Form 6-K

 

FORM 6-K

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 


 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer

 

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16 of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of July 2004

 

Commission File Number 3337776

 


 

TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V.

(Translation of registrant’s name into English)

 

Periférico Sur, No. 4121, Col. Fuentes del Pedregal, 14141 México D.F., México

(Address of principal executive offices)

 


 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F  x    Form 40-F  ¨

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):  ¨

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted solely to provide an attached annual report to security holders.

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):  ¨

 

Note: Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7) only permits the submission in paper of a Form 6-K if submitted to furnish a report or other document that the registrant foreign private issuer must furnish and make public under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the registrant is incorporated, domiciled or legally organized (the registrant’s “home country”), or under the rules of the home country exchange on which the registrant’s securities are traded, as long as the report or other document is not a press release, is not required to be and has not been distributed to the registrant’s security holders, and, if discussing a material event, has already been the subject of a Form 6-K submission or other Commission filing on EDGAR.

 

Indicate by check mark whether by furnishing the information contained in this Form, the registrant is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes  ¨    No  x

 

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-            

 



SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

       

TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V.

       

(Registrant)

Date: July 28, 2004       By:  

  /s/    OTHÓN FRIAS CALDERÓN        


           

Name:

  Othón Frías Calderón
           

Title:

  Attorney-in-fact


LOGO

 

TV AZTECA ANNOUNCES 2Q04 EBITDA OF Ps.930 MILLION

(US$82 MILLION) WITH A 47% MARGIN

 

—Net Sales Up 5%, to All-Time Record Level for a 2Q—

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Mexico City, July 26, 2004—TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. (NYSE: TZA; BMV: TVAZTCA), one of the two largest producers of Spanish language television programming in the world, announced today all-time high second quarter net sales of Ps.1,971 million (US$173 million), up 5% from the same period of 2003. Second quarter EBITDA was Ps.930 million (US$82 million), 1% above the same period a year ago, and a six-year record high for a second quarter. EBITDA margin for the quarter was 47%.

 

“Dynamic operations in Mexico and in the U.S. allowed for continued sales growth and solid profitability,” said Carlos Hesles, Chief Financial Officer of TV Azteca. “Consistent with the plan for uses of cash, we geared our positive results to further debt reductions while preserving a sound cash position. During the quarter we also made distributions to shareholders of US$33 million.”

 

As previously detailed, the company’s plan for uses of cash entails reducing TV Azteca’s debt by approximately US$250 million, and making cash distributions to shareholders above US$500 million by 2008.

 

Second Quarter Results

 

Net sales grew 5% to a record high of Ps.1,971 million (US$173 million), up from Ps.1,874 million (US$164 million) for the same quarter of 2003. Total costs and expenses rose 9% to Ps.1,041 million (US$91 million), from Ps.957 million (US$84 million) for the same period of last year. As a result, the company reported EBITDA of Ps.930 million (US$82 million), 1% higher than Ps.917 million (US$80 million) in the second quarter of 2003. Net income was Ps.443 million (US$39 million), 23% below the net income of Ps.574 million (US$50 million) for the same period of 2003.

 

On a proforma basis, excluding revenue and costs recorded in the second quarter of the prior year in connection with the political advertising for the 2003 mid-term elections, of


Ps.110 million (US$10 million) and Ps.18 million (US$2 million), respectively, net sales grew 12% and EBITDA 13%.

 

Millions of pesos1 and dollars2 except percentages and per share amounts.               
     2Q 2003

   2Q 2004

   Change

         US$

   %

Net Sales

                   

Pesos

   Ps. 1,874    Ps. 1,971          

US$

   US$ 164    US$ 173       +5%

EBITDA3

                   

Pesos

   Ps. 917    Ps. 930          

US$

   US$ 80    US$ 82       +1%

Net Income

                   

Pesos

   Ps. 574    Ps. 443          

US$

   US$ 50    US$ 39    (11)    -23%

Income per ADS4

                   

Pesos

   Ps. 3.07    Ps. 2.36          

US$

   US$ 0.27    US$ 0.21    (0.06)    -23%

 

1 Pesos of constant purchasing power as of June 30, 2004.
2 Conversion based on the exchange rate of Ps.11.41 per US dollar as of June 30, 2004.
3 EBITDA is Profit Before Depreciation and Amortization under Mexican GAAP.
4 Calculated based on 187 million ADSs outstanding as of June 30, 2004.

