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A service for global professionals · Friday, January 31, 2025 · 781,900,239 Articles · 3+ Million Readers

Rogers Communications Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Results; Announces 2025 Financial Guidance

/EIN News/ -- Rogers tops $20 billion in annual revenue in 2024 as more Canadians choose Rogers Wireless and Internet than any other carrier in Canada

  • Led all Canadian carriers with combined mobile phone and Internet net additions of 623,000 in 2024
  • Delivered service revenue growth of 7% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 12%; over $3 billion in free cash flow1 and $4 billion in capital expenditures in Canadian economy in 2024

Q4 caps our third straight year of delivering industry-leading financial and operating performance led by continued disciplined loading and efficiency gains

  • Wireless service revenue up 2% and adjusted EBITDA up 6%
    • Net postpaid and prepaid phone additions of 95,000
    • Margin up 250 basis points to 66%; blended ARPU stable at $58
    • Postpaid mobile phone churn of 1.53%, a 14 basis point improvement over last year
  • Cable revenue improves to slightly positive growth; adjusted EBITDA up 5%
    • Retail Internet net adds of 26,000, up 30%
    • Margin up 290 basis points to 59%
  • Media revenue up 10%
    • Adjusted EBITDA $53 million compared to $4 million last year
  • Consolidated total service revenue up 2%; adjusted EBITDA up 9%
    • Consolidated margin of 46%, up 250 basis points
    • Capital expenditures of $1 billion; free cash flow1 of $878 million, up 7%
    • Debt leverage ratio1 of 4.5x; work continues on prospective $7 billion structured equity investment

Rogers' network leadership continues

  • Substantially completed our 5G network build along the Highway of Tears in BC
  • Trialed cloud-based network technology as an additional layer of mobile network resilience with Nokia and AWS - a global first
  • Carried record amounts of mobile data at Taylor Swift concerts

Provides 2025 outlook; anticipates single-digit total service revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth, strong free cash flow, and continued network investments and expansion across all regions in Canada

  • Total service revenue growth of 0% to 3%; adjusted EBITDA growth of 0% to 3%; capital expenditures of $3.8 billion to $4.0 billion; and free cash flow of $3.0 billion to $3.2 billion

TORONTO, Jan. 30, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B; NYSE: RCI) today announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2024.

"The fourth quarter caps three straight years of industry-leading results," said Tony Staffieri, President and CEO. "I'm proud of our team and their disciplined execution in a very competitive market. As I look to the year ahead, our 2025 outlook reflects continued growth, strong free cash flow, and investment in our core businesses."

Consolidated Financial Highlights

(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts, unaudited)
Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
  2024   2023 % Chg     2024   2023 % Chg  
                 
Total revenue   5,481   5,335 3       20,604   19,308 7  
Total service revenue   4,543   4,470 2       18,066   16,845 7  
Adjusted EBITDA 1   2,533   2,329 9       9,617   8,581 12  
Net income   558   328 70       1,734   849 104  
Adjusted net income 1   794   630 26       2,719   2,406 13  
                 
Diluted earnings per share $1.02 $0.62 65     $3.20 $1.62 98  
Adjusted diluted earnings per share 1 $1.46 $1.19 23     $5.04 $4.59 10  
                 
Cash provided by operating activities   1,135   1,379 (18 )     5,680   5,221 9  
Free cash flow 1   878   823 7       3,045   2,414 26  

____________________
1 Adjusted EBITDA is a total of segments measure. Free cash flow and debt leverage ratio are capital management measures. Adjusted diluted earnings per share is a non-GAAP ratio. Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure and is a component of adjusted diluted earnings per share. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" for more information about each of these measures. These are not standardized financial measures under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies.

Quarterly Financial Highlights

Revenue
Total revenue and total service revenue increased by 3% and 2%, respectively, this quarter, driven by revenue growth in our Wireless and Media businesses and by stabilized revenue in our Cable business.

Wireless service revenue increased by 2% this quarter, primarily as a result of the cumulative impact of growth in our mobile phone subscriber base over the past year. Wireless equipment revenue increased by 9%, primarily as a result of an increase in subscribers purchasing higher-value devices.

Cable service revenue was stable this quarter, improving sequentially from the third quarter and from the prior year.

Media revenue increased by 10% this quarter, primarily as a result of higher sports- and entertainment-related revenue, but lower than expectations as previously announced.

Adjusted EBITDA and margins
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 9% this quarter, and our adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 250 basis points, primarily as a result of ongoing productivity and cost efficiencies.

Wireless adjusted EBITDA increased by 6%, primarily due to the flow-through impact of higher revenue as discussed above in conjunction with ongoing cost efficiencies. This gave rise to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 66%, up 250 basis points.

Cable adjusted EBITDA increased by 5% due to ongoing cost efficiencies. This gave rise to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 59%, up 290 basis points.

Media adjusted EBITDA increased by $49 million this quarter, primarily due to higher revenue as discussed above.

Net income and adjusted net income
Net income and adjusted net income increased by 70% and 26%, respectively, this quarter, primarily as a result of higher adjusted EBITDA.

Cash flow and available liquidity
This quarter, we generated cash provided by operating activities of $1,135 million (2023 - $1,379 million), which decreased as a result of a greater net investment in net operating assets and liabilities partially offset by higher adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow of $878 million (2023 - $823 million), which increased primarily as a result of higher adjusted EBITDA.

As at December 31, 2024, we had $4.8 billion of available liquidity2 (December 31, 2023 - $5.9 billion), including $0.9 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $3.5 billion available under our bank and other credit facilities.

Our debt leverage ratio as at December 31, 2024 was 4.5 (December 31, 2023 - 5.0, or 4.72 on an as adjusted basis to include trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA of a combined Rogers and Shaw as if the Shaw Transaction had closed on January 1, 2023). See "Financial Condition" for more information.

We also returned $267 million in dividends to shareholders this quarter and we declared a $0.50 per share dividend on January 29, 2025.

____________________
2 Available liquidity is a capital management measure. Pro forma debt leverage ratio is a non-GAAP ratio. Pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is a component of pro forma debt leverage ratio. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" for more information about these measures. These are not standardized financial measures under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. See "Financial Condition" for a reconciliation of available liquidity.

Strategic Highlights

The five objectives set out below guide our work and decision-making as we further improve our operational execution and make well-timed investments to grow our core businesses and deliver increased shareholder value. Below are some highlights for the year.

Build the biggest and best networks in the country

  • Awarded Canada's most reliable 5G network by umlaut for the sixth straight year and most reliable wireless network by Opensignal, both in July 2024.
  • Recognized as Canada's most reliable Internet by Opensignal in July 2024.
  • Completed Canada's first national live trial of 5G network slicing.
  • Started to deploy 3800 MHz spectrum licences, further expanding our 5G capabilities.
  • Delivered 4 Gbps download and 1 Gbps upload speeds with DOCSIS 4.0 modem technology trial.

Deliver easy to use, reliable products and services

  • Signed landmark deals with Warner Bros. Discovery and NBCUniversal to acquire the most-watched lifestyle and entertainment brands and content, subsequently launching Bravo in Canada and launched channels for HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, and others on January 1, 2025.
  • Announced a ten-year agreement with Comcast to bring their world-class Xfinity products and technology to Canadians, beginning with Rogers Xfinity Streaming and Rogers Xfinity Storm-Ready WiFi, Canada's first home Internet backup solution.
  • Introduced a program to help newcomers build credit and finance a new smartphone through a partnership with Nova Credit.
  • Launched Rogers 5G Home Internet across our wireless network coverage area.

