Rogers Communications Inc., a leading diversified Canadian communications and media company, announced its unaudited consolidated financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013, in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (“IFRS”).

Financial highlights from continuing operations are as follows⁽¹⁾:

“The record first quarter levels of both revenue and adjusted operating profit which Rogers reported represents a solid start to 2013,” said Nadir Mohamed, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rogers Communications Inc. “The positive operating trends which we achieved during 2012 are carrying into the new year as evidenced by the continued improvements in ARPU, data and Internet revenue, churn and margin profiles which we reported for the first quarter of 2013. This balanced growth across subscribers, revenue, margins and earnings reflects the combination of our superior asset mix, innovative product offerings, and successful ongoing efficiency gains, further supporting the 10% dividend increase we announced earlier in the quarter.”

Highlights of the first quarter of 2013 include the following: 

Top Line Growth Continued 

• Consolidated revenue growth of 3% was driven by Wireless network revenue growth of 4% and Cable revenue growth of 4%, partially offset by declines at Media, compared to the same quarter last year.

• Wireless data revenue grew by 22% which helped drive a 3.5% increase in blended ARPU. Wireless data revenue now comprises 45% of Wireless network revenue. Wireless activated and upgraded 673,000 smartphones, of which approximately 33% were for subscribers new to Wireless. This resulted in subscribers with smartphones now representing 71% of the overall postpaid subscribers. Wireless also recorded a continued reduction in postpaid churn.

Continued Cost Efficiency Gains Drive Profit Growth and Margin Expansion

• Consolidated adjusted operating profit increased year over year by 8%, primarily driven by a 4% increase at Wireless, 13% increase at Cable, and 28% increase at RBS.

• Consolidated margins of 38.9% were up 170 basis points year over year, supported by strong adjusted operating profit margins of 45.5% and 49.8% at Wireless and Cable, respectively, reflecting revenue growth combined with solid execution on our cost management objectives. Adjusted net income improved 15% from the same quarter last year and adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.80 were up 18%.

Continued to Enhance our Leading Networks to Monetize Rapid Data Growth

• Continued to expand Canada’s first and fastest wireless Long Term Evolution (“LTE”) 4G broadband network that now covers approximately 60% of the Canadian population, while continuing to offer the largest selection of LTE devices of any carrier in Canada. LTE is a next generation wireless technology that enables unparalleled connectivity, capable of speeds that are between three and four times faster than HSPA+ with peak potential download rates of up to 150 Megabits per second.

• Announced agreements with Shaw Communications (“Shaw”) securing an option to purchase Shaw’s Advanced Wireless Service (“AWS”) spectrum holdings in 2014, and to acquire Shaw’s cable system in Hamilton, Ontario, while Shaw will acquire Rogers’ one-third interest in specialty channel TVtropolis. We recently received regulatory approval on the purchase of Shaw’s cable system and other transactions are pending regulatory approval.

• Rogers became the first carrier in North America and one of the first in the world to offer international LTE roaming to customers. In partnership with one of Hong Kong’s leading mobile service providers, Rogers has launched LTE roaming for its customers travelling to Hong Kong. Rogers will be launching LTE roaming in a number of additional countries throughout 2013.

Customer Experience Further Enriched

• Announced the certification of mobile payment service suretap™ for the Android and BlackBerry 10 operating systems. Rogers suretap service enables smartphones to securely perform electronic payments and is accepted at tens of thousands of contactless terminals across Canada.

• Together with our machine-to-machine (“M2M”) global alliance partners, Rogers demonstrated a single worldwide SIM card via a web-based platform designed to simplify multinational M2M solutions for global customers. Comprised of eight leading mobile operators, the alliance is bringing  technology to market that will simplify the process of global M2M deployments and eliminate complexity for multinational companies with worldwide deployments of connected devices.

• Launched Rogers Smart Home Monitoring, an innovative, robust home security and home automation control system, to residents of Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe and in Atlantic Canada. Rogers Smart Home Monitoring allows customers to easily control and automate their home security, lights, cameras, thermostats and appliances, and to remotely monitor their home through their smartphone, tablet device or computer.

