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TDS reports fourth quarter and full year 2023 results

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Investing in our networks; Provides 2024 guidance

CHICAGO, Feb. 16, 2024 /PRNewswire/ — 

As previously announced, TDS will hold a teleconference on February 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. CST. Listen to the call live via the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com.

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (NYSE: TDS) reported total operating revenues of $1,313 million for the fourth quarter of 2023, versus $1,357 million for the same period one year ago. Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders and related diluted earnings (loss) per share were $(523) million and $(4.64), respectively, for the fourth quarter of 2023 compared to $(43) million and $(0.38), respectively, in the same period one year ago.

Excluding a $547 million ($511 million, net of tax impacts) non-cash charge related to goodwill impairment recorded at TDS Telecom during the fourth quarter of 2023, net income (loss) available to TDS common shareholders and related diluted earnings (loss) per share for the fourth quarter of 2023 were $(12) million and $(0.11), respectively.

TDS reported total operating revenues of $5,160 million and $5,413 million for the years ended 2023 and 2022, respectively. Net income (loss) attributable to TDS common shareholders and related diluted earnings (loss) per share were $(569) million and $(5.06), respectively, for the year ended 2023 compared to $(7) million and $(0.07), respectively, for the year ended 2022.

Excluding a $547 million ($511 million, net of tax impacts) non-cash charge related to goodwill impairment recorded at TDS Telecom during the fourth quarter of 2023, net income (loss) available to TDS common shareholders and related diluted earnings (loss) per share for the year ended 2023 were $(58) million and $(0.53), respectively.

Full year 2023 Highlights*

UScellular

Postpaid ARPU grew 2%Delivering on growth initiatives Fixed wireless customers grew 46% to 114,000Tower rental revenues grew 8% to $100 millionIncreased profitabilityNet income, Adjusted OIBDA and Adjusted EBITDA upGenerated positive free cash flow and increased cash flows from operating activities Began launching 5G mid-band network – providing low latency and faster speeds

TDS Telecom

Exceeded full year 2023 fiber address goalDelivered 217,000 fiber service addressesExecuting on fiber broadband strategyExpanded its footprint 12% – increased total service addresses to 1.7 millionResidential broadband connections grew 6% and Residential revenue per connection grew 4%Total Wireline expansion residential revenues grew to $75 million

*Comparisons are Year Ended December 31, 2023 to Year Ended December 31, 2022

“In 2023, the TDS Family of Companies continued to make substantial investments in our businesses in order to improve our competitiveness,” said LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr., TDS President and CEO. “UScellular made significant progress on its 5G network, while TDS Telecom ended the year with all of its fiber expansion communities initially launched.

“UScellular increased Postpaid ARPU 2% and drove strong results in fixed wireless in 2023. It was a challenging year from a mobility subscriber standpoint as the environment remains competitive. UScellular’s goal was to balance subscriber objectives with financial goals, which led to increased profitability year over year.

“In 2024, UScellular plans to continue focusing on improving customer results, growth in fixed wireless and towers, and maintaining financial discipline as we advance the network through mid-band deployment.

“In 2023, TDS Telecom delivered 217,000 marketable fiber service addresses, up 24% from the initial 2023 target. Residential broadband connections increased 6%, while residential revenue per connection grew 4%. With all markets launched, the team plans to focus on increasing broadband penetration and revenues across the fiber footprint. We expect this to result in improved profitability in 2024.”

Recent Development: On August 4, 2023, TDS and UScellular announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies decided to initiate a process to explore a range of strategic alternatives for UScellular. The process is still ongoing.

2024 Estimated Results

TDS’ current estimates of full-year 2024 results for UScellular and TDS Telecom are shown below. Such estimates represent management’s view as of February 16, 2024 and should not be assumed to be current as of any future date. TDS undertakes no duty to update such estimates, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. There can be no assurance that final results will not differ materially from estimated results.

UScellular

2024 Estimated
Results

Actual Results for

the Year Ended

December 31, 2023

(Dollars in millions)

Service revenues

$2,950-$3,050

$3,044

Adjusted OIBDA1, 2

$750-$850

$818

Adjusted EBITDA1, 2

$920-$1,020

$986

Capital expenditures

$550-$650

$611

TDS Telecom

2024 Estimated
Results

Actual Results for
the Year Ended
December 31, 2023

(Dollars in millions)

Total operating revenues

$1,070-$1,100

$1,028

Adjusted OIBDA1

$310-$340

$279

Adjusted EBITDA1

$310-$340

$285

Capital expenditures

$310-$340

$577

 

The following tables reconcile EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measures, Net income (loss) or Income (loss) before income taxes. In providing 2024 estimated results, TDS has not completed the below reconciliation to Net income (loss) because it does not provide guidance for income taxes. Although potentially significant, TDS believes that the impact of income taxes cannot be reasonably predicted; therefore, TDS is unable to provide such guidance.