 

Net Sales

 

“Domestic advertising sales continued their positive trend in line with increased dynamism of the Mexican economy,” added Mr. Hesles. “Our sales force triggered compelling ad solutions for the full day’s programming grid, congruent with advertisers’ needs to tap rising purchasing power in the period.”

 

Second quarter net revenue includes sales from Azteca America—the company’s wholly-owned broadcasting network focused on the U.S. Hispanic market—of Ps.95 million (US$8 million), compared with Ps.13 million (US$1 million) for the same period a year ago. Azteca America revenue is composed of Ps.53 million (US$5 million) in sales from the Los Angeles station KAZA-TV, and Ps.42 million (US$4 million) from network sales.

 

During the quarter TV Azteca also reported sales of programming abroad of Ps.47 million (US$4 million), compared with Ps.45 million (US$4 million) for the same period of the prior year. The primary programs exported were the company’s novelas La Hija del Jardinero and Catalina y Sebastián, which were sold in Asian markets, and Como en el Cine, which was sold in Europe.

 

During the second quarter TV Azteca reported content and advertising sales to Todito.com of Ps.45 million (US$4 million), and Ps.32 million (US$3 million) in advertising sales to Unefon. In the same period of 2003, sales to Todito and Unefon were Ps.39 million (US$3 million) and Ps.29 million (US$3 million), respectively.

 

4


In accordance with the terms of the advertising contract between Unefon and TV Azteca, during the second quarter Unefon paid to TV Azteca in cash the Ps.32 million (US$3 million) of advertising purchases placed within the prior three month period. Additionally, Unefon paid Ps.59 million (US$5 million) in cash, which corresponds to the third of four semi annual installments coming from deferred payments for television advertising made prior to 2003.

 

During the quarter barter sales were Ps.66 million (US$6 million), compared with Ps.51 million (US$5 million) in the same period of the prior year. Inflation adjustment of advertising advances was Ps.72 million (US$6 million), compared with Ps.49 million (US$4 million) for the second quarter of 2003.

 

Costs and Expenses

 

The 9% increase in second quarter costs and expenses resulted from the combined effect of an 11% rise in programming, production and transmission costs to Ps.780 million (US$68 million), from Ps.706 million (US$62 million) in the prior year period, and a 4% growth in administration and selling expense to Ps.261 million (US$23 million), from Ps.251 million (US$22 million) in the same quarter a year ago.

 

“We continued developing production initiatives to expand commercial opportunities within specific timeslots at the Los Angeles station and the Azteca America Network this quarter, which were not present a year ago,” added Mr. Hesles. “The incremental costs prompted solid revenue growth from the U.S. Hispanic market, and we expect to continue strengthening our sales stream in upcoming quarters.”

 

Congruent with the growing production efforts, TV Azteca increased its overall number of hours of internally produced programming during the three month period, to 2,146 from 2,028 in the same quarter of the previous year.

 

The 4% increase in administration and selling expense primarily results from the company’s rising domestic and international operations.

 

EBITDA and Net Income

 

The 5% increase in second quarter net sales, combined with the 9% growth in costs and expenses, resulted in EBITDA of Ps.930 million (US$82 million), up 1% from Ps.917 million (US$80 million) a year ago.

 

Second quarter net income decreased 23% to Ps.443 million (US$39 million) from Ps.574 million (US$50 million). The decline was primarily influenced by a Ps.32 million (US$3 million) exchange loss following a 2% peso depreciation against the dollar during the three month period, compared with an Ps.84 million (US$7 million) exchange gain resulting from a 3% appreciation of the peso in the same period of 2003.

 

5


During the quarter the company recorded other expense of Ps.129 million (US$11 million), compared with Ps.124 million (US$11 million) a year ago. Other expense for the quarter was primarily composed of Ps.41 million (US$4 million) of advisory fees, Ps.35 million (US$3 million) of charitable donations, Ps.16 million (US$1 million) from the recognition of 50% of the net loss of Todito.com in TV Azteca’s financial statements, Ps.15 million (US$1 million) of provisions for non-operating uncollectible accounts receivable, and Ps.22 million (US$2 million) for the net effect of the recognition of gains from Monarcas, TV Azteca’s soccer team, and other expenses.

 

Provision for income tax during the quarter was Ps.58 million (US$5 million), compared with Ps.56 million (US$5 million) in the same period of the prior year, coming from a similar taxable base among the quarters.

 

Uses of Cash

 

The company noted its sound financial results allowed for continued cash generation during the three month period, and that it is in line with targets to create free cash—before debt payment and distributions to shareholders—of US$150 million in 2004.