Be the first choice for Canadians

  • Led the industry with 623,000 mobile phone and Internet net additions.
  • Signed an agreement with BCE Inc. (Bell) to become the majority owner of Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment (MLSE).
  • Produced and broadcast Canada's first Law & Order original series, premiering at #1 in the country and becoming Citytv’s most watched original series in over a decade.
  • Sportsnet was the most watched specialty channel in Canada.

Be a strong national company investing in Canada

  • Invested a record $4 billion in capital expenditures, primarily in our networks.
  • Became the first national carrier in Canada with net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions targets approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
  • Drove benefits to community organizations across Canada of over $100 million.
  • Raised a record $25 million to support children’s charities in Alberta at the 12th annual Rogers Charity Classic.
  • Released our 2023 Economic Impact Assessment showing Rogers supported 92,000 jobs and contributed $14 billion to Canada's GDP.

Be the growth leader in our industry

  • Grew total service revenue by 7% and adjusted EBITDA by 12%.
  • Reported industry-leading margins in our Wireless and Cable operations.
  • Generated free cash flow of $3,045 million, up 26%, and cash flow from operating activities of $5,680 million.

MLSE Transaction
On September 18, 2024, we announced an agreement with BCE Inc. (Bell) to acquire Bell's indirect 37.5% ownership stake in Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment Inc. (MLSE) for a purchase price of $4.7 billion subject to certain adjustments, payable in cash (MLSE Transaction). In December 2024, we received clearance from the Competition Bureau to proceed with the MLSE Transaction. We still require sports league approvals and approval from the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission before the MLSE Transaction can close. We expect financing for the MLSE Transaction will include private investors.

Update on prospective $7 billion structured equity investment
On October 24, 2024, we announced that we entered into a non-binding term sheet with a leading global financial investor for a proposed $7 billion structured equity investment, substantially all of the net proceeds of which are expected to be used to reduce debt and further strengthen our balance sheet. The equity investment, if completed, would result in the investor acquiring a minority stake in a subsidiary that will own a portion of our wireless backhaul transport infrastructure, with Rogers continuing to maintain operational control. We continue to consider, evaluate, and work on definitive agreements with respect to the proposed equity investment. Completion is subject to entering into binding definitive documentation with the investor.

2024 Guidance

The following table outlines guidance ranges we had previously provided and our actual results and achievements for the selected full-year 2024 financial metrics. On January 3, 2025, we issued a press release stating we expected annual total service revenue growth just over 7% driven by weakness in Media revenue during the fourth quarter. On a full-year basis, competitive intensity in Wireless and Cable impacted our full-year results relative to our 2024 guidance ranges.

  2023   2024   2024
   
(In millions of dollars, except percentages) Actual   Guidance Ranges   Actual   Achievement
Consolidated Guidance 1                    
Total service revenue 16,845   Increase of 8% to increase of 10%   18,066 7 %   X
Adjusted EBITDA 8,581   Increase of 12% to increase of 15%   9,617 12 %   *
Capital expenditures 2 3,934   3,800 to 4,000   4,041 n/m   **
Free cash flow 2,414   2,900 to 3,100   3,045 n/m   *


Missed X Achieved * Exceeded **

n/m - not meaningful
1 The table outlines guidance ranges for selected full-year 2024 consolidated financial metrics provided in our February 1, 2024 earnings release. Guidance ranges presented as percentages reflect percentage increases over full-year 2023 results.
2 Includes additions to property, plant and equipment net of proceeds on disposition, but does not include expenditures for spectrum licences, additions to right-of-use assets, or assets acquired through business combinations.

2025 Outlook

For the full-year 2025, we expect healthy total service revenue and adjusted EBITDA will drive sustained strong free cash flow. In 2025, we expect to have the financial flexibility to maintain our network advantages and to continue to return cash to shareholders.

  2024   2025
(In millions of dollars, except percentages; unaudited) Actual   Guidance Ranges 1
             
Consolidated Guidance            
Total service revenue 18,066   Increase of 0% to increase of 3%  
Adjusted EBITDA 9,617   Increase of 0% to increase of 3%  
Capital expenditures 2 4,041   3,800 to 4,000  
Free cash flow 3,045   3,000 to 3,200  

1 Guidance ranges presented as percentages reflect percentage increases over full-year 2024 results.
2 Includes additions to property, plant and equipment net of proceeds on disposition, but does not include expenditures for spectrum licences, additions to right-of-use assets, or assets acquired through business combinations.

The above table outlines guidance ranges for selected full-year 2025 consolidated financial metrics without giving effect to the MLSE Transaction (see "MLSE Transaction"), any associated financing, or any other associated transactions or expenses. These ranges take into consideration our current outlook and our 2024 results. The purpose of the financial outlook is to assist investors, shareholders, and others in understanding certain financial metrics relating to expected 2025 financial results for evaluating the performance of our business. This information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Information about our guidance, including the various assumptions underlying it, is forward-looking and should be read in conjunction with "About Forward-Looking Information" (including the material assumptions listed under the heading "Key assumptions underlying our full-year 2025 guidance") and the related disclosure and information about various economic, competitive, and regulatory assumptions, factors, and risks that may cause our actual future financial and operating results to differ from what we currently expect.

We provide annual guidance ranges on a consolidated full-year basis that are consistent with annual full-year Board of Directors-approved plans. Any updates to our full-year financial guidance over the course of the year would only be made to the consolidated guidance ranges that appear above.

About Rogers

Rogers is Canada's communications and entertainment company and its shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

Investment Community Contact Media Contact
Paul Carpino
647.435.6470
paul.carpino@rci.rogers.com
Sarah Schmidt
647.643.6397
sarah.schmidt@rci.rogers.com
   

Quarterly Investment Community Teleconference

Our fourth quarter 2024 results teleconference with the investment community will be held on:

  • January 30, 2025
  • 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time
  • webcast available at investors.rogers.com
  • media are welcome to participate on a listen-only basis

A rebroadcast will be available at investors.rogers.com for at least two weeks following the teleconference. Additionally, investors should note that from time to time, Rogers' management presents at brokerage-sponsored investor conferences. Most often, but not always, these conferences are webcast by the hosting brokerage firm, and when they are webcast, links are made available on Rogers' website at investors.rogers.com.

For More Information

You can find more information relating to us on our website (investors.rogers.com), on SEDAR+ (sedarplus.ca), and on EDGAR (sec.gov), or you can e-mail us at investor.relations@rci.rogers.com. Information on or connected to these and any other websites referenced in this earnings release is not part of, or incorporated into, this earnings release.

You can also go to investors.rogers.com for information about our governance practices, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, a glossary of communications and media industry terms, and additional information about our business.

About this Earnings Release

This earnings release contains important information about our business and our performance for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, as well as forward-looking information (see "About Forward-Looking Information") about future periods. This earnings release should be used as preparation for reading our forthcoming Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A) and Audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2024, which we intend to file with securities regulators in Canada and the US in the coming weeks. These documents will be made available at investors.rogers.com, sedarplus.ca, and sec.gov or mailed upon request.

The financial information contained in this earnings release is prepared using International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. This earnings release should be read in conjunction with our 2023 Annual MD&A, our 2023 Audited Consolidated Financial Statements, our 2024 First, Second, and Third Quarter MD&A and Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, and our other recent filings with Canadian and US securities regulatory authorities, which are available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca or EDGAR at sec.gov, respectively.

