Cineplex Inc. Reports First Quarter Results and Announces Dividend Increase

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - May 12, 2011) -

NOT FOR RELEASE OVER US NEWSWIRE SERVICES

Cineplex Inc. ("Cineplex") (TSX:CGX) today released its financial results for the first quarter of 2011.

"Although the exhibition industry experienced a box office decline from the record results in Q1 2010 our diversified business model and related revenue streams provided significant other revenue growth over the prior year," said Ellis Jacob, President and CEO, Cineplex Entertainment. "Other revenues increased 19.0% primarily based on the success of our media business which grew 26.6% compared to the prior year. The contributions of these other revenue sources and strong cost control resulted in an increase in our Adjusted EBITDA Margin to 14.1% from 13.6% in the prior year," said Jacob.

"Three new theatres totalling 29 screens were announced during the quarter with openings scheduled to occur beginning later this year. SCENE, our entertainment loyalty program has reached 2.9 million members to date. SCENE announced a broader partnership with Cara Foods this quarter that will enable SCENE's members in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario the opportunity to earn and redeem SCENE points at Milestones Grill & Bar restaurants. UltraAVX, our enhanced audio visual entertainment experience, expanded adding six locations during the quarter, bringing our total to date to 17 UltraAVX auditoriums across Canada with more planned for later in 2011. We also continued our digital rollout plan installing 51 digital projectors and 14 RealD 3D systems. Subsequent to the quarter end, we announced the formation of the Canadian Digital Cinema Partnership ("CDCP") to manage the conversion to digital cinema. The CDCP plan will oversee equipment procurement, financing arrangements and securing digital deployment agreements with the studios." said Jacob.

EBITDA, adjusted free cash flow and distributable cash are not measures recognized by generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") and do not have standardized meanings in accordance with such principles. Therefore, EBITDA, adjusted free cash flow and distributable cash may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other issuers. EBITDA is calculated by adding back to net income, income tax expense, amortization and interest expense net of interest income. Adjusted EBITDA is calculated by adjusting EBITDA for gains and losses on disposal of assets and the change in fair value of financial instruments. Adjusted free cash flow is a non-GAAP measure generally used by Canadian corporations, as an indicator of financial performance and it should not be seen as a measure of liquidity or a substitute for comparable metrics prepared in accordance with GAAP. Distributable cash is a non-GAAP measure generally used in Canadian open-ended trusts, as an indicator of financial performance and it should not be seen as a measure of liquidity or a substitute for comparable metrics prepared in accordance with GAAP. Management uses adjusted EBITDA, adjusted free cash flow and distributable cash to evaluate performance primarily because of the significant effect certain unusual or non-recurring charges and other items have on EBITDA from period to period. For a detailed reconciliation of net income to EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA and from cash used in operating activities to adjusted free cash flow and distributable cash, please refer to Cineplex's management's discussion and analysis filed on www.sedar.com.

Adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards

Cineplex has commenced reporting under International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") with the release of its first quarter 2011 results. Subject to certain transitional elections disclosed in our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, Cineplex has consistently applied the same accounting policies under IFRS in its opening IFRS balance sheet at January 1, 2010 and throughout all periods presented, as if these accounting policies under IFRS had always been in effect.

A summary of Cineplex's key indicators under IFRS and Canadian generally accepted accounting principles before the adoptions of IFRS ("Canadian GAAP") for the year ended December 31, 2010 are as follows:

In note 4 to its unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, Cineplex discloses the impact of the transition to IFRS on its reported balance sheet, statement of operations and statement of cash flows, including the nature and effect of significant changes in accounting policies from those used in the consolidated financial statements of the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2010.

As noted in the table above, net income for the year ended December 31, 2010 under IFRS of $52.0 million is $11.0 million lower than the amount reported under Canadian GAAP. The most significant item impacting this decrease in net income is the requirement under IFRS to fair value certain debenture conversion rights and liabilities for exchangeable interests while the underlying security was a Fund unit or units of the Cineplex Entertainment Limited Partnership (the "Partnership units"). As a result of this requirement, for the year ended December 31, 2010, Cineplex reported a charge of $8.2 million under IFRS as a "Change in fair value of financial instruments". On January 1, 2011, the exchangeable interests converted Partnership units to Cineplex shares. Also, upon conversion to a corporation, the underlying security for the debenture conversion rights transitioned from Fund units to Cineplex shares. As a result there is no longer a requirement to fair value these items and there is no charge relating to the fair value of financial instruments reflected in the first quarter of 2011.