UScellular

TDS Telecom

2024 Estimated
Results2

Actual Results for

the Year Ended

December 31, 2023

2024 Estimated
Results2

Actual Results for

the Year Ended

December 31, 2023

(Dollars in millions)

Net income (loss) (GAAP)

N/A

$58

N/A

($483)

Add back:

Income tax expense

N/A

53

N/A

(26)

Income (loss) before income taxes (GAAP)

$40-$140

$111

$40-$70

($509)

Add back:

Interest expense

195

196

—

(8)

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

665

656

270

245

EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1

$900-$1,000

$963

$310-$340

($272)

Add back or deduct:

Expenses related to strategic alternatives review

—

8

—

—

Loss on impairment of goodwill

—

—

—

547

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

20

17

—

10

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

—

(2)

—

—

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)1

$920-$1,020

$986

$310-$340

$285

Deduct:

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

160

158

—

—

Interest and dividend income

10

10

—

4

Other, net

—

—

—

2

Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)1

$750-$850

$818

$310-$340

$279

Numbers may not foot due to rounding.

1

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are defined as net income adjusted for the items set forth in the reconciliation above. EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are not measures of financial performance under Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United States (GAAP) and should not be considered as alternatives to Net income or Cash flows from operating activities, as indicators of cash flows or as measures of liquidity. TDS does not intend to imply that any such items set forth in the reconciliation above are infrequent or unusual; such items may occur in the future. Management uses Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA as measurements of profitability, and therefore reconciliations to Net income are deemed appropriate. Management believes Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA are useful measures of TDS’ operating results before significant recurring non-cash charges, nonrecurring expenses, gains and losses, and other items as presented above as they provide additional relevant and useful information to investors and other users of TDS’ financial data in evaluating the effectiveness of its operations and underlying business trends in a manner that is consistent with management’s evaluation of business performance. Adjusted EBITDA shows adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, gains and losses, and expenses related to the strategic alternatives review of UScellular while Adjusted OIBDA reduces this measure further to exclude Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and Interest and dividend income in order to more effectively show the performance of operating activities excluding investment activities. The table above reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measure, Net income (loss) or Income (loss) before income taxes. Additional information and reconciliations related to Non-GAAP financial measures for December 31, 2023, can be found on TDS’ website at investors.tdsinc.com.

2

2024 Estimated Results do not reflect any anticipated costs, expenses or results of the strategic alternatives review referenced above.

 

Conference Call Information
TDS will hold a conference call on February 16, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. Central Time.

Access the live call on the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com or at https://events.q4inc.com/attendee/105947395Access the call by phone at (888) 330-2384 (US/Canada), passcode: 1328528

Before the call, certain financial and statistical information to be discussed during the call will be posted to investors.tdsinc.com. The call will be archived on the Events & Presentations page of investors.tdsinc.com.

About TDS
Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS), a Fortune 1000® company, provides wireless; broadband, video and voice; and hosted and managed services to approximately 6 million connections nationwide through its businesses, UScellular, TDS Telecom and OneNeck IT Solutions. Founded in 1969 and headquartered in Chicago, TDS employed 8,800 people as of December 31, 2023.

Visit investors.tdsinc.com for comprehensive financial information, including earnings releases, quarterly and annual filings, shareholder information and more.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: All information set forth in this news release, except historical and factual information, represents forward-looking statements. This includes all statements about the company’s plans, beliefs, estimates, and expectations. These statements are based on current estimates, projections, and assumptions, which involve certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that may affect these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: whether any strategic alternatives for UScellular will be successfully identified or completed; whether any such strategic alternative will result in additional value for TDS or its shareholders and whether the process will have an adverse impact on TDS’ businesses; intense competition; the ability to obtain or maintain roaming arrangements with other carriers on acceptable terms and changes in roaming practices; the ability to obtain access to adequate radio spectrum to meet current or anticipated future needs, including participation in FCC auctions; the ability to attract people of outstanding talent throughout all levels of the organization; TDS’ smaller scale relative to larger competitors; changes in demand, consumer preferences and perceptions, price competition, or churn rates; advances in technology; impacts of costs, integration problems or other factors associated with acquisitions, divestitures or exchanges of properties or wireless spectrum licenses and/or expansion of TDS’ businesses; the ability of the company to successfully construct and manage its networks; difficulties involving third parties with which TDS does business; uncertainties in TDS’ future cash flows and liquidity and access to the capital markets; the ability to make payments on TDS and UScellular indebtedness or comply with the terms of debt covenants; the effect on TDS’ business if the collateral securing its secured term loan is foreclosed upon; conditions in the U.S. telecommunications industry; the value of assets and investments; the state and federal regulatory environment; pending and future litigation; cyber-attacks or other breaches of network or information technology security; control by the TDS Voting Trust; disruption in credit or other financial markets; deterioration of U.S. or global economic conditions; and the impact, duration and severity of public health emergencies. Investors are encouraged to consider these and other risks and uncertainties that are more fully described under “Risk Factors” in the most recent filing of TDS’ Form 10-K.