References in this earnings release to the Shaw Transaction are to our acquisition of Shaw Communications Inc. (Shaw) on April 3, 2023. For additional details regarding the Shaw Transaction, see "Shaw Transaction" in our 2023 Annual MD&A and our 2023 Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements.

We, us, our, Rogers, Rogers Communications, and the Company refer to Rogers Communications Inc. and its subsidiaries. RCI refers to the legal entity Rogers Communications Inc., not including its subsidiaries. Rogers also holds interests in various investments and ventures.

All dollar amounts are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise stated and are unaudited. All percentage changes are calculated using the rounded numbers as they appear in the tables. Information is current as at January 29, 2025 and was approved by RCI's Board of Directors (the Board).

We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).

In this earnings release, this quarter, the quarter, or fourth quarter refer to the three months ended December 31, 2024, first quarter refers to the three months ended March 31, 2024, second quarter refers to the three months ended June 30, 2024, third quarter refers to the three months ended September 30, 2024 and year to date or full year refer to the twelve months ended December 31, 2024. All results commentary is compared to the equivalent period in 2023 or as at December 31, 2023, as applicable, unless otherwise indicated.

Trademarks in this earnings release are owned or used under licence by Rogers Communications Inc. or an affiliate. This earnings release may also include trademarks of other parties. The trademarks referred to in this earnings release may be listed without the ™ symbols. ©2025 Rogers Communications

Reportable segments
We report our results of operations in three reportable segments. Each segment and the nature of its business is as follows:

Segment Principal activities
Wireless Wireless telecommunications operations for Canadian consumers and businesses.
Cable Cable telecommunications operations, including Internet, television and other video (Video), Satellite, telephony (Home Phone), and home monitoring services for Canadian consumers and businesses, and network connectivity through our fibre network and data centre assets to support a range of voice, data, networking, hosting, and cloud-based services for the business, public sector, and carrier wholesale markets.
Media A diversified portfolio of media properties, including sports media and entertainment, television and radio broadcasting, specialty channels, multi-platform shopping, and digital media.


Wireless and Cable are operated by our wholly owned subsidiary, Rogers Communications Canada Inc. (RCCI), and certain of our other wholly owned subsidiaries. Media is operated by our wholly owned subsidiary, Rogers Media Inc., and its subsidiaries.

Summary of Consolidated Financial Results

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except margins and per share amounts)   2024     2023   % Chg     2024     2023   % Chg  
                 
Revenue                
Wireless   2,981     2,868   4       10,595     10,222   4  
Cable   1,983     1,982         7,876     7,005   12  
Media   616     558   10       2,484     2,335   6  
Corporate items and intercompany eliminations   (99 )   (73 ) 36       (351 )   (254 ) 38  
Revenue   5,481     5,335   3       20,604     19,308   7  
Total service revenue 1   4,543     4,470   2       18,066     16,845   7  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA                
Wireless   1,367     1,291   6       5,312     4,986   7  
Cable   1,169     1,111   5       4,518     3,774   20  
Media   53     4   n/m     84     77   9  
Corporate items and intercompany eliminations   (56 )   (77 ) (27 )     (297 )   (256 ) 16  
Adjusted EBITDA   2,533     2,329   9       9,617     8,581   12  
Adjusted EBITDA margin 2   46.2 %   43.7 % 2.5 pts     46.7 %   44.4 % 2.3 pts  
                 
Net income   558     328   70       1,734     849   104  
Basic earnings per share $1.04   $0.62   68     $3.25   $1.62   101  
Diluted earnings per share $1.02   $0.62   65     $3.20   $1.62   98  
                 
Adjusted net income 2   794     630   26       2,719     2,406   13  
Adjusted basic earnings per share 2 $1.48   $1.19   24     $5.09   $4.60   11  
Adjusted diluted earnings per share $1.46   $1.19   23     $5.04   $4.59   10  
                 
Capital expenditures   1,007     946   6       4,041     3,934   3  
Cash provided by operating activities   1,135     1,379   (18 )     5,680     5,221   9  
Free cash flow   878     823   7       3,045     2,414   26  

1 As defined. See "Key Performance Indicators".
2 Adjusted EBITDA margin is a supplementary financial measure. Adjusted basic earnings per share is a non-GAAP ratio. Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure and is a component of adjusted basic earnings per share. These are not standardized financial measures under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" for more information about these measures.

Results of our Reportable Segments

WIRELESS

Wireless Financial Results

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except margins) 2024   2023   % Chg   2024   2023   % Chg  
               
Revenue              
Service revenue 2,058   2,020   2     8,108   7,802   4  
Equipment revenue 923   848   9     2,487   2,420   3  
Revenue 2,981   2,868   4     10,595   10,222   4  
               
Operating costs              
Cost of equipment 913   846   8     2,489   2,396   4  
Other operating costs 701   731   (4 )   2,794   2,840   (2 )
Operating costs 1,614   1,577   2     5,283   5,236   1  
               
Adjusted EBITDA 1,367   1,291   6     5,312   4,986   7  
               
Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 66.4 % 63.9 % 2.5 pts   65.5 % 63.9 % 1.6 pts
Capital expenditures 446   334   34     1,596   1,625   (2 )

1 Calculated using service revenue.

Wireless Subscriber Results 1

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In thousands, except churn and mobile phone ARPU)   2024     2023   Chg     2024     2023     Chg  
               
Postpaid mobile phone 2              
Gross additions   561     703     (142 )     1,914     2,007     (93 )
Net additions   69     184     (115 )     380     674     (294 )
Total postpaid mobile phone subscribers 3   10,768     10,498     270       10,768     10,498     270  
Churn (monthly)   1.53 %   1.67 % (0.14 pts)     1.21 %   1.11 % 0.10 pts
Prepaid mobile phone 4,5              
Gross additions   117     156     (39 )     534     867     (333 )
Net additions (losses)   26     (73 )   99       132     (50 )   182  
Total prepaid mobile phone subscribers 3   1,106     1,111     (5 )     1,106     1,111     (5 )
Churn (monthly)   2.80 %   6.20 % (3.40 pts)     3.17 %   6.12 % (2.95 pts)
Mobile phone ARPU (monthly) 6 $        58.04   $        57.96   $        0.08     $        57.98   $        57.86   $        0.12  

1 Subscriber counts and subscriber churn are key performance indicators. See "Key Performance Indicators".
2 Effective January 1, 2024, and on a prospective basis, we adjusted our postpaid mobile phone subscriber base to remove 110,000 Cityfone subscribers as we stopped selling new plans for this service as of that date. Given this, we believe this adjustment more meaningfully reflects the underlying organic subscriber performance of our postpaid mobile phone business.
3 As at end of period.
4 Effective January 1, 2024, and on a prospective basis, we adjusted our prepaid mobile phone subscriber base to remove 56,000 Fido prepaid subscribers as we stopped selling new plans for this service as of that date. Given this, we believe this adjustment more meaningfully reflects the underlying organic subscriber performance of our prepaid mobile phone business.
5 Effective October 1, 2024, and on a prospective basis, we adjusted our prepaid mobile phone subscriber base to remove 81,000 Rogers prepaid subscribers as we stopped selling new plans for this service as of that date. Given this, we believe this adjustment more meaningfully reflects the underlying organic subscriber performance of our prepaid mobile phone business.
6 Mobile phone ARPU is a supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" for an explanation as to the composition of this measure.

Service revenue
The 2% increase in service revenue this quarter was primarily a result of the cumulative impact of growth in our mobile phone subscriber base over the past year, including our evolving mobile phone plans that increasingly bundle more services in the monthly service fee.