 

Adhering to the timetable of the company’s plan for uses of cash, TV Azteca made a US$33 million cash distribution to shareholders during the quarter, equivalent to US$0.17 per ADR.

 

Within the cash plan the company has made aggregate distributions of US$173 million, composed of a US$125 million distribution made on June 30, 2003, another of US$15 million made on December 5, 2003, and this quarter’s US$33 million disbursement. The accumulated distributions are equivalent to an 11% yield based on the closing price of the ADR as of July 23, 2004.

 

On April 15, TV Azteca’s Annual Ordinary Shareholders’ Meeting also approved a distribution of approximately US$22 million, which is scheduled for November 11, 2004.

 

The company also reduced its total debt by US$17 million, compared with the balance as of March 31, 2004, through cash amortizations of bank loans at maturity. Aggregate reductions in total debt for the last twelve months are US$79 million, on a nominal U.S. dollar basis.

 

Debt Outstanding

 

As of June 30, 2004, the company’s total outstanding debt was Ps.5,998 million (US$526 million). TV Azteca’s cash balance was Ps.1,522 million (US$133 million), resulting in net debt of Ps.4,476 million (US$393 million). The total debt to last twelve months (LTM) EBITDA ratio was 1.7 times, and net debt to EBITDA was 1.3 times. LTM EBITDA to net interest expense ratio was 6.1 times.

 

6


The company noted that excluding—for analytical purposes—Ps.1,367 million (US$120 million) debt due 2069, total debt was Ps.4,631 million (US$406 million), and total debt to EBITDA ratio was 1.3 times.

 

First Half Results

 

Millions of pesos1 and dollars2 except percentages and per share amounts.               
     1H 2003

   1H 2004

   Change

         US$

   %

Net Sales

                   

Pesos

   Ps. 3,297    Ps. 3,512          

US$

   US$ 289    US$ 308    19     +7%

EBITDA3

                   

Pesos

   Ps. 1,474    Ps. 1,532          

US$

   US$ 129    US$ 134       +4%

Net Income

                   

Pesos

   Ps. 652    Ps. 627          

US$

   US$ 57    US$ 55    (2)    -4%

Income per ADS4

                   

Pesos

   Ps. 3.49    Ps. 3.35          

US$

   US$ 0.31    US$ 0.29    (0.02)    -4%

 

1 Pesos of constant purchasing power as of June 30, 2004.
2 Conversion based on the exchange rate of Ps.11.41 per US dollar as of June 30, 2004.
3 EBITDA is Profit Before Depreciation and Amortization under Mexican GAAP.
4 Calculated based on 187 million ADSs outstanding as of June 30, 2004.

 

Company Profile

 

TV Azteca is one of the two largest producers of Spanish language television programming in the world, operating two national television networks in Mexico, Azteca 13 and Azteca 7, through more than 300 owned and operated stations across the country. TV Azteca affiliates include Azteca America Network, a broadcast television network focused on the rapidly growing US Hispanic market, and Todito.com, an Internet portal for North American Spanish speakers.

 

Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are forward-looking statements and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Risks that may affect TV Azteca are identified in its Form 20-F and other filings with the US Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Investor Relations:

 

Bruno Rangel

5255 3099 9167

jrangelk@tvazteca.com.mx

 

Omar Avila

5255 3099 0041

oavila@tvazteca.com.mx

 

Media Relations:

 

Tristán Canales

5255 3099 5786

tcanales@tvazteca.com.mx

 

Daniel McCosh

5255 3099 0059

dmccosh@tvazteca.com.mx

 

(financial tables follow)

 

7


TV AZTECA, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS*

(Millions of Mexican pesos of June 30, 2004 purchasing power)

 

     Second Quarter of:

    Second Quarter of:

   

Change


 
     2003

    2004

    2003

    2004

   
                 Millions of US Dollars**        
                                               %

 

Net revenue

   Ps 1,874     Ps 1,971     US$ 164     100 %   US$ 173     100 %   US$ 9     5 %

Programming, production and transmission costs

     706       780       62     38 %     68     40 %     7     11 %

Sales and administrative expenses

     251       261       22     13 %     23     13 %     1     4 %
    


 


 


       


       


     

EBITDA

     917       930       80     49 %     82     47 %     1     1 %

Depreciation and amortization

     85       105       7             9             2        
    


 


 


       


       


     

Operating profit

     832       825       73     44 %     72     42 %     (1 )   -1 %
    


 


 


       


       


     

