<PAGE 1>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-QA
[X] QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended November 30, 1997
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the Transition Period from to
______ ________
Commission File Number 1-9244
_____________________________
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
______________________________________________________
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-2565808
_______________________________ ____________________________________
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)
12400 Wilshire Boulevard
Suite 1200
Los Angeles, California 90025
__________________________________________________
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: 310-826-1108
____________
<PAGE>
<PAGE 2>
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No
_____ ______
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes
of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. Common Stock, $.01 par
value, 36,800,303 shares outstanding as of December 29, 1997.<PAGE>
<PAGE 3>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
ASSETS
(Dollars in thousands)
November 30, August 31,
1997 1997
___________ __________
(Unaudited)
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents . . . . . . . $192,158 $317,782
Short-term investments. . . . . . . . . 178,409 234,677
Accounts receivable (net of allowance
for doubtful accounts of $4,101
at November 30, 1997 and
August 31, 1997. . . . . . . . . . . . 80,383 75,092
Producer advances and deferred costs. . 91,586 74,652
Other current assets. . . . . . . . . . 1,510 1,857
________ ________
Total current assets . . 544,046 704,060
________ ________
LONG-TERM INVESTMENTS, at cost,
which approximates market value . . . 277,010 177,590
________ ________
FIXED ASSETS, at cost . . . . . . . . . . . 23,696 21,455
Less - accumulated depreciation
and amortization. . . . . . . . . . . . (12,121) (11,706)
________ ________
11,575 9,749
________ ________
PRODUCER ADVANCES AND OTHER ASSETS. . . . . 101,819 10,668
________ ________
$934,450 $902,067
======== ========
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these balance sheets. <PAGE>
<PAGE 4>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (continued)
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Dollars in thousands)
November 30, August 31,
1997 1997
____________ __________
(Unaudited)
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable and
accrued liabilities . . . . . . . . . $ 15,490 $ 18,014
Payable to producers and others . . . . 52,814 69,599
Income taxes payable. . . . . . . . . . 43,353 30,372
__________ __________
Total current liabilities. . . . . . 111,657 117,985
__________ __________
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value;
5,000,000 shares authorized,
none issued . . . . . . . . . . . . . -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value;
75,000,000 shares autho-
rized, 51,190,897 shares
and 51,039,211 shares issued
at November 30, 1997 and
August 31, 1997, respectively . . . . 512 510
Paid-in capital . . . . . . . . . . . . 128,837 124,497
Retained earnings . . . . . . . . . . . 1,035,559 1,001,190
Treasury stock, at cost; 14,413,594
shares at November 30, 1997 and
August 31, 1997. . . . . . . . . . . (342,115) (342,115)
__________ __________
822,793 784,082
__________ __________
$ 934,450 $ 902,067
========== ==========
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these balance sheets.<PAGE>
<PAGE 5>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
November 30,
_______________________
1997 1996
________________
(Dollars in thousands except
per share data)
REVENUES . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $172,926 $164,287
EXPENSES:
Producers' fees, programming and
other direct operating costs . . 107,235 98,806
Selling, general and
administrative expenses. . . . . 20,041 18,439
________ ________
127,276 117,245
________ ________
Income from operations . . . . . 45,650 47,042
INTEREST AND DIVIDEND INCOME . . . . . 6,894 6,881
________ ________
Income before provision
for income taxes . . . . . . . 52,544 53,923
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES . . . . . . 18,175 18,956
________ ________
Net income . . . . . . . . . . . $ 34,369 $ 34,967
======== ========
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE . . . . . . . $ .94 $ .94
======== ========
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE . . . . . . $ .91 $ .93
======== ========
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.<PAGE>
<PAGE 6>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended
November 30,
_______________________
1997 1996
________________
(Dollars in thousands)
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income . . . . . . $ 34,369 $ 34,967
Items not affecting cash:
Depreciation and amortization. . 415 235
Change in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable. . . . . . . (5,176) (11,441)
Producer advances and
deferred costs . . . . . . . . (105,935) 22,790
Accounts payable and accrued
liabilities. . . . . . . . . . (2,524) (399)
Payable to producers and others. (16,785) (21,093)
Income taxes payable . . . . . . 12,981 12,811
Other, net . . . . . . . . . . . (1,918) (557)
________ ________
Net cash (used in) provided by
operating activities . . . . . . (84,573) 37,313
________ ________
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Increase in investments. . . . . . . (43,152) (38,991)
Additions to fixed assets. . . . . . (2,241) (479)
________ ________
Net cash used in investing
activities . . . . . . . . . . . . (45,393) (39,470)
________ ________
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Proceeds from issuance of
common stock . . . . . . . . . . . 4,342 1,860
NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS . . . . . . . . . . . . (125,624) (297)
________ ________
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT BEGINNING
OF PERIOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . 317,782 344,766
________ ________
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS AT END
OF PERIOD . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 192,158 $ 344,469
======== ========
The accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
are an integral part of these statements.<PAGE>
<PAGE 7>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1) Summary of significant accounting policies
Principles of consolidation
___________________________
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of King World Productions, Inc. ("King World") and its wholly-
owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany transactions have been
eliminated. Unless the context suggests otherwise, the "Company", as used
herein, means King World and its subsidiaries.