Media Focus on Sports and Local Content

• Media and the Buffalo Bills announced a renewed five-year partnership that will continue to deliver a first-class sports experience to Canadian NFL fans. The agreement, which begins in 2013 and runs through 2017, will see the Buffalo Bills play a total of six games in Toronto, further underscoring Rogers’ commitment to producing and delivering premium sports content and experiences for fans.

• Sportsnet announced a 10-year partnership extension with the Vancouver Canucks through the 2022/2023 NHL season, continuing a 14-year network tradition as the regional television broadcaster of Canucks hockey. The new agreement features a comprehensive suite of multimedia rights including television, online and mobile, delivering up to 60 regular season Vancouver Canucks games each season. Sportsnet is also the official regional television broadcast rights holder for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Calgary Flames, Edmonton Oilers, and Ottawa Senators.

• Completed the purchase of the CJNT-TV Montreal (“Metro14 Montreal”) and re-launched the station as City Montreal in this key Quebec market. The purchase of this broadcast license, along with other acquisitions and agreements put in place during 2012, has increased City’s reach by more than 20% to over 80% of Canadian households.

Balance Sheet Strength Further Reinforced with Continued Healthy Cash Flow Generation, Increased Liquidity and Lower Cost of Borrowing

• Generated $543 million of consolidated pre-tax free cash flow in the quarter, an increase of 11% compared to the first quarter of 2012, reflecting increased adjusted operating profit, which was partially offset by an increased level of PP&E expenditures. Pre-tax free cash flow per share increased by 14% over the same period last year.

• Issued U.S.$1.0 billion of investment grade debt securities consisting of U.S.$500 million of 3.0% Senior Notes due 2023 and U.S.$500 million of 4.5% Senior Notes due 2043. The net proceeds from the issuance of the debt securities were approximately U.S.$985 million (Cdn. $1,015 million) which is expected to be used for general corporate purposes.

• Rogers has reduced its overall average cost of debt capital to 5.77% at March 31, 2013 from 6.12% at March 31, 2012.

Cash Returned to Shareholders Grows with Announcement of Further Dividend Increase

• Increased our annualized dividend rate by 10% to $1.74 per share in February 2013, and immediately declared a quarterly dividend of $0.435 a share on each of our outstanding shares at the new, higher rate. In addition, Rogers announced a share buyback authorization of up to $500 million of Rogers’ Class B Non-Voting shares over the coming year.

Announcement of CEO Succession

• Announced that President and Chief Executive Officer, Nadir Mohamed, has decided to retire in January 2014. He will continue to lead the company during 2013 and work with Rogers’ Board of Directors to ensure a seamless and orderly transition. The Board has appointed a search committee, retained an executive search firm and begun an international search for a successor to Mr. Mohamed.

This earnings release, which is current as of April 22, 2013, is a summary of our first quarter 2013 results, and should be read in conjunction with our first quarter 2013 MD&A and our first quarter 2013 Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, our 2012 Annual MD&A and our 2012 Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto, and our other recent filings with securities regulatory authorities which are available on SEDAR at sedar.com or EDGAR at sec.gov.

The financial information presented herein has been prepared on the basis of IFRS for interim financial statements and is expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated.

As this earnings release includes forward-looking statements and assumptions, readers should carefully review the section of this earnings release entitled “Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Risks and Assumptions”.

In this earnings release, the terms “we”, “us”, “our”, “Rogers”, “Rogers Communications” and “the Company” refer to Rogers Communications Inc. and our subsidiaries: Wireless, Cable, Business Solutions (“RBS”) and Media.

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

SEGMENT REVIEW

WIRELESS

Summarized Wireless Financial Results

Summarized Wireless Subscriber Results

Wireless Subscribers and Network Revenue

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, Wireless activated and upgraded approximately 673,000 smartphones, compared to approximately 642,000 in the first quarter of 2012. This addition of smartphones increased the percentage of subscribers with smartphones to 71% of Wireless’ total postpaid subscriber base at March 31, 2013, compared to 60% as at March 31, 2012. These subscribers generally commit to multi-year term contracts and typically generate significantly higher ARPU than non-smartphone subscribers.

