Warner Music Group Corp. Reports Results for Fiscal Third Quarter Ended June 30, 2016

NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Aug 4, 2016) -

• Total revenue grew 14.2%, up 15.0% on a constant-currency basis
• Digital revenue grew 21.3%, up 22.5% on a constant-currency basis
• OIBDA was $120 million versus $100 million in the prior-year quarter
• Net loss was $7 million versus net loss of $43 million in the prior-year quarter
  
  

Warner Music Group Corp. today announced its third-quarter financial results for the period ended June 30, 2016. 

"Five years after Access Industries' acquisition of Warner Music Group, the company is growing revenue, OIBDA and market share," said Stephen Cooper, Warner Music Group's CEO. "Our results underscore this momentum, driven by exceptional music from our artists and songwriters, our expanded global reach and strong leadership from our team around the world. With our recorded music streaming revenue now approaching double the size of our download revenue, and still growing fast, we are on course for another excellent year." 

"Our cash flow has been strong," added Eric Levin, Warner Music Group's Executive Vice President and CFO. "As a result, we have continued to make strides optimizing our capital structure, paying down $175 million in debt so far this year and successfully refinancing a portion of our term loan."

Total WMG

Total WMG Summary Results
(dollars in millions)
	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
	(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Revenue	$	811			$	710				14	%
Digital revenue		381				314				21	%
Operating income		45				23				96	%
Adjusted operating income(1)		36				26				38	%
OIBDA(1)		120				100				20	%
Adjusted OIBDA(1)		111				103				8	%
Net loss		(7	)			(43	)			84	%
Adjusted net loss(1)		(16	)			(40	)			60	%
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		35				(24	)		-
(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.

Revenue grew 14.2% (or 15.0% in constant currency). Growth in Recorded Music digital revenue, physical revenue and artist services and expanded-rights revenue as well as growth in Music Publishing digital revenue, performance revenue and synchronization revenue were partially offset by declines in Recorded Music licensing revenue, which were primarily related to exchange rates, and declines in Music Publishing mechanical revenue which reflect a continuing shift to digital. Revenue grew in the U.S., Europe, Asia and Latin America. Digital revenue grew 21.3% (or 22.5% in constant currency), and represented 47.0% of total revenue, compared to 44.2% in the prior-year quarter. 

Operating income was $45 million compared to $23 million in the prior-year quarter. OIBDA increased 20.0% to $120 million from $100 million in the prior-year quarter and OIBDA margin rose 0.7 percentage points to 14.8% from 14.1% in the prior-year quarter. The increase in operating income, OIBDA and OIBDA margin is the result of the increase in revenue as well as a $9 million gain on certain asset sales. Adjusted OIBDA rose 7.8% and Adjusted OIBDA margin declined 0.8 percentage points to 13.7% from 14.5% as a result of revenue mix. 

Net loss was $7 million compared to net loss of $43 million in the prior-year quarter. The improvement is attributable to an increase in OIBDA as well as a gain on asset sales and a currency-related gain on the company's Euro-denominated debt.

Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income exclude certain gains on asset sales and the impact of PLG-related expenses and expenses related to cost-savings initiatives in the prior-year quarter. See below for calculations and reconciliations of OIBDA, Adjusted operating income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income. 

As of June 30, 2016, the company reported a cash balance of $345 million, total debt of $2.908 billion and net debt (total long-term debt, including the current portion, minus cash) of $2.563 billion. There was no balance outstanding on the company's revolver during the quarter. Subsequent to the quarter end, on July 1, 2016, the company redeemed $100 million of its 13.75% notes with cash.

Cash provided by operating activities was $35 million compared to a use of $24 million in the prior-year quarter. The change is largely a result of improved OIBDA and the benefit of working capital management. Free Cash Flow, defined below, was $31 million compared to negative $44 million in the prior-year quarter, reflecting the improvement in cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from asset sales, and lower capital expenditures versus the prior-year quarter. 

Recorded Music

Recorded Music Summary Results
(dollars in millions)
	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
	(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Revenue	$	680			$	592				15	%
Digital revenue		348				293				19	%
Operating income		64				43				49	%
Adjusted operating income(1)		55				45				22	%
OIBDA(1)		119				100				19	%
Adjusted OIBDA(1)		110				102				8	%
(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.

