CARLSBAD, Calif., Aug. 2, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- NTN Buzztime, Inc. (NYSE American: NTN) reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

• Recorded GAAP net loss of $164,000 in Q2 2017, a $686,000 improvement compared to Q2 2016 
• Reported positive EBITDA for fifth consecutive quarter
• Regained NYSE American listing compliance
• Signed Licensing Agreement with Scientific Games

"In the second quarter of 2017, we grew revenue, increased deferred revenue, and posted our fifth consecutive quarter of positive EBITDA while we furthered our strategic initiatives," said Ram Krishnan, NTN Buzztime CEO. "Regarding our deployment of order and payment at Buffalo Wild Wings, we have begun ordering equipment and delivering integrations. And, for these efforts, we received a prepayment for equipment and services that is reflected in our second quarter results. In addition, we launched a new vertical, by partnering with Scientific Games, a leading player in the casino industry. We are leveraging our trivia content to create a bonusing game that lives on slot machines. We continue to make progress with our plans to unveil our next gen tablet with NFC capabilities that will enable Apple Pay, Android Pay and Samsung Pay in the fourth quarter. With steady execution and ongoing innovation, we believe we will drive long-term shareholder value."

Financial Results for the Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2017
Total revenues were $5.5 million for the second quarter of 2017, up from $5.4 million for the second quarter of 2016 and up from $5.2 million for the first quarter of 2017. The increase reflects higher other revenue that was partially offset by reduced subscription revenue due to lower site count. Direct costs were $1.6 million, down from $1.8 million for the same period in 2016 due to the lower sales-type lease revenues as well as reduced depreciation expense. Gross margin increased to 71%, from 66% in the prior year quarter. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $3.9 million, compared to $4.2 million for the same period in 2016. Net loss was $164,000, or $0.07 per share, compared to a net loss of $850,000, or $0.46 per share, for the second quarter of 2016.  EBITDA increased to $516,000, from $38,000 in the same period last year.   

EBITDA is defined as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization and is not intended to represent a measure of performance in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP).  Although EBITDA is positive for the second quarter of 2017, EBITDA may not be positive in future quarters. A detailed description and reconciliation of EBITDA and management's reasons for using this measure is set forth at the end of this press release.

Financial Results for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2017
Total revenues were $10.8 million, compared to $10.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2016. Gross margin increased to 68%, up from 64% for the prior year period. Net loss, including $750,000 of non-recurring other income recorded in the first quarter, was $254,000, or $0.11 per share, compared to a net loss of $1.9 million, or $1.03 per share, for the prior year period.  EBITDA for the first six months of 2017 grew to $1.2 million, up from an EBITDA loss of $100,000 for the prior year period.   

Metric Review for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2017
The site count was 2,768 venues at June 30, 2017, compared to 2,788 as of March 31, 2017. Management anticipates the net site count will continue to fluctuate. As of June 30, 2017, BEOND platform installations increased to 2,125 venues, or 77% of the installed base, compared to 2,057 venues, or 74% of the installed base, as of March 31, 2017.

Liquidity
Cash and cash equivalents were $6.8 million at June 30, 2017, compared to $6.1 million at March 31, 2017 and $5.7 million at December 31, 2016 and total deferred revenue was $3.9 million, up from $1.3 million at December 31, 2016. Working capital as of June 30, 2017 was $577,000, compared to $1.1 million at March 31, 2017 and $4.0 million as of December 31, 2016.  The changes reflect the outstanding revolver with the primary lender becoming current as well as the deferred revenue related to a prepayment for equipment and services.

In May, NYSE Regulations Inc. notified NTN Buzztime that it had regained compliance with the NYSE American continued listing standards related to shareholders' equity with which it was previously not compliant.

Conference Call
Management will review the results on a conference call with a live question and answer session today, August 2, 2017, at 4:30 p.m. ET. To access the call, please use passcode 56984477:

• (877) 307-1373 for the live call and (855) 859-2056 for the replay, if calling from the United States or Canada; or
• (678) 224-7873 for the live call and (404) 537-3406 for the replay, if calling internationally.

The call will also be accompanied live by webcast over the Internet and accessible at the company's website at http://www.buzztime.com.  The replay of the call will be available until August 9, 2017.

Forward-looking Statements
This release contains forward-looking statements which reflect management's current views of future events and operations.  These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include statements about our growth plans, the expansion of our partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings, delivery of order and payment technology, diversification of revenue streams and the value of our product to our customers and their guests.  Please see NTN Buzztime, Inc.'s recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for information about these and other risks that may affect the Company. All forward-looking statements included in this release are based on information available to us on the date hereof. These statements speak only as of the date hereof and NTN Buzztime, Inc. does not undertake to publicly update or revise any of its forward-looking statements, even if experience or future changes show that the indicated results or events will not be realized.

About Buzztime
Buzztime (NYSE American: NTN) delivers interactive entertainment and innovative dining technology to bars and restaurants in North America. Venues license Buzztime's customizable solution to differentiate themselves via competitive fun by offering guests trivia, card, sports and arcade games, nationwide competitions, personalized menus and self-service dining features. Buzztime's platform improves operating efficiencies, creates connections among the players and venues, and amplifies guests' positive experiences. Founded in 1984, Buzztime has accumulated over 9 million player registrations and over 136 million games were played in 2016 alone. For more information, please visit http://www.buzztime.com or follow us on Facebook or Twitter @buzztime.

IR AGENCY CONTACT: Kirsten Chapman/Becky Herrick, LHA Investor Relations, 415-433-3777, [email protected]

Non-GAAP Information

A schedule reconciling the Company's consolidated net loss calculated in accordance with GAAP to EBITDA is included in the supplemental table below. The Company defines EBITDA as earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is not intended to represent a measure of performance in accordance with GAAP, nor should EBITDA be considered as an alternative to statements of cash flows as a measure of liquidity. EBITDA is included herein because the Company believes it is a measure of operating performance that financial analysts, lenders, investors and other interested parties find to be a useful tool for analyzing companies like Buzztime that carry significant levels of non-cash depreciation and amortization charges in comparison to their net income or loss calculation in accordance with GAAP.

The following table reconciles our net loss per GAAP (in thousands) to EBITDA:

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SOURCE NTN Buzztime, Inc.