investor relations

Warner Music Group Corp. Reports Second-Quarter Results for the Period Ended March 31, 2007

05/08/07
Digital Revenue Reaches 14% of Total Revenue, Growing 11% Sequentially; Realignment Takes Transformation to the Next Level
NEW YORK, NY, May 08, 2007 -- Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG)

  • Total revenue of $784 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2007
    decreased 2% from the prior-year quarter, or 5% on a constant-currency
    basis.

  • Digital revenue increased to $111 million, or 14% of total revenue in
    the quarter, up 23% from $90 million in the prior-year quarter and up 11%
    sequentially from $100 million in the first quarter of fiscal 2007.

  • Operating income declined to $19 million in the quarter compared to
    $45 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted to exclude $16 million of
    non-recurring items related to the company's realignment initiatives (see
    "Non-Recurring Items" below), operating income for the quarter declined 22%
    to $35 million.

  • Operating income before depreciation and amortization (OIBDA) declined
    to $80 million from $104 million in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted to
    exclude Non-Recurring Items, OIBDA for the quarter declined 8% to $96
    million.

  • Net loss of $0.19 per diluted share in the quarter increased from a
    net loss of $0.05 per diluted share in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted to
    exclude Non-Recurring Items, net loss per diluted share in the quarter was
    $0.10.
  • Warner Music Group Corp. (NYSE: WMG) today announced its second-quarter financial results for the period ended March 31, 2007.

    "We are in the midst of transforming Warner Music Group to a music-based content company," said Edgar Bronfman, Jr., Warner Music Group's Chairman and CEO. "Despite tough comparisons to last year and a challenging industry environment, we achieved some important successes this quarter. We gained album share in the largest global music market, the U.S., achieved double-digit revenue growth in the second largest global music market, Japan, sustained our digital leadership position, and concluded new partnerships. Perhaps most significantly, we advanced our initiatives to maximize the value of our content and to diversify our revenue streams. Essential to the on-going success of those business initiatives, we are in the process of realigning the organization to more effectively deploy our resources to growth areas, such as digital and video distribution. By helping us manage physical costs, while redeploying our resources and ongoing investments towards new business initiatives, this realignment will ensure a successful transformation in an evolving music industry, not just for this year or the next, but for years to come."

    Michael Fleisher, Warner Music Group's Executive Vice President and CFO, added: "Our realignment initiatives are designed to improve our effectiveness, flexibility, structure and performance. Between now and the end of the fiscal year, we expect to incur one-time restructuring and implementation charges ranging from $65 million to $80 million."

    Second-Quarter Results

    For the second quarter of fiscal 2007, revenue slipped 2% to $784 million from $796 million in the same period last year. This decline was driven by difficult Recorded Music comparisons against our very strong second quarter last year. In addition, the recorded music industry remains challenged by piracy and changing consumption patterns in the shift from physical sales to new forms of digital music. On a constant-currency basis, quarterly revenue fell 5%. Declines in our physical Recorded Music revenue were only partially offset by increases in Music Publishing and digital Recorded Music revenue. Domestic revenue was relatively flat while international revenue was down 4%, or 11% on a constant-currency basis.

    Operating income for the quarter dropped to $19 million from $45 million in the prior-year quarter and operating margin was down 3.2 percentage points to 2.4%. Adjusted to exclude Non-Recurring Items, operating income for the quarter declined 22% to $35 million and operating margin was down 1.2 percentage points to 4.5%.

    OIBDA for the quarter declined to $80 million from $104 million in the prior-year quarter and OIBDA margin contracted 2.9 percentage points to 10.2%. Adjusted to exclude Non-Recurring Items, OIBDA for the quarter fell 8% to $96 million and OIBDA margin contracted 0.8 percentage points to 12.2%. The decline in OIBDA margin this quarter reflected margin benefits in last-year's quarter related primarily to higher-selling major artist releases, negative operating leverage from lower sales on a similar fixed cost base and change in product mix.