Mobile phone ARPU remained stable this quarter.

The decrease in gross and net additions this quarter was a result of a less active market, slowing population growth as a result of changes to government immigration policies, and our focus on attracting subscribers to our premium 5G Rogers brand.

Equipment revenue
The 9% increase in equipment revenue this quarter was primarily a result of:

  • an increase in new subscribers purchasing devices; and
  • a continued shift in the product mix towards higher-value devices; partially offset by
  • lower device upgrades by existing customers.

Operating costs
Cost of equipment
The 8% increase in the cost of equipment this quarter was a result of the equipment revenue changes discussed above.

Other operating costs
The 4% decrease in other operating costs this quarter was primarily a result of lower costs associated with productivity and efficiency initiatives.

Adjusted EBITDA
The 6% increase in adjusted EBITDA this quarter was a result of the revenue and expense changes discussed above.

CABLE

Cable Financial Results

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except margins) 2024   2023   % Chg   2024   2023   % Chg  
                 
Revenue                
Service revenue 1,968   1,965       7,825   6,962   12  
Equipment revenue 15   17   (12 )   51   43   19  
Revenue 1,983   1,982       7,876   7,005   12  
                 
Operating costs 814   871   (7 )   3,358   3,231   4  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA 1,169   1,111   5     4,518   3,774   20  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 59.0 % 56.1 % 2.9 pts   57.4 % 53.9 % 3.5 pts  
Capital expenditures 439   448   (2 )   1,939   1,865   4  


Cable Subscriber Results
1

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In thousands, except ARPA and penetration)   2024     2023   Chg     2024     2023     Chg  
               
Homes passed 2   10,205     9,943     262       10,205     9,943     262  
Customer relationships              
Net additions (losses)   14     (1 )   15       47     (2 )   49  
Total customer relationships 2   4,683     4,636     47       4,683     4,636     47  
ARPA (monthly) 3 $140.31   $141.96   ($1.65 )   $140.12   $142.58   ($2.46 )
               
Penetration 2   45.9 %   46.6 % (0.7 pts)     45.9 %   46.6 % (0.7 pts)
               
Retail Internet              
Net additions   26     20     6       111     77     34  
Total retail Internet subscribers 2   4,273     4,162     111       4,273     4,162     111  
Video              
Net (losses) additions   (35 )   (12 )   (23 )     (134 )   15     (149 )
Total Video subscribers 2   2,617     2,751     (134 )     2,617     2,751     (134 )
Home Monitoring              
Net additions (losses)   13     (1 )   14       44     (12 )   56  
Total Home Monitoring subscribers 2   133     89     44       133     89     44  
Home Phone              
Net losses   (27 )   (38 )   11       (122 )   (116 )   (6 )
Total Home Phone subscribers 2   1,507     1,629     (122 )     1,507     1,629     (122 )

1 Subscriber results are key performance indicators. See "Key Performance Indicators".
2 As at end of period.
3 ARPA is a supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" for an explanation as to the composition of this measure.

Service revenue
Service revenue was stable this quarter as a result of service pricing changes offset by declines in our Home Phone, Video, and Satellite subscriber bases.

The lower ARPA this quarter was primarily a result of competitive promotional activity.

Operating costs
The 7% decrease in operating costs this quarter was a result of ongoing cost efficiency initiatives.

Adjusted EBITDA
The 5% increase in adjusted EBITDA this quarter was a result of the service revenue and expense changes discussed above.

MEDIA

Media Financial Results

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except margins) 2024   2023   % Chg   2024   2023   % Chg  
                 
Revenue 616   558   10     2,484   2,335   6  
Operating costs 563   554   2     2,400   2,258   6  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA 53   4   n/m     84   77   9  
                 
Adjusted EBITDA margin 8.6 % 0.7 % 7.9 pts   3.4 % 3.3 % 0.1 pts  
Capital expenditures 58   113   (49 )   263   250   5  


Revenue
The 10% increase in revenue this quarter was a result of:

  • higher sports- and entertainment-related revenue, driven by higher subscriber and other revenue, including from the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concerts hosted at Rogers Centre; partially offset by
  • lower Today's Shopping Choice revenue.

Operating costs
The 2% increase in operating costs this quarter was a result of:

  • higher programming and production costs; partially offset by
  • lower Today's Shopping Choice costs in line with lower revenue.

Adjusted EBITDA
The increase in adjusted EBITDA this quarter was a result of the revenue and expense changes discussed above.

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except capital intensity) 2024   2023   % Chg   2024   2023   % Chg  
               
Wireless 446   334   34     1,596   1,625   (2 )
Cable 439   448   (2 )   1,939   1,865   4  
Media 58   113   (49 )   263   250   5  
Corporate 64   51   25     243   194   25  
               
Capital expenditures 1 1,007   946   6     4,041   3,934   3  
               
Capital intensity 2 18.4 % 17.7 % 0.7 pts   19.6 % 20.4 % (0.8 pts)

1 Includes additions to property, plant and equipment net of proceeds on disposition, but does not include expenditures for spectrum licences, additions to right-of-use assets, or assets acquired through business combinations.
2 Capital intensity is a supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" for an explanation as to the composition of this measure.

One of our objectives is to build the biggest and best networks in the country. As we continually work towards this, we once again spent more on our wireless and wireline networks this year than we have in the past several years. We continue to expand the reach and capacity of our 5G network (the largest 5G network in Canada as at December 31, 2024) across the country. We also continue to invest in fibre deployments, including fibre-to-the-home (FTTH), in our cable network and we are expanding our network footprint to reach more homes and businesses, including in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

These investments will strengthen network resilience and stability and will help us bridge the digital divide by expanding our network further into rural and underserved areas through participation in various programs and projects.

Wireless
The increase in capital expenditures in Wireless this quarter was a result of investments made to upgrade and expand our wireless network. We continue to make investments in our network development and 5G deployment to expand our wireless network. The ongoing deployment of 3500 MHz spectrum and the commencement of 3800 MHz spectrum deployment continue to augment the capacity and resilience of our earlier 5G deployments in the 600 MHz spectrum band.

Cable
Capital expenditures in Cable this quarter were in line with last year. Capital expenditures reflect continued investments in our infrastructure, including additional fibre deployments to increase our FTTH distribution. These investments incorporate the latest technologies to help deliver more bandwidth and an enhanced customer experience as we progress in our connected home roadmap, including service footprint expansion and upgrades to our DOCSIS 3.1 platform to evolve to DOCSIS 4.0, offering increased network resilience, stability, and faster download speeds over time.

Media
The decrease in capital expenditures in Media this quarter was primarily a result of lower stadium infrastructure expenditures associated with the multi-year Rogers Centre modernization project that was completed earlier this year.

Capital intensity
Capital intensity increased this quarter as a result of the revenue and capital expenditure changes discussed above.

Review of Consolidated Performance
This section discusses our consolidated net income and other income and expenses that do not form part of the segment discussions above.

