February 12, 2020
Altice USA Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2019 ResultsNEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) today reports results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019.
Key Financial Highlights
+0.8% YoY in Q4 2019 to $2.475 billion, driven by Q4 Residential revenue growth of
+0.1% (including Broadband growth of +11.1%), Q4 Business Services revenue growth of +4.1% and Q4 News and Advertising revenue decline of -9.0% (ex-political, News and Advertising grew +10.3% YoY).
$0.21/share (increased from net income of $18.8 million in FY 2018, or $0.03/share). Net income was $0.3 million in Q4 2019.
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31,
($k) | 2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 |
Revenue | $2,474,549 $2,454,940 $9,760,859 $9,566,608 | |||
Net income attributable to Altice USA, Inc. stockholders | 329 | 213,086 | 138,936 | 18,833 |
Adjusted EBITDA(1)(2) | 1,085,000 | 1,106,097 | 4,265,471 | 4,163,078 |
Capital Expenditures (cash) | 322,795 | 320,765 | 1,355,350 | 1,153,589 |
We expect an acceleration in momentum in 2020, including benefits from Altice Mobile and an integrated targeted advertising platform driving our News and Advertising business during a political upcycle. We remain laser focused on innovation and maximizing shareholder value creation, including the resumption of share buybacks in January 2020."
Key Operational Highlights
+22k in Q4 2018), with +17k net additions in December more than offsetting declines in October and November following promotional roll-offs and BSS/OSS integration. Residential broadband net additions of +72k in FY 2019, +1.7% YoY, were in line with prior year (+72k net additions in FY 2018).
FY 2020 Outlook
For the full year 2020, the company expects:
Additional Highlights and Announcements
Agreement to Acquire Assets of Regional Cable Operator Service Electric
Altice USA today announces that it has reached an agreement to acquire substantially all the assets of regional cable operator Service Electric Cable T.V. of New Jersey, Inc., for $150 million in cash, subject to certain closing adjustments and closing conditions. With this acquisition, Altice USA will extend its footprint into neighboring communities to provide its high-quality broadband, video, mobile, and news offerings to thousands of additional homes and businesses in New Jersey. The transaction is expected to close by the third quarter of 2020, subject to receipt of regulatory approval and the satisfaction of necessary closing conditions.
Connectivity and Entertainment
Altice USA's fiber (FTTH) network rollout accelerated in the past year, reaching over 600k homes ready for service at the end of 2019 (approximately 12% of Optimum's homes passed). The pace of the fiber rollout is expected to continue to accelerate during 2020, making 1 Gbps fiber internet service available to even more customers. This fiber strategy complements Altice USA's simultaneous upgrade of its existing hybrid fibercoaxial (HFC) network to DOCSIS 3.1, which further increases the number of homes across Altice USA's footprint able to receive up to 1 Gbps internet services, which launched in the Bronx in early 2020 (increasing the maximum speed available from 400 Mbps previously). 1 Gbps internet is already available in approximately 80% of the Suddenlink footprint due to prior network upgrades.
Altice's fiber network will provide an unparalleled experience to support the most data intensive activities, from streaming 4K ultra-high-definition (UHD) and high-definition (HD) video on multiple devices, enjoying multi-player gaming experiences, video chat, streaming music, high-quality virtual- and augmented-reality experiences, and downloading large files simultaneously on dozens of devices at once. The fiber network is also expected to significantly reduce long-term costs while supporting a better customer experience driven by fewer interactions, lower technical service visit requirements and structurally lower maintenance and power costs.
Altice USA is further enhancing the entertainment and connectivity experience for its customers with Smart WiFi, a whole-home intelligent mesh WiFi system. With Smart WiFi, customers will benefit from one powerful network that uses intelligent technology to seamlessly and simultaneously connect a greater number of devices to the strongest signal, providing a high-quality broadband experience.