The increase in wireless network revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, reflects the continued growth of Wireless’ postpaid subscriber base and the increased adoption and usage of wireless data services.

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, wireless data revenue increased to $762 million, a 22% increase from the corresponding period of 2012. This growth in wireless data revenue reflects the continued penetration and growing usage of smartphones, tablet devices and wireless laptops, which drive increased usage of e-mail, wireless Internet access, text messaging, data roaming, and other wireless data services. A portion of this growth reflects enhancements to data roaming plans introduced in the third quarter of 2012. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, wireless data revenue represented approximately 45% of total network revenue, compared to approximately 39% in the corresponding period of 2012.

The 3.5% year-over-year increase in blended ARPU for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, primarily reflects the aforementioned growth in wireless data revenue, partially offset by the continued decline of wireless voice ARPU. The wireless data component of blended ARPU increased by 20.5%, partially offset by a 7.3% decline in the wireless voice component as a result of a general shift in usage patterns from voice to data based wireless services and the general level of competition around wireless voice services.

Wireless Equipment Sales

The decrease in revenue from equipment sales for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, primarily reflects changes in device pricing and resultant subsidies driven by increased competition, partially offset by an increase in the mix of smartphones activated towards higher value devices versus the corresponding period in the prior year.

Wireless Operating Expenses

The increase in cost of equipment for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, was primarily the result of the increased number of smartphone sales to new customers and upgrades for existing customers. During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we activated 5% more smartphones with a higher average cost per device than in the same period last year.

Total retention spending, including subsidies on handset upgrades, was $247 million in the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to $208 million in the corresponding period of 2012. The increase primarily reflects a higher number of hardware upgrades by existing subscribers than during the same period last year, a shift in the mix of smartphones activated towards higher value devices, and a more competitive device pricing environment.

Other operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013, excluding retention spending discussed above were relatively flat versus the same period of the prior year. Wireless incurred higher marketing costs, driven by increased promotional activities, which were offset by efficiency gains resulting from cost management and productivity initiatives across various functions. Wireless continues to focus on costs reduction and efficiency improvement initiatives.

Wireless Adjusted Operating Profit

The 4% year-over-year increase in adjusted operating profit and the 45.5% adjusted operating profit margin on network revenue (which excludes equipment sales revenue) for the three months ended March 31, 2013 primarily reflect the growth of network revenue in the period, coupled with cost management and efficiency improvements as discussed above.

CABLE

Summarized Financial Results

Summarized Subscriber Results

Television Revenue

Television revenue decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, from the 4% year-over-year decline in television subscribers combined with the impact of promotional and retention pricing activity associated with heightened competition, partially offset by pricing changes made in January 2013.

Our digital cable subscriber base represents 81% of our total television subscriber base as at March 31, 2013, compared to 78% as at March 31, 2012. A larger selection of digital content, video on-demand, HDTV and PVR equipment continues to contribute to the increasing penetration of the digital subscriber base as a percentage of our total television subscriber base.

Cable began a substantial conversion of the remaining analog cable customers onto its digital cable platform during 2012. This strategic migration will continue to further strengthen the customer experience, and once complete will enable the reclamation of significant amounts of network capacity, as well as reduce network operating and maintenance costs. The analog to digital migration, expected to be completed in 2015, entails incremental PP&E and operating costs as each of the remaining analog homes are fitted with digital converters and various analog filtering equipment is removed.

Internet Revenue

The year-over-year increase in Internet revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period in 2012, reflects the increase in our Internet subscriber base, combined with a general movement to higher end speed and usage tiers, combined with Internet service pricing changes made during the previous twelve months.

With our Internet customer base at 1.9 million subscribers, Internet penetration is approximately 49% of the homes passed by our cable network and 86% of our television subscriber base as at March 31, 2013, compared to 48% and 79% as at March 31, 2012, respectively.

Home Phone Revenue

The increase in Phone revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, primarily reflects the increase in our Phone customer base due to increased promotional activities.

Phone lines in service grew 4% from March 31, 2012 to March 31, 2013 and now represent 29% of the homes passed by our cable network and 50% of television subscribers, compared to 28% and 46% at March 31, 2012, respectively.

