CHICAGO, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (PEI) (NYSE: PLA, PLAA) today announced a net loss for the second quarter ended June 30, 2010, of $5.4 million, or $0.16 per basic and diluted share, which compares to a net loss in the prior year's quarter of $8.7 million, or $0.26 per basic and diluted share. The 2010 second quarter results included a restructuring charge of $1.6 million, while the 2009 second quarter included a $9.1 million restructuring charge, which primarily was related to the closing of the company's New York office.

Second quarter 2010 segment income was $0.4 million, down from $3.6 million in the prior year, on a 10% decline in revenues to $56.0 million from $62.2 million last year. Licensing Group segment income increased by 35%, but these gains were more than offset by a loss in the Print/Digital Group, which was due in part to litigation expense related to one of the company's international editions. The year-over-year comparison of Print/Digital results also was unfavorably affected by the company's decision to publish the equivalent of four issues last year versus three in the current year.

Playboy's Chief Executive Officer Scott Flanders said: "The Licensing Group's strong performance in the quarter demonstrates the viability of our strategy to transform Playboy from a business operator into a brand management company. Through the years, we have successfully built a brand with unrivalled global appeal, and our future success hinges on finding partners who can best exploit that popularity. We already are seeing the benefits of our recent partnerships with AMI and IMG, and additional agreements are in development.

"Our goal of reducing overhead expense is a priority, and previous cost reduction initiatives helped offset the revenue decline in the second quarter," Flanders said. "These efforts continue, and the staff reductions we made in the second quarter should yield annual savings of approximately $3.0 million.

"Looking to the second half of 2010, we expect the Print/Digital Group to return to modest profitability and to see continued solid growth in the Licensing Group's results. In TV, competition remains intense, and we are likely to see a decline in second half Entertainment Group profits compared to last year as a result. Although we are developing a new look and programming for Playboy TV, we do not expect to launch the new shows until the fourth quarter. We continue to make progress across our businesses in this transition year and look forward to building on our accomplishments," Flanders said.

Entertainment

The Entertainment Group's second quarter 2010 segment income was $1.6 million, down $0.4 million from $2.0 million in the same period last year on a $1.1 million decline in revenues to $22.7 million from $23.8 million. Ongoing cost reduction measures helped offset the lower revenue base.

An increase in subscription revenues led to improved 2010 second quarter Playboy TV revenues versus the prior year. This growth was more than offset by continued weakness in video-on-demand sales, resulting in a 4%, or $0.4 million, decline in domestic TV revenues. Second quarter international TV revenues were off 9% to $9.4 million versus last year, reflecting softness in some European markets and increased competition from other providers.

Print/Digital

Improved digital results were more than offset by $1.6 million of higher litigation expense and the resulting loss in the print business, which contributed to a second quarter 2010 Print/Digital Group segment loss of $1.2 million. This compares to segment profit of $2.3 million in the prior year quarter when the company published the equivalent of four issues of Playboy magazine versus three in the current year. The Group's year-over-year second quarter revenues declined to $20.9 million from $28.3 million.

In the 2010 second quarter, Playboy magazine circulation and advertising revenues declined as expected compared to last year reflecting both the company's decision to lower the magazine's rate base by 42% and to publish last year a combined double issue. As a result, second quarter domestic magazine revenues were off by $6.2 million, a 38% decline from the prior year. The magazine's expense structure benefited from the savings in production, circulation and marketing expense that resulted from the lower rate base, which helped offset the revenue decline.

The company said that it expects to record a 20% increase in third quarter advertising pages compared to last year in part because it will be publishing three issues of Playboy magazine this year versus two in the 2009 third quarter.

As a result of litigation expense, the international publishing business recorded a loss in the 2010 second quarter compared to a profit last year. The lawsuit related to the termination of a contract for a Mexican edition of Playboy magazine, and, during the quarter, a jury returned a verdict in the company's favor.

Second quarter 2010 digital results improved compared to the prior year, despite an 8% decline in revenues to $8.2 million. A reduced cost structure and lower content costs contributed to the year-over-year profit improvement.

Licensing

Segment income for the Licensing Group rose 35% to $6.4 million in the 2010 second quarter compared to $4.8 million last year on 24% growth in revenues to $12.4 million from $10.1 million. Higher sales of consumer products in Europe, Asia and Latin America primarily were responsible for the top- and bottom-line growth in the 2010 second quarter compared to last year.