For more information about TDS and its subsidiaries, visit:
TDS: www.tdsinc.com
UScellular: www.uscellular.com
TDS Telecom: www.tdstelecom.com
OneNeck IT Solutions: www.oneneck.com

 

United States Cellular Corporation

Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)

 

As of or for the Quarter Ended

12/31/2023

9/30/2023

6/30/2023

3/31/2023

12/31/2022

Retail Connections

Postpaid

Total at end of period

4,106,000

4,159,000

4,194,000

4,223,000

4,247,000

Gross additions

129,000

128,000

125,000

137,000

154,000

Handsets

80,000

84,000

83,000

93,000

105,000

Connected devices

49,000

44,000

42,000

44,000

49,000

Net additions (losses)

(50,000)

(35,000)

(28,000)

(24,000)

(17,000)

Handsets

(53,000)

(38,000)

(29,000)

(25,000)

(20,000)

Connected devices

3,000

3,000

1,000

1,000

3,000

ARPU1

$        51.61

$        51.11

$        50.64

$        50.66

$        50.60

ARPA2

$      131.63

$      130.91

$      130.19

$      130.77

$      130.97

Handset upgrade rate3

5.8 %

4.5 %

4.8 %

4.9 %

7.0 %

Churn rate4

1.44 %

1.30 %

1.21 %

1.27 %

1.35 %

Handsets

1.22 %

1.11 %

1.01 %

1.06 %

1.12 %

Connected devices

3.03 %

2.64 %

2.65 %

2.78 %

2.99 %

Prepaid

Total at end of period

451,000

462,000

462,000

470,000

493,000

Gross additions

43,000

52,000

50,000

43,000

61,000

Net additions (losses)

(11,000)

—

(8,000)

(23,000)

—

ARPU1, 5

$        32.32

$        33.44

$        33.86

$        33.19

$        33.34

Churn rate4

3.87 %

3.68 %

4.18 %

4.63 %

4.11 %

Market penetration at end of period

Consolidated operating population

32,350,000

32,350,000

32,350,000

32,350,000

32,370,000

Consolidated operating penetration6

15 %

15 %

15 %

15 %

15 %

Capital expenditures (millions)

$           148

$           111

$           143

$           208

$           176

Total cell sites in service

7,000

6,973

6,952

6,950

6,945

Owned towers

4,373

4,356

4,341

4,338

4,336

Due to rounding, the sum of quarterly results may not equal the total for the year.

1

Average Revenue Per User (ARPU) – metric is calculated by dividing a revenue base by an average number of connections and by the number of months in the period. These revenue bases and connection populations are shown below:

Postpaid ARPU consists of total postpaid service revenues and postpaid connections.Prepaid ARPU consists of total prepaid service revenues and prepaid connections.

2

Average Revenue Per Account (ARPA) – metric is calculated by dividing total postpaid service revenues by the average number of postpaid accounts and by the number of months in the period.

3

Handset upgrade rate calculated as total handset upgrade transactions divided by average postpaid handset connections.

4

Churn rate represents the percentage of the connections that disconnect service each month. These rates represent the average monthly churn rate for each respective period.

5

Fourth quarter 2023 Prepaid ARPU excludes a $6 million reduction of prepaid revenue related to an adjustment to correct a prior period error recorded in the fourth quarter of 2023.

6

Market penetration is calculated by dividing the number of wireless connections at the end of the period by the total estimated population of consolidated operating markets.

 

TDS Telecom

Summary Operating Data (Unaudited)

 

As of or for the Quarter Ended

12/31/2023

9/30/2023

6/30/2023

3/31/2023

12/31/2022

Residential connections

Broadband

Wireline, Incumbent

244,800

248,800

249,200

247,900

249,100

Wireline, Expansion

92,200

79,400

70,200

62,800

56,100

Cable

202,900

204,400

204,200

204,700

204,800

Total Broadband

539,800

532,600

523,600

515,400

510,000

Video

131,500

132,400

132,300

132,600

135,300

Voice

281,600

284,000

288,200

289,200

291,600

Total Residential connections

952,900

949,000

944,100

937,200

936,900

Commercial connections

210,200

217,400

223,300

229,800

236,000

Total connections

1,163,100

1,166,400

1,167,400

1,167,000

1,173,000

Residential revenue per connection1

$           62.74

$           62.15

$           61.97

$           60.24

$           59.91

Capital expenditures (millions)

$               143

$               172

$               132

$               130

$               165

Numbers may not foot due to rounding.

1

Total residential revenue per connection is calculated by dividing total residential revenue by the average number of residential connections and by the number of months in the period.

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Operations Highlights

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

2022

2023

vs. 2022

2023

2022

2023

vs. 2022

(Dollars and shares in millions, except per share amounts)

Operating revenues

UScellular

$ 1,000

$           1,048

(5) %

$ 3,906

$           4,169

(6) %

TDS Telecom

261

257

2 %

1,028

1,020

1 %

All Other1

52

52

(1) %

226

224

1 %

1,313

1,357

(3) %

5,160

5,413

(5) %

Operating expenses

UScellular

Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion

812

885

(8) %

3,096

3,379

(8) %

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

166

179

(8) %

656

700

(6) %

Loss on impairment of licenses

—

—

—

—

3

N/M

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

3

11

(67) %

17

19

(9) %

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

—

—

N/M

—

(1)

N/M

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

(2)

—

N/M

(2)

—

N/M

979

1,075

(9) %

3,767

4,100

(8) %

TDS Telecom

Expenses excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion

186

192

(4) %

749

732

2 %

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

65

56

17 %

245

215

14 %

Loss on impairment of goodwill

547

—

N/M

547

—

N/M

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

1

3

(59) %

10

7

31 %

799

252

N/M

1,551

954

63 %

All Other1

Expenses excluding depreciation and amortization

56

52

8 %

242

222

9 %

Depreciation and amortization

3

3

(6) %

14

14

(2) %

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

—

—

N/M

—

1

(95) %

59

56

7 %

256

237

8 %

Total operating expenses

1,837

1,383

33 %

5,574

5,291

5 %

Operating income (loss)