    Net loss was $27 million, or $0.19 per diluted share, for the quarter. Adjusted to exclude Non-Recurring Items, net loss was $15 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the quarter. Net loss in the second quarter of fiscal 2006 was $7 million, or $0.05 per diluted share.

    The company reported a cash balance of $362 million, total long-term debt of $2.3 billion and net debt (total long-term debt minus cash) of $1.9 billion, all as of March 31, 2007.

    For the quarter, net cash provided by operating activities was $70 million compared to $176 million in the comparable fiscal 2006 quarter. Free Cash Flow (calculated by taking cash flow from operations less capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments) was $49 million, compared to $162 million in the comparable fiscal 2006 quarter. Unlevered After-Tax Cash Flow (calculated by excluding cash interest paid from Free Cash Flow) was $73 million, compared to $186 million in the comparable fiscal 2006 quarter (see below for complete definitions and calculations of "Free Cash Flow" and "Unlevered After-Tax Cash Flow").

    Below is the business segment discussion for the quarter.

    Recorded Music

    Revenue for the company's Recorded Music business decreased 4% from the prior-year quarter to $648 million, and declined 7% on a constant-currency basis. Softer sales in the U.K., France, Canada and Latin America were the most significant contributors to this decline while Asia Pacific sales were helped by strength in Japanese local repertoire. Recorded Music digital revenue of $105 million grew 22% over the prior-year quarter and represented 16% of total Recorded Music revenue. Domestic Recorded Music digital revenue was $77 million, or 22% of total domestic Recorded Music revenue.

    Major sellers in the quarter included titles from Madonna, Pretty Ricky, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Gerald Levert and Musiq Soulchild. Domestic Recorded Music revenue was $358 million in the quarter, down 1% from the prior-year quarter, while international Recorded Music revenue was $290 million, off 8% from the prior-year quarter, or 14% on a constant-currency basis. Declines in domestic and international quarterly revenue were largely the result of fewer best sellers year-over-year.

    Recorded Music operating income totaled $13 million in the quarter, down from $40 million in the prior-year quarter, resulting in an operating margin of 2.0% compared to 5.9% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted to exclude Non-Recurring Items of $15 million, operating income for the quarter fell 30% to $28 million resulting in an operating margin of 4.3% compared to 5.9% in the prior-year quarter.

    Recorded Music OIBDA was $55 million for the quarter, compared to $81 million in the prior-year quarter, resulting in an OIBDA margin of 8.5% compared to 12.0% in the prior-year quarter. Adjusted to exclude Non-Recurring Items, Recorded Music OIBDA was $70 million for the quarter and Recorded Music OIBDA margin was 10.8%, down 1.2 percentage points from the prior-year quarter. The OIBDA margin and operating margin declines in the quarter reflected margin benefits in last-year's quarter related primarily to higher-selling major artist releases, negative operating leverage from lower sales on a similar fixed-cost base and variation in the company's product mix.

    Music Publishing

    Music Publishing revenue in the quarter increased by 11% from the prior-year quarter to $143 million, an increase of 4% on a constant-currency basis. Revenue benefits can primarily be linked to an increase in performance and digital revenue. Digital revenue from Music Publishing was $6 million, which represented 4% of total Music Publishing revenue for the quarter.

    On a constant-currency basis, year-over-year declines in quarterly mechanical revenue of 7% were offset by a 50% increase in digital revenue and a 15% rise in performance revenue.

    Music Publishing operating income grew 19% to $38 million in the quarter from $32 million in the prior-year quarter primarily due to the increase in revenue. Music Publishing operating margin was 26.6% compared to 24.8% in the prior-year quarter. Music Publishing OIBDA was $53 million for the quarter, up 13% from $47 million in the prior-year quarter. Music Publishing OIBDA margin was 37.1%, up 0.6 percentage points from the prior-year quarter.

    Financial details for the second quarter of fiscal 2007 can be found in the company's report on Form 10-Q, filed today with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Additional information on the realignment initiatives announced today and described further below can also be found in the company's current report on Form 8-K, 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.

