Technology
TOTAL PLAY ANNOUNCES 16% GROWTH IN EBITDA TO Ps.5,483 MILLION IN THE FOURTH QUARTER OF 2024
Published
1 year agoon
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—EBITDA margin of 49%, highest level since the company issues public debt—
—Capex for the quarter was equivalent to 29% of the company’s revenue, compared to Capex equivalent to 36% of revenue a year ago—
—The EBITDA balance, net of Capex and interest, reached Ps. 816 million in the quarter and totaled Ps. 2,763 million for the full year—
MEXICO CITY, Feb. 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Total Play Telecomunicaciones, S.A.P.I. de C.V. (“Total Play”), a leading telecommunications company in Mexico, which offers internet access, pay television and telephony services, through one of the largest 100% fiber optic networks in the country, announced today financial results for the fourth quarter of 2024 and full year 2024.
“The company’s strict financial discipline, solid operational efficiency initiatives, and the strategy to moderate subscriber base growth, significantly strengthened our profitability during the period,” commented Eduardo Kuri, CEO of Total Play. “Higher revenues, combined with cost reductions, led to double-digit EBITDA growth and a five-percentage-point increase in the EBITDA margin, to 49% — the highest level since the company issues public debt. The higher EBITDA, along with Capex that accounted for 29% of quarterly revenue, generated cash flow — defined as EBITDA less Capex and interest paid — of Ps. 816 million this period, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of solid cash generation.”
“Regarding the balance sheet, the Company announced on February 7 that it successfully completed the exchange of US$821 million, representing 94.3% of its exchange offer of up to US$870 million. The agreement involved exchanging US$566 million of existing notes due 2028 for new secured notes due 2032, along with the subscription of an additional US$255 million in cash. This transaction extends our maturity profile and enhances Total Play’s liquidity, further strengthening our capital structure,” added Mr. Kuri.
Fourth quarter results
Quarterly revenue totaled Ps. 11,176 million, a 5% increase from Ps. 10,674 million in the same period last year. Total costs and expenses were Ps. 5,693 million, down 4% from Ps. 5,938 million in the prior year.
As a result, Total Play’s EBITDA increased 16% to Ps. 5,483 million from Ps. 4,736 million a year ago. The EBITDA margin for the quarter reached 49%, five percentage points higher than the same period of 2023. The company reported operating income of Ps. 973 million, compared to Ps. 605 million a year earlier.
Total Play reported a net loss of Ps. 1,519 million, compared to a loss of Ps. 1,024 million in the same quarter of 2023.
Q4 2023
Q4 2024
Change
Ps.
%
Revenue from services
$10,674
$11,176
$502
5 %
EBITDA
$4,736
$5,483
$747
16 %
Operating income
Net result
$605
$(1,024)
$973
$(1,519)
$368
$(495)
61%
(48)%
Amounts in millions of pesos.
EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.
Revenue from services
The company’s revenue grew by 5%, driven by an 8% increase in the residential segment revenue, partially offset by a 12% decline in enterprise revenue.
Totalplay Residencial’s revenue increased to Ps. 9,655 million, up from Ps. 8,945 million a year ago, driven by a 9% rise in the number of subscribers compared to the same quarter last year. The total subscriber base reached 5,219,782 this period, including 68,996 small and medium-sized businesses. The company attributes this growth to its ability to provide technologically advanced internet services with superior stability and speed, continuous innovation in its entertainment platform, and excellence in customer service.
Compared to the previous quarter, the subscriber base grew by 95,349 users, in line with Total Play’s strategy of moderating its subscriber base growth.
The average revenue per user (ARPU) for the quarter was Ps. 607, compared to Ps. 616 a year ago.
At the end of the period, Total Play had passed 17,599,524 homes in Mexico, a minor change from 17,556,755 homes a year earlier. This is part of the company’s strategy to refrain from expanding geographic coverage, focusing instead on further strengthening its cash flow generation.
Penetration — the proportion of homes passed by Total Play that have subscribed to the company’s telecommunications services — reached 29.7% at the end of the quarter, up from 27.2% a year ago.
Revenue from the enterprise was Ps. 1,521 million, down from Ps. 1,729 million a year ago. This decrease is attributed to the completion of projects with predetermined duration, scheduled to conclude this quarter.