UScellular

21

(27)

N/M

139

69

N/M

TDS Telecom

(538)

5

N/M

(523)

66

N/M

All Other1

(7)

(4)

N/M

(30)

(13)

N/M

(524)

(26)

N/M

(414)

122

N/M

Investment and other income (expense)

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

37

36

4 %

159

159

–

Interest and dividend income

4

7

(41) %

20

17

19 %

Interest expense

(66)

(55)

(20) %

(244)

(174)

(40) %

Other, net

1

—

N/M

2

1

94 %

Total investment and other income (expense)

(24)

(12)

(96) %

(63)

3

N/M

Income (loss) before income taxes

(548)

(38)

N/M

(477)

125

N/M

Income tax expense (benefit)

(45)

(8)

N/M

10

53

(81) %

Net income (loss)

(503)

(30)

N/M

(487)

72

N/M

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests, net of tax

3

(4)

N/M

13

10

28 %

Net income (loss) attributable to TDS shareholders

(506)

(26)

N/M

(500)

62

N/M

TDS Preferred Share dividends

17

17

—

69

69

–

Net loss attributable to TDS common shareholders

$   (523)

$   (43)

N/M

$   (569)

$      (7)

N/M

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

113

113

–

113

114

(1) %

Basic earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders

$  (4.64)

$  (0.38)

N/M

$  (5.05)

$  (0.07)

N/M

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

113

113

–

113

114

(1) %

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders

$  (4.64)

$  (0.38)

N/M

$  (5.06)

$  (0.07)

N/M

N/M – Percentage change not meaningful.

Numbers may not foot due to rounding.

1

Consists of TDS corporate, intercompany eliminations and other business operations not included in UScellular and TDS Telecom segments.

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

(Unaudited)

 

Year Ended December 31,

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities

Net income (loss)

$             (487)

$                 72

Add (deduct) adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash flows from operating activities

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

915

929

Bad debts expense

111

138

Stock-based compensation expense

41

42

Deferred income taxes, net

8

47

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

(159)

(159)

Distributions from unconsolidated entities

150

145

Loss on impairment of intangible assets

547

3

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

27

27

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

—

(1)

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

(2)

—

Other operating activities

8

10

Changes in assets and liabilities from operations

Accounts receivable

2

(69)

Equipment installment plans receivable

(20)

(199)

Inventory

61

(90)

Accounts payable

(99)

32

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

(8)

48

Accrued taxes

50

127

Other assets and liabilities

(3)

53

Net cash provided by operating activities

1,142

1,155

Cash flows from investing activities

Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment

(1,211)

(1,161)

Cash paid for licenses and other intangible assets

(130)

(614)

Other investing activities

14

(8)

Net cash used in investing activities

(1,327)

(1,783)

Cash flows from financing activities

Issuance of long-term debt

1,081

1,154

Repayment of long-term debt

(723)

(332)

Issuance of short-term debt

—

110

Repayment of short-term debt

(60)

(50)

TDS Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments

(3)

(4)

UScellular Common Shares reissued for benefit plans, net of tax payments

(6)

(5)

Repurchase of TDS Common Shares

(6)

(40)

Repurchase of UScellular Common Shares

—

(43)

Dividends paid to TDS shareholders

(153)

(151)

Payment of debt and equity issuance costs

(5)

(2)

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

(3)

(3)

Cash paid for software license agreements

(66)

(23)

Other financing activities

—

2

Net cash provided by financing activities

56

613

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

(129)

(15)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

Beginning of period

399

414

End of period

$               270

$               399

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited)

 

ASSETS

December 31,

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Current assets

Cash and cash equivalents

$                   236

$                   360

Accounts receivable, net

1,074

1,181

Inventory, net

208

268

Prepaid expenses

86

102

Income taxes receivable

4

59

Other current assets

52

58

Total current assets

1,660

2,028

Assets held for sale

15

26

Licenses

4,702

4,699

Goodwill

—

547

Other intangible assets, net

183

204

Investments in unconsolidated entities

505

495

Property, plant andequipment, net

5,062

4,760

Operating lease right-of-use assets

987

995

Other assets and deferred charges

807

796

Total assets

$              13,921

$              14,550

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Consolidated Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited)

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

December 31,

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

Current liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt

$                     26

$                     19

Accounts payable

360

506

Customer deposits and deferred revenues

277

285

Accrued interest

12

12

Accrued taxes

43

46

Accrued compensation

149

144

Short-term operating lease liabilities

147

146

Other current liabilities

170

356

Total current liabilities

1,184

1,514

Deferred liabilities and credits

Deferred income tax liability, net

975

969

Long-term operating lease liabilities

890

908

Other deferred liabilities and credits

784

813

Long-term debt, net

4,080

3,731

Noncontrolling interests with redemption features

12

12

Equity

TDS shareholders’ equity

Series A Common and Common Shares, par value $0.01 per share

1

1

Capital in excess of par value

2,558

2,551

Preferred Shares, par value $0.01 per share

1,074

1,074

Treasury shares, at cost

(465)

(481)