    Non-Recurring Items

    On May 8, 2007, the company announced a realignment plan to implement changes intended to better ally the company's workforce with the changing nature of the music industry and to improve financial flexibility by consolidating and streamlining the structure of the company's businesses. These changes are part of the company's continued evolution from a record and songs-based business to a music-based content company and the ongoing

    management of its cost structure.

    Approximately $16 million of non-recurring costs were incurred in the fiscal 2007 second quarter, consisting of $12 million in restructuring costs and $4 million in non-recurring severance and other charges reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses. Of the $16 million of non-recurring costs, $15 million were incurred by the Recorded Music division and $1 million were corporate costs. These non-recurring items had a related tax benefit of $4 million. This quarter's restructuring and severance charges related primarily to the elimination of duplicative positions and redirecting of resources to growth areas of the company's businesses in Europe.

    The company intends to enhance its effectiveness, flexibility, structure and performance by reducing and realigning long-term costs. The company expects to incur a charge ranging from $55 million to $65 million for severance and related benefits. In addition, the company expects to incur implementation charges ranging from $10 million to $15 million related to consulting fees, costs of temporary workers and stay bonuses. All of these restructuring and implementation costs will be paid in cash.

    The company anticipates that the changes described above will be implemented throughout the remainder of fiscal 2007. The company expects to incur substantially all of the costs associated with the restructuring plan by the end of the current fiscal year. The cost savings are expected to be largely offset by new hirings and ongoing investment focused on new business initiatives such as digital distribution and video.

    About Warner Music Group

    Warner Music Group became the only stand-alone music company to be publicly traded in the United States in May 2005. 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, Bad Boy, Cordless, East West, Elektra, Lava, Maverick, Nonesuch, Perfect Game, Reprise, Rhino, Roadrunner, Rykodisc, Sire, Warner Bros. and Word. Warner Music International, a leading company in national and international repertoire, operates through numerous international affiliates and licensees in more than 50 countries. Warner Music Group also includes Warner/Chappell Music, one of the world's leading music publishers.

    "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 the company's report on Form 10-K and its other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission concerning factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in our forward-looking statements.

    Figure 1.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Consolidated Statement of Operations,
    Three and Six Months Ended 3/31/07 versus 3/31/06 (dollars in millions,
    except per share amounts)
                                  Three                          Six
                        Three     Months              Six      Months
                       Months     Ended             Months      Ended
                        Ended     March              Ended      March
                      March 31,     31,      %     March 31,     31,      %
                        2007       2006    Change    2007       2006    Change
                      ---------  --------  ------  ---------  --------  ------
                       (unaud-   (unaud-            (unaud-   (unaud-
                        ited)     ited)              ited)     ited)
    Revenues:         $     784  $    796     (2%) $   1,712  $  1,840     (7%)
    Costs and
     expenses:
    Cost of revenues       (427)     (409)    (4%)      (935)     (939)     0%
    Selling, general
     and
     administrative
     expenses              (275)     (294)     6%       (565)     (617)     8%
    Restructuring
     costs                  (12)        -       -        (12)        -       -
    Amortization of
     intangible
     assets                 (51)      (48)    (6%)      (101)      (95)    (6%)
                      ---------  --------  ------  ---------  --------  ------
    Total costs and
     expenses         ($    765) ($   751)    (2%) ($  1,613) ($ 1,651)     2%
                      ---------  --------  ------  ---------  --------  ------
    Operating income  $      19  $     45    (58%) $      99  $    189    (48%)
    Interest expense,
     net                    (45)      (45)     0%        (92)      (90)    (2%)
    Equity in gains
     (losses) of
     equity-method
     investees                -         1   (100%)         -         1   (100%)
    Other income, net         -         2   (100%)         -         2   (100%)
                      ---------  --------  ------  ---------  --------  ------
    Net (loss) income
     before income
     taxes            ($     26) $      3       -  $       7  $    102       -
    Income tax
     expense                 (1)      (10)      -        (16)      (40)      -
                      ---------  --------  ------  ---------  --------  ------
    Net (loss) income ($     27) ($     7)      -  ($      9) $     62       -
                      =========  ========  ======  =========  ========  ======
    Net (loss) income
     per share:
    Basic             ($   0.19) ($  0.05)         ($   0.06) $   0.44
                      =========  ========          =========  ========
    Diluted           ($   0.19) ($  0.05)         ($   0.06) $   0.41
                      =========  ========          =========  ========
    Weighted average
     shares
     outstanding:
    Basic                 145.9     141.9              145.4     141.7
                      =========  ========          =========  ========
    Diluted               145.9     141.9              145.4     150.6
                      =========  ========          =========  ========
    