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars) 2024   2023   % Chg   2024   2023 % Chg  
               
Adjusted EBITDA 2,533   2,329   9     9,617   8,581 12  
Deduct (add):              
Depreciation and amortization 1,174   1,172       4,616   4,121 12  
Restructuring, acquisition and other 83   86   (3 )   406   685 (41 )
Finance costs 571   568   1     2,295   2,047 12  
Other (income) expense (11 ) (19 ) (42 )   (6 ) 362 n/m
Income tax expense 158   194   (19 )   572   517 11  
               
Net income 558   328   70     1,734   849 104  


Depreciation and amortization

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars) 2024 2023 % Chg   2024 2023 % Chg  
                 
Depreciation of property, plant and equipment 934 938     3,665 3,331 10  
Depreciation of right-of-use assets 104 107 (3 )   408 371 10  
Amortization 136 127 7     543 419 30  
                 
Total depreciation and amortization 1,174 1,172     4,616 4,121 12  


Restructuring, acquisition and other

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31
(In millions of dollars) 2024 2023   2024 2023  
             
Restructuring, acquisition and other excluding Shaw Transaction-related costs 44 25   276 365  
Shaw Transaction-related costs 39 61   130 320  
             
Total restructuring, acquisition and other 83 86   406 685  


The restructuring, acquisition and other costs excluding Shaw Transaction-related costs in the fourth quarters of 2023 and 2024 include severance and other departure-related costs associated with the targeted restructuring of our employee base. These costs also included costs related to real estate rationalization programs and transaction costs related to other completed and potential acquisitions and other corporate transactions.

The Shaw Transaction-related costs in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 2024 consisted of incremental costs supporting integration activities related to the Shaw Transaction.

Finance costs

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars) 2024   2023   % Chg   2024   2023   % Chg  
               
Total interest on borrowings 1 497   531   (6 )   2,022   1,981   2  
Interest earned on restricted cash and cash equivalents           (149 ) (100 )
               
Interest on borrowings, net 497   531   (6 )   2,022   1,832   10  
Interest on lease liabilities 34   31   10     137   111   23  
Interest on post-employment benefits (2 ) (3 ) (33 )   (5 ) (13 ) (62 )
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange 115   (127 ) n/m   222   (111 ) n/m
Change in fair value of derivative instruments (111 ) 111   n/m   (205 ) 108   n/m
Capitalized interest (6 ) (10 ) (40 )   (36 ) (38 ) (5 )
Deferred transaction costs and other 44   35   26     160   158   1  
               
Total finance costs 571   568   1     2,295   2,047   12  

1 Interest on borrowings includes interest on short-term borrowings and on long-term debt.

Interest on borrowings, net
The 6% decrease in net interest on borrowings this quarter was primarily a result of lower interest expense associated with refinancing a significant portion of the borrowings under our term loan facility with senior notes issued in September 2023 and February 2024.

Income tax expense

  Three months ended December 31     Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except tax rates) 2024   2023     2024   2023  
           
Statutory income tax rate 26.2 % 26.2 %   26.2 % 26.2 %
Income before income tax expense 716   522     2,306   1,366  
Computed income tax expense 188   137     604   358  
Increase (decrease) in income tax expense resulting from:          
Non-(taxable) deductible stock-based compensation (7 ) 11     (13 ) 9  
Revaluation of deferred tax balances due to corporate reorganization-driven change in income tax rate   52       52  
Non-taxable income from security investments   (6 )     (16 )
Non-deductible loss on joint venture's non-controlling interest purchase obligation         111  
Other items (23 )     (19 ) 3  
           
Total income tax expense 158   194     572   517  
           
Effective income tax rate 22.1 % 37.2 %   24.8 % 37.8 %
Cash income taxes paid 157   39     545   439  


Cash income taxes paid increased this quarter due to the timing of installment payments.

Net income

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except per share amounts)   2024   2023 % Chg     2024   2023 % Chg  
                 
Net income   558   328 70     1,734   849 104  
Basic earnings per share $1.04 $0.62 68   $3.25 $1.62 101  
Diluted earnings per share $1.02 $0.62 65   $3.20 $1.62 98  


Adjusted net income

We calculate adjusted net income from adjusted EBITDA as follows:

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except per share amounts)   2024     2023   % Chg     2024     2023   % Chg  
               
Adjusted EBITDA   2,533     2,329   9       9,617     8,581   12  
Deduct:              
Depreciation and amortization 1   946     923   2       3,699     3,357   10  
Finance costs   571     568   1       2,295     2,047   12  
Other income 2   (11 )   (19 ) (42 )     (6 )   (60 ) (90 )
Income tax expense 3   233     227   3       910     831   10  
               
Adjusted net income 1   794     630   26       2,719     2,406   13  
               
Adjusted basic earnings per share $1.48   $1.19   24     $5.09   $4.60   11  
Adjusted diluted earnings per share $1.46   $1.19   23     $5.04   $4.59   10  

1 Our calculation of adjusted net income excludes depreciation and amortization on the fair value increment recognized on acquisition of Shaw Transaction-related property, plant and equipment and intangible assets. For purposes of calculating adjusted net income, we believe the magnitude of this depreciation and amortization, which was significantly affected by the size of the Shaw Transaction, may have no correlation to our current and ongoing operating results and affects comparability between certain periods. Depreciation and amortization excludes depreciation and amortization on Shaw Transaction-related property, plant and equipment and intangible assets for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 of $228 million and $917 million (2023 - $249 million and $764 million). Adjusted net income includes depreciation and amortization on the acquired Shaw property, plant and equipment and intangible assets based on Shaw's historical cost and depreciation policies.
2 Other expense (income) for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023 excludes a $422 million loss related to an obligation to purchase at fair value the non-controlling interest in one of our joint ventures' investments.
3 Income tax expense excludes recoveries of $75 million and $338 million (2023 - recoveries of $85 million and $366 million) for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 related to the income tax impact for adjusted items and it also excludes a $52 million expense for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023 due to a revaluation of deferred tax balances resulting from a change in our income tax rate.

Managing our Liquidity and Financial Resources

Operating, investing, and financing activities

  Three months ended December 31     Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars) 2024   2023     2024   2023  
Cash provided by operating activities before changes in net operating assets and liabilities, income taxes paid, and interest paid 2,424   2,243     9,188   8,067  
Change in net operating assets and liabilities (667 ) (369 )   (876 ) (627 )
Income taxes paid (157 ) (39 )   (545 ) (439 )
Interest paid, net (465 ) (456 )   (2,087 ) (1,780 )
           
Cash provided by operating activities 1,135   1,379     5,680   5,221  
           
Investing activities:          
Capital expenditures (1,007 ) (946 )   (4,041 ) (3,934 )
Additions to program rights (16 ) (17 )   (72 ) (74 )
Changes in non-cash working capital related to capital expenditures and intangible assets 167   (68 )   136   (2 )
Acquisitions and other strategic transactions, net of cash acquired   786     (475 ) (16,215 )
Other (14 ) 21     (3 ) 25  
           
Cash used in investing activities (870 ) (224 )   (4,455 ) (20,200 )
           
Financing activities:          
Net proceeds received from (repayment of) short-term borrowings 19   (96 )   1,138   (1,439 )
Net issuance (repayment) of long-term debt 5   (2,749 )   (1,103 ) 5,040  
Net proceeds on settlement of debt derivatives and forward contracts 110   260     107   492  
Transaction costs incurred (1 )     (47 ) (284 )
Principal payments of lease liabilities (120 ) (106 )   (478 ) (370 )
Dividends paid (181 ) (191 )   (739 ) (960 )
Other (1 )     (5 )  
           
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (169 ) (2,882 )   (1,127 ) 2,479  
           
Change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 96   (1,727 )   98   (12,500 )
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 802   2,527     800   13,300  
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 898   800     898   800  


Operating activities
This quarter, cash provided by operating activities decreased primarily as a result of a greater net investment in net operating assets and liabilities, partially offset by higher adjusted EBITDA.

Investing activities
Capital expenditures
During the quarter, we incurred $1,007 million (2023 - $946 million) on capital expenditures before changes in non-cash working capital items. See "Capital Expenditures" for more information.