Costs and expenses
Total costs and expenses decreased 4%, driven by a 17% reduction in service costs, partially offset by a 3% increase in general expenses.
The decrease in costs, from Ps. 2,064 million last year to Ps. 1,708 million this year, is mainly due to lower content costs and the completion of business projects during the quarter, partially offset by higher link and membership costs.
The increase in expenses, from Ps. 3,874 million to Ps. 3,985 million, reflects higher maintenance expenses as the company’s operations grow, partially offset by lower advertising and personnel expenses.
EBITDA and net result
Total Play’s EBITDA was Ps. 5,483 million, a 16% increase compared to Ps. 4,736 million in the previous year.
The key variations below EBITDA were as follows:
A Ps. 379 million increase in depreciation and amortization, primarily due to user acquisition costs, telecommunications equipment, labor, and installation expenses.
A Ps. 228 million increase in interest expense, consistent with a higher financial debt balance, driven by the depreciation of the exchange rate on foreign currency-denominated debt and the issuance of Certificados Bursatiles, as well as an increase in the cost of debt.
A foreign exchange loss of Ps. 817 million this quarter, compared to a foreign exchange gain of Ps. 613 million in the same period last year. This was due to net liability monetary position in foreign currency, along with the depreciation of the peso against the basket of currencies in which the company’s monetary liabilities are denominated, in contrast to the appreciation of the peso in the previous year.
Total Play reported a net loss of Ps. 1,519 million, compared to a loss of Ps. 1,024 million in the same period of 2023.
Balance sheet
As of December 31, 2024, the company’s debt with cost was Ps. 56,278 million, up from Ps. 52,199 million a year ago. This increase reflects the impact of the exchange rate depreciation on foreign currency-denominated debt and the issuance of Certificados Bursatiles during the period.
Lease liabilities were Ps. 4,490 million, 21% less in comparison to Ps. 5,665 million a year ago.
The balance of cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash held in trusts, was Ps. 5,743 million, compared to Ps. 5,754 million a year ago. As a result, the company’s net debt was Ps. 55,025 million, up from Ps. 52,110 million in the prior year.
The debt ratio — Net Debt/EBITDA for the last two annualized quarters — was 2.53x.
Total Play’s fixed assets — including accumulated investments in fiber optics, telecommunications equipment, and subscriber acquisition costs, among other assets — was Ps. 61,504 million in comparison to Ps. 61,946 million a year ago.
In a subsequent event, on January 7, the company announced an exchange offer for holders of the US$600 million Senior Notes due 2028, with interest rate of 6.375%, for New Senior Secured Notes due 2032 with interest rate of 11.125%. The agreement included a 45% additional cash subscription by Senior Notes holders, exchanged for the New Senior Secured Notes. On February 7, the company announced that it successfully completed the US$821 million exchange, which included the exchange of US$566 million in Senior Notes and the subscription of an additional US$255 million in cash.
Twelve-month results
Total revenue for 2024 was Ps. 44,530 million, a 10% increase from Ps. 40,503 million a year ago, driven by an 8% rise in residential revenue and a 19% growth in enterprise revenue.
Total costs and expenses grew 6% to Ps. 23,574 million from Ps. 22,142 million, reflecting a 4% increase in service costs and an 8% rise in expenses.
Total Play reported EBITDA of Ps. 20,956 million, up 14% from Ps. 18,361 million in the prior year, with the EBITDA margin increasing two-percentage points to 47%. Operating income grew to Ps. 3,844 million, compared to Ps. 2,316 million in 2023.
The company recorded a net loss of Ps. 7,504 million, compared to a loss of Ps. 3,147 million a year earlier.
2023
2024
Change
Ps.
%
Revenue from services
$40,503
$44,530
$4,027
10 %
EBITDA
$18,361
$20,956
$2,595
14 %
Operating income
Net result
$2,316
$(3,147)
$3,844
$(7,504)
$1,528
$(4,357)
66%
—-
Amounts in millions of pesos.
EBITDA: Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization.
About Total Play
Total Play is a leading Triple Play provider in Mexico that, thanks to the widest direct-to-home fiber optic network in the country, offers entertainment and technologically advanced services with the highest quality and speed in the market. For the latest news and updates about Total Play, visit: www.totalplay.com.mx.