    
    Figure 2.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Consolidated Balance Sheets as of
    3/31/2007 and 9/30/06 (dollars in millions)
                                           March 31,    September 30,    %
                                             2007           2006       Change
                                         -------------  -------------  -------
                                          (unaudited)     (audited)
    Assets:
    Current Assets
      Cash & cash equivalents            $         362  $         367      (1%)
      Short-term investments                         -             18    (100%)
      Accounts receivable, less
       allowances of $198 and $207                 513            585     (12%)
      Inventories                                   70             59      19%
      Royalty advances (to be recouped
       w/in 1 year)                                194            191       2%
      Deferred tax assets                           61             45      36%
      Other current assets                          37             35       6%
                                         -------------  -------------  -------
    Total Current Assets                 $       1,237  $       1,300      (5%)
    Royalty advances (to be recouped
     after 1 year)                                 238            207      15%
    Investments                                     26             25       4%
    Property, plant & equipment, net               135            146      (8%)
    Goodwill                                       984            929       6%
    Intangible assets subject to
     amortization, net                           1,679          1,711      (2%)
    Intangible assets not subject to
     amortization                                  100            100        -
    Other assets                                    93            102      (9%)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------
    Total Assets                         $       4,492  $       4,520      (1%)
                                         =============  =============  =======
    Liabilities & Shareholders' Equity:
    Current Liabilities
      Accounts payable                   $         200  $         209      (4%)
      Accrued royalties                          1,178          1,142       3%
      Taxes & other withholdings                    32             32       0%
      Current portion of long-term debt             17             17       -
      Dividend payable                              22             22       -
      Other current liabilities                    333            377     (12%)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------
    Total current liabilities            $       1,782  $       1,799      (1%)
    Long-term debt                       $       2,249  $       2,239       0%
    Dividends payable                                1              3     (67%)
    Deferred tax liabilities, net                  205            197       4%
    Other noncurrent liabilities                   251            224      12%
                                         -------------  -------------  -------
    Total Liabilities                    $       4,488  $       4,462       1%
    Common stock                                    -              -        -
    Additional paid-in capital                     574            567       1%
    Accumulated deficit                           (564)          (516)      9%
    Accumulated other comprehensive
     income                                         (6)             7       -
                                         -------------  -------------  -------
    Total Shareholders' Equity           $           4  $          58     (93%)
                                         -------------  -------------  -------
    Total Liabilities & Shareholders'
     Equity                              $       4,492  $       4,520      (1%)
                                         =============  =============  =======
    
    
    Figure 3.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Summarized Statement of Cash Flows,
    Three and Six Months Ended 3/31/07 versus 3/31/06 (dollars in millions)
                             Three    Three             Six      Six
                            Months   Months           Months   Months
                             Ended    Ended            Ended    Ended
                             March    March            March    March
                              31,      31,      %       31,      31,      %
                              2007     2006   Change    2007     2006   Change
                            -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  ------
                            (unaud-  (unaud-          (unaud-  (unaud-
                             ited)    ited)            ited)    ited)
    Net cash provided by
     operating activities   $    70  $   176    (60%) $   107  $   205    (48%)
    Net cash used in by
     investing activities       (11)     (75)   (85%)     (69)     (91)   (24%)
    Net cash used in
     financing activities       (25)     (23)     9%      (46)     (45)     2%
    Effect of foreign
     currency exchange
     rates on cash                1        3    (67%)       3        2     50%
                            -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  ------
    Net increase (decrease)
     in cash                $    35  $    81    (57%) ($    5) $    71   (107%)
                            =======  =======  ======  =======  =======  ======
    