Recorded Music revenue grew 14.9% (or 15.4% in constant currency). Growth in digital revenue, physical revenue and artist services and expanded-rights revenue was partially offset by a decline in licensing revenue, which was primarily related to exchange rates. Digital growth reflects a continuing shift to streaming revenue. The increase in physical revenue was driven by a number of physically-centric releases and strong catalog sales. The improvement in artist services and expanded-rights revenue was due to the timing of concert tours. Recorded Music revenue saw strength around the globe. Major sellers included Renaud, Twenty One Pilots, Red Hot Chili Peppers and Coldplay. Sales from catalog artists were also strong. 

Recorded Music operating income was $64 million up from $43 million in the prior-year quarter and operating margin was up 2.1 percentage points to 9.4% versus 7.3% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted operating margin rose 0.5 percentage points to 8.1% from 7.6% in the prior-year quarter. OIBDA rose to $119 million from $100 million in the prior-year quarter and OIBDA margin rose 0.6 percentage points to 17.5% driven by revenue growth and a gain on asset sales. Adjusted OIBDA was $110 million versus $102 million in the prior-year quarter with Adjusted OIBDA margin down 1.0 percentage point to 16.2%. The improvement in Adjusted OIBDA was driven by revenue growth and the decline in Adjusted OIBDA margin was driven by revenue mix. 

Music Publishing

Music Publishing Summary Results
(dollars in millions)
	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
	(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Revenue	$	134			$	123				9	%
Digital revenue		34				23				48	%
Operating income		6				3				100	%
OIBDA(1)		23				20				15	%
(1) See "Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures" at the end of this release for details regarding these measures.

Music Publishing revenue rose 8.9% (or 10.7% in constant currency). Growth in digital revenue, performance revenue and synchronization revenue was partially offset by a decline in mechanical revenue. 

Music Publishing operating income was $6 million compared with $3 million in the prior-year quarter and operating margin rose 2.1 percentage points to 4.5%. The increase in operating income and operating margin was due to revenue growth and a gain on asset sale. Music Publishing OIBDA rose by $3 million or 15.0% to $23 million, while Music Publishing OIBDA margin rose 0.9 percentage points to 17.2% from 16.3%, due to the same factors that impacted operating income. 

Financial details for the quarter can be found in the company's current Form 10-Q, for the period ended June 30, 2016, filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

This morning, management will be hosting a conference call to discuss the results at 8:30 A.M. EDT. The call will be webcast on www.wmg.com.

About Warner Music Group

With its broad roster of new stars and legendary artists, Warner Music Group is home to a collection of the best-known record labels in the music industry including Asylum, Atlantic, Big Beat, Canvasback, East West, Elektra, Erato, FFRR, Fueled by Ramen, Nonesuch, Parlophone, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Sire, Warner Bros., Warner Classics and Warner Music Nashville, as well as Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers, with a catalog of more than one million copyrights worldwide. 

"Safe Harbor" Statement under Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

This communication includes forward-looking statements that reflect the current views of Warner Music Group about future events and financial performance. Words such as "estimates," "expects," "anticipates," "projects," "plans," "intends," "believes," "forecasts" and variations of such words or similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends, or that do not relate to historical matters, identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are made as of today, and we disclaim any duty to update such statements. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, we cannot assure you that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved. Investors should not rely on forward-looking statements because they are subject to a variety of risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations. Please refer to our Form 10-K, Form 10-Qs and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements.

We maintain an Internet site at www.wmg.com. We use our website as a channel of distribution of material company information. Financial and other material information regarding Warner Music Group is routinely posted on and accessible at http://investors.wmg.com. In addition, you may automatically receive email alerts and other information about Warner Music Group by enrolling your email address through the "email alerts" section at http://investors.wmg.com. Our website and the information posted on it or connected to it shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this communication. 

Basis of Presentation

The Company maintains a 52-53 week fiscal year ending on the last Friday in each reporting period. As such, all references to June 30, 2016 and June 30, 2015 relate to the periods ended June 24, 2016 and June 26, 2015, respectively. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its financial statements as of June 30. The fiscal year ended September 30, 2015 ended on September 25, 2015. For convenience purposes, the Company continues to date its balance sheet as of September 30. 