The unaudited consolidated financial statements for the three
months ended November 30, 1997 have been prepared in accordance with the
instructions to Form 10-Q and include, in the opinion of management, all
adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals) necessary for a
fair presentation of the results of operations for such period. They do
not, however, include all of the information and disclosures required by
generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
For further information, reference is made to the consolidated financial
statements for the year ended August 31, 1997 and the footnotes related
thereto included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K from which the
August 31, 1997 balances presented herein have been derived. The results
of operations for the three months ended November 30, 1997 are not neces-
sarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year.
Revenue recognition
___________________
License fees from first-run syndicated television properties are
recognized at the commencement of the license period pursuant to noncancel-
able agreements and as each show is made available to the licensee via
satellite transmission. <PAGE>
<PAGE 8>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1) Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
Because transmission to the satellite takes place, on the average, no more
than two to three days prior to the broadcast of the programming, revenues
are recognized on or about the air date.
The Company typically receives a portion of the fees derived from
the licensing of syndicated television programming in the form of retained
advertising time, which is sold to advertisers by King World Media Sales
Inc. (formerly, Camelot Entertainment Sales, Inc.), a wholly-owned subsid-
iary of the Company. Such revenues are recognized at the same time as the
cash portion of the license fees derived from such programming is recog-
nized, in amounts adjusted for expected ratings.
License fees for non-first-run syndicated properties are recog-
nized at the gross contract amount (net of discount to present value for
license periods greater than one year) at the commencement of the license
period and when certain other conditions are satisfied.
Principal properties
____________________
The Company's principal properties are licenses to distribute THE
OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, WHEEL OF FORTUNE and JEOPARDY!; and INSIDE EDITION, a
first-run syndicated series produced and distributed by the Company. THE
OPRAH WINFREY SHOW accounted for approximately 43% and 41% of revenues for
the three months ended November 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. WHEEL OF
FORTUNE accounted for approximately 21% and 20% of revenues for the three
months ended November 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. JEOPARDY! accounted
for approximately 17% of revenues for each of the three months ended
November 30, 1997 and 1996. INSIDE EDITION accounted for approximately 7%
and 8% of revenues for the three months ended November 30, 1997 and 1996,
respectively.<PAGE>
<PAGE 9>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1) Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
The Company distributes THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW pursuant to an
agreement with Harpo, Inc., the producer of the series ("Harpo"). Under
the terms of the Company's agreement with Harpo, the Company has the
exclusive right, and has agreed, to distribute episodes of THE OPRAH
WINFREY SHOW produced through the 1999-2000 television season. Pursuant to
such agreement, Harpo and Ms. Winfrey have also committed to produce and
host the show through the 1999-2000 broadcast season. Even if Harpo elects
to continue to produce THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW after the 1999-2000 season,
it will not be obligated to distribute the series through the Company.
The Company's agreements with Columbia TriStar Television, the
producer of WHEEL OF FORTUNE and JEOPARDY!, provide that King World will be
the exclusive distributor for each such series so long as the Company has
obtained sufficient broadcast commitments to cover the production and
distribution costs of that series and that the Company may not, unless
otherwise agreed by Columbia TriStar Television, distribute other game
shows for first-run strip syndication so long as the Company is distribut-
ing WHEEL OF FORTUNE or JEOPARDY!