    

    Supplemental Disclosures Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Information

    OIBDA

    We evaluate our operating performance based on several factors, including our primary financial measure of operating income before non-cash depreciation of tangible assets and non-cash amortization of intangible assets (which we refer to as OIBDA). 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 the company's 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, net income (loss) and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S ("GAAP").

    Figure 4.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of OIBDA to Net
    Income, Three and Six Months Ended 3/31/07 versus 3/31/06 (dollars in
    millions)
                             Three    Three             Six      Six
                            Months   Months           Months   Months
                             Ended    Ended            Ended    Ended
                             March    March            March    March
                              31,      31,      %       31,      31,      %
                              2007     2006   Change    2007     2006   Change
                            -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  ------
                            (unaud-  (unaud-          (unaud-  (unaud-
                             ited)    ited)            ited)    ited)
    OIBDA                   $    80  $   104    (23%) $   220  $   306    (28%)
    Depreciation expense        (10)     (11)     9%      (20)     (22)     9%
    Amortization expense        (51)     (48)    (6%)    (101)     (95)    (6%)
                            -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  ------
    Operating income        $    19  $    45    (58%) $    99  $   189    (48%)
    Interest expense, net       (45)     (45)     0%      (92)     (90)    (2%)
    Equity in gains
     (losses) of
     equity-method
     investees                    -        1   (100%)       -        1   (100%)
    Other income, net             -        2   (100%)       -        2   (100%)
                            -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  ------
    Loss (income) before
     income taxes           ($   26) $     3       -  $     7  $   102       -
    Income tax expense           (1)     (10)      -      (16)     (40)      -
                            -------  -------  ------  -------  -------  ------
    Net (loss) income       ($   27) ($    7)      -  ($    9) $    62       -
                            =======  =======  ======  =======  =======  ======
    OIBDA Margin               10.2%    13.1%            12.9%    16.6%
    Operating Income Margin     2.4%     5.7%             5.8%    10.3%
    
    

    Adjusted Results

    In the second quarter, non-recurring items consisted of approximately $12 million in restructuring costs and $4 million in non-recurring severance and other charges reflected in selling, general and administrative expenses. Of the $16 million of non-recurring costs, $15 million were incurred by the Recorded Music division and $1 million were corporate costs. These non-recurring items had a related tax benefit of $4 million. This quarter's restructuring and severance charges related primarily to the elimination of duplicative positions and redirecting of resources to growth areas of the company's businesses in Europe.

    Such charges relate to specific events and do not reflect ongoing operations of the business. Therefore, the company is also presenting results excluding these items. We consider these adjusted results to be an important indicator of the operational strengths and performance of our businesses, including the ability to provide free cash flow to service debt. However, a limitation of the use of these adjusted amounts as performance measures is that they do not reflect the charges noted and, therefore, do not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use, and are not necessarily measures of the company's ability to fund its cash needs. Accordingly, these adjusted amounts should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, operating income, net income (loss), EPS and other measures of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP.