Other expense—Net

     (124 )     (129 )     (11 )           (11 )           (0 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Comprehensive financing cost:

                                                          

Interest expense

     (181 )     (183 )     (16 )           (16 )           (0 )      

Other financing expense

     (16 )     (15 )     (1 )           (1 )           0        

Interest income

     46       43       4             4             (0 )      

Exchange gain (loss)—Net

     84       (32 )     7             (3 )           (10 )      

Loss on monetary position

     (9 )     (7 )     (1 )           (1 )           0        
    


 


 


       


       


     

Net comprehensive financing cost

     (77 )     (195 )     (7 )           (17 )           (10 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Income before provision for income tax

     630       501       55     34 %     44     25 %     (11 )   -21 %

Provision for income tax

     (56 )     (58 )     (5 )           (5 )           (0 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Net income

   Ps 574     Ps 443     US$ 50     31 %   US$ 39     22 %   US$ (11 )   -23 %
    


 


 


       


       


     

Net income of minority stockholders

   Ps 0     Ps —       US$ 0           US$ —             US$ (0 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Net income of majority stockholders

   Ps 574     Ps 443     US$ 50     31 %   US$ 39     22 %   US$ (11 )   -23 %
    


 


 


       


       


     

End of period exchange rate

   Ps 10.45     Ps 11.41                                            

 

* Mexican GAAP.
** The U.S. dollar figures represent the Mexican peso amounts as of June 30, 2004 expressed as of June 30, 2004 purchasing power, translated at the exchange rate of Ps. 11.41 per U.S. dollar.

 

8


TV AZTECA, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS*

(Millions of Mexican pesos of June 30, 2004 purchasing power)

 

    

Six months ended

June 30,


    Six months ended June 30,

    Change

 
     2003

    2004

    2003

          2004

   
     Millions of US Dollars **  
                                               %

 

Net revenue

   Ps   3,297     Ps   3,512     US$   289     100 %   US$   308     100 %   US$   19     7 %

Programming, production and transmission costs

     1,299       1,445       114     39 %     127     41 %     13     11 %

Sales and administrative expenses

     524       535       46     16 %     47     15 %     1     2 %
    


 


 


       


       


     

EBITDA

     1,474       1,532       129     45 %     134     44 %     5     4 %

Depreciation and amortization

     173       202       15             18             3        
    


 


 


       


       


     

Operating profit

     1,301       1,330       114     39 %     117     38 %     2     2 %
    


 


 


       


       


     

Other expense-Net

     (209 )     (231 )     (18 )           (20 )           (2 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Comprehensive financing cost:

                                                          

Interest expense

     (368 )     (368 )     (32 )           (32 )           0        

Other financing expense

     (26 )     (31 )     (2 )           (3 )           (0 )      

Interest income

     92       92       8             8             (0 )      

Exchange loss-Net

     (13 )     (9 )     (1 )           (1 )           0        

Loss on monetary position

     (24 )     (51 )     (2 )           (4 )           (2 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Net comprehensive financing cost

     (338 )     (367 )     (30 )           (32 )           (2 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Income before provision for income tax

     754       732       66     23 %     64     21 %     (2 )   -3 %

Provision for income tax

     (101 )     (105 )     (9 )           (9 )           (0 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Net income

   Ps 653     Ps 627     US$ 57     20 %   US$ 55     18 %   US$ (2 )   -4 %
    


 


 


       


       


     

Net income of minority stockholders

   Ps 0.6     Ps —       US$ 0.1           US$ —             US$ (0 )      
    


 


 


       


       


     

Net income of majority stockholders

   Ps 652     Ps 627     US$ 57     20 %   US$ 55     18 %   US$ (2 )   -4 %
    


 


 


       


       


     

End of period exchange rate

   Ps 10.45     Ps 11.41                                            

 

* Mexican GAAP.
** The U.S. dollar figures represent the Mexican peso amounts as of June 30, 2004 expressed as of June 30, 2004 purchasing power, translated at the exchange rate of Ps. 11.41 per U.S. dollar.