Corporate and Other

Second quarter 2010 corporate expense rose 17% to $6.4 million from $5.5 million in the same quarter last year.

The company also recorded a restructuring charge of $1.6 million in the 2010 second quarter mainly related to the elimination of 18 positions in Corporate and the Entertainment and Print/Digital Groups. In the comparable 2009 quarter, the company recorded a restructuring charge of $9.1 million primarily due to the closing of its New York office.

Additional information regarding second quarter 2010 earnings will be available on the earnings release conference call, which is being held today, August 5, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern /10:00 a.m. Central. The call may be accessed by dialing (800) 895-0198 (for domestic callers) or (785) 424-1053 (for international callers) and using the password: Playboy. In addition, the call will be webcast. To listen to the call, please visit http://www.peiinvestor.com and select the Investor Relations section.

Playboy is one of the most recognized and popular consumer brands in the world. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. is a media and lifestyle company that markets the brand through a wide range of media properties and licensing initiatives. The company publishes Playboy magazine in the United States and abroad and creates content for distribution via television networks, websites, mobile platforms and radio. Through licensing agreements, the Playboy brand appears on a wide range of consumer products in more than 150 countries as well as retail stores and entertainment venues.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This release contains "forward-looking statements," as to expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives and future financial performance, and assumptions underlying or concerning the foregoing. We use words such as "may," "will," "would," "could," "should," "believes," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "intends," "continues" and other similar terminology. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. We want to caution you not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

The following are some of the important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements:


            Foreign, national, state and local government
            regulations, actions or initiatives,
    (1)     including:
            attempts to limit or otherwise regulate the
            sale, distribution or transmission of
            adult-oriented materials, including print,
            television, video, Internet and mobile
      (a)   materials;
            attempts to limit or otherwise regulate the
            sale or distribution of certain consumer
      (b)   products sold by our licensees; or
            limitations on the advertisement of tobacco,
            alcohol and other products which are
            important sources of advertising revenue
      (c)   for us;
            Risks associated with our foreign operations,
            including market acceptance and demand for our
            products and the products of our licensees and
    (2)     other business partners;
            Our ability to effectively manage our exposure
            to foreign currency exchange rate
    (3)     fluctuations;
            Further changes in general economic conditions,
            consumer spending habits, viewing patterns,
            fashion trends or the retail sales
            environment, which, in each case, could reduce
            demand for our programming and products and
    (4)     impact our advertising and licensing revenues;
            Our ability to protect our trademarks,
    (5)     copyrights and other intellectual property;
            Risks as a distributor of media content,
            including our becoming subject to claims for
            defamation, invasion of privacy, negligence,
            copyright, patent or trademark infringement
            and other claims based on the nature and
    (6)     content of the materials we distribute;
            The risk our outstanding litigation could
            result in settlements or judgments which are
    (7)     material to us;
            Dilution from any potential issuance of common
            stock or convertible debt in connection with
    (8)     financings or acquisition activities;
            Further competition for advertisers from other
            publications, media or online providers or
            decreases in spending by advertisers, either
    (9)     generally or with respect to the men's market;
            Competition in the television, men's magazine,
            Internet, mobile and product licensing
    (10)    markets;
            Attempts by consumers, distributors, merchants
            or private advocacy groups to exclude our
            programming or other products from
    (11)    distribution;
            Our television, Internet and mobile businesses'
            reliance on third parties for technology and
            distribution, and any changes in that
            technology, distribution and/or delays in
            implementation which might affect our plans,
    (12)    assumptions and financial results;
            Risks associated with losing access to
            transponders or technical failure of
            transponders or other transmitting or playback
    (13)    equipment that is beyond our control;
            Competition for channel space on linear or
    (14)    video-on-demand television platforms;
            Failure to maintain our agreements with
            multiple system operators and direct-to-
            home, or DTH, operators on favorable terms, as
            well as any decline in our access to
            households or acceptance by DTH, cable and/or
            telephone company systems and the possible
            resulting cancellation of fee arrangements,
            pressure on splits or other deterioration of
            contract terms with operators of these
    (15)    systems;
            Risks that we may not realize the expected
            sales and profits and other benefits from
    (16)    acquisitions;
            Any charges or costs we incur in connection
            with restructuring measures we have taken or
    (17)    may take in the future;
            Increases in paper, printing, postage or other
    (18)    manufacturing costs;
            Effects of the consolidation of the single-
            copy magazine distribution system in the U.S.
            and risks associated with the financial
    (19)    stability of major magazine wholesalers;
            Effects of the consolidation and/or
            bankruptcies of television distribution
    (20)    companies;
            Risks associated with the viability of our
            subscription, ad-supported and e-commerce
    (21)    Internet models;
            Our ability to sublet our excess space may be
            negatively impacted by the market for
            commercial rental real estate as well as by
    (22)    the global economy generally;
            The risk that our common stock could be
            delisted from the New York Stock Exchange, or
            NYSE, if we fail to meet the NYSE's continued
    (23)    listing requirements;
            Risks that adverse market conditions in the
            securities and credit markets may
            significantly affect our ability to access the
    (24)    capital markets;
            The risk that we will be unable to refinance
            our 3.00% convertible senior subordinated
            notes due 2025, or convertible notes, or the
            risk that we will need to refinance our
            convertible notes, prior to the first put date
            of March 15, 2012, at significantly higher
    (25)    interest rates;
            The risk that we are unable to either extend
            the maturity date of our existing credit
            facility beyond the current expiration date of
            January 31, 2011 or establish a new facility
            with a later maturity date and acceptable
    (26)    terms; and
            Further downward pressure on our operating
            results and/or further deterioration of
            economic conditions could result in further
            impairments of our long-lived assets,
    (27)    including our other intangible assets.