The Company has entered into an agreement with Full Moon & High
Tide Productions, Inc., a company controlled by Roseanne, to co-produce THE
ROSEANNE SHOW, an hour-long strip talk show hosted by Roseanne and distrib-
uted by the Company in first-run syndication. The series is scheduled to
premiere in the Fall of 1998. Under the terms of the agreement, the
Company will have the exclusive right to distribute the show through the
2003-2004 broadcast season. As of December 29, 1997, the series had been
licensed for the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 broadcast seasons to television
stations covering over 80% of the total domestic television viewing house-
holds.<PAGE>
<PAGE 10>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1) Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
The Company has also entered into an agreement with Columbia
TriStar Television to co-produce a new strip version of the game show
HOLLYWOOD SQUARES for distribution by the Company in first-run syndication.
This series is also scheduled to premiere in the Fall of 1998. As of
December 29, 1997, the series had been licensed for the 1998-1999, 1999-
2000 and 2000-2001 broadcast seasons to television stations covering over
70% of the total domestic television viewing households.
Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs
_____________________________________________________________
Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs
include primarily the producers' share of both cash license fees from the
sale of programming to television stations and revenues derived from the
sale of retained advertising time to advertisers with respect to program-
ming distributed by the Company; participation fees payable by the Company
to producers and talent; production and distribution costs for first-run
syndicated programming; and the direct operating costs of King World
Direct, the Company's direct response marketing subsidiary. That portion
of any recognized revenue that is to be paid to producers and owners of
programming is accrued as such revenues are earned. The share of revenues
payable by the Company to such producers and others is generally paid as
cash license fees and revenues derived from the sale of retained advertis-
ing time are received from television stations and advertisers.
Stockholders' equity
____________________
In the first quarter of fiscal 1998, the Company adopted State-
ment of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128, "Earnings per Share" ("SFAS
128"). SFAS 128 requires the presentation of "basic" earnings per share,
which excludes any common<PAGE>
<PAGE 11>
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
(1) Summary of significant accounting policies (continued)
stock equivalents and their related dilution, and "diluted" earnings per
share, which includes the potential dilution from all common stock equiva-
lents including options, warrants and convertible securities. Basic
earnings per share has been computed using the weighted average number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding of 36,683,000 and 37,354,000 for the
fiscal quarters ended November 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Diluted
earnings per share, which includes the dilutive effect of the assumed
exercise of vested and unvested stock options outstanding as of the end of
each period reported, has been computed using the weighted average number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding of 37,913,000 and 37,687,000 for the
fiscal quarters ended November 30, 1997 and 1996, respectively. Reported
earnings per share in prior periods has been restated to conform with the
provisions of SFAS 128.
(2) Producer advances
On January 2, 1996 the Company paid an advance of $65 million to
Harpo against Harpo's minimum participation payments for the 1997-1998
broadcast season. As of November 30, 1997, unrecouped advances related to
such season amounted to approximately $38.8 million. In addition, the
Company made advances to Harpo in the aggregate amount of $130 million
against Harpo's minimum participation payments for the 1998-1999 and 1999-
2000 broadcast seasons, none of which had been recouped as of November 30,
1997. Based on the license agreements in place for such broadcast seasons,
the Company believes that revenues from the series will be sufficient to
enable the Company to recoup the advances for such seasons. All of the
advances paid to Harpo are refundable to the Company by Harpo and Ms.
Winfrey if King World terminates its agreement with Harpo due to Harpo's
failure to deliver episodes of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW.
<PAGE>
<PAGE 12>
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Results of Operations and Financial Condition
_____________________________________________
The discussion herein contains certain forward-looking statements
covering the Company's objectives, planned or expected activities and
anticipated financial performance. These forward-looking statements may
generally be identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "be-
lieves", "plans", "should", "will", "may", "projects" (or variants of these
words or phrases), or similar language indicating the expression of an
opinion or view concerning the future with respect to the Company's
financial position, results of operations, prospects or business. The
Company's actual results may differ significantly from the results de-
scribed in or suggested by such forward-looking statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Comparison of Three Months Ended November 30, 1997 and 1996
Revenues
________
Revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 1998 increased by
approximately 5% compared to the first quarter of the prior year, primarily
due to increased revenues from the sale of retained advertising time on,
and to increased cash license fees from, THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, WHEEL OF
FORTUNE and JEOPARDY!
THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, WHEEL OF FORTUNE, JEOPARDY! and INSIDE
EDITION accounted for approximately 43%, 21%, 17% and 7% respectively, of
the Company's revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 1998 compared to
41%, 20%, 17% and 8%, respectively, for the first quarter of fiscal 1997.
AMERICAN JOURNAL, another first-run syndicated newsmagazine produced and
distributed by the Company, accounted for approximately 4% of the Company's
revenues for the first quarter of fiscal 1998 and fiscal 1997 and ROLONDA
accounted for approximately 1% of the Company's revenues for the first
quarter of fiscal 1997. (ROLONDA was discontinued after the 1996-1997
broadcast season.)
Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs
_____________________________________________________________
Under the terms of its agreement with Harpo, following the 1996-
1997 season, the profit sharing arrangements between Harpo and the Company
previously in effect were terminated and, in the 1997-1998 season and
thereafter, the Company instead receives distribution fees based on a per-
centage of gross revenues derived from the series. These arrangements are
less favorable to the Company than those contained in prior agreements<PAGE>
<PAGE 13>
between the Company and Harpo. As a result of these changes, the contribu-
tion of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW to the Company's net profits and cash flow
can be expected to decline.
Producers' fees, programming and other direct operating costs
increased by approximately 9% in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 compared
to the first quarter of fiscal 1997. The increase was primarily due to the
greater portion of revenues payable to Harpo, as discussed above, as well
as the increase in revenues generated by THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, WHEEL OF
FORTUNE and JEOPARDY! (a portion of which is payable to the producer of
each such series). These effects were partially offset by a decrease in
production costs due to the discontinuation of ROLONDA.
Selling, general and administrative expenses
____________________________________________
The Company has entered into employment agreements with its
Chairman of the Board, its Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and
certain other executive officers. Such agreements provide, among other
things, for performance-based bonuses, including bonuses payable upon the
introduction of new shows and bonuses which vary depending on the Company's
net income and Common Stock price during preestablished measurement
periods. As a result, the Company's compensation expense will increase if
the Company introduces a new series in syndication, if the Company's net
income increases or if the Company's Common Stock price exceeds the speci-
fied levels during the applicable measurement periods. The Company has
recognized the impact of certain of these bonuses in its operating results
for the first quarter of fiscal 1998, which include all amounts payable in
accordance with the terms of such employment agreements.
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first
quarter of fiscal 1998 increased by approximately 9% from the comparable
period of fiscal 1997. Such increase was primarily due to the increased
cost of programming under development, including THE ROSEANNE SHOW and
HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, two new series that are scheduled to premiere in the
Fall of 1998, and greater costs incurred in connection with sales of these
and other programs distributed by the Company.
Net income and earnings per share
_________________________________
Due to the factors discussed above, the Company's operating
income for the three months ended November 30, 1997 decreased by approxi-
mately 3% compared to the corresponding period of the prior year. Net
income decreased by approximately $600,000, or 2%, as a result of the
decrease in operating income, which was partially offset by a lower
effective tax rate. Basic earnings per share was $.94 per share in the
first quarter of fiscal 1998, which was equal to basic earnings per share
<PAGE 14>
in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 due to the decrease in the number of
shares of Common Stock outstanding resulting from the Company's stock
repurchase program. Diluted earnings per share decreased by 2% from $.93
per share in the first quarter of fiscal 1997 to $.91 per share in the
first quarter of fiscal 1998, due primarily to a higher average Common
Stock price in the first quarter of fiscal 1998 (which resulted in a
greater dilutive effect of outstanding stock options under the method used
by the Company to calculate diluted earnings per share).
The Company's results of operations are highly dependent upon the
viewing preferences of television audiences and the Company's ability to
acquire distribution rights to, or itself produce, television programming
that achieves broad and enduring audience acceptance. The success of the
Company's programming could be significantly affected by changes in viewer
preferences or the unavailability of new programming or talent. Moreover,
the amount of revenue derived from the sale of retained advertising time is
dependent upon a large number of factors, such as household ratings, the
demographic composition of the viewing audience and economic conditions in
general and in the advertising business in particular.