Accumulated other comprehensive income

11

5

Retained earnings

2,023

2,699

Total TDS shareholders’ equity

5,202

5,849

Noncontrolling interests

794

754

Total equity

5,996

6,603

Total liabilities and equity

$              13,921

$              14,550

 

Balance Sheet Highlights

(Unaudited)

December 31, 2023

UScellular

TDS

Telecom

TDS Corporate

& Other

Intercompany

Eliminations

TDS

Consolidated

(Dollars in millions)

Cash and cash equivalents

$                  150

$                    37

$                    90

$                  (41)

$                  236

Licenses and other intangible assets

$              4,693

$                  187

$                      5

$                    —

$              4,885

Investment in unconsolidated entities

461

4

48

(8)

505

$              5,154

$                  191

$                    53

$                    (8)

$              5,390

Property, plant and equipment, net

$              2,576

$              2,402

$                    84

$                    —

$              5,062

Long-term debt, net:

Current portion

$                    20

$                    —

$                      6

$                    —

$                    26

Non-current portion

3,044

3

1,033

—

4,080

$              3,064

$                      3

$              1,039

$                    —

$              4,106

 

TDS Telecom Highlights

(Unaudited)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

2022

2023 vs. 2022

2023

2022

2023 vs. 2022

(Dollars in millions)

Operating revenues

Residential

Wireline, Incumbent

$         88

$         87

1 %

$       352

$       350

1 %

Wireline, Expansion

23

14

61 %

75

49

53 %

Cable

69

67

2 %

273

270

1 %

Total residential

179

168

6 %

700

669

5 %

Commercial

37

43

(13) %

155

173

(10) %

Wholesale

45

45

(1) %

172

177

(3) %

Total service revenues

261

256

2 %

1,027

1,019

1 %

Equipment revenues

—

—

(22) %

1

1

(12) %

Total operating revenues

261

257

2 %

1,028

1,020

1 %

Cost of services

104

110

(5) %

423

418

1 %

Cost of equipment and products

—

—

N/M

—

1

(26) %

Selling, general and administrative expenses

82

83

(1) %

326

313

4 %

Depreciation, amortization and accretion

65

56

17 %

245

215

14 %

Loss on impairment of goodwill

547

—

N/M

547

—

N/M

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

1

3

(59) %

10

7

31 %

Total operating expenses

799

252

N/M

1,551

954

63 %

Operating income (loss)

$     (538)

$           5

N/M

$     (523)

$         66

N/M

N/M – Percentage change not meaningful.

Numbers may not foot due to rounding.

 

Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

Financial Measures and Reconciliations

Free Cash Flow

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

TDS Consolidated

2023

2022

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)

$                 218

$                 255

$              1,142

$              1,155

Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment

(304)

(367)

(1,211)

(1,161)

Cash paid for software license agreements

(37)

(18)

(66)

(23)

Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)1

$               (123)

$               (130)

$               (135)

$                  (29)

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

UScellular

2023

2022

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Cash flows from operating activities (GAAP)

$                 148

$                 180

$                 866

$                 832

Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment

(155)

(192)

(608)

(602)

Cash paid for software license agreements

(37)

(17)

(66)

(22)

Free cash flow (Non-GAAP)1

$                  (44)

$                  (29)

$                 192

$                 208

1

Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure which TDS believes may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information in evaluating liquidity, specifically, the amount of net cash generated by business operations after deducting Cash paid for additions to property, plant and equipment and Cash paid for software license agreements.

 

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA

The following table reconciles EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted OIBDA to the corresponding GAAP measures, Net income and Income before income taxes.

Year Ended December 31,

UScellular

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Net income (GAAP)

$                 58

$                 35

Add back or deduct:

Income tax benefit

53

37

Income before income taxes (GAAP)

111

72

Add back:

Interest expense

196

163

Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense

656

700

EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

963

935

Add back or deduct:

Expenses related to strategic alternatives review

8

—

Loss on impairment of licenses

—

3

(Gain) loss on asset disposals, net

17

19

(Gain) loss on sale of business and other exit costs, net

—

(1)

(Gain) loss on license sales and exchanges, net

(2)

—

Adjusted EBITDA (Non-GAAP)

986

956

Deduct:

Equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities

158

158

Interest and dividend income

10

8

Adjusted OIBDA (Non-GAAP)

$               818

$               790

 

Net income excluding Goodwill impairment charge

The following non-GAAP financial measures present certain information in the table below excluding the effect of the goodwill impairment charge at TDS Telecom and related tax impacts. The goodwill impairment charge, which occurred in the fourth quarter of 2023, is being excluded in this presentation, as it is not related to the current operations of TDS. TDS believes these measures may be useful to investors and other users of its financial information when comparing the current period financial results with periods that were not impacted by such a charge.