Total Play is a Grupo Salinas company (www.gruposalinas.com), a group of dynamic, fast-growing, and technologically advanced companies focused on creating economic value through market innovation and goods and services that improve standards of living; social value to improve community well-being; and environmental value by reducing the negative impact of its business activities. Created by Mexican entrepreneur Ricardo B. Salinas (www.ricardosalinas.com), Grupo Salinas operates as a management development and decision forum for the top leaders of member companies. Each of the Grupo Salinas companies operates independently, with its own management, board of directors, and shareholders. Grupo Salinas has no equity holdings. The group of companies shares a common vision, values, and strategies for achieving rapid growth, superior results, and world-class performance.
Except for historical information, the matters discussed in this press release are concepts about the future that involve risks and uncertainty that may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Other risks that may affect Total Play and its subsidiaries are presented in documents sent to the securities authorities.
Investor Relations:
Bruno Rangel
Rolando Villarreal
+ 52 (55) 1720 9167
+ 52 (55) 1720 9167
jrangelk@totalplay.com.mx
rvillarreal@totalplay.com.mx
Press Relations:
Luciano Pascoe
Tel. +52 (55) 1720 1313 ext. 36553
lpascoe@gruposalinas.com.mx
TOTAL PLAY TELECOMUNICACIONES, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED QUARTERLY INCOME STATEMENTS
(Millions of Mexican pesos)
4Q23
4Q24
Change
$
%
$
%
$
%
Revenue from services
10,674
100 %
11,176
100 %
502
5 %
Cost of services
(2,064)
(19 %)
(1,708)
(15 %)
356
17 %
Gross profit
8,610
81 %
9,468
85 %
858
10 %
General expenses
(3,874)
(36 %)
(3,985)
(36 %)
(111)
(3 %)
EBITDA
4,736
44 %
5,483
49 %
747
16 %
Depreciation and amortization
(4,131)
(39 %)
(4,510)
(40 %)
(379)
(9 %)
Operating profit
605
6 %
973
9 %
368
61 %
Financial cost:
Interest revenue
53
0 %
67
1 %
14
26 %
Change in fair value of financial instruments
(135)
(1 %)
25
0 %
160
119 %
Accrued interest expense
(1,461)
(14 %)
(1,689)
(15 %)
(228)
(16 %)
Other financial expenses
(33)
(0 %)
(194)
(2 %)
(161)
n.m.
Foreign exchange gain (loss) – Net
613
6 %
(817)
(7 %)
(1,430)
n.m.
(963)
(9 %)
(2,608)
(23 %)
(1,645)
(171 %)
Loss before income tax provisions
(358)
(3 %)
(1,635)
(15 %)
(1,277)
n.m.
Income tax provision
(666)
(6 %)
116
1 %
782
117 %
Net loss for the period
(1,024)
(10 %)
(1,519)
(14 %)
(495)
(48 %)
TOTAL PLAY TELECOMUNICACIONES, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED ACCUMULATED INCOME STATEMENTS
(Millions of Mexican pesos)
Accumulated
Accumulated
12M23
12M24
Change
$
%
$
%
$
%
Revenue from services
40,503
100 %
44,530
100 %
4,027
10 %
Cost of services
(7,801)
(19 %)
(8,108)
(18 %)
(307)
(4 %)
Gross profit
32,702
81 %
36,422
82 %
3,720
11 %
General expenses
(14,341)
(35 %)
(15,466)
(35 %)
(1,125)
(8 %)
EBITDA
18,361
45 %
20,956
47 %
2,595
14 %
Depreciation and amortization
(16,045)
(40 %)
(17,112)
(38 %)
(1,067)
(7 %)
Operating profit
2,316
6 %
3,844
9 %
1,528
66 %
Financial cost:
Interest revenue
191
0 %
302
1 %
111
58 %
Change in fair value of financial instruments
(463)
(1 %)
(1,099)
(2 %)
(636)
(137 %)
Accrued interest expense
(5,528)
(14 %)
(6,345)
(14 %)
(817)
(15 %)
Other financial expenses
(506)
(1 %)
(271)
(1 %)
235
46 %
Foreign exchange gain (loss) – Net
3,384
8 %
(4,443)
(10 %)
(7,827)
n.m.