Cable Operating Expenses

Cable’s operating expenses decreased by 3% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012. Excluding the positive impact resulting from an $8 million adjustment to licence fees payable to match the CRTC’s billing period in the current quarter of 2013, the decrease would be 1% year over year. The decrease was driven by cost reductions, efficiency initiatives and lower activity volumes. Cable continues to focus on cost reductions and efficiency improvement initiatives.

Cable Adjusted Operating Profit

The year-over-year increase in adjusted operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was driven principally by increased service revenue coupled with cost reductions as discussed above, resulting in expanded adjusted operating profit margin of 49.8% for the three months endedMarch 31, 2013, compared to 45.8% in the corresponding period of 2012.

Other Cable Developments

On January 14, 2013, we announced a multipart strategic transaction with Shaw to acquire Shaw’s cable system in Hamilton, Ontario and secure an option to purchase Shaw’s AWS spectrum holdings in 2014. We will also sell to Shaw our one-third equity interest in specialty channel TVtropolis. Rogers’ net cash investment is expected to total approximately $700 million if all aspects of the transactions are approved.

During the three months ended March 31, 2013, we paid net deposits of $241 million for these Shaw transactions. We have received regulatory approval on the purchase of Shaw’s cable system in Hamilton, Ontario and the other transactions are pending regulatory approval.  The acquisition of Shaw’s cable system in Hamilton, Ontario and sale of TVtropolis are currently expected to close in the second quarter of 2013.

RBS

Summarized Financial Results

RBS Revenue

RBS revenue increased 7% for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, due to the increased revenue from the next generation business as well as a non-recurring equipment sale, partially offset by decreased revenue from legacy business. RBS’ focus is primarily on IP-based services and increasingly on leveraging higher margin on-net and near-net revenue opportunities, utilizing existing network facilities to expand offerings to the medium and large-sized enterprise, public sector and carrier markets. Revenue from the declining lower margin off-net legacy business generally includes local and long-distance voice services and legacy data services. In contrast, revenue from the higher margin next generation business continues to grow, due to growth in customers and additional services sold to existing customers, and now represents 52% of total RBS service revenue.

RBS Operating Expenses

Operating expenses increased modestly for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period in 2012 due to the cost of equipment sales. Operating expenses declined 9% year-over-year excluding the impact of the non-recurring equipment sale. This decline was driven by a decrease in the legacy service-related costs due to lower volumes, as well as ongoing initiatives to improve costs and productivity. RBS has continued to focus on implementing a program of cost reduction and efficiency improvement initiatives to control the overall growth in operating expenses and to increase adjusted operating profit margin.

RBS Adjusted Operating Profit

The year-over-year increase in adjusted operating profit for the three months ended March 31, 2013 reflects growth in the higher margin next generation business coupled with cost efficiencies, resulting in the increase of RBS’ adjusted operating profit margin to 24.7% from 20.7%.

Other RBS Developments

On April 17, 2013, we announced that we purchased 100% of the shares of BLACKIRON Data ULC (“Blackiron”) from Primus Telecommunications Canada Inc. for cash consideration of $200 million. Blackiron is a provider of data centre and cloud computing services in Canada with approximately 4,000 customers. The purchase of Blackiron enables RBS to enhance its suite of enterprise-level data centre and cloud computing services.

MEDIA

Summarized Media Financial Results

Media Revenue

The decrease in Media’s revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, reflects the continued impact of a soft advertising market, which continues to suppress growth in most of Media’s divisions, along with residual impacts from the 2012 NHL lockout. This was partially offset by increased distribution revenue generated by Sportsnet and other specialty channels. Adjusting for the impact of the NHL lockout and other non-recurring items that occurred in 2012, Media’s revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2013 is relatively unchanged compared to the same period in the prior year.

Media Operating Expenses

The decrease in Media’s operating expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, reflects Media’s reduced sports programming costs associated with the NHL player lockout, lower programming expenses due to broadcast scheduling changes, a positive impact resulting from an adjustment to licence fees payable to match the CRTC’s billing period in the current quarter of 2013, and overall cost containment efforts.