Three Months Ended

December 31,

Year Ended

December 31,

2023

2022

2023

2022

(Dollars in millions)

Net loss attributable to TDS common shareholders (GAAP)

$               (523)

$                  (43)

$               (569)

$                    (7)

Adjustments:

Loss on impairment of goodwill

547

—

547

—

Deferred tax benefit on the tax-amortizable portion of the impaired Goodwill

(36)

—

(36)

—

Subtotal of Non-GAAP adjustments

511

—

511

—

Net loss attributable to TDS common shareholders excluding goodwill impairment
charge (Non-GAAP)

(12)

(43)

(58)

(7)

Noncontrolling interest adjustment to compute earnings (loss)

—

—

(1)

(1)

Net loss attributable to TDS common shareholders excluding goodwill impairment
charge used in diluted earnings (loss) per share (Non-GAAP)

$                  (12)

$                  (43)

$                  (59)

$                    (8)

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

113

113

113

114

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders (GAAP)

$              (4.64)

$              (0.38)

$              (5.06)

$              (0.07)

Adjustments:

Loss on impairment of goodwill

4.85

—

4.85

—

Deferred tax benefit on the tax-amortizable portion of the impaired Goodwill

(0.32)

—

(0.32)

—

Diluted earnings (loss) per share attributable to TDS common shareholders excluding
impairment of goodwill charge (Non-GAAP)

$              (0.11)

$              (0.38)

$              (0.53)

$              (0.07)

 

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/tds-reports-fourth-quarter-and-full-year-2023-results-302063497.html

SOURCE Telephone and Data Systems, Inc.

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Monster Energy and Call of Duty® Take Over Cosm Los Angeles for Immersive Modern Warfare® 4 Launch Celebration

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Celebrities, athletes and creators came together for an action-packed night of gaming, immersive entertainment and exclusive experiences on Cosm’s massive Shared Reality Display. 

INGLEWOOD, Calif., Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Monster Energy transformed Cosm Los Angeles into the ultimate gamer’s destination on Friday night as fans came together to celebrate the highly anticipated launch of Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 4 at an immersive event fueled by Monster Energy.

Set against Cosm’s spectacular 87-foot-diameter, 12K+ LED dome, the Monster Energy x Call of Duty celebration brought the action of one of gaming’s most anticipated franchises into the real world. Guests experienced live gameplay, special celebrity appearances, interactive activations, and real-life displays inspired by the game, including the Monster Energy Operator Skin, alongside a lineup of Polaris vehicles including the DAGOR, which is playable in Modern Warfare 4 – all in an electrifying atmosphere that blurred the lines between gaming and reality.

The event drew a guest list spanning entertainment, sports and gaming, including actors O’Shea Jackson Jr., Trevor Jackson and Khleo Thomas, who arrived by Slingshot, rapper Symba, social media star Lin Lamar (Pinkchyu), and Monster Energy UFC fighters Johnny Walker and Jalin Turner.

Guests lined up around the block for a jam-packed program, featuring a live edition of The Flank, hosted by ZooMaa and Ben Nissim, including an interview with Infinity Ward developer Jacky Reynolds and the reveal of the CDL Launch Invitational groups. Fans also got a closer look at Modern Warfare 4’s DMZ mode during a gameplay showcase led by Infinity Ward game designer Roman Spazafumo.

The gaming action continued with artists, athletes and gaming creators, including Jericho, Jaybroski, Tyler Rizzi, Johnny Walker and LAFC’s Denis Bouanga, facing off in two-versus-two matchups, while fans tested their own skills in king-of-the-hill rounds. Monster Energy’s skate team also took to the virtual battlefield, swapping their boards for controllers, with Ishod Wair, Filipe Mota and Elliot Sloan going head-to-head in a Modern Warfare 4 showdown.

“With Call of Duty, we’re always looking for ways to push the experience beyond the screen,” said Jordi Gayola, CMO of the Americas at Monster Energy. “Bringing this launch to Cosm gave us an incredible opportunity to put fans, athletes and creators right in the middle of the action. It’s about bringing our worlds together and creating the kind of unforgettable experience that only Monster Energy can deliver.”

Beyond the main gameplay, fans enjoyed exclusive merchandise giveaways and immersive experiences, while the Modern Warfare 4-themed experience extended to the menu, which featured Korean-inspired dishes including kimchi mandu, Korean corn cheese nachos, and gochujang-glazed wings, alongside complimentary Monster Energy throughout the venue.

The launch also spotlighted Monster Energy’s ongoing Call of Duty promotional partnership, running through March 31, 2027. Fans can earn 15 minutes of Double XP per qualifying Monster Energy Original Green, Zero Sugar or Zero Ultra can, alongside exclusive in-game rewards, including a Large Decal, two weapon blueprints and two Operator Skins unlocked across the first five cans. The collaboration also extends beyond the game through four Monster Energy x Polaris vehicle sweepstakes at participating 7-Eleven, Hy-Vee, QuikTrip and RTG stores, with entry via retailer-specific QR codes in-store.

For more information on the Monster Energy x Call of Duty partnership, promotion and rewards, visit callofduty.monsterenergy.com.

Images from the Monster Energy Call of Duty®: Modern Warfare® 4 Launch Day are available HERE. 

Photo Credit: Randy Shropshire/Getty Images for Monster Energy.

About Monster Energy
Based in Corona, California, Monster Energy is a leading marketer of energy drinks and alternative beverages. Known for its connection to action sports, motorsports, music, gaming and athletes around the world, Monster Energy fuels the passions of its fans through products, partnerships and experiences that bring communities together. For more information, visit MonsterEnergy.com.

Media Contact:
press@monsterenergy.com 

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SOURCE Monster Energy

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Come Back to Firefox: Mozilla launches its most ambitious campaign yet to bring people back to the independent alternative to big tech browsers

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As tracking and unwanted AI reshape the web, Firefox reunites the internet’s original viral icons to make the case for a browser that puts people back in control.