(2,922)
(7 %)
(11,856)
(27 %)
(8,934)
n.m.
Equity interest in net results of non-controlling entities
(19)
(0 %)
–
0 %
(19)
(100 %)
Loss before income tax provisions
(625)
(2 %)
(8,012)
(18 %)
(7,387)
n.m.
Income tax provision
(2,522)
(6 %)
508
1 %
(3,030)
(120 %)
Net loss for the period
(3,147)
(8 %)
(7,504)
(17 %)
(4,357)
(138 %)
TOTAL PLAY TELECOMUNICACIONES, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Millions of Mexican pesos)
As of December 31,
2023
2024
Change
$
%
$
%
$
%
Assets
CURRENT ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents
2,377
3 %
3,355
4 %
978
41 %
Restricted cash in trusts
3,377
4 %
2,388
3 %
(989)
(29 %)
Customers – net
4,426
5 %
3,319
4 %
(1,107)
(25 %)
Other accounts receivable
183
0 %
–
0 %
(183)
(100 %)
Derivative financial instruments
–
0 %
451
1 %
451
n.a.
Recoverable taxes
4,141
5 %
3,719
4 %
(422)
(10 %)
Related parties
367
0 %
251
0 %
(116)
(32 %)
Inventories
2,926
3 %
2,708
3 %
(218)
(7 %)
Prepaid expenses
529
1 %
499
1 %
(30)
(6 %)
Total current assets
18,326
21 %
16,690
20 %
(1,636)
(9 %)
NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Related parties
237
0 %
284
0 %
47
20 %
Property, plant and equipmente – Net
61,946
71 %
61,504
73 %
(442)
(1 %)
Rights-of-use assets -Net
4,780
5 %
3,184
4 %
(1,596)
(33 %)
Trademarks and other assets
2,099
2 %
2,458
3 %
359
17 %
Total non-current assets
69,062
79 %
67,430
80 %
(1,632)
(2 %)
Total assets
87,388
100 %
84,120
100 %
(3,268)
(4 %)
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
SHORT-TERM LIABILITIES
Financial debt
4,573
5 %
7,846
9 %
3,273
72 %
Lease liabilities
2,338
3 %
2,508
3 %
170
7 %
Trade payables
13,373
15 %
13,746
16 %
373
3 %
Reverse factoring
2,234
3 %
1,590
2 %
(644)
(29 %)
Other payables and payable taxes
1,416
2 %
1,672
2 %
256
18 %
Related parties
1,012
1 %
1,216
1 %
204
20 %
Liabilities from contracts with customers
994
1 %
720
1 %
(274)
(28 %)
Interest payable
316
0 %
259
0 %
(57)
(18 %)
Derivative financial instruments
175
0 %
–
0 %
(175)
(100 %)
Total short-term liabilities
26,431
30 %
29,557
35 %
3,126
12 %
LONG-TERM LIABILITIES
Financial debt
47,626
54 %
48,432
58 %
806
2 %
Lease liabilities
3,327
4 %
1,982
2 %
(1,345)
(40 %)
Derivative financial instruments
1,442
2 %
–
0 %
(1,442)
(100 %)
Employee benefits
74
0 %
93
0 %
19
26 %
Deferred income tax
5,253
6 %
5,401
6 %
148
3 %
Total long-term liabilities
57,722
66 %
55,908
66 %
(1,814)
(3 %)
Total liabilities
84,153
96 %
85,465
102 %
1,312
2 %
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
3,235
4 %
(1,345)
(2 %)
(4,580)
(142 %)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
87,388
100 %
84,120
100 %
(3,268)
(4 %)
TOTAL PLAY TELECOMUNICACIONES, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Millions of Mexican pesos)
12th months period ended
December 31,
2023
2024
Operating activities:
Loss before income tax provision
(625)
(8,012)
Items not requiring the use of resources:
Depreciation and amortization
16,045
17,112
Employee benefits
16
23
Items related to investing or financing activities:
Accrued interest income
(191)
(302)
Accrued interest expense and other financial transactions
6,497
7,715
Unrealized exchange (gain) loss
(3,420)
4,077
Non-controlling participation
19
–
18,341
20,613
Resources (used in) generated by operating activities:
Customers and unearned revenue
1,087
832
Other receivables
52
183
Related parties, net
388
244
Taxes to be recovered
(330)
422
Inventories
(584)
218
Advance payments
379
30
Trade payables
2,403
560
Other payables
(1,021)
248
Cash flows generated by operating activities
20,715
23,350
Investing activities:
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment
(15,627)
(12,146)
Other assets
19
(44)
Collected interest
191
302
Cash flows (used in) investing activities
(15,417)
(11,888)
Financing activities:
Loans received
6,034
(460)
Leasing cash flows
(2,650)
(2,284)
Restricted Cash in Trusts
(1,389)
988
Reverse factoring
(457)
(643)
Derivative financial instruments
(1,000)
(2,038)
Interest payment
(5,349)
(6,047)
Cahs flows used in financing activities
(4,811)
(10,484)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
487
978
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year
1,890
2,377
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the year
2,377
3,355
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SOURCE Total Play Telecomunicaciones, S.A.P.I. de C.V.