Due to the success of the shows distributed by the Company and in
order to mitigate the influence of some of the factors referred to above,
the Company has been obtaining multi-year licenses and license renewals
from television stations for its principal distribution properties,
extending as far into the future as the 2001-2002 broadcast season. In
general, these licenses and renewals have been at rates as favorable or
more favorable to the Company than the rates applicable to the 1997-1998
broadcast season. All such licenses and renewals are contingent upon the
continued production of the series by their respective producers through
the broadcast seasons for which the licenses run.
The Company believes that the impact of inflation on its opera-
tions has not been significant.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The Company requires capital resources to fund development,
production and promotion costs of independently produced programming,
including, in some instances, advances to producers and talent, to produce
its own programs and to acquire distribution rights to new programming. In
acquiring distribution rights from independent producers, King World has
tried to avoid making significant capital commitments to such producers
until it has obtained broadcast commitments from a substantial number of
television stations. As a result of this strategy and the success of its
existing syndication properties, to date, King World has funded all
programming acquisition, development, production and promotion costs and
advances from its operations. The Company is currently funding the<PAGE>
<PAGE 15>
development and production costs of THE ROSEANNE SHOW and its new version
of HOLLYWOOD SQUARES.
The distribution of television programming is highly competitive
and the Company may be obliged to offer, among other things, guarantees and
cash advances to acquire, renew or extend distribution rights. Under the
terms of the Company's agreement with Harpo, the Company has the exclusive
right, and has agreed, to distribute episodes of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW
produced through the 1999-2000 television season. Pursuant to such
agreement, Harpo and Ms. Winfrey have also committed to produce and host
the show through the 1999-2000 broadcast season.
After the 1999-2000 television season, King World's right to
distribute THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, if not renewed, will terminate. For
several years, the Company has been, and is now, in the process of devel-
oping new television shows for syndication that it hopes will gain wide-
spread audience appeal and generate significant revenues and income for the
Company. Two such shows, THE ROSEANNE SHOW and a new version of the game
show HOLLYWOOD SQUARES, are scheduled to premiere in the 1998-1999 televi-
sion season. Although the Company hopes to renew its distribution arrange-
ments with Harpo for television seasons following the 1999-2000 season,
there can be no assurance that (a) Harpo and Ms. Winfrey will continue to
produce and host the show beyond that season; (b) even if they do continue
to produce and host the show beyond that season, that the Company will be
able to obtain the distribution rights for any such future season on terms
favorable to the Company; or (c) that the revenues generated by these or
any other new shows will be sufficient to offset the loss of revenues and
income that would result if such future distribution rights are not so
obtained. The failure to renew such distribution rights on favorable
terms, coupled with the failure of either or both of such new shows to gain
widespread audience appeal, could be expected to have a material adverse
effect on the Company's results of operations and financial condition after
the 1999-2000 television season.
On January 2, 1996 the Company paid an advance of $65 million to
Harpo against Harpo's minimum participation payments for the 1997-1998
broadcast season. As of November 30, 1997, unrecouped advances related to
such season amounted to approximately $38.8 million. In addition, the
Company made advances to Harpo in the aggregate amount of $130 million
against Harpo's minimum participation payments for the 1998-1999 and 1999-
2000 broadcast seasons, none of which had been recouped as of November 30,
1997. Based on the license agreements in place for such broadcast seasons,
the Company believes that revenues from the series will be sufficient to
enable the Company to recoup the advances for such seasons. All of the
advances paid to Harpo are refundable to the Company by Harpo and Ms.
Winfrey if King World terminates its agreement with Harpo due to Harpo's
failure to deliver episodes of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW.<PAGE>
<PAGE 16>
The Company has used its cash reserves to make acquisitions of
and investments in broadcast and related properties in the entertainment
field, to repurchase shares of its Common Stock and to fund the cost of
development, production and promotion of new programming. The Company
continues to evaluate opportunities in these areas, and may seek to raise
capital in public or private securities markets to finance such activities
if it considers it advantageous to do so. A division of the Company, King
World Ventures, has primary responsibility for the Company's investment and
acquisition program, including analysis of new business opportunities.
On April 15, 1997, the Company announced that the Board of
Directors had approved a program to repurchase up to 5,000,000 shares of
its Common Stock from time to time in the open market and in privately
negotiated transactions. Through December 29, 1997, 971,000 shares of
Common Stock were repurchased in open market transactions for aggregate
consideration of approximately $36.2 million or approximately $37.20 per
share. The Company intends to continue to repurchase shares of Common
Stock in the open market and in privately negotiated transactions if and
when it deems it advantageous to do so. Purchases under the share repur-
chase program will be financed out of the Company's available cash and
liquid investments.