SAN FRANCISCO, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — In its new campaign, Come Back to Firefox, the independent browser by Mozilla reunites personalities behind some of the early internet’s biggest viral videos and memes for one simple message: The internet you loved is still here, and Firefox is the easiest way back.

This multi-market campaign is aimed at people who once used Firefox and left. While it nods to the past, Firefox continues to evolve, giving people more reasons to love and rediscover it today. It arrives after a transformative year for the browser:

Business growth and partnerships: A dedicated Enterprise browser giving organizations expert support and control over their data. Technical partnerships with NVIDIA and Mistral, extending what Firefox can do from gaming to AI.

Increased protection and control: New products and features shipped including a free built-in VPN to help keep browsing private, with no extra download or cost. AI Controls, to let people decide when and whether to use AI, and an Ad Blocker for Firefox on iOS for fewer ads and trackers.

Brand and culture: A new modern design, a first sports partnership with Wrexham AFC and World Cup presence connecting Firefox to one of the year’s biggest cultural moments.

“Firefox was there then, we’re here now, and what we stand for matters more than ever,” said John Solomon, Chief Marketing Officer at Mozilla. “People who left Firefox years ago will find a browser that’s more private and gives them more control, including over AI.”

The Campaign

Come Back to Firefox brings together some of the world’s most memorable internet icons: Numa Numa Guy, Bad Luck Brian, Overly Attached Girlfriend, Kelly of “Shoes” fame, Where the Hell Is Matt?, Annoying Orange, Apparently Kid, Tay Zonday, Chuck Testa, Success Kid, and Evolution of Dance. Each takes on a modern frustration with humor:

Overly Attached Girlfriend may have wanted to know everything about you, but your browser shouldn’t.Dancing Matt boogied all over the world, without any corporations tracking him or selling his personal data.And while Annoying Orange is still incredibly annoying, he’s not as annoying as forced AI features.

The campaign launches in the United States Sunday, October 25th, with two distinct 30-second commercials airing on NBC. Next, it rolls out in Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.

“Being on set was a reminder of why those moments mattered,” said Solomon. “Ordinary people making things on the internet that made it feel so surprising and fun, and that’s the feeling we wanted to bring back.”

The campaign was created by award-winning independent agency We Believers, and brought to life by directing collective Sunny Sixteen and production company nobodys. Together, they meticulously recreated each performance, look, and even the sets from the original videos, taking each internet personality back to where their story began.

“We wanted an idea that truly belongs to Firefox, a challenger browser that helped shape the internet’s golden years and stayed independent as Big Tech took over,” said Gustavo Lauria, Founder and CCO at We Believers.

The campaign is one of Firefox’s most ambitious yet but is rooted in what has always set the browser apart from Big Tech: its commitment to putting people before profits and giving them more control over their online experience. Now, Firefox says it’s never been a better time for people who once used the browser to take another look.

About Firefox

Firefox is a web browser developed by Mozilla, built to give people more choice and control over their online experience. With built-in tracking protection, customization options, and a commitment to an open internet, Firefox offers an alternative to browsers developed by the world’s largest technology companies. Learn more at firefox.com/welcomeback.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/come-back-to-firefox-mozilla-launches-its-most-ambitious-campaign-yet-to-bring-people-back-to-the-independent-alternative-to-big-tech-browsers-302918568.html

SOURCE Mozilla

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Best AI Tools for Small Business Marketing (2026): CapCut Featured for Creating Professional Video and Visual Content by Expert Consumers

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NEW YORK, Oct. 25, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Expert Consumers has recognized CapCut in its 2026 coverage of the best AI tools for small business marketing, highlighting the platform’s collection of AI-powered features for creating and editing video, images, audio, and other visual content. The recognition reflects growing interest in tools that support practical marketing activities, including campaign development, promotional content production, and adapting creative assets for different digital channels.

Best AI Marketing Tools

Seedance 2.0 – an AI video generation model that creates videos from text prompts or imagesSeedream – an AI image generation model that creates high-quality visuals from text prompts

Small businesses face growing pressure to maintain an active digital presence while managing limited time and resources. From product photography and promotional videos to social media graphics and campaign materials, effective marketing depends on a steady supply of relevant, engaging content. Artificial intelligence is creating new ways to simplify these tasks and help businesses turn creative ideas into usable marketing assets.

CapCut provides a range of AI-assisted capabilities that support several stages of content production. These include prompt-based video generation, AI image creation, background removal, image expansion, music generation, and photo animation. For small businesses managing marketing internally, these functions offer options for developing creative assets without relying entirely on manual production processes.

AI Video Generation Supports Promotional Campaigns

Video is an important format for demonstrating products, explaining services, and introducing new offerings. Small businesses can use video across social media, websites, digital advertisements, and online product pages. Producing content regularly, however, can require considerable planning and editing.

CapCut’s Seedance 2.0 AI video generator offers a prompt-based approach to video creation. Users can describe a creative concept and generate video content that serves as a starting point for further editing.

For a small retailer preparing a product promotion, AI-generated video can help explore different visual approaches before a final concept is selected. A service provider could use the same process to develop ideas for an explainer or an introductory campaign.