 

9


TV AZTECA, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS*

(Millions of Mexican pesos of June 30, 2004 purchasing power)

 

     At June 30,

  

At June 30,


            
     2003

   2004

   2003

   2004

   Change

 
               Millions of US Dollars**        
                               %

 

Current assets:

                                          

Cash and cash equivalents

   Ps 997    Ps 1,522    US$ 87    US$ 133    US$ 46        

Accounts receivable

     3,674      3,704      322      325      3        

Other current assets

     1,141      1,071      100      94      (6 )      

Total current assets

     5,812      6,297      509      552      43     8 %

Accounts receivable from Unefon

     1,884      1,766      165      155      (10 )      

Investment in Azteca America

     1,417      1,471      124      129      5        

Exhibition rights

     1,278      978      112      86      (26 )      

Property, plant and equipment—Net

     2,334      2,209      205      194      (11 )      

Television concessions—Net

     3,956      3,912      347      343      (4 )      

Invesment in Todito

     262      180      23      16      (7 )      

Other assets

     791      917      69      80      11        

Invesment in Unefon

     1,834      —        161      —        (161 )      

Invesment in Cosmofrecuencias

     375      —        33      —        (33 )      

Goodwill—Net

     657      582      58      51      (7 )      

Total long term assets

     14,788      12,015      1,296      1,053      (243 )   -19 %
    

  

  

  

  


 

Total assets

   Ps 20,600    Ps 18,312    US$ 1,805    US$ 1,605    US$ (200 )   -11 %
    

  

  

  

  


 

Current liabilities:

                                          

Short-term debt

   Ps 617    Ps 616    US$ 54    US$ 54    US$ (0 )      

Guaranteed senior notes

     1,363      —        119      —        (119 )      

Other current liabilities

     1,867      1,457      164      128      (36 )      

Total current liabilities

     3,847      2,073      337      182      (155 )   -46 %

Long-term debt:

                                          

Guaranteed senior notes

     3,272      3,423      287      300      13        

Bank loans

     36      592      3      52      49        

Total long-term debt

     3,308      4,015      290      352      62        

Other long term liabilities:

                                          

American Tower Corporation (due 2019)

     1,306      1,367      114      120      5        

Advertising advances

     3,360      3,742      294      328      33     11 %

Unefon advertising advance

     2,203      2,030      193      178      (15 )      

Todito advances

     453      200      40      18      (22 )      

Other long term liabilities

     169      107      15      9      (5 )      

Deferred income tax payable

     58      237      5      21      16        

Total other long-term liabilities

     7,549      7,683      662      673      12     2 %
    

  

  

  

  


 

Total liabilities

     14,704      13,771      1,289      1,207      (82 )   -6 %

Total stockholders’ equity

     5,896      4,541      517      398      (119 )   -23 %
    

  

  

  

  


 

Total liabilities and equity

   Ps 20,600    Ps 18,312    US$ 1,805    US$ 1,605    US$ (200 )   -11 %
    

  

  

  

  


 

End of period exchange rate

   Ps 10.45    Ps 11.41                             

 

* Mexican GAAP.
** The U.S. dollar figures represent Mexican peso amounts as of June 30, 2004, expressed as of June 30, 2004 purchasing power, translated at the exchange rate of Ps.11.41 per U.S. dollar.

 

10


TV AZTECA, S.A. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN FINANCIAL POSITION

Millions of Mexican pesos of June 30, 2004 purchasing power

 

    

Six months ended

June 30,


 
     2003

    2004

 

Operations:

                

Net income

   Ps 653     Ps 627  

Charges (credits) to results of operation not affecting resources:

                

Amortization of goodwill

     22       19  

Depreciation

     151       183  

Equity in affiliates

     (2 )     (13 )

Deferred income tax

     31       53  

Net change in accounts receivable, inventories, exhibition rights, related parties, accounts payable and accrued expenses

     1,702       1,801  

Unefon advertising advances

     (80 )     (79 )

Todito advertising, programming, and services advances

     (87 )     (125 )

Advertising advances

     (1,337 )     (1,241 )
    


 


Resources provided by operations

     1,053       1,225  
    


 


Investment:

                

Acquisition of property, machinery and equipment-Net

     (125 )     (168 )

Reimbursement of premium on issuance of capital stock of Todito

     34       —    
    


 


Resources used in investing activities

     (91 )     (168 )
    


 


Financing:

                

Guaranteed senior notes

     (33 )     (1,427 )

Bank loans-Net

     121       (213 )

Stock options exercised

     1       21  

Preferred dividend paid

     (37 )     (48 )

Repurchase of shares

     —         (399 )

Sale of treasury shares

     101       —    

Capital stock decrease

     (1,489 )     (580 )

Loan collected from a related party

     —         183  

Financial instruments

     (101 )     407  
    


 


Resources used in financing activities

     (1,437 )     (2,056 )
    


 


Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (475 )     (999 )

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

     1,472       2,521  
    


 


Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   Ps 997     Ps 1,522  
    


 


 

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