Figure 1. Warner Music Group Corp. - Consolidated Statements of Operations, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016 versus June 30, 2015
(dollars in millions)
		For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Revenue		$	811			$	710				14	%
Cost and expenses:
Cost of revenue			(448	)			(373	)			-20	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			(255	)			(251	)			-2	%
Amortization expense			(63	)			(63	)			-
Total costs and expenses		$	(766	)		$	(687	)			-12	%
Operating income		$	45			$	23				96	%
Interest expense, net			(43	)			(45	)			4	%
Other expense, net			(5	)			(17	)			71	%
Loss before income taxes		$	(3	)		$	(39	)			92	%
Income tax expense			(4	)			(4	)			-
Net loss		$	(7	)		$	(43	)			84	%
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest			(2	)			(1	)			100	%
Net loss attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.		$	(9	)		$	(44	)			80	%
		For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Revenue		$	2,405			$	2,216				9	%
Costs and expenses:
Cost of revenue			(1,271	)			(1,136	)			-12	%
Selling, general and administrative expenses			(787	)			(799	)			2	%
Amortization expense			(188	)			(191	)			2	%
Total costs and expenses		$	(2,246	)		$	(2,126	)			-6	%
Operating income		$	159			$	90				77	%
Interest expense, net			(131	)			(136	)			4	%
Other income (expense), net			21				(12	)		-
Income (loss) before income taxes		$	49			$	(58	)		-
Income tax expense			(16	)			(7	)		-
Net income (loss)		$	33			$	(65	)		-
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest			(4	)			(3	)			33	%
Net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.		$	29			$	(68	)		-

Figure 2. Warner Music Group Corp. - Consolidated Balance Sheets at June 30, 2016 versus September 30, 2015
(dollars in millions)
			June 30,				September 30,
			2016				2015				% Change
			(unaudited)				(audited)
Assets
Current assets:
	Cash and equivalents		$	345			$	246				40	%
	Accounts receivable, net			353				349				1	%
	Inventories			38				42				-10	%
	Royalty advances expected to be recouped within one year			146				130				12	%
	Prepaid and other current assets			60				60				-
Total current assets			$	942			$	827				14	%
Royalty advances expected to be recouped after one year				219				195				12	%
Property, plant and equipment, net				206				220				-6	%
Goodwill				1,630				1,632				0	%
Intangible assets subject to amortization, net				2,269				2,514				-10	%
Intangible assets not subject to amortization				118				119				-1	%
Other assets				110				114				-4	%
Total assets			$	5,494			$	5,621				-2	%
Liabilities and Equity
Current liabilities:
	Accounts payable		$	156			$	173				-10	%
	Accrued royalties			1,164				1,087				7	%
	Accrued liabilities			269				296				-9	%
	Accrued interest			45				58				-22	%
	Deferred revenue			174				206				-16	%
	Current portion of long-term debt			113				13			-
	Other current liabilities			29				24				21	%
Total current liabilities			$	1,950			$	1,857				5	%
Long-term debt				2,795				2,981				-6	%
Deferred tax liabilities, net				281				302				-7	%
Other noncurrent liabilities				236				242				-2	%
Total liabilities			$	5,262			$	5,382				-2	%
Equity:
Common stock				-				-			-
Additional paid-in capital				1,128				1,128				-
Accumulated deficit				(711	)			(740	)			4	%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net				(199	)			(167	)			-19	%
Total Warner Music Group Corp. equity			$	218			$	221				-1	%
Noncontrolling interest				14				18				-22	%
Total equity				232				239				-3	%
Total liabilities and equity			$	5,494			$	5,621				-2	%

Figure 3. Warner Music Group Corp. - Summarized Statements of Cash Flows, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016 versus June 30, 2015
(dollars in millions)
		For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	35			$	(24	)
Net cash used in investing activities			(4	)			(20	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(5	)			(6	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and equivalents			3				-
Net increase (decrease) in cash and equivalents		$	29			$	(50	)
		For the Nine  Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	207			$	118
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities			1				(79	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(105	)			(15	)
Effect of foreign currency exchange rates on cash and equivalents			(4	)			(13	)
Net increase in cash and equivalents		$	99			$	11

Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including the following non-GAAP financial measures:

OIBDA

OIBDA reflects our operating income before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets. We consider OIBDA to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses, and believe the presentation of OIBDA helps improve the ability to understand our operating performance and evaluate our performance in comparison to comparable periods. However, a limitation of the use of OIBDA as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the periodic costs of certain capitalized tangible and intangible assets used in generating revenue in our businesses. Accordingly, OIBDA should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income (loss), net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. In addition, OIBDA, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. 

Figure 4. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of OIBDA to Net Income (Loss), Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016 versus June 30, 2015
(dollars in millions)
		For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
OIBDA		$	120			$	100				20	%
Depreciation expense			(12	)			(14	)			14	%
Amortization expense			(63	)			(63	)			-
Operating income		$	45			$	23				96	%
Interest expense, net			(43	)			(45	)			4	%
Other expense, net			(5	)			(17	)			71	%
Loss before income taxes		$	(3	)		$	(39	)			92	%
Income tax expense			(4	)			(4	)			-
Net loss		$	(7	)		$	(43	)			84	%
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest			(2	)			(1	)			100	%
Net loss attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.		$	(9	)		$	(44	)			80	%
Operating income margin			5.5	%			3.2	%
OIBDA margin			14.8	%			14.1	%
		For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
OIBDA		$	384			$	323				19	%
Depreciation expense			(37	)			(42	)			12	%
Amortization expense			(188	)			(191	)			2	%
Operating income		$	159			$	90				77	%
Interest expense, net			(131	)			(136	)			4	%
Other income (expense), net			21				(12	)		-
Income (loss) before income taxes		$	49			$	(58	)		-
Income tax expense			(16	)			(7	)		-
Net income (loss)		$	33			$	(65	)		-
Less: Income attributable to noncontrolling interest			(4	)			(3	)			33	%
Net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp.		$	29			$	(68	)		-
Operating income margin			6.6	%			4.1	%
OIBDA margin			16.0	%			14.6	%

Figure 5. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Segment Operating Income (Loss) to OIBDA, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016 versus June 30, 2015
(dollars in millions)
	For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016			For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Total WMG operating income - GAAP	$	45		$	23			96	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(75	)		(77	)		3	%
Total WMG OIBDA	$	120		$	100			20	%
Operating income margin		5.5	%		3.2	%
OIBDA margin		14.8	%		14.1	%
Recorded Music operating income - GAAP	$	64		$	43			49	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(55	)		(57	)		4	%
Recorded Music OIBDA	$	119		$	100			19	%
Recorded Music operating income margin		9.4	%		7.3	%
Recorded Music OIBDA margin		17.5	%		16.9	%
Music Publishing operating income - GAAP	$	6		$	3			100	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(17	)		(17	)		0	%
Music Publishing OIBDA	$	23		$	20			15	%
Music Publishing operating income margin		4.5	%		2.4	%
Music Publishing OIBDA margin		17.2	%		16.3	%
	For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016			For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015				% Change
	(unaudited)			(unaudited)
Total WMG operating income - GAAP	$	159		$	90			77	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(225	)		(233	)		3	%
Total WMG OIBDA	$	384		$	323			19	%
Operating income margin		6.6	%		4.1	%
OIBDA margin		16.0	%		14.6	%
Recorded Music operating income - GAAP	$	200		$	130			54	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(164	)		(172	)		5	%
Recorded Music OIBDA	$	364		$	302			21	%
Recorded Music operating income margin		9.8	%		7.0	%
Recorded Music OIBDA margin		17.9	%		16.1	%
Music Publishing operating income - GAAP	$	30		$	36			-17	%
Depreciation and amortization expense		(52	)		(52	)		0	%
Music Publishing OIBDA	$	82		$	88			-7	%
Music Publishing operating income margin		8.0	%		10.0	%
Music Publishing OIBDA margin		21.8	%		24.5	%

Adjusted Operating Income (Loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted Net Income (Loss)

Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) is operating income (loss), OIBDA and net income (loss), respectively, adjusted to exclude the impact of certain items that affect comparability. Factors affecting period-to-period comparability of the unadjusted measures in the quarter included the items listed in Figure 6 below. We use Adjusted operating income (loss), Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted net income (loss) to evaluate our actual operating performance. We believe that the adjusted results provide relevant and useful information for investors because they clarify our actual operating performance, make it easier to compare our results with those of other companies in our industry and allow investors to review performance in the same way as our management. Since these are not measures of performance calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, they should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, operating income (loss), OIBDA and net income (loss) attributable to Warner Music Group Corp. as indicators of operating performance, and they may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies.

Figure 6. Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of Reported to Adjusted Results, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016 versus June 30, 2015

(dollars in millions)

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016
			Total WMG Operating Income				Recorded Music Operating Income				Music Publishing Operating Income				Total WMG OIBDA				Recorded Music OIBDA				Music Publishing OIBDA				Net loss
			(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Reported Results			$	45			$	64			$	6			$	120			$	119			$	23			$	(7	)
Factors Affecting Comparability:
	Gain on PLG-Related Asset Sales			(9	)			(9	)			-				(9	)			(9	)			-				(9	)
Adjusted Results			$	36			$	55			$	6			$	111			$	110			$	23			$	(16	)
Adjusted Margin				4.4	%			8.1	%			4.5	%			13.7	%			16.2	%			17.2	%

For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
			Total WMG Operating Income				Recorded Music Operating Income				Music Publishing Operating Income				Total WMG OIBDA				Recorded Music OIBDA				Music Publishing OIBDA				Net loss
			(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Reported Results			$	23			$	43			$	3			$	100			$	100			$	20			$	(43	)
Factors Affecting Comparability:
	PLG-Related Costs			1				1				-				1				1				-				1
	Cost-Savings Initiatives			2				1				-				2				1				-				2
Adjusted Results			$	26			$	45			$	3			$	103			$	102			$	20			$	(40	)
Adjusted Margin				3.7	%			7.6	%			2.4	%			14.5	%			17.2	%			16.3	%

For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016
			Total WMG Operating Income				Recorded Music Operating Income				Music Publishing Operating Income				Total WMG OIBDA				Recorded Music OIBDA				Music Publishing OIBDA				Net income
			(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Reported Results			$	159			$	200			$	30			$	384			$	364			$	82			$	33
Factors Affecting Comparability:
	PLG-Related Costs			2				2				-				2				2				-				2
	Gain on PLG-Related Asset Sales			(9	)			(9	)			-				(9	)			(9	)			-				(9	)
Adjusted Results			$	152			$	193			$	30			$	377			$	357			$	82			$	26
Adjusted Margin				6.3	%			9.5	%			8.0	%			15.7	%			17.5	%			21.8	%

For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015
			Total WMG Operating Income				Recorded Music Operating Income				Music Publishing Operating Income				Total WMG OIBDA				Recorded Music OIBDA				Music Publishing OIBDA				Net loss
			(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Reported Results			$	90			$	130			$	36			$	323			$	302			$	88			$	(65	)
Factors Affecting Comparability:
	PLG-Related Costs			6				6				-				6				6				-				6
	Cost-Savings Initiatives			9				5				-				9				5				-				9
	Corporate Headquarters Consolidation			6				-				-				6				-				-				6
Adjusted Results			$	111			$	141			$	36			$	344			$	313			$	88			$	(44	)
Adjusted Margin				5.0	%			7.5	%			10.0	%			15.5	%			16.7	%			24.5	%