Prompt-based generation can reduce the effort involved in developing initial concepts. Generated material still requires review to ensure the finished video accurately represents the business, communicates the intended message, and follows relevant brand guidelines.

AI Image Creation Helps Develop Marketing Materials

Visual content plays a central role in how businesses present products and services online. Promotional graphics, campaign imagery, and social media visuals need to communicate a clear message while maintaining a recognizable style.

CapCut’s Seedream AI image generator enables users to generate images from text prompts. The tool can support concept drafts, campaign planning, and experimentation with different visual directions before final assets are prepared.

For example, a small business planning a seasonal campaign could explore different visual themes and compositions during the early planning stage. These drafts can help establish a creative direction before additional time is spent refining the final materials.

CapCut’s GPT Image 2 provides another option for generating images from natural language instructions. The feature can support the development of promotional imagery, marketing graphics, and other visual assets.

AI image generation gives businesses more opportunities to test creative ideas during campaign development. However, generated images should be checked for visual errors, accurate product representation, and consistency with the intended brand identity before publication.

Image Editing Simplifies Content Preparation

Creating new marketing assets is only part of the production process. Existing photographs and graphics often need adjustments before they are suitable for different platforms.

CapCut’s AI background removal tool helps isolate subjects from their original backgrounds. This can simplify the preparation of product photographs, promotional graphics, and other images that require a different visual setting.

For a small retailer, background removal can make it easier to prepare product images for online listings or promotional materials. Separated subjects can be incorporated into new compositions without recreating the entire image.

The AI Image Extender addresses a separate challenge: adapting images to different dimensions. The tool generates additional visual content beyond an image’s original boundaries, helping users adjust compositions without relying entirely on cropping or stretching.

A campaign may require square graphics for social media, vertical visuals for mobile viewing, and horizontal banners for a website. Image expansion provides another option for adapting existing assets to those formats.

These editing capabilities can help reduce repetitive production work while supporting a more consistent presentation across marketing channels.

AI Audio and Photo Animation Expand Creative Options

Marketing content often combines visuals, movement, and sound. Music can establish a mood, support storytelling, and help create a more complete video presentation.

CapCut’s SeedMusic AI audio generator supports AI-assisted music creation based on prompts. The feature can help develop audio for promotional videos, product demonstrations, and social media content.

Generated music offers a starting point for matching audio to a campaign’s intended atmosphere. Before publication, businesses should review the output and confirm that the applicable usage terms cover the intended commercial application.

CapCut also provides a Photo-to-3D tool that transforms still images into more dynamic visual presentations. This capability can help repurpose existing photography for promotional videos, social posts, and digital campaigns.

For small businesses with an existing collection of product images, adding movement can provide another way to present familiar assets. The approach also expands the range of creative formats available without requiring every campaign to begin with new photography.

Connecting AI Tools to Everyday Marketing Workflows

The practical value of AI-powered creative tools depends on how effectively they address specific marketing needs. Small businesses do not necessarily need every available feature for every campaign. Selecting tools according to content requirements can help keep production focused.

A retailer might begin with Seedream to explore campaign concepts, then use GPT Image 2 to generate supporting visuals. Background removal can help prepare product photography, while AI Image Extender can adapt selected assets to different layouts. Seedance 2.0 can support video concept development, with SeedMusic offering an option for accompanying audio.

A service-based business might prioritize short promotional videos, explanatory graphics, and social media content instead. The same collection of tools can support different production requirements depending on the business model and campaign objectives.

Using AI does not remove the need for creative direction or quality control. Content should be checked for factual accuracy, appropriate product representation, brand consistency, and compliance with advertising requirements. Human review also helps ensure that generated assets serve a clear marketing purpose rather than adding unnecessary material to a campaign.

AI-Assisted Marketing for Small Businesses

Interest in the best AI tools for small business marketing reflects the need for practical ways to produce and adapt digital content. Businesses must balance the demand for regular campaign updates with the resources available for creative production.

Expert Consumers’ recognition of CapCut highlights the platform’s range of AI-assisted functions for video generation, image creation, editing, audio production, and photo animation. These capabilities offer small businesses several options for developing marketing materials across digital channels.

As AI becomes more integrated into content production, effective use will depend on matching the right tools to specific tasks. With clear campaign objectives, careful editing, and appropriate review, CapCut’s creative features can help businesses develop marketing assets while reducing some of the repetitive work involved in preparing content for publication.

Visit the Expert Consumers site for the full review.

About CapCut

CapCut is an AI-powered photo and video editing platform designed to make high-quality video creation accessible across devices. The platform supports creators, businesses, and everyday users with tools for video editing, AI video generation, captions, templates, audio, and visual editing. CapCut is available across mobile, web, desktop, and iPad experiences, helping users create, edit, and prepare video content for social media, marketing, education, and personal projects.

About Better Business Advice: Better Business Advice covers the news and strategies driving modern business success. The information provided by Better Business Advice does not, and is not intended to, constitute legal advice; instead, all information, content, and materials are for general informational purposes only. As an affiliate, Better Business Advice may earn commissions from services mentioned in the links provided.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/best-ai-tools-for-small-business-marketing-2026-capcut-featured-for-creating-professional-video-and-visual-content-by-expert-consumers-302918043.html

SOURCE ExpertConsumers.org

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