Mobile
Following the commercial launch of Altice Mobile in September 2019, during the fourth quarter the company made further enhancements to the service, including the addition of online device sales, new phone options from Apple, Samsung, and Motorola, and increased marketing efforts, including introducing targeted campaigns promoting the introductory loyalty price point to Altice USA's fixed customer base. These efforts resulted in adding 69k mobile lines in 2019 (+54k net additions in Q4 2019, generating revenue of $18 million for the quarter), reaching penetration of 1.6% of the company's broadband customer base in just over one quarter from launch. The company is in the process of expanding its device line up and omni-channel presence to support further growth.
Corporate and Leadership
The company's Diversity and Inclusion program, which is focused on strengthening our relationship with the diverse communities we serve as well as creating an inclusive workplace to retain and attract the best talent, remains an ongoing priority. The company is proud to have been recognized in recent months both by the National Association of Minorities in Communications as one of the 'Top Companies for People of Color' and by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation for a second year in a row as a 'Best Places to Work for LGBTQ Equality.' As part of our effort to more deeply connect with veterans, Altice USA expanded its low-income Internet product to include eligible military personnel and established partnerships with organizations aimed at helping Altice USA hire more veterans.
Share Repurchases
For the 12 months ending December 2019, Altice USA repurchased an aggregate of 72,668,712 shares for a total purchase price of approximately $1.7 billion, at an average price of $23.21. No repurchases were made during Q4 2019 as the company focused on reaching its year-end leverage target. As of December 31, 2019, Altice USA had 632,995,139 combined Class A and Class B shares outstanding.
On July 30, 2019, the Altice USA Board of Directors authorized an incremental three-year share repurchase program of $5 billion, which took effect following completion of the prior $2 billion repurchase program in Q3 2019. Consistent with this repurchase program, the company expects to complete $1.7 billion of share repurchases in 2020.
Financial and Operational Review
For the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the quarter and full year ended December 31, 2018:
$0.3 million in Q4.
EBITDA margin of 43.8%. Q4 Adjusted EBITDA was in line with prior year (-0.2% YoY) excluding mobile losses with an Adjusted EBITDA margin of 45.0%(2).
-4.8% YoY in Q4, reflecting the same factors.
$509 million from the end of the third quarter of 2019 mainly reflecting free cash flow generation in Q4. This represents consolidated L2QA net leverage of 5.1x on a reported basis at the end of December 2019 (5.2x LTM). There are no maturities above $1.1 billion until 2025 (with no bond maturities through 2020) and near-term maturities in the next three years could be covered by ~$2.5 billion revolving credit facility.
Altice USA Consolidated Operating Results (In thousands, except per share data)Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended December 31, December 31,
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |
Revenue: Broadband | $826,454 | $743,725 | $3,222,605 | $2,887,455 |
Video | 968,959 | 1,033,649 | 3,997,873 | 4,156,428 |
Telephony | 145,767 | 162,007 | 598,694 | 652,895 |
Business services and wholesale | 362,409 | 348,087 | 1,428,532 | 1,362,758 |
News and Advertising | 148,649 | 163,272 | 475,904 | 487,264 |
Mobile | 18,090 | - | 21,264 | - |
Other | 4,221 | 4,200 | 15,987 | 19,808 |
Total revenue | 2,474,549 | 2,454,940 | 9,760,859 | 9,566,608 |
Operating expenses: Programming and other direct costs | 847,653 | 800,055 | 3,300,528 | 3,173,076 |
Other operating expenses | 598,274 | 562,424 | 2,300,398 | 2,290,266 |
Restructuring and other expense | 33,888 | 8,683 | 72,978 | 38,548 |
Depreciation and amortization (including impairments) | 567,459 | 555,054 | 2,263,144 | 2,382,339 |
Operating income | 427,275 | 528,724 | 1,823,811 | 1,682,379 |
Other income (expense): Interest expense, net | (376,497) | (397,874) | (1,530,850) | (1,545,426) |
Gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net | (4,718) | (68,846) | 473,406 | (250,877) |
Gain (loss) on derivative contracts, net | 21,273 | 87,965 | (282,713) | 218,848 |
Gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts | 7,833 | 2,708 | (53,902) | (61,697) |
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs | (84,207) | (7,188) | (243,806) | (48,804) |
Other income (expense), net | 1,117 | (11) | 1,183 | (12,484) |
Income (loss) before income taxes | (7,924) | 145,478 | 187,129 | (18,061) |
Income tax benefit (expense) | 9,255 | 68,330 | (47,190) | 38,655 |
Net income | 1,331 | 213,808 | 139,939 | 20,594 |
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | (1,002) | (722) | (1,003) | (1,761) |
Net income attributable to Altice USA stockholders | $329 | $213,086 | $138,936 | $18,833 |
Basic net income per share | $- | $0.30 | $0.21 | $0.03 |
Diluted net income per share | $- | $0.30 | $0.21 | $0.03 |
Basic weighted average common shares | 635,029 | 713,478 | 660,384 | 730,088 |
Diluted weighted average common shares | 640,839 | 713,478 | 662,541 | 730,088 |
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures: |
We define Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, as net income (loss) excluding income taxes, other non-operating income or expenses, loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs, gain (loss) on interest rate swap contracts, gain (loss) on derivative contracts, gain (loss) on investments and sale of affiliate interests, net, interest expense (including cash interest expense), interest income, depreciation and amortization (including impairments), share-based compensation expense or benefit, restructuring expense or credits and transaction expenses.
We believe Adjusted EBITDA is an appropriate measure for evaluating the operating performance of the Company. Adjusted EBITDA and similar measures with similar titles are common performance measures used by investors, analysts and peers to compare performance in our industry. Internally, we use revenue and Adjusted EBITDA measures as important indicators of our business performance, and evaluate management's effectiveness with specific reference to these indicators. We believe Adjusted EBITDA provides management and investors a useful measure for period-to-period comparisons of our core
business and operating results by excluding items that are not comparable across reporting periods or that do not otherwise relate to the Company's ongoing operating results. Adjusted EBITDA should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for operating income (loss), net income (loss), and other measures of performance presented in accordance with GAAP. Since Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with GAAP, this measure may not be comparable to similar measures with similar titles used by other companies.
We also use Operating Free Cash Flow (defined as Adjusted EBITDA less cash capital expenditures), and Free Cash Flow (defined as net cash flows from operating activities less cash capital expenditures) as indicators of the Company's financial performance. We believe these measures are one of several benchmarks used by investors, analysts and peers for comparison of performance in the Company's industry, although they may not be directly comparable to similar measures reported by other companies.
December 31, December 31, | ||||
2019 | 2018 | 2019 | 2018 | |
(in thousands) | ||||
Net income | $1,331 | $213,808 | $139,939 | $20,594 |
Income tax benefit (expense) | (9,255) | (68,330) | 47,190 | (38,655) |
Other expense (income), net | (1,117) | 11 | (1,183) | 12,484 |
Loss (gain) on interest rate swap contracts | (7,833) | (2,708) | 53,902 | 61,697 |
Loss (gain) on derivative contracts, net | (21,273) | (87,965) | 282,713 | (218,848) |
Loss (gain) on investments and sales of affiliate interests, net | 4,718 | 68,846 | (473,406) | 250,877 |
Loss on extinguishment of debt and write-off of deferred financing costs | 84,207 | 7,188 | 243,806 | 48,804 |
Interest expense, net | 376,497 | 397,874 | 1,530,850 | 1,545,426 |
Depreciation and amortization | 567,459 | 555,054 | 2,263,144 | 2,382,339 |
Restructuring and other expense | 33,888 | 8,683 | 72,978 | 38,548 |
Share-based compensation | 56,378 | 13,636 | 105,538 | 59,812 |
Adjusted EBITDA $1,085,000 $1,106,097 $4,265,471 $4,163,078 | ||||
