| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| CONTACTS: |
| Ann Parker, Director |
| Investor Relations |
| LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation |
| 605-988-1000 |
| ann.parker@lodgenet.com |
LODGENET
PRESENTS AT
B. RILEY & CO. 8TH ANNUAL LAS VEGAS INVESTOR CONFERENCE
Company Comments on Strategic Initiatives
Las Vegas, NV – March 13, 2007 – LodgeNet
Entertainment Corporation (NASD:LNET), a world leader in interactive TV and
broadband solutions to hotels and healthcare facilities, presented today at the
B. Riley & Co. 8th Annual Las Vegas Investor Conference. LodgeNet President & CEO Scott C.
Petersen reported on progress regarding several strategic initiatives underway
by the Company.
“Our
acquisition of StayOnline was successfully closed in early February,” said
Petersen. “The acquisition is an
important step forward in the execution of our corporate strategy to expand our
networks and integrate high value solutions for our customers. While we are working through various
operational integration matters, we are already
seeing considerable market recognition of the unique benefits we bring the
industry through an integrated interactive television and broadband
solution. For 2007, we are looking for
our new HSIA business to generate approximately $15 million in revenue at a
neutral to slightly positive Adjusted Operating Cash Flow level.”
Petersen continued, “We remain enthusiastic about our pending
acquisition of On Command. The
acquisition will expand our interactive television network to 1.8 million rooms
and enhance our ability to deliver a superior array of new products and services
that will benefit both the hotel industry as well as our company. During the Hart-Scott-Rodino approval period,
we have been able to do some limited integration planning. We continue to believe that we can generate
at least 10% to 12% operating costs synergies, which translates into $12.5
million to $15.0 million of operating cost savings from the combination.” Mr. Petersen also indicated that the
transaction is currently pending HSR approval.
A determination by the Department of Justice of whether to clear the
transaction or request additional information is expected by March 15, and the
Company will release additional information as it becomes available.
Petersen also noted that the syndication of a $450 million senior
secured credit facility, led by Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. and Credit Suisse
Securities (USA) LLC was commenced during the first week of March. $75.0 million of the new facility will
refinance the Company’s existing senior secured credit facility, which matures
in 2008; $325 million of the facility will be available to fund the cash
portion of the On Command acquisition price; and $50 million will be structured
as a revolving credit facility
Petersen also reported
that the Company is continuing to make solid progress leveraging LodgeNet’s
interactive television platform into the healthcare market as more hospitals
look to provide patients with a hotel-like experience. “We are pleased to announce that four new
hospitals will be installed by the end of the first quarter. Those hospitals include
Cypress Fairbanks Medical Center in Houston, Texas, Baylor Heart Hospital in Dallas, Houston Northwest Medical Center and Lancaster General Hospital in Lancaster Pennsylvania.” As with the Company’s other healthcare
clients, the hospitals are purchasing the LodgeNetRXTM Interactive Patient
Television System, licensing its software, and contracting with LodgeNet for a
variety of patient education, entertainment and other interactive patient
services. Petersen said that healthcare revenue
is expected to more than double in 2007 to between $5 and $6 million.
The Company has posted a copy of the B. Riley conference
presentation on its website at: www.lodgenet.com.
About LodgeNet
LodgeNet Entertainment Corporation (www.lodgenet.com) is
a world leader in interactive TV and broadband solutions to
hotels throughout the United States and Canada as well as select
international markets. These services include on-demand movies,
on-demand games, music and music videos, subscription sports programming
and television on-demand programming, as well as high-speed Internet access,
all designed to serve the needs of the lodging industry and the traveling
public. LodgeNet provides service to more than one million
interactive hotel rooms representing more than 6,000 hotel properties
worldwide. In addition, LodgeNet is a leading innovator in the delivery of
on-demand patient education, information and entertainment to healthcare
facilities. LodgeNet is listed on NASDAQ and trades under the symbol
LNET.
Forward-looking statement
Certain
statements in this press release constitute “forward-looking statements”. When used in this press release, the words
“intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “goal,” “no
assurance” and similar expressions, and statements which are made in the future
tense or refer to future events or developments, including, without limitation,
those related to estimated free cash flow, cash earnings per share, debt ratios
and synergies, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements.
Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and
other factors that could cause the actual results, performance or achievements
to be materially different from any future results, performance, or
achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In addition to the risks and uncertainties
discussed herein, such factors include, among others, the following: the
effects of economic conditions, including in particular the economic condition
of the lodging industry, which can be particularly affected by international
crisis, acts or threats of terrorism and public health issues; competition from
providers of similar services and from alternative systems for accessing
in-room entertainment; competition from HSIA providers; changes in demand for
our products and services; programming costs, availability, timeliness, and
quality; technological developments by competitors; developmental costs,
difficulties, and delays; relationships with clients and property owners; the
availability of capital to finance growth, and, in particular, the success of
the $450 million syndication on terms favorable to LodgeNet; the impact of
government regulations; potential effects of litigation; risks of expansion
into new markets; risks related to the security of our data systems; and other
factors detailed, from time to time, in our filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission. With respect to any
proposed acquisition, we are subject to risks that integration costs will exceed
expectations, that synergies we anticipate will not be realized, or will take
longer than anticipated to realize, that our management and management systems
will encounter difficulties in dealing with a bigger, more diversified
enterprise, and that the financial results we expect from the acquisition will
not be realized. These forward-looking statements speak only as
of the date of this press release. We expressly disclaim any obligation or
undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking
statements contained herein to reflect any change in our expectations with
regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which
any such statement is based.
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