More detailed information about factors that may affect our performance may be found in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available at http://www.sec.gov or at http://www.peiinvestor.com in the Investor Relations section of our website.

                     Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
              (In millions, except per share amounts)

                                                    Quarters Ended
                                                       June 30,
                                                       --------
                                                    2010        2009
                                                    ----        ----
    Net revenues
    ------------
    Entertainment:
      Domestic TV                                  $12.3       $12.7
      International TV                               9.4        10.4
      Other                                          1.0         0.7
                                                     ---         ---
      Total Entertainment                           22.7        23.8
    Print/Digital:
      Domestic magazine                             10.2        16.4
      International magazine                         1.4         1.6
      Special editions and other                     1.1         1.4
      Digital                                        8.2         8.9
      Total Print/Digital                           20.9        28.3
    Licensing:
      Consumer products                              9.4         6.9
      Location-based entertainment                   0.9         1.2
      Marketing events                               1.9         2.0
      Other                                          0.2           -
                                                     ---         ---
      Total Licensing                               12.4        10.1
                                                    ----        ----

    Total net revenues                             $56.0       $62.2
                                                   =====       =====

    Net loss
    --------
    Entertainment                                   $1.6        $2.0
    Print/Digital                                   (1.2)        2.3
    Licensing                                        6.4         4.8
    Corporate                                       (6.4)       (5.5)
                                                    ----        ----

    Segment income                                   0.4         3.6

    Restructuring expense                           (1.6)       (9.1)

    Operating loss                                  (1.2)       (5.5)

    Investment income                                  -         0.7
    Interest expense                                (2.2)       (2.2)
    Amortization of deferred financing fees         (0.1)       (0.1)
    Other, net                                      (1.0)       (0.4)
                                                    ----        ----

    Loss before income taxes                        (4.5)       (7.5)

    Income tax expense                              (0.9)       (1.2)
                                                    ----        ----

    Net loss                                       $(5.4)      $(8.7)
                                                   =====       =====

    Weighted average number of common shares
     outstanding
       Basic and diluted                          33,632      33,441
                                                  ======      ======

    Basic and diluted loss per common share       $(0.16)     $(0.26)
                                                  ======      ======

                     Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
              (In millions, except per share amounts)

                                                        Six Months
                                                          Ended
                                                        June 30,
                                                        --------
                                                     2010        2009
                                                     ----        ----
    Net revenues
    ------------
    Entertainment:
      Domestic TV                                   $25.7       $26.0
      International TV                               19.4        21.7
      Other                                           1.6         2.3
                                                      ---         ---
      Total Entertainment                            46.7        50.0
    Print/Digital:
      Domestic magazine                              17.3        29.9
      International magazine                          2.9         3.3
      Special editions and other                      2.4         3.0
      Digital                                        16.5        18.2
      Total Print/Digital                            39.1        54.4
    Licensing:
      Consumer products                              17.9        14.7
      Location-based entertainment                    1.8         2.3
      Marketing events                                2.0         2.1
      Other                                           0.6         0.3
                                                      ---         ---
      Total Licensing                                22.3        19.4
                                                     ----        ----