Capital Expenditures (cash) | 322,795 | 320,765 | 1,355,350 1,153,589 | |
Operating Free Cash Flow | $762,205 | $785,332 | $2,910,121 $3,009,489 | |
Net cash flows from operating activities | $720,182 | $738,055 | $2,554,169 $2,508,317 | |
Capital Expenditures (cash) | 322,795 | 320,765 | 1,355,350 1,153,589 | |
Free Cash Flow | $397,387 | $417,290 | $1,198,819 $1,354,728 | |
Customer Metrics(9)(in thousands, except per customer amounts) | ||||
Three Months Ended Twelve Months Ended
Q1-18 | Q2-18 | Q3-18 | Q4-18 | FY-18 | Q1-19 | Q2-19 | Q3-19 | Q4-19 | FY-19 | Q4-19 | YTD-19 |
8,620.0 | 8,648.8 | 8,679.4 | 8,714.9 | 8,714.9 | 8,739.4 | 8,766.0 | 8,784.6 | 8,833.7 | 8,833.7 | 49.1 | 118.8 |
4,517.5 | 4,513.9 | 4,509.2 | 4,518.1 | 4,518.1 | 4,539.8 | 4,538.9 | 4,538.6 | 4,533.3 | 4,533.3 | (5.3) | 15.2 |
391.7 | 394.0 | 395.3 | 396.6 | 396.6 | 397.8 | 399.9 | 399.9 | 398.2 | 398.2 | (1.7) | 1.6 |
Net increase (decrease)
Homes passed (5)Residential (7)
SMB(7)
Total Unique Customer | |||||
Relationships(6) | 4,909.2 4,907.9 4,904.5 4,914.7 | 4,914.7 | 4,937.6 4,938.8 4,938.5 4,931.5 | 4,931.5 | (7.0) 16.8 |
Residential Customers: Broadband | 4,069.6 4,079.1 4,093.3 4,115.4 | 4,115.4 | 4,152.3 4,165.4 4,180.3 4,187.3 | 4,187.3 | 7.0 71.9 |
Video | 3,352.2 3,328.0 3,300.3 3,286.1 | 3,286.1 | 3,276.1 3,255.3 3,223.4 3,179.2 | 3,179.2 | (44.2) (106.9) |
Telephony | 2,548.6 2,544.4 2,532.4 2,530.1 | 2,530.1 | 2,510.1 2,485.8 2,446.6 2,398.8 | 2,398.8 | (47.8) (131.3) |
Residential ARPU ($) (8) | 140.43 141.00 143.77 143.22 | 142.11 | 143.33 145.02 143.63 142.65 | 143.98 | |
Consolidated Net Debt as of December 31, 2019 Altice USA (CSC Holdings) In $m Principal Amount | Coupon / Margin | Maturity |
Guaranteed Notes 1,096 | 5.375% | 2023 |
Guaranteed Notes 1,000 | 6.625% | 2025 |
Guaranteed Notes 1,499 | 5.500% | 2026 |
Guaranteed Notes 1,310 | 5.500% | 2027 |
Guaranteed Notes 1,000 | 5.375% | 2028 |
Guaranteed Notes 1,750 | 6.500% | 2029 |
Senior Notes 1,000 | 6.750% | 2021 |
Senior Notes 649 | 5.875% | 2022 |
Senior Notes 750 | 5.250% | 2024 |
Senior Notes 1,684 | 10.875% | 2025 |
Senior Notes 618 | 7.750% | 2025 |
Senior Notes 1,046 | 7.500% | 2028 |
Senior Notes 2,250 | 5.750% | 2030 |
Legacy unexchanged Cequel Notes 6 | ||
Term Loan 2,925 | L+2.250% | 2025 |
Term Loan B-3 1,265 | L+2.250% | 2026 |
Term Loan B-5 3,000 | L+2.500% | 2027 |
Drawn RCF - | L+2.250% | 2021,2024 |
Gross Debt Consolidated 22,848 | ||
Finance leases and other notes 210 | ||
Total Debt 23,058 | ||
Total Cash (702) | ||
Net Debt 22,356 | ||
Undrawn RCF 2,297 | ||
WACD (%) 5.9% |
Cash (702)
Net Debt Consolidated $22,146 LTM EBITDA $4,265.5 L2QA EBITDA $4,306.8Net Leverage (LTM) 5.2x
Net Leverage (L2QA) 5.1x
Reconciliation to Financial Reported Debt Actual Total Debenture and Loans from Financial Institutions (Carrying Amount) $22,835 Unamortized Financing Costs 88Fair Value Adjustments 135
Total Value of Debenture and Loans from Financial Institutions (Principal Amount) 23,058Finance leases and other notes | 210 |
Total Debt | 23,268 |
Cash | (702) |
Net Debt | $22,566 |
About Altice USA |
Altice USA (NYSE: ATUS) is one of the largest broadband communications and video services providers in the United States, delivering broadband, video, mobile, proprietary content and advertising services to more than 4.9 million residential and business customers across 21 states through its Optimum and Suddenlink brands. The company operates a4, an advanced advertising and data business, which provides audience- based, multiscreen advertising solutions to local, regional and national businesses and advertising clients. Altice USA also offers hyper-local, national, international and business news through its News 12,