    Figure 5.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of GAAP Operating
    Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted OIBDA, for the Three and Six Months ended
    3/31/07 versus 3/31/06 (dollars in millions)
                             Three    Three             Six      Six
                            Months   Months           Months   Months
                             Ended    Ended            Ended    Ended
                             March    March            March    March
                               31,      31,     %        31,      31,     %
                              2007     2006   Change    2007     2006   Change
                            -------- -------- ------  -------- -------- ------
                            (unaud-  (unaud-          (unaud-  (unaud-
                              ited)    ited)            ited)    ited)
    Total WMG Operating
     Income - GAAP          $     19 $     45   (58%) $     99 $    189   (48%)
    Depreciation and
     Amortization                 61       59    (3%)      121      117    (3%)
                            -------- -------- ------  -------- -------- ------
    Total WMG OIBDA         $     80 $    104   (23%) $    220 $    306   (28%)
    Restructuring costs           12        -      -        12        -      -
    Non-recurring severance
     and other costs               4        -      -         4        -      -
                            -------- -------- ------  -------- -------- ------
    Total WMG OIBDA
     Excluding
     Non-Recurring Charges  $     96 $    104    (8%) $    236 $    306   (23%)
                            ======== ======== ======  ======== ======== ======
    Recorded Music
     Operating Income -
     GAAP                   $     13 $     40   (68%) $    112 $    206   (46%)
    Depreciation and
     Amortization                 42       41    (2%)       84       81    (4%)
                            -------- -------- ------  -------- -------- ------
    Recorded Music OIBDA    $     55 $     81   (32%) $    196 $    287   (32%)
    Restructuring costs           11        -      -        11        -      -
    Non-recurring severance
     and other costs               4        -      -         4        -      -
                            -------- -------- ------  -------- -------- ------
    Recorded Music OIBDA
     Excluding
     Non-Recurring Charges  $     70 $     81   (14%) $    211 $    287   (26%)
                            ======== ======== ======  ======== ======== ======
    Music Publishing
     Operating Income -
     GAAP                   $     38 $     32    19%  $     41 $     38     8%
    Depreciation and
     Amortization                 15       15     0%        31       30    (3%)
                            -------- -------- ------  -------- -------- ------
    Music Publishing OIBDA  $     53 $     47    13%  $     72 $     68     6%
                            ======== ======== ======  ======== ======== ======
    
    
    Figure 6.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of GAAP Operating
    Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted Operating Income, for the Three and Six Months
    ended 3/31/07 versus 3/31/06 (dollars in millions)
                           Three    Three              Six      Six
                          Months   Months            Months   Months
                           Ended    Ended             Ended    Ended
                           March    March             March    March
                            31,      31,               31,      31,
                            2007     2006   % Change   2007     2006   % Change
                          -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
                      (unaudited) (unaudited)     (unaudited) (unaudited)
    Total WMG Operating
     Income - GAAP        $     19 $     45    (58%) $     99 $    189    (48%)
    Restructuring costs         12        -        -       12        -        -
    Non-recurring
     severance and other
     costs                       4        -        -        4        -        -
                          -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
    Total WMG Operating
     Income Excluding
     Non-Recurring
     Charges              $     35 $     45    (22%) $    115 $    189    (39%)
                          ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
    Recorded Music
     Operating Income -
     GAAP                 $     13 $     40    (68%) $    112 $    206    (46%)
    Restructuring costs         11        -        -       11        -        -
    Non-recurring
     severance and other
     costs                       4        -        -        4        -        -
                          -------- -------- -------- -------- -------- --------
    Recorded Music
     Operating Income
     Excluding
     Non-Recurring
     Charges              $     28 $     40    (30%) $    127 $    206    (38%)
                          ======== ======== ======== ======== ======== ========
    Figure 7.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP
    Net Income (Loss) and Earnings Per Share for the Three and Six Months ended
    3/31/07 versus 3/31/06 (dollars in millions, except per share amounts)
                               Three        Three         Six          Six
                              Months       Months       Months       Months
                               Ended        Ended        Ended        Ended
                             March 31,    March 31,    March 31,    March 31,
                                2007         2006         2007         2006
                            -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
                            (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited)
    Net Income (loss):
    Net (loss) income -
     GAAP                          ($27)         ($7)         ($9) $         62
    Restructuring costs              12            -           12             -
    Non-recurring severance
     and other costs                  4            -            4             -
    Tax effect on
     non-recurring items             (4)           -           (4)            -
                            -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
    Net (loss) income -
     Excluding
     Non-Recurring Charges         ($15)         ($7) $         3  $         62
                            ===========  ===========  ===========  ============
    Earnings Per Share:
    EPS - GAAP                   ($0.19)      ($0.05)      ($0.06) $       0.41
    Restructuring costs            0.08            -         0.08             -
    Non-recurring severance
     and other costs               0.03            -         0.03             -
    Tax effect on
     non-recurring items          (0.03)           -        (0.03)            -
                            -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
    Diluted EPS- Excluding
     Non-Recurring Charges       ($0.10)      ($0.05) $      0.02  $       0.41
                            ===========  ===========  ===========  ============
    