Media Adjusted Operating Loss

The improvement in Media’s adjusted operating loss for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period of 2012, primarily reflects the revenue and expense changes discussed above.

Other Media Developments

In February 2013, Media completed the purchase of the Metro14 Montreal broadcast license and re-launched the station as City Montreal in this key Quebec market. The purchase of this broadcast license, along with other acquisitions and agreements put in place during 2012, has increased City’s reach by more than 20% to over 80% of Canadian households.

ADDITIONS TO PP&E

Wireless Additions to PP&E

The increase in Wireless additions to PP&E for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period in 2012, was attributable to the continued deployment of our LTE network as well as ongoing upgrades to the network to improve the LTE and HSPA+ user experience, and initiatives to improve network reliability and service platforms.

Cable Additions to PP&E

The decrease in Cable additions to PP&E for the three months ended March 31, 2013, compared to the corresponding period in 2012, reflects lower network investments on capacity and the timing of certain initiatives related to service enhancements on our video and data platforms, partially offset by investments in customer premise equipment related to the continued rollout of Next Box 2.0 set-top boxes and analog to digital subscriber migration activities.

RBS Additions to PP&E

RBS’ PP&E additions for the three months ended March 31, 2013 remained flat compared to the corresponding period in 2012, and were comprised principally of expenditures on customer specific network expansions and support capital.

Media Additions to PP&E

Media’s PP&E additions during the three months ended March 31, 2013 reflect expenditures on digital and broadcast systems, as well as upgrades for Sports Entertainment facilities.

2013 FINANCIAL AND OPERATING GUIDANCE

We have no specific revisions at this time to the 2013 annual consolidated guidance ranges that we provided on February 14, 2013. See the section entitled “Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements, Risks and Assumptions” below.

Rogers Communications Inc.
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts)

Rogers Communications Inc. 
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In millions of Canadian dollars)

Rogers Communications Inc. 
Unaudited Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions of Canadian dollars)

Rogers Communications announced today that the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, Nadir Mohamed, has decided to retire in January 2014. Mr. Mohamedhas agreed to work with the board to ensure a seamless and orderly transition and to continue to lead the company in 2013. Read More

Today Rogers Communications, announced an agreement with Groupe TVA Inc. and Sun News to offer TVA Network, TVA Sports and Sun News content to Rogers customers. The multiplatform agreement includes on-demand content, mobile rights, access to TVA Sports and continued distribution of Sun News. The deal will also make available, in the near future, quality French-language programming on-the-go with TVA on-demand content available on mobile and the Rogers Anyplace TV web platform.

“Our objective is two-fold: provide our customers with world-class content and offer them the opportunity to experience that content where, when and how they want to watch it,” said David Purdy, VP Video Products, Rogers Communications Inc. “The future of television is availability, not exclusivity, and that’s exactly what this deal is about. We’re excited to bring French-language programming to markets outside of Quebec, but also to provide our Quebec customers more access to content they want, on multiple devices with TVA on-demand.”

“TVA Group is delighted with this Rogers Communications agreement,” adds Pierre Dion, President and CEO of TVA Group. “It provides even broader coast-to-coast reach for Sun News and TVA Sports, as well as the TVA Network.”

“We are pleased that Rogers Communications will continue to offer our Sun News station,” says Luc Lavoie, head of Development at Sun News. “With some of the best on-air talent in Canada, Sun News stands out with its delivery of hard news and straight talk, which Canadians truly appreciate. Our contemporary programming will soon become a regular TV habit for Rogers Communications subscribers.”

TVA Sports will be available on channels 656 (SD) & 657 (HD) through the Rogers Digital Basic package in some markets, and through French Theme Paks in the rest of the Rogers Cable system. Sun News will be on channels 142 (SD) & 567 (HD) and distributed on Digital VIP and other packages. Programming from TVA Network will be available to all Rogers Digital Television customers on Rogers On Demand Channel 100. For viewing where you want, when you want, programming from TVA Network, TVA Sports and Sun News will be available on www.RogersAnyplaceTV.com and through mobile & tablet apps. Sun News and TVA Sports are currently in free preview for Rogers digital cable customers.

Note: Originally posted on March 1st, 2012.

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