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The new role bridges the gap between what AI can do and what commonsku’s customers need it to solve, owning the intelligence loop between customers, product, and the AI landscape. What makes the role distinct: it combines AI landscape intelligence, product strategy influence, direct customer engagement, and industry thought leadership in a single role.
A Natural Evolution
Lehew brings more than 30 years of experience in the promotional products industry to the role. Prior to joining commonsku, he was the CEO of Robyn Promotions, a company among the first wave of distributors who architected the model of technology driven e-commerce company stores in the industry, earning three consecutive Inc. 5000 rankings. Always tech-forward in his work, his industry recognition includes multiple Gold and Silver PPAI Pyramid Awards.
The shift to AI strategy is a natural next chapter for Lehew. At commonsku, he built the company’s content engine from scratch — co-hosting the skucast (350+ episodes, the #1 promotional products podcast) while leaning heavily into AI for all his work. He is editor of The AI Promo Brief, the industry’s go-to resource for AI developments in promotional products, and speaks frequently on the future of merch and the cultural shifts transforming how we sell. At PPAI Expo 2026, his AI session packed the room to capacity and was named a must-attend session by PPAI editors. The industry has been watching Lehew move deeper into AI for over a year. This role makes it official.
Investing in AI for Customers
“The industry is at an inflection point with AI, and distributors need a partner who understands their business,” said Catherine Graham, CEO of commonsku. “commonsku has always been built ‘by promo, for promo.’ Bobby has three decades of that expertise, a passion for helping our customers, and the strategic insight to shape AI tools for future growth. This role reflects our mission: making sure our AI tools solve real problems for real distributors.”
“The companies pulling ahead are the ones leading with customer intelligence – letting what they learn from their community shape what they build and advancing with the frontier of AI development. That’s what this role is designed to do. I’ll be talking with our customers at every level about AI and making sure the features we build make work smarter, drive growth, and eliminate friction.” said Lehew.
“Bobby and I have been creative partners for years, always pushing each other to see around corners for this industry,” said Mark Graham, President of commonsku. “We’ve launched multiple projects together and helped educate and raise the standard for what the future distributor can look like. This role is a natural evolution of that passion. He deeply understands the industry and the distributor’s pain points, and he sees with us an incredible opportunity with AI. We’re thrilled to build commonsku’s AI future together.”
commonsku’s AI investments are already in motion. The skubot Mockup Generator is in beta with Advanced and Enterprise customers, a new Opportunity Agent is entering beta as an AI-powered business intelligence tool, and the company’s immediate roadmap includes a Description Rewriter, Auto-Art Configuration, and a Presentation Generator with much more to come.
About commonsku
commonsku is the workflow platform of choice for the promotional products industry. Built by industry experts, it combines CRM, order management, and social collaboration tools in one cloud-based solution. Over 950 distributors and the industry’s largest suppliers rely on commonsku to power $1.9 billion in network volume. With commonsku, teams process more orders, work more efficiently, and grow their sales faster. Learn more at www.commonsku.com.
SOURCE commonsku
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