    

    Constant Currency

    As exchange rates are an important factor in understanding period to period comparisons, we believe the presentation of results on a constant-currency basis in addition to reported results helps improve the ability to understand the company's 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. However, a limitation of the use of the constant-currency results as a performance measure is that it does not reflect the $30 million, $22 million and $9 million unfavorable impact of exchange rates on our Total, Recorded Music and Music Publishing revenue, respectively, in the three months ended March 31, 2007 compared to the comparable prior-year three months. These results should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, results reported in accordance with GAAP. Results on a constant-currency basis, as we present them, may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies and is not a measure of performance presented in accordance with GAAP.

    Figure 8.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Reconciliation of GAAP Operating
    Income to Non-GAAP Adjusted OIBDA, Constant Currency for the Three and Six
    Months ended 3/31/07 versus 3/31/06 (dollars in millions)
                           Three    Three              Six      Six
                          Months   Months            Months   Months
                           Ended    Ended             Ended    Ended
                           March    March             March    March
                            31,      31,      %         31,      31,     %
                            2007     2006   Change     2007     2006   Change
                          -------- -------- -------  -------- -------- -------
                            As     Constant            As     Constant
                          reported    $              reported    $
                        (unaudited)(unaudited)    (unaudited)(unaudited)
    Total WMG Operating
     Income - GAAP        $     19 $     47   (60%)  $     99 $    197   (50%)
    Depreciation and
     Amortization         $     61       60    (2%)  $    121      119    (2%)
                          -------- -------- -------  -------- -------- -------
    Total WMG OIBDA       $     80 $    107   (25%)  $    220 $    316   (30%)
    Restructuring costs         12        -       -        12        -       -
    Non-recurring
     severance and other
     costs                       4        -       -         4        -       -
                          -------- -------- -------  -------- -------- -------
    Total WMG OIBDA
     Excluding
     Non-Recurring
     Charges              $     96 $    107   (10%)  $    236 $    316   (25%)
                          ======== ======== =======  ======== ======== =======
    Recorded Music
     Operating Income -
     GAAP                 $     13 $     42   (69%)  $    112 $    212   (47%)
    Depreciation and
     Amortization         $     42       41    (2%)  $     84       82    (2%)
                          -------- -------- -------  -------- -------- -------
    Recorded Music OIBDA  $     55 $     83   (34%)  $    196 $    294   (33%)
    Restructuring costs         11        -       -        11        -       -
    Non-recurring
     severance and other
     costs                       4        -       -         4        -       -
                          -------- -------- -------  -------- -------- -------
    Recorded Music OIBDA
     Excluding
     Non-Recurring
     Charges              $     70 $     83   (16%)  $    211 $    294   (28%)
                          ======== ======== =======  ======== ======== =======
    Music Publishing
     Operating Income -
     GAAP                 $     38 $     32     19%  $     41 $     39      5%
    Depreciation and
     Amortization         $     15       16      6%  $     31       31      0%
                          -------- -------- -------  -------- -------- -------
    Music Publishing
     OIBDA                $     53 $     48     10%  $     72 $     70      3%
                          ======== ======== =======  ======== ======== =======
    Figure 9.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Revenue by Geography, Three and Six
    Months Ended 3/31/07 versus 3/31/06 As Reported and Constant Currency
    (dollars in millions)
                      Three     Three     Three     Six       Six       Six
                     Months    Months    Months    Months    Months    Months
                      Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended     Ended
                      March     March     March     March     March     March
                      31,       31,       31,       31,       31,       31,
                      2007      2006      2006      2007      2006      2006
                    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
                       As        As     Constant     As        As     Constant
                    reported  reported      $     reported  reported      $
             (unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)(unaudited)
    Revenue by
     Geography:
    US revenue           419       417       417       825       876       876
      Recorded Music     358       361       361       720       768       768
      Music
       Publishing         61        56        56       105       108       108
    International
     revenue             372       388       419       899       980     1,044
      Recorded Music     290       315       337       728       828       877
      Music
       Publishing         82        73        82       171       152       167
    Intersegment
     eliminations        ($7)      ($9)     ($10)     ($12)     ($16)     ($16)
                    $    784  $    796  $    826  $  1,712  $  1,840  $  1,904
                    ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
    Revenue by
     Segment:
    Recorded Music       648       676       698     1,448     1,596     1,645
    Music
     Publishing          143       129       138       276       260       275
    Intersegment
     eliminations         (7)       (9)      (10)      (12)      (16)      (16)
                    --------  --------  --------  --------  --------  --------
    Total Revenue   $    784  $    796  $    826  $  1,712  $  1,840  $  1,904
                    ========  ========  ========  ========  ========  ========
    