Financing activities
During the quarter, we received net amounts of $133 million (2023 - paid $2,585 million) on our short-term borrowings, long-term debt, and related derivatives, including transaction costs. See "Financial Risk Management" for more information on the cash flows relating to our derivative instruments.

Short-term borrowings
Our short-term borrowings consist of amounts outstanding under our receivables securitization program, our US dollar-denominated commercial paper (US CP) program, and our non-revolving credit facilities. Below is a summary of our short-term borrowings as at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

  As at
December 31
As at
December 31
 
(In millions of dollars) 2024 2023  
       
Receivables securitization program 2,000 1,600  
US commercial paper program (net of the discount on issuance) 452 150  
Non-revolving credit facility borrowings (net of the discount on issuance) 507  
       
Total short-term borrowings 2,959 1,750  


The tables below summarize the activity relating to our short-term borrowings for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

    Three months ended December 31, 2024     Twelve months ended December 31, 2024  
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional (US$) Exchange rate Notional (Cdn$)   Notional (US$) Exchange rate Notional (Cdn$)  
               
Proceeds received from receivables securitization             800  
Repayment of receivables securitization     (400 )       (400 )
Net (repayment of) proceeds received from receivables securitization     (400 )       400  
               
Proceeds received from US commercial paper 607   1.415 859     2,009   1.373 2,759  
Repayment of US commercial paper (294 ) 1.429 (420 )   (1,819 ) 1.371 (2,494 )
Net proceeds received from US commercial paper     439         265  
               
Proceeds received from non-revolving credit facilities (US$) 1 1,070   1.403 1,501     2,899   1.378 3,996  
Repayment of non-revolving credit facilities (US$) 1 (1,083 ) 1.404 (1,521 )   (2,547 ) 1.383 (3,523 )
Net (repayment of) proceeds received from non-revolving credit facilities     (20 )       473  
               
Net proceeds received from short-term borrowings     19         1,138  

1 Borrowings under our non-revolving facility mature and are reissued regularly, such that until repaid, we maintain net outstanding borrowings equivalent to the then-current credit limit on the reissue dates.


    Three months ended December 31, 2023     Twelve months ended December 31, 2023  
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional (US$) Exchange rate Notional (Cdn$)   Notional (US$)   Exchange rate Notional (Cdn$)  
               
Repayment of receivables securitization             (1,000 )
Net repayment of receivables securitization             (1,000 )
               
Proceeds received from US commercial paper 306   1.373 420     1,803   1.357 2,447  
Repayment of US commercial paper (194 ) 1.361 (264 )   (1,858 ) 1.345 (2,499 )
Net proceeds received from (repayment of) US commercial paper     156         (52 )
               
Proceeds received from non-revolving credit facilities (Cdn$) 1             375  
Proceeds received from non-revolving credit facilities (US$)       2,125   1.349 2,866  
Total proceeds received from non-revolving credit facilities             3,241  
               
Repayment of non-revolving credit facilities (Cdn$) 1             (758 )
Repayment of non-revolving credit facilities (US$) (183 ) 1.377 (252 )   (2,125 ) 1.351 (2,870 )
Total repayment of non-revolving credit facilities     (252 )       (3,628 )
               
Net repayment of non-revolving credit facilities     (252 )       (387 )
               
Net repayment of short-term borrowings     (96 )       (1,439 )

1 Borrowings under our non-revolving facility mature and are reissued regularly, such that until repaid, we maintain net outstanding borrowings equivalent to the then-current credit limit on the reissue dates.

Concurrent with our US CP issuances and US dollar-denominated borrowings under our credit facilities, we entered into debt derivatives to hedge the foreign currency risk associated with the principal and interest components of the borrowings. See "Financial Risk Management" for more information.

Long-term debt
Our long-term debt consists of amounts outstanding under our bank and letter of credit facilities and the senior notes, debentures, and subordinated notes we have issued. The tables below summarize the activity relating to our long-term debt for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

  Three months ended
December 31, 2024
  Twelve months ended
December 31, 2024
 
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional (US$) Exchange rate Notional (Cdn$)   Notional (US$) Exchange rate Notional (Cdn$)  
               
Credit facility borrowings (Cdn$)     64         64  
Total credit facility borrowings     64         64  
               
Term loan facility net borrowings (US$) 1       8   n/m 18  
Term loan facility net repayments (US$) 1 (41 ) n/m (59 )   (2,553 ) 1.352 (3,452 )
Net repayments under term loan facility     (59 )       (3,434 )
               
Senior note issuances (US$)       2,500   1.347 3,367  
Senior note repayments (Cdn$)             (1,100 )
Net issuance of senior notes             2,267  
               
Net issuance (repayment) of long-term debt     5         (1,103 )

1 Borrowings under our term loan facility mature and are reissued regularly, such that until repaid, we maintain net outstanding borrowings equivalent to the then-current credit limit on the reissue dates.


    Three months ended December 31, 2023     Twelve months ended December 31, 2023
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional (US$) Exchange rate Notional (Cdn$)   Notional (US$) Exchange rate Notional (Cdn$)
               
Credit facility borrowings (US$)       220   1.368 301  
Credit facility repayments (US$)       (220 ) 1.336 (294 )
Net borrowings under credit facilities             7  
               
Term loan facility net borrowings (US$) 1       4,506   1.350 6,082  
Term loan facility net repayments (US$) (811 ) 1.337 (1,084 )   (1,265 ) 1.340 (1,695 )
Net (repayments) borrowings under term loan facility     (1,084 )       4,387  
               
Senior note issuances (Cdn$)             3,000  
               
Senior note repayments (Cdn$)     (500 )       (500 )
Senior note repayments (US$) (850 ) 1.37 (1,165 )   (1,350 ) 1.373 (1,854 )
Total senior notes repayments     (1,665 )       (2,354 )
               
Net (repayment) issuance of senior notes     (1,665 )       646  
               
Net (repayment) issuance of long-term debt     (2,749 )       5,040  

1 Borrowings under our term loan facility mature and are reissued regularly, such that until repaid, we maintain net outstanding borrowings equivalent to the then-current credit limit on the reissue dates.


  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars) 2024   2023     2024   2023  
           
Long-term debt net of transaction costs, beginning of period 40,294   44,094     40,855   31,733  
Net issuance (repayment) of long-term debt 5   (2,749 )   (1,103 ) 5,040  
Long-term debt assumed through the Shaw Transaction         4,526  
Increase in government grant liability related to Canada Infrastructure Bank facility (39 )     (39 )  
Loss (gain) on foreign exchange 1,599   (526 )   2,094   (549 )
Deferred transaction costs incurred 1       (52 ) (31 )
Amortization of deferred transaction costs 36   36     141   136  
           
Long-term debt net of transaction costs, end of period 41,896   40,855     41,896   40,855  


In April 2024, we amended our revolving credit facility to extend the maturity date of the $3 billion tranche to April 2029, from January 2028, and the $1 billion tranche to April 2027, from January 2026.

In April 2023, we drew the maximum $6 billion on the term loan facility upon closing the Shaw Transaction, consisting of $2 billion from each of the three tranches. The three tranches mature on April 3, 2026, 2027, and 2028, respectively. During 2023, we repaid $1.6 billion of the tranche maturing in 2027. In February 2024, we used the proceeds from our senior note issuances (see "Issuance of senior notes and related debt derivatives") to repay an additional $3.4 billion of the facility such that $1 billion remains outstanding under the April 2026 tranche.