In addition to the disclosure in the notes to the unaudited interim consolidated financial statements, we have provided a summary of the quarterly results under IFRS in the tables following.

Dividend Increase

The Board of Directors of Cineplex also announces a monthly dividend increase to $0.1075 per share ($1.29 on an annual basis) up from $0.105 per share ($1.26 on an annual basis) effective with the May 2011 dividend which is payable on June 30, 2011 to shareholders of record on May 31, 2011.

First Quarter Results

The results of Cineplex for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010 are presented below.

Total revenues

Total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2011 decreased $33.8 million (13.3%) to $221.4 million as compared to the prior year period. A discussion of the factors affecting the changes in box office, concession and other revenues for the periods is provided on the following pages.

Box office revenues

The following table highlights the movement in box office revenues, attendance and BPP for the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except attendance reported in thousands of patrons, and per patron amounts, unless otherwise noted):

Box office revenues decreased $28.8 million, or 18.2%, to $130.0 million during the first quarter of 2011, compared to $158.8 million recorded in the same period in 2010. This decrease was due to a 14.6% decline in attendance as a result of the record-breaking first quarter in 2010. The 2010 period included Avatar which became the highest grossing film of all-time during that period, and accounted for 25.8%, or $41.0 million of the Fund's box office revenues during that period, compared to 7.0%, or $9.1 million, for Cineplex's top grossing film during the current period, The King's Speech. Revenues for the first quarter of 2011 are in line with revenues from the first quarter of 2009, a year which went on to record the highest North American box office revenues ever, exceeding the total for 2010 North American box office.

BPP decreased $0.37, from $8.88 in the first quarter of 2010 to $8.51 in the same period in 2011. This decrease was primarily due to the decrease in revenues from premium-priced 3D and IMAX film product. These premium-priced offerings accounted for 33.8% of the Fund's box office revenue in the first quarter of 2010, compared to 21.3% in the current period. Of the top five films Cineplex screened in the first quarter of 2011, the second, third and fifth films were screened in 3D and none were screened in IMAX. This compares unfavourably to the first quarter of 2010 in which both Avatar and Alice in Wonderland were screened in 3D and IMAX.

Cineplex's investment in digital and 3D technology over the last three years, resulting in the highest number of digital and 3D projection screens in Canada, has positioned it to take advantage of the price premiums offered on 3D product. Despite the 18.2% decrease in box office revenues, Cineplex outperformed the Canadian film exhibition industry during the first quarter of 2011.

Concession revenues

The following table highlights the movement in concession revenues, attendance and CPP for the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except attendance and same store attendance reported in thousands of patrons, and per patron amounts):

Concession revenues decreased 12.3% as compared to the prior year period, due to the 14.6% decrease in attendance, partially offset by the 2.6% increase in CPP. CPP increased from $4.16 in the first quarter of 2010 to $4.27 in the same period in 2011, and represents a first quarter record for Cineplex. Cineplex believes that revised concession offerings as well as process improvements designed to increase the speed of service that were implemented throughout 2010 contributed to this increased CPP period over period.

While the 10% SCENE discount has a negative impact on CPP, Cineplex believes that this program drives incremental visits and concession purchases, resulting in higher overall concession revenues.

Other revenues

The following table highlights the movement in media, games and other revenues for the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars):

Other revenues increased 19.0% from $22.1 million in the first quarter of 2010 to $26.3 million in the same period in 2011. Media revenues for the first quarter of 2011 were $17.9 million, up $3.8 million, or 26.6%, from the prior year period. The increase is primarily due to higher full motion and digital pre-show revenues ($3.5 million increase) as well as higher CDM revenues ($1.2 million). Full motion and preshow revenues were up due to increased spending in the government and electronics/technology sectors, partially offset by a decrease in the telecommunications sector. Telecommunications spending was higher in the prior year period due to increased spending by both existing companies and new market entrants. During the first quarter of 2011, CDM includes the results of CDS which was acquired during the third quarter of 2010 and is not included in the prior period comparative. These increases were partially offset by lower non-cash barter revenues ($0.7 million) compared to the prior year period.

The games revenue increase is due in part to the addition of Cineplex's XSCAPE Entertainment Centre at SilverCity CrossIron Mills Cinemas in Calgary, Alberta, which opened on June 30, 2010. The increase in Other is primarily due to higher breakage revenues associated with increased sales of gift cards and coupons.