    

    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 service debt, make strategic acquisitions and investments, fund ongoing operations and working capital needs and pay ongoing regular quarterly dividends. 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 used by management. In addition, Free Cash Flow is also a primary measure used externally by our investors and analysts for purposes of valuation and comparing the operating performance of the company to other companies in our industry.

    As Free Cash Flow is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with 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. As Free Cash Flow deducts capital expenditures and cash paid or received for investments from "cash flow provided by operating activities" (the most directly comparable 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 GAAP -- "Net cash flow provided by operating activities."

    Unlevered After-Tax Cash Flow

    Free Cash Flow includes cash paid for interest. We also review our cash flow adjusted for cash interest, a measure we call "Unlevered After-Tax Cash Flow." Management believes this measure provides investors with an additional important perspective on our cash generation ability. We consider Unlevered After-Tax Cash Flow to be an important indicator of the performance of our businesses and believe the presentation is relevant and useful for investors because it allows investors to view performance in a manner similar to the method used by management. A limitation of the use of this measure is that it does not reflect cash interest and, therefore, does not necessarily represent funds available for discretionary use, and is not necessarily a measure of the company's ability to fund its cash needs. Accordingly, this measure should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, net cash flow provided by operating activities and other measures of liquidity reported in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S.

    Figure 10.  Warner Music Group Corp. - Calculation of Free Cash Flow and
    Unlevered After-Tax Cash Flow, Three and Six Months Ended 3/31/07
    versus 3/31/06 (dollars in millions)
                                  Three       Three         Six         Six
                                  Months      Months      Months      Months
                                  Ended       Ended       Ended       Ended
                                March 31,   March 31,   March 31,   March 31,
                                   2007        2006        2007        2006
                                ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited) (unaudited)
    Net cash flow provided by
     operating activities       $        70 $       176 $       107 $       205
    Less: Capital expenditures            8           7          13          12
    Less: Cash paid (received)
     for investments, net,
     excluding short-term
     investments                         13           7          81          18
                                ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
    Free Cash Flow (a) (b)      $        49 $       162 $        13 $       175
                                =========== =========== =========== ===========
    (a) - Free Cash Flow  includes $2 million cash
     paid for non-recurring  restructuring charges
    (b) - Free Cash Flow  includes cash paid for
     interest as follows (in  millions):
                                   Three       Three         Six         Six
                                   Months      Months      Months      Months
                                   Ended       Ended       Ended       Ended
                                 March 31,   March 31,   March 31,   March 31,
                                   2007        2006        2007        2006
                                ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
       Free Cash Flow           $        49 $       162 $        13 $       175
       Plus: Cash paid for
        interest                         24          24          73          71
                                ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
       Unlevered After-Tax Cash
        Flow                    $        73 $       186 $        86 $       246
                                =========== =========== =========== ===========
    
    

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