $2,377,114 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Professional services for the fourth quarters of 2009 and 2008 were $892,638 and $410,943 respectively. Maintenance and support revenues for the fourth quarter were $711,941 compared to $491,311 last year.Gross margins for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 were 70% compared with 79% in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Operating expenses in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 were $2,983,357 compared to $4,160,399 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2008. Earnings before interest, foreign exchange, taxes, stock compensation, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2009 was a loss of $311,946 compared to a loss of $1,241,077 in fiscal 2008. Net loss, which includes non-cash items like depreciation, goodwill and intangibles, in the fourth quarter was $877,704 compared to a loss of $1,325,525 last year. Fiscal 2009 Financial Results Total revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 were $12,217,744 compared with revenues of $10,110,605, in the same period a year ago. Software license and royalty revenues for the 2009 fiscal year were $7,250,697 compared to software license and royalty revenues of $5,832,967 in fiscal 2008. Professional services for the fiscal years of 2009 and 2008 were $1,896,446 and $ 2,623,004 respectively. Maintenance and support revenues for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 were $3,070,601 compared to $1,654,634 last year. Gross margins for the 2009 fiscal year were 76% compared with 71% in fiscal 2008.Operating expenses for the 2009 fiscal year were $13,080,992 compared to $13,226,774 in fiscal 2008. Earnings before interest, foreign exchange, taxes, stock compensation, dividends on redeemable preferred shares, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 was a loss of $2,081,092 compared to a loss of $5,203,257 in fiscal 2008.Net loss in the 2009 fiscal year was $4,157,319 compared to a loss of $5,368,853 in 2008. Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2009 was $8,711,699. The Company will be hosting a conference call to discuss the fourth quarter financial results on February 25, 2010 at 5:00 PM Eastern Standard Time (EST). The phone number to join the results discussion is:Toll Free line (Canada/US) - 888-231-8191 Toll line (International/Local) - 647-427-7450 The playback for the call will be available until March 25, 2010 at the following numbers and passcode:Toll line: 416-849-0833 –passcode:58677756 Toll free line: 1-800-642-1687–passcode:58677756About Espial (www.espial.com) Espial provides scalable and open digital TV software to service providers in the cable, telecommunications and hospitality industries. Its middleware, Video-On-Demand and browser solutions provide superior service delivery, advanced service innovation tools and the ability to implement flexible business models.Espial serves a range of market segments including, IPTV, Cable, hybrid IP, over-the-top, multi-dwelling unit and enterprise. With over 7 million subscribers using Espial’s patented solutions, Espial is a leading supplier of TV software.Espial is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada with offices around the world in USA, Europe and Asia. For more information please call +1.613.230.4770 or visit www.espial.com .Forward Looking Statement This press release contains information that is forward looking information with respect to Espial within the meaning of Section 138.4(9) of the Ontario Securities Act (forward looking statements) and other applicable securities laws. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of terms such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "intend", "estimate", "predict", "potential", "continue" or the negative of theses terms or other similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. In particular, statements about the benefits and synergies of the Kasenna acquisition transaction, future opportunities for the company and products and any other statements regarding Espial’s future expectations, beliefs, goals or prospects are or involve forward-looking information.Forward-looking information is based on certain factors and assumptions. While the company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information, by its nature necessarily involves risks and uncertainties, including Espial’s ability to effectively integrate Kasenna operations and effectively develop its distribution channels, and generate increased demand for its products. Additional risks and uncertainties affecting Espial can be found in Espial’s Annual Report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2008 and once filed its 2009 report and in its most recent quarterly report filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. If any of these risks or uncertainties were to materialize, or if the factors and assumptions underlying the forward-looking information were to prove incorrect, actual results could vary materially from those that are expressed or implied by the forward-looking information contained herein. Espial assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof. Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresEarnings before interest, foreign exchange, taxes, stock compensation, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) is a non-GAAP financial measure that does not have any prescribed meaning by GAAP and is therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure, when taken together with the corresponding consolidated GAAP measures, increases the transparency of the Company's current results and enables investors to more fully understand trends in its current and future performance. A reconciliation of net loss to earnings before interest, foreign exchange, taxes, stock compensation, depreciation and amortization is as follows:
ESPIAL GROUP INC. Consolidated Balance Sheet (in Canadian dollars)
ESPIAL GROUP INC. Consolidated Statement of Loss and Comprehensive Loss(in Canadian dollars except share data)
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