    Total net revenues                             $108.1      $123.8
                                                   ======      ======

    Net loss
    --------
    Entertainment                                    $5.2        $5.0
    Print/Digital                                    (2.3)       (1.3)
    Licensing                                        12.9        10.4
    Corporate                                       (12.2)      (11.8)
                                                    -----       -----

    Segment income                                    3.6         2.3

    Restructuring expense                            (2.3)      (12.3)
    Impairment charges                               (0.4)       (5.5)

    Operating income (loss)                           0.9       (15.5)

    Investment income                                   -         0.7
    Interest expense                                 (4.4)       (4.3)
    Amortization of deferred financing fees          (0.3)       (0.4)
    Other, net                                       (1.0)       (0.5)
                                                     ----        ----

    Loss before income taxes                         (4.8)      (20.0)

    Income tax expense                               (1.6)       (2.4)
                                                     ----        ----

    Net loss                                        $(6.4)     $(22.4)
                                                    =====      ======

    Weighted average number of common shares
     outstanding
       Basic and diluted                           33,586      33,415
                                                   ======      ======

    Basic and diluted loss per common share        $(0.19)     $(0.67)
                                                   ======      ======

    PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    -------------------------
    Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information (dollars in
    millions, except per share amounts)

                                    Second Quarter Ended June 30,
                                    -----------------------------
    EBITDA and Adjusted
     EBITDA                        2010               2009   % Inc/(Dec)
    -------------------            ----               ----   -----------
      Net Loss                    $(5.4)             $(8.7)        (37.9)
      Adjusted for:
        Income Tax Expense          0.9                1.2         (25.0)
        Interest Expense            2.2                2.2             -
        Amortization of Deferred
         Financing Fees             0.1                0.1             -
        Depreciation and
         Amortization               8.8                9.0          (2.2)
        ----------------            ---                ---
      EBITDA (1)                    6.6                3.8          73.7
      Adjusted for:
        Restructuring Expense       1.6                9.1         (82.4)
        Stock Options and
         Restricted Stock Awards    0.3                  -             -
        Equity in Operations of
         Investments                  -                0.2        (100.0)
        Impairment Charges            -                  -             -
        Cash Investments in
         Entertainment
         Programming               (5.9)              (6.1)         (3.3)
        -------------------        ----               ----
      Adjusted EBITDA (2)          $2.6               $7.0         (62.9)
      -------------------          ----               ----


    Net Income (Loss) Before
     Restructuring and            Second Quarter Ended June 30,
                                  -----------------------------
                                                               % Better/
      Impairment Charges (3)       2010               2009       (Worse)
      ----------------------       ----               ----    ----------
      Net Loss                    $(5.4)             $(8.7)         37.9
      Adjusted for:
        Restructuring Expense       1.6                9.1          82.4
        Impairment Charges            -                  -             -
        ------------------          ---                ---
      Net Income (Loss) Before
       Restructuring and
       Impairment
        Charges                   $(3.8)              $0.4             -
        -------                   -----               ----
      Basic and Diluted
       Earnings (Loss) Before
       Restructuring and
        Impairment Charges Per
         Common Share            $(0.11)             $0.01             -
        ----------------------   ------              -----


                                  Second Quarter Ended June 30,
                                  -----------------------------
    Financial and Operating
     Data                          2010               2009   % Inc/(Dec)
    -----------------------        ----               ----   -----------
    Entertainment
      Cash Investments in
       Entertainment
       Programming                 $5.9               $6.1          (3.3)
      Programming Amortization
       Expense                     $7.1               $7.2          (1.4)

    Print/Digital
      Advertising Sales
       (Playboy-Branded)           $3.1               $4.1         (24.4)
      Digital Content Expense      $1.4               $1.7         (17.6)
      Domestic Magazine
       Advertising Pages          104.8               66.9          56.7

    At June 30
      Cash, Cash Equivalents,
       Marketable Securities
       and
        Short-Term Investments    $21.1              $26.1         (19.2)
      Long-Term Financing
       Obligations               $106.4             $101.9           4.4
      -------------------        ------             ------



