Press Release Details

On March 26, 2020, ViacomCBS filed a Form 8-K with the following statement that updates the company’s 2020 outlook in light of global concerns about the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

2020 Outlook

Global concerns about the coronavirus disease 2019 (“COVID-19”) have impacted the macroeconomic environment, as well as ViacomCBS Inc.’s (“ViacomCBS” or the “Company”) business. As a result of COVID-19 and measures to prevent its spread, ViacomCBS is withdrawing its previous guidance as to its 2020 financial results. While ViacomCBS has experienced production delays, the Company has seen increased viewership across its broadcast and cable properties, and is utilizing its deep library of content to mitigate in part the impact of those delays. The Company is also working proactively to offset a portion of anticipated revenue losses through costsavings initiatives.

ViacomCBS is reaffirming its expectation to achieve $750 million of full run-rate merger-related cost synergies over the next three years. The Company is also reaffirming its expectation to have approximately 16 million domestic streaming subscribers in pay and approximately 30 million monthly active users on Pluto TV as it exits 2020. The Company this week has also announced multi-year agreements to renew CBS affiliations with local stations across the country.

Still, the impact of COVID-19 on ViacomCBS’ businesses – including the postponement of theatrical releases domestically and internationally, cancellation or rescheduling of sports events for which the Company had broadcast rights, and production delays in television and filmed entertainment programming – could be material to the Company’s operating results, cash flows and financial position. The magnitude of the impacts will depend on the duration and extent of the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact of federal, state, local and foreign governmental actions and consumer behavior in response to the pandemic and such governmental actions. Due to the evolving and uncertain nature of this situation, we are not able to estimate the full extent of the negative impact on ViacomCBS’ operating results, cash flows and financial position – including advertising and filmed entertainment revenues – particularly over the near to medium term.

Liquidity 

As previously disclosed in Note 8 “Debt” to the consolidated financial statements in ViacomCBS’ Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, ViacomCBS has access to a committed $3.5 billion revolving credit facility with a maturity in January 2025 which is available for general corporate purposes and to support commercial paper outstanding, if any. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility, $699 million of commercial paper outstanding, and $632 million of cash on its balance sheet. As of March 26, 2020, the Company has not drawn on its revolving credit facility and has approximately $932 million of short-term indebtedness, including $732 million of commercial paper outstanding and $200 million of short-term bank borrowings. The Company has upcoming corporate debt maturities in the next 12 months of $300 million in February 2021 and $500 million in March 2021.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This communication contains both historical and forward-looking statements. All statements that are not statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current expectations concerning future results, objectives, plans and goals, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and which may cause future results, performance or achievements to differ. These risks, uncertainties and other factors are discussed in the risk factors disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 20, 2020 and also include the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, as noted in this communication. Other risks may be described in the Company’s news releases and filings with the SEC, including but not limited to the Company’s reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K. The forward-looking statements included in this communication are made only as of the date of this communication, and the Company does not have any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances.

About ViacomCBS

ViacomCBS (NASDAQ: VIAC; VIACA) is a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Driven by iconic consumer brands, its portfolio includes CBS, Showtime Networks, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon, MTV, Comedy Central, BET, CBS All Access, Pluto TV and Simon & Schuster, among others. The company delivers the largest share of the U.S. television audience and boasts one of the industry’s most important and extensive libraries of TV and film titles. In addition to offering innovative streaming services and digital video products, ViacomCBS provides powerful capabilities in production, distribution and advertising solutions for partners on five continents.

For more information about ViacomCBS, please visit www.viacbs.com and follow @ViacomCBS on social platforms.