In April 2023, we also assumed $4.55 billion principal amount of Shaw's senior notes upon closing the Shaw Transaction, of which $500 million was subsequently repaid at maturity in November 2023 and $500 million was repaid at maturity in January 2024.

Issuance of senior notes and related debt derivatives
Below is a summary of the senior notes we issued during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

(In millions of dollars, except interest rates and discounts)   Discount/ premium at issuance
Total gross
proceeds 1 (Cdn$)
Transaction costs and
discounts 2 (Cdn$)
Date issued   Principal amount Due date Interest rate
               
2024 issuances              
February 9, 2024 US 1,250 2029 5.000 % 99.714 % 1,684 20
February 9, 2024 US 1,250 2034 5.300 % 99.119 % 1,683 30
               
2023 issuances              
September 21, 2023   500 2026 5.650 % 99.853 % 500 3
September 21, 2023   1,000 2028 5.700 % 99.871 % 1,000 8
September 21, 2023   500 2030 5.800 % 99.932 % 500 4
September 21, 2023   1,000 2033 5.900 % 99.441 % 1,000 12

1 Gross proceeds before transaction costs, discounts, and premiums.
2 Transaction costs, discounts, and premiums are included as deferred transaction costs and discounts in the carrying value of the long-term debt, and recognized in net income using the effective interest method.

Dividends
Below is a summary of the dividends declared and paid on RCI's outstanding Class A Voting common shares (Class A Shares) and Class B Non-Voting common shares (Class B Non-Voting Shares) in 2024 and 2023. On January 29, 2025, the Board declared a quarterly dividend of $0.50 per Class A Voting Share and Class B Non-Voting Share, to be paid on April 2, 2025, to shareholders of record on March 10, 2025.

        Dividends paid (in millions of dollars) Number of
Class B
Non-Voting
Shares issued
(in thousands) 1
Declaration date Record date Payment date Dividend per
share (dollars)
In cash In Class B
Non-Voting
Shares
Total
               
January 31, 2024 March 11, 2024 April 3, 2024 0.50 183 83 266 1,552
April 23, 2024 June 10, 2024 July 5, 2024 0.50 185 81 266 1,651
July 23, 2024 September 9, 2024 October 3, 2024 0.50 181 86 267 1,633
October 23, 2024 December 9, 2024 January 3, 2025 0.50 185 84 269 1,943
               
February 1, 2023 March 10, 2023 April 3, 2023 0.50 252 252
April 25, 2023 June 9, 2023 July 5, 2023 0.50 264 264
July 25, 2023 September 8, 2023 October 3, 2023 0.50 191 74 265 1,454
November 8, 2023 December 8, 2023 January 2, 2024 0.50 190 75 265 1,244

1 Class B Non-Voting Shares are issued as partial settlement of our quarterly dividend payable on the payment date under the terms of our dividend reinvestment plan.

Free cash flow

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31
(In millions of dollars) 2024 2023 % Chg   2024 2023 % Chg
               
Adjusted EBITDA 2,533 2,329 9     9,617 8,581 12
Deduct:              
Capital expenditures 1 1,007 946 6     4,041 3,934 3
Interest on borrowings, net and capitalized interest 491 521 (6 )   1,986 1,794 11
Cash income taxes 2 157 39 n/m   545 439 24
               
Free cash flow 878 823 7     3,045 2,414 26

1 Includes additions to property, plant and equipment net of proceeds on disposition, but does not include expenditures for spectrum licences, additions to right-of-use assets, or assets acquired through business combinations.
2 Cash income taxes are net of refunds received.

The 7% increase in free cash flow this quarter was primarily a result of higher adjusted EBITDA, partially offset by higher cash income taxes.

Financial Condition

Available liquidity
Below is a summary of our available liquidity from our cash and cash equivalents, bank credit facilities, letter of credit facilities, and short-term borrowings as at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023.

As at December 31, 2024 Total sources
Drawn
Letters of credit
US CP program 1
Net available
(In millions of dollars)
           
Cash and cash equivalents 898 898
Bank credit facilities 2:          
Revolving 4,000 10 455 3,535
Non-revolving 500 500
Outstanding letters of credit 3 3
Receivables securitization 2 2,400 2,000 400
           
Total 7,801 2,500 13 455 4,833

1 The US CP program amounts are gross of the discount on issuance.
2 The total liquidity sources under our bank credit facilities and receivables securitization represents the total credit limits per the relevant agreements. The amount drawn and letters of credit are currently outstanding under those agreements. The US CP program amount represents our currently outstanding US CP borrowings that are backstopped by our revolving credit facility.

As at December 31, 2023 Total sources
Drawn
Letters of credit
US CP program 1
Net available
(In millions of dollars)
           
Cash and cash equivalents 800 800
Bank credit facilities 2:          
Revolving 4,000 10 151 3,839
Non-revolving 500 500
Outstanding letters of credit 243 243
Receivables securitization 2 2,400 1,600 800
           
Total 7,943 1,600 253 151 5,939

1 The US CP program amounts are gross of the discount on issuance.
2 The total liquidity sources under our bank credit facilities and receivables securitization represents the total credit limits per the relevant agreements. The amount drawn and letters of credit are currently outstanding under those agreements. The US CP program amount represents our currently outstanding US CP borrowings that are backstopped by our revolving credit facility.

Our $815 million Canada Infrastructure Bank credit agreement is not included in available liquidity as it can only be drawn upon for use in broadband projects under the Universal Broadband Fund, and therefore is not available for other general purposes. This quarter, we borrowed $64 million under this facility.

Weighted average cost of borrowings
Our weighted average cost of all borrowings was 4.61% as at December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023 - 4.85%) and our weighted average term to maturity was 9.8 years (December 31, 2023 - 10.4 years). These figures reflect the expected repayment of our subordinated notes on the five-year anniversary.

Adjusted net debt and debt leverage ratio
We use adjusted net debt and debt leverage ratio to conduct valuation-related analysis and to make capital structure-related decisions.

  As at
December 31
  As at
December 31
 
(In millions of dollars, except ratios) 2024   2023  
     
Current portion of long-term debt 3,696   1,100  
Long-term debt 38,200   39,755  
Deferred transaction costs and discounts 951   1,040  
  42,847   41,895  
Add (deduct):    
Adjustment of US dollar-denominated debt to hedged rate (2,855 ) (808 )
Subordinated notes adjustment 1 (1,540 ) (1,496 )
Short-term borrowings 2,959   1,750  
Deferred government grant liability 2 39    
Current portion of lease liabilities 587   504  
Lease liabilities 2,191   2,089  
Cash and cash equivalents (898 ) (800 )
     
Adjusted net debt 3 43,330   43,134  
Divided by: trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA 9,617   8,581  
     
Debt leverage ratio 4.5   5.0  
     
Divided by: pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA 3 n/a   9,095  
     
Pro forma debt leverage ratio n/a   4.7  

1 For the purposes of calculating adjusted net debt and debt leverage ratio, we believe adjusting 50% of the value of our subordinated notes is appropriate as this methodology factors in certain circumstances with respect to priority for payment and this approach is commonly used to evaluate debt leverage by rating agencies.
2 For the purposes of calculating adjusted net debt and debt leverage ratio, we have added the deferred government grant liability relating to our Canada Infrastructure Bank facility to reflect the inclusion of the cash drawings.
3 Adjusted net debt is a capital management measure. Pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure and is a component of pro forma debt leverage ratio. These are not standardized financial measures under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" for more information about these measures.