                                        Six Months Ended June 30,
                                        -------------------------
    EBITDA and Adjusted
     EBITDA                        2010               2009       % Inc/(Dec)
    -------------------            ----               ----       -----------
      Net Loss                    $(6.4)            $(22.4)            (71.4)
      Adjusted for:
        Income Tax Expense          1.6                2.4             (33.3)
        Interest Expense            4.4                4.3               2.3
        Amortization of Deferred
         Financing Fees             0.3                0.4             (25.0)
        Depreciation and
         Amortization              16.9               18.7              (9.6)
        ----------------           ----               ----
      EBITDA (1)                   16.8                3.4             394.1
      Adjusted for:
        Restructuring Expense       2.3               12.3             (81.3)
        Stock Options and
         Restricted Stock Awards    0.6                0.2             200.0
        Equity in Operations of
         Investments                0.1                0.2             (50.0)
        Impairment Charges          0.4                5.5             (92.7)
        Cash Investments in
         Entertainment
         Programming              (11.0)             (13.3)            (17.3)
        -------------------       -----              -----
      Adjusted EBITDA (2)          $9.2               $8.3              10.8
      -------------------          ----               ----


    Net Income (Loss) Before
     Restructuring and               Six Months Ended June 30,
                                     -------------------------
                                                                   % Better/
      Impairment Charges (3)       2010               2009           (Worse)
      ----------------------       ----               ----        ----------
      Net Loss                    $(6.4)            $(22.4)             71.4
      Adjusted for:
        Restructuring Expense       2.3               12.3              81.3
        Impairment Charges          0.4                5.5              92.7
        ------------------          ---                ---
      Net Income (Loss) Before
       Restructuring and
       Impairment
        Charges                   $(3.7)             $(4.6)             19.6
        -------                   -----              -----
      Basic and Diluted
       Earnings (Loss) Before
       Restructuring and
        Impairment Charges Per
         Common Share            $(0.11)            $(0.14)             21.4
        ----------------------   ------             ------


                                     Six Months Ended June 30,
                                     -------------------------
    Financial and Operating
     Data                          2010               2009       % Inc/(Dec)
    -----------------------        ----               ----       -----------
    Entertainment
      Cash Investments in
       Entertainment
       Programming                $11.0              $13.3             (17.3)
      Programming Amortization
       Expense                    $13.7              $15.2              (9.9)

    Print/Digital
      Advertising Sales
       (Playboy-Branded)           $5.0               $7.5             (33.3)
      Digital Content Expense      $3.0               $3.4             (11.8)
      Domestic Magazine
       Advertising Pages          163.7              125.9              30.0

    At June 30
      Cash, Cash Equivalents,
       Marketable Securities
       and
        Short-Term Investments    $21.1              $26.1             (19.2)
      Long-Term Financing
       Obligations               $106.4             $101.9               4.4
      -------------------        ------             ------


    See notes on accompanying page.


    PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC.
    Notes to Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Information and Financial
     and Operating Data


    (1) In order to fully assess our financial results, management
     believes that EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating our
     operating performance and liquidity, because it reflects the
     resources available for, among other things, investments in
     television programming. The resources reflected in EBITDA are not
     necessarily available for our discretionary use because of legal or
     functional requirements to conserve funds for capital replacement
     and expansion, debt service and other commitments and uncertainties.
     Investors should recognize that EBITDA might not be comparable to
     similarly titled measures of other companies. EBITDA should be
     considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior
     to, any measure of performance, cash flows or liquidity prepared in
     accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the
     United States, or GAAP.

    (2) In order to fully assess our financial results, management
     believes that Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure for
     evaluating our operating performance and liquidity, because it
     reflects the resources available for strategic opportunities
     including, among other things, to invest in the business, make
     strategic acquisitions and strengthen the balance sheet. In
     addition, a comparable measure of Adjusted EBITDA is used in our
     credit facility to, among other things, determine the interest rate
     that we are charged on borrowings under the credit facility.
     Investors should recognize that Adjusted EBITDA might not be
     comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Adjusted
     EBITDA should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute
     for or superior to, any measure of performance, cash flows or
     liquidity prepared in accordance with GAAP.

    (3) In order to fully assess our financial results, management
     believes that Net Income (Loss) Before Restructuring and Impairment
     Charges is an appropriate measure for evaluating our operating
     performance and liquidity. Investors should recognize that Net
     Income (Loss) Before Restructuring and Impairment Charges might not
     be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies. Net
     Income (Loss) Before Restructuring and Impairment Charges should be
     considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or superior
     to, any measure of performance, cash flows or liquidity prepared in
     accordance with GAAP.



SOURCE Playboy Enterprises, Inc.