Film cost

The following table highlights the movement in film cost and film cost as a percentage of box office revenue ("film cost percentage") for the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except film cost percentage):

Film cost varies primarily with box office revenue, and can vary from quarter to quarter based on the relative strength of the titles exhibited during the period. The decrease in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the prior year period was due to the decrease in attendance and the impact of the 7.5% decrease in film cost percentage. The decrease in film cost percentage is primarily due to the settlement rate on certain strong performing titles during the first quarter of 2010 being higher than the average film settlement rate.

Cost of concessions

The following table highlights the movement in concession cost and concession cost as a percentage of concession revenues ("concession cost percentage") for the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars, except concession cost percentage and concession margin per patron):

Cost of concessions varies primarily with theatre attendance as well as the quantity and mix of concession offerings sold. The decrease in concession cost as compared to the prior year period was due to the 12.3% decrease in concession revenues, partially offset by the 7.5% decrease in concession cost percentage. The concession margin per patron increased from $3.22 in the first quarter of 2010 to $3.37 in the same period in 2011, reflecting the impact of the higher CPP during the period. The concession cost percentage during the first quarter of 2011 was reduced in part due to the changes in Cineplex's reduced price Tuesday program.

Depreciation and amortization

The following table highlights the movement in depreciation and amortization expenses during the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars):

The decrease in amortization of property, equipment and leaseholds of $1.3 million primarily relates to certain valuation adjustments that arose as part of Cineplex's acquisition of the Partnership becoming fully amortized subsequent to the first quarter of 2010. The $1.2 million decrease in amortization of intangible assets and other was due to certain intangible assets becoming fully amortized during the second quarter of 2010.

Loss on disposal of assets

The following table shows the movement in the loss on disposal of assets during the periods (in thousands of Canadian dollars):

The $0.5 million loss on disposal of assets recorded by Cineplex in the first quarter of 2011 and the $0.8 million loss recorded in the first quarter of 2010 relates to assets that were sold or otherwise disposed. This includes the loss recognized on the write off of the net book value of the portion or component of existing equipment that is replaced or improved, with the replacement or improved asset being recorded as a new asset.

Other costs

Other costs include three main sub-categories of expenses, including theatre occupancy expenses, which capture the rent and associated occupancy costs for Cineplex's theatres; other operating expenses, which include the costs related to running Cineplex's theatres; and general and administrative expenses, which includes costs related to managing Cineplex's operations, including the head office expenses. Please see the discussions below for more details on these categories. The following table highlights the movement in other costs for the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars):

Theatre occupancy expenses

The following table highlights the movement in theatre occupancy expenses for the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars):

Theatre occupancy expense increased $0.9 million during the first quarter of 2011 compared to the prior year period. This increase was primarily due to the impact of new theatres ($1.0 million) and higher other theatre occupancy expenses (primarily theatre insurance and common-area maintenance costs, $0.2 million). These increases were partially offset by lower same-store rent costs ($0.2 million), primarily due to lower percentage rent costs due to the lower box office revenues during the quarter, and lower non-cash occupancy costs at same-store locations.

Other operating expenses

The following table highlights the movement in other operating expenses during the quarter (in thousands of Canadian dollars):

Other operating expenses decreased $2.2 million during the first quarter of 2011 compared to the prior year period primarily as a result of lower business volumes in the 2011 period. The lower business volumes resulted in reduced payroll costs ($1.7 million) and lower theatre expenses ($1.2 million, included in other). Total theatre payroll accounted for 44.5% of the total expenses in other operating expenses during the first quarter of 2011, as compared to 44.7% for the same period one year earlier. Marketing expenses decreased $1.3 million period over period, due to lower non-cash barter expenses in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the prior year period. These decreases were partially offset by the net impact of new theatres ($1.2 million) and increased costs relating to Cineplex's media business ($1.1 million). The acquisition of CDS during July 2010 contributed to this increase, as CDS expenses are included in the first quarter of 2011 and not included in the comparative period.

General and administrative expenses

The following table highlights the movement in general and administrative ("G&A") expenses during the quarter, including share and unit based compensation costs, and G&A net of these costs (in thousands of Canadian dollars):

G&A expenses decreased $1.8 million during the first quarter of 2011 compared to the same period in the prior year. This decrease was primarily due to a $2.0 million decrease in LTIP expense during the period. The LTIP plan prior to 2011 had one-third of the award vest in the first year, with an additional one-third vesting on the second and third anniversaries of the award. The related expense is recognized using a graded vesting method, whereby a higher proportion of the expense is recognized over the first year of the award. The 2011 LTIP plan vests over three years with the entire payout occurring at the end of the three-year period, resulting in a lower proportion of vesting in the first and second years of the award resulting from a straight-line recognition of the overall expense. This difference in vesting has contributed to the lower cost in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the prior year period.