Cheddar and i24NEWS networks.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTSCertain statements in this press release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the information under the heading "FY 2020 Outlook". These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, all statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this release, including, without limitation, those regarding our intentions, beliefs or current expectations concerning, among other things: our future financial conditions and performance, results of operations and liquidity; our strategy, plans, objectives, prospects, growth, goals and targets; and future developments in the markets in which we participate or are seeking to participate. These forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, including the terms "anticipate", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "forecast", "intend", "may", "plan", "project", "should" or "will" or, in each case, their negative, or other variations or comparable terminology. Where, in any forward- looking statement, we express an expectation or belief as to future results or events, such expectation or belief is expressed in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis, but there can be no assurance that the expectation or belief will result or be achieved or accomplished. To the extent that statements in this release are not recitations of historical fact, such statements constitute forward-looking statements, which, by definition, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements including risks referred to in our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K and in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. You are cautioned to not place undue reliance on Altice USA's forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it was made. Altice USA specifically disclaims any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, as of any future date.
See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" on page 7 of this release.
Adjusted EBITDA decline of -0.2% and margin of 45.0% in Q4-19 excluding approximately $20.4m of losses related to Altice USA's mobile business in the current period and $1.2m in the year-ago period.
See "Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Measures" on page 7 of this release.
Net debt, defined as debt less cash, and excluding finance leases and other notes.
Homes passed represents the estimated number of single residence homes, apartments and condominium units passed by the broadband network in areas serviceable without further extending the transmission lines. In addition, it includes commercial establishments that have connected to our broadband network. Broadband services were not available to approximately 30 homes passed and telephony services were not available to approximately 500 homes passed.
Total Unique Customer Relationships represent number of households/businesses that receive at least one of the Company's fixed-line services.
Customers represent each customer account (set up and segregated by customer name and address), weighted equally and counted as one customer, regardless of size, revenue generated, or number of boxes, units, or outlets. In calculating the number of customers, we count all customers other than inactive/disconnected customers. Free accounts are included in the customer counts along with all active accounts, but they are limited to a prescribed group. Most of these accounts are also not entirely free, as they typically generate revenue through pay-per-view or other pay services and certain equipment fees. Free status is not granted to regular customers as a promotion. In counting bulk Residential customers, such as an apartment building, we count each subscribing family unit within the building as one customer, but do not count the master account for the entire building as a customer. We count a bulk commercial customer, such as a hotel, as one customer, and do not count individual room units at that hotel.
ARPU calculated by dividing the average monthly revenue for the respective quarter or annual periods derived from the sale of broadband, pay television and telephony services to Residential customers by the average number of total Residential customers for the same period.
Customer metrics do not include Altice Mobile customers.
Excluding finance leases and other notes.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200212005847/en/
Investor RelationsNick Brown: +1 917 589 9983 / nick.brown@alticeusa.com
Cathy Yao: +1 347 668 8001 / cathy.yao@alticeusa.com
CommunicationsLisa Anselmo: +1 929 418 4362 / lisa.anselmo@alticeusa.com Source: Altice USA
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Optimum Communications Inc. published this content on November 11, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on November 11, 2025 at 16:20 UTC.

