Constant Currency

Because exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period-to-period comparisons, we believe the presentation of revenue on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported revenue helps improve the ability to understand our operating results and evaluate our performance in comparison to prior periods. Constant-currency information compares results between periods as if exchange rates had remained constant period over period. We use results on a constant-currency basis as one measure to evaluate our performance. We calculate constant-currency results by applying current-year foreign currency exchange rates to prior-year results. However, a limitation of the use of the constant-currency results as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the impact of exchange rates on our revenue. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Results on a constant-currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and are not a measure of performance presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Figure 7. Warner Music Group Corp. - Revenue by Geography and Segment, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016 versus June 30, 2015 As Reported and Constant Currency
(dollars in millions)
				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
				As reported				As reported				Constant
				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)
US revenue
	Recorded Music			$	277			$	241			$	241
	Music Publishing				57				48				48
International revenue
	Recorded Music				403				351				348
	Music Publishing				77				75				73
Intersegment eliminations					(3	)			(5	)			(5	)
Total Revenue				$	811			$	710			$	705
Revenue by Segment:
Recorded Music
		Digital		$	348			$	293			$	290
		Physical			178				161				162
		Total Digital and Physical			526				454				452
		Artist services and expanded-rights			92				73				74
		Licensing			62				65				63
Total Recorded Music					680				592				589
Music Publishing
		Performance			51				49				48
		Digital			34				23				23
		Mechanical			19				25				25
		Synchronization			27				23				23
		Other			3				3				2
Total Music Publishing					134				123				121
Intersegment eliminations					(3	)			(5	)			(5	)
Total Revenue				$	811			$	710			$	705
Total Digital Revenue				$	381			$	314			$	311

				For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015				For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015
				As reported				As reported				Constant
				(unaudited)				(unaudited)				(unaudited)
US revenue
	Recorded Music			$	828			$	718			$	718
	Music Publishing				164				141				141
International revenue
	Recorded Music				1,210				1,152				1,079
	Music Publishing				213				218				201
Intersegment eliminations					(10	)			(13	)			(13	)
Total Revenue				$	2,405			$	2,216			$	2,126
Revenue by Segment:
Recorded Music
		Digital		$	998			$	839			$	812
		Physical			577				611				581
		Total Digital and Physical			1,575				1,450				1,393
		Artist services and expanded-rights			254				204				197
		Licensing			209				216				207
Total Recorded Music					2,038				1,870				1,797
Music Publishing
		Performance			138				138				129
		Digital			94				71				69
		Mechanical			56				68				65
		Synchronization			82				75				73
		Other			7				7				6
Total Music Publishing					377				359				342
Intersegment eliminations					(10	)			(13	)			(13	)
Total Revenue				$	2,405			$	2,216			$	2,126
Total Digital Revenue				$	1,089			$	906			$	877

Free Cash Flow

Free Cash Flow reflects our cash flow provided by operating activities less capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments. We use Free Cash Flow, among other measures, to evaluate our operating performance. Management believes Free Cash Flow provides investors with an important perspective on the cash available to fund our debt service requirements, ongoing working capital requirements, capital expenditure requirements, strategic acquisitions and investments, and any dividends, prepayments of debt or repurchases or retirement of our outstanding debt or notes in open market purchases, privately negotiated purchases or otherwise. As a result, Free Cash Flow is a significant measure of our ability to generate long-term value. It is useful for investors to know whether this ability is being enhanced or degraded as a result of our operating performance. We believe the presentation of Free Cash Flow is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method management uses. 

Because Free Cash Flow is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow should not be considered in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net income (loss) as an indicator of operating performance or cash flow provided by operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Free Cash Flow, as we calculate it, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures employed by other companies. In addition, Free Cash Flow does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use and is not necessarily a measure of our ability to fund our cash needs. Because Free Cash Flow deducts capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments from "net cash provided by operating activities" (the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure), users of this information should consider the types of events and transactions that are not reflected. We provide below a reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to the most directly comparable amount reported under U.S. GAAP, which is "net cash provided by operating activities." 

Figure 8. Warner Music Group Corp. - Calculation of Free Cash Flow, Three and Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016 versus June 30, 2015
(dollars in millions)
		For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2015
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		$	35			$	(24	)
Less: Capital expenditures			8				12
Less: Net cash (received) paid for investments			(4	)			8
Free Cash Flow		$	31			$	(44	)
		For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2016				For the Nine Months Ended June 30, 2015
		(unaudited)				(unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	207			$	118
Less: Capital expenditures			31				51
Less: Net cash (received) paid for investments			(32	)			28
Free Cash Flow		$	208			$	39

Media Contact:
James Steven
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[e-mail]

Investor Contact:
Lori Scherwin
[phone]
[e-mail]