Share of (income) loss of joint ventures

The following table highlights the movement in the share of (income) loss of joint ventures during the quarter, (in thousands of Canadian dollars):

Cineplex's joint ventures in the first quarter of 2011 include its share of one theatre in Quebec, one IMAX screen in Ontario and its interest in SCENE LP. The Fund's joint ventures in the first quarter of 2010 include its share of four theatres in Quebec, one IMAX screen in Ontario and its interest in SCENE LP. The movement from a loss of $0.8 million in the first quarter of 2010 to a profit of $2.5 million in the current period is primarily due to breakage revenue recognized by SCENE LP. Based on an analysis of point issuance and redemption activity during the first three years of the program, SCENE established a breakage rate and recognized revenue relating to breakage for the first time during the first quarter of 2011. This change in its accounting estimate for breakage resulted in a program-to-date adjustment to its outstanding points liability.

Adjusted EBITDA

The following table represents EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2010 (expressed in thousands of Canadian dollars, except adjusted EBITDA margin):

Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2011 decreased $3.4 million, or 9.9%, as compared to the prior year period. The decrease is primarily due to the lower box office and concession revenues due to the lower theatre attendance during the period. Adjusted EBITDA margin, calculated as adjusted EBITDA divided by total revenues, was 14.1%, up from 13.6% in the prior year period. The increase is due to the higher media revenues in the 2011 period, which generate higher margins than exhibition revenues.

Adjusted Free Cash Flow

For the first quarter of 2011, adjusted free cash flow per share was $0.392 as compared to distributable cash per unit of $0.462 in the first quarter of 2010. The declared dividend per share and the declared distribution per unit were $0.315 in both periods. The payout ratios for these periods were 80% and 68%, respectively.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, such as statements concerning anticipated future events, results, circumstances, performance or expectations that are not historical facts. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, including those described in our Annual Information Form and in this news release. Those risks and uncertainties include adverse factors generally encountered in the film exhibition industry such as poor film product and unauthorized copying; the risks associated with national and world events, including war, terrorism, international conflicts, natural disasters, extreme weather conditions, infectious diseases, changes in income tax legislation; and general economic conditions. Many of these risks and uncertainties can affect our actual results and could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement made by us or on our behalf. All forward-looking statements in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements. These statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Additionally, we undertake no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of Cineplex Inc., Cineplex Galaxy Income Fund or Cineplex Entertainment Limited Partnership, their financial or operating results or their securities.

About Cineplex Inc.

Cineplex is the largest motion picture exhibitor in Canada and owns, leases or has a joint-venture interest in 130 theatres with 1,352 screens serving approximately 70 million guests annually. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Cineplex operates theatres from British Columbia to Quebec and is the exclusive provider of UltraAVX and the largest exhibitor of digital, 3D and IMAX projection technologies in the country. Proudly Canadian and with a workforce of approximately 10,000 employees, the company operates the following top tier brands: Cineplex Odeon, Galaxy, Famous Players, Colossus, Coliseum, SilverCity, Cinema City and Scotiabank Theatres. Cineplex shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange ("TSX") under the symbol "CGX".

Further information can be found in the disclosure documents filed by Cineplex with the securities regulatory authorities, available at www.sedar.com.

You are cordially invited to participate in a teleconference call with the management of Cineplex (TSX:CGX) to review our quarterly results. Ellis Jacob, President and Chief Executive Officer and Gord Nelson, Chief Financial Officer, will host the call. The teleconference call is scheduled for:

In order to participate in the conference call, please dial 416-644-3415 or outside of Toronto dial 1-877-974-0445 at least five to ten minutes prior to 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Please quote the conference ID 4433980 to access the call.

• If you cannot participate in the live mode, a replay will be available. Please dial 416-640-1917 or 1-877-289-8525 and enter code 4433980#. The replay will begin at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 12, 2011 and end at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Thursday, May 19, 2011.
  
  
• Note that media will be participating in the call in listen – only mode.
  
  
• Thank you in advance for your interest and participation.

Please refer to the 2010 Canadian GAAP quarterly unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of the Fund filed on www.SEDAR.com.

This table should be read in conjunction with the 2011 first quarter unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of Cineplex, in particular note 4 to those financial statements which describes Cineplex's transition to IFRS.