On May 16, 1997, a special dividend distribution of $2.00 per
share was paid to stockholders of record on April 25, 1997. The Company
used approximately $74.8 million of its cash and liquid investments to pay
the special dividend. The Company has no present plan to declare addition-
al cash dividends in the foreseeable future.
The Company's Board of Directors has declared a two-for-one stock
split of the Company's Common Stock, to be effected as a 100% stock
dividend, subject to the approval by stockholders of an amendment to the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation increasing the number of
shares of authorized Common Stock. The amendment will be voted on at the
Company's 1998 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is scheduled to be
held on January 19, 1998 at 11:30 a.m. local time.
PART II - OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Changes in Securities and Use of Proceeds
_________________________________________
On September 15, 1997, in connection with the renewal of THE
OPRAH WINFREY SHOW for the 1998-1999 and 1999-2000 broadcast seasons, the
Company issued stock options to Oprah Winfrey and Jeffrey D. Jacobs to
purchase an aggregate 500,000 shares of Common Stock at a price of $39 5/16
per share. Such stock options are currently exercisable, have a term of
ten years and are entitled to the benefits of registration rights as set
forth in the stock option agreements relating thereto.<PAGE>
<PAGE 17>
On November 26, 1997 the Company issued a total of 100,000 shares
of Common Stock to Ms. Winfrey and Mr. Jacobs in connection with the
exercise of stock options granted to them pursuant to stock option agree-
ments dated as of January 25, 1991 between the Company and each of Ms.
Winfrey and Mr. Jacobs. The exercise price of such options was $25.50 per
share.
The foregoing issuances of securities were exempt from registra-
tion under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, by reason of Section
4(2) thereof.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
________________________________
(a) Exhibits. None.
(b)Reports on Form 8-K.
On September 15, 1997, the Company filed a current report on Form
8-K announcing the renewal of THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW for the 1998-1999 and
1999-2000 broadcast seasons.
On September 17, 1997, the Company filed a current report on Form
8-K announcing the settlement of its litigation with Sony Pictures Enter-
tainment over the production and distribution of a new version of the game
show HOLLYWOOD SQUARES.
<PAGE>
<PAGE 18>
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
KING WORLD PRODUCTIONS, INC.
By: /s/ Steven A. LoCascio
___________________________________
Steven A. LoCascio
As Interim Chief Financial Officer
and on behalf of the Registrant
April 18, 1997
WARNING: THE EDGAR SYSTEM ENCOUNTERED ERROR(S) WHILE PROCESSING THIS SCHEDULE.
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<LEGEND>
EXHIBIT 27.1
FINANCIAL DATA SCHEDULE
COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL COMPANIES
ARTICLE 5 OF REGULATION S-X
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted
from the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Consolidated Balance
Sheets of King World Productions, Inc. and its Subsidiaries and is quali-
fied in its entirety by reference to such financial statements.
<S> <C>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<CURRENCY> U.S. DOLLARS
<PERIOD-TYPE> 1st QUARTER
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> AUG-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> SEP-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> NOV-30-1997
<EXCHANGE-RATE> 1
<CASH> $192,158
<SECURITIES> $0
<RECEIVABLES> $76,282
<ALLOWANCES> $4,101
<INVENTORY> $0
<CURRENT ASSETS> $544,046
<PP&E> $23,696
<DEPRECIATION> $12,121
<TOTAL-ASSETS> $934,450
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> $111,657
<BONDS> $0
<COMMON> $512
$0
$0
<OTHER-SE> $822,793
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> $934,450
<SALES> $0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> $172,926
<CGS> $0
<TOTAL-COSTS> $107,235
<OTHER-EXPENSES> $20,041
<LOSS-PROVISION> $0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> $0
<INCOME-PRETAX> $52,544
<INCOME-TAX> $18,175
<INCOME-CONTINUING> $34,369
<DISCONTINUED> $0
<EXTRAORDINARY> $0
<CHANGES> $0
<NET-INCOME> $34,369
<EPS-PRIMARY> $0.94
<EPS-DILUTED> $0.91
</TABLE>