In order to meet our stated objective of returning our debt leverage ratio to approximately 3.5 within 36 months of closing the Shaw Transaction, we intend to manage our debt leverage ratio through combined operational synergies, organic growth in adjusted EBITDA, proceeds from asset sales and monetizations, equity financing, and debt repayment, as applicable.

Credit ratings
Below is a summary of the credit ratings on RCI's outstanding senior and subordinated notes and debentures (long-term) and US CP (short-term) as at December 31, 2024.

Issuance S&P Global Ratings Services Moody's Fitch DBRS Morningstar
Corporate credit issuer default rating BBB- (stable) Baa3 (stable) BBB- (stable) BBB (low) (stable)
Senior unsecured debt BBB- (stable) Baa3 (stable) BBB- (stable) BBB (low) (stable)
Subordinated debt BB (stable) Ba2 (stable) BB (stable) N/A 1
US commercial paper A-3 P-3 N/A 1 N/A 1

1 We have not sought a rating from Fitch or DBRS Morningstar for our short-term obligations or from DBRS Morningstar for our subordinated debt.

Outstanding common shares

  As at
December 31
As at
December 31
  2024 2023
     
Common shares outstanding 1    
Class A Voting Shares 111,152,011 111,152,011
Class B Non-Voting Shares 424,949,191 418,868,891
     
Total common shares 536,101,202 530,020,902
     
Options to purchase Class B Non-Voting Shares    
Outstanding options 9,707,847 10,593,645
Outstanding options exercisable 6,135,190 4,749,678

1 Holders of Class B Non-Voting Shares are entitled to receive notice of and to attend shareholder meetings; however, they are not entitled to vote at these meetings except as required by law or stipulated by stock exchanges. If an offer is made to purchase outstanding Class A Shares, there is no requirement under applicable law or our constating documents that an offer be made for the outstanding Class B Non-Voting Shares, and there is no other protection available to shareholders under our constating documents. If an offer is made to purchase both classes of shares, the offer for the Class A Shares may be made on different terms than the offer to the holders of Class B Non-Voting Shares.

We issue Class B Non-Voting Shares as partial settlement of our quarterly dividends under the terms of our dividend reinvestment plan (see "Managing our Liquidity and Financial Resources" for more information).

Financial Risk Management

This section should be read in conjunction with "Financial Risk Management" in our 2023 Annual MD&A. We use derivative instruments to manage financial risks related to our business activities. We only use derivatives to manage risk and not for speculative purposes. We also manage our exposure to both fixed and fluctuating interest rates and had fixed the interest rate on 90.8% of our outstanding debt, including short-term borrowings, as at December 31, 2024 (December 31, 2023 - 85.6%).

Debt derivatives
We use cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, forward cross-currency interest rate exchange agreements, and foreign currency forward contracts (collectively, debt derivatives) to manage risks from fluctuations in foreign exchange rates and interest rates associated with our US dollar-denominated senior notes, debentures, subordinated notes, lease liabilities, credit facility borrowings, and US CP borrowings. We typically designate the debt derivatives related to our senior notes, debentures, subordinated notes, and lease liabilities as hedges for accounting purposes against the foreign exchange risk or interest rate risk associated with specific issued and forecast debt instruments. Debt derivatives related to our credit facility and US CP borrowings have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

Credit facilities and US CP
Below is a summary of the debt derivatives we entered into and settled related to our credit facility borrowings and US CP program during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

  Three months ended December 31, 2024   Twelve months ended December 31, 2024
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional
(US$)
Exchange rate Notional
(Cdn$)
  Notional
(US$)
Exchange
rate
Notional
(Cdn$)
               
Credit facilities              
Debt derivatives entered 3,204 1.406 4,504   14,943 1.366 20,407
Debt derivatives settled 3,258 1.407 4,583   17,136 1.364 23,368
Net cash received on settlement     95       87
               
US commercial paper program              
Debt derivatives entered 607 1.415 859   2,008 1.374 2,758
Debt derivatives settled 293 1.427 418   1,807 1.371 2,478
Net cash received on settlement     8       13


    Three months ended December 31, 2023     Twelve months ended December 31, 2023
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional
(US$)
Exchange rate Notional
(Cdn$)
  Notional
(US$)
Exchange
rate
Notional
(Cdn$)
               
Credit facilities              
Debt derivatives entered 10,177 1.365 13,891     38,205 1.348 51,517  
Debt derivatives settled 11,171 1.363 15,226     34,964 1.348 47,126  
Net cash paid on settlement     (27 )       (10 )
               
US commercial paper program              
Debt derivatives entered 307 1.365 419     1,803 1.357 2,447  
Debt derivatives settled 194 1.361 264     1,848 1.345 2,486  
Net cash paid on settlement     (1 )       (20 )


As at December 31, 2024, we had US$1,048 million and US$314 million notional amount of debt derivatives outstanding relating to our credit facility borrowings and US CP program (December 31, 2023 - US$3,241 million and US$113 million), at average rates of $1.439/US$ and $1.423/US$ (December 31, 2023 - $1.352/US$ and $1.369/US$), respectively.

Senior notes
Below is a summary of the debt derivatives we entered into related to senior notes during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024. We did not enter into any debt derivatives related to senior notes issued during 2023.

(In millions of dollars, except interest rates)      
    US$   Hedging effect
Effective date Principal/Notional amount (US$) Maturity date Coupon rate   Fixed hedged (Cdn$) interest rate 1 Equivalent (Cdn$)
             
2024 issuances            
February 9, 2024 1,250 2029 5.000 %   4.735 % 1,684
February 9, 2024 1,250 2034 5.300 %   5.107 % 1,683

1 Converting from a fixed US$ coupon rate to a weighted average Cdn$ fixed rate.

As at December 31, 2024, we had US$17,250 million (December 31, 2023 - US$14,750 million) in US dollar-denominated senior notes, debentures, and subordinated notes, of which all of the associated foreign exchange risk had been hedged using debt derivatives, at an average rate of $1.272/US$ (December 31, 2023 - $1.259/US$).

Lease liabilities
Below is a summary of the debt derivatives we entered into and settled related to our outstanding lease liabilities for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

  Three months ended December 31, 2024   Twelve months ended December 31, 2024
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional
(US$)
Exchange rate Notional
(Cdn$)
  Notional
(US$)
Exchange
rate
Notional
(Cdn$)
               
Debt derivatives entered 43 1.442 62   271 1.369 371
Debt derivatives settled 59 1.305 77   214 1.322 283


  Three months ended December 31, 2023   Twelve months ended December 31, 2023
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional
(US$)
Exchange rate Notional
(Cdn$)
  Notional
(US$)
Exchange
rate
Notional
(Cdn$)
               
Debt derivatives entered 93 1.312 122   274 1.336 366
Debt derivatives settled 42 1.310 55   142 1.310 186


As at December 31, 2024, we had US$416 million notional amount of debt derivatives outstanding relating to our outstanding lease liabilities (December 31, 2023 - US$357 million) with terms to maturity ranging from January 2025 to December 2027 (December 31, 2023 - January 2024 to December 2026) at an average rate of $1.349/US$ (December 31, 2023 - $1.329/US$).

See "Mark-to-market value" for more information about our debt derivatives.

Expenditure derivatives
We use foreign currency forward contracts (expenditure derivatives) to manage the foreign exchange risk in our operations, designating them as hedges for accounting purposes for certain of our forecast operational and capital expenditures.

Below is a summary of the expenditure derivatives we entered into and settled during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

  Three months ended December 31, 2024   Twelve months ended December 31, 2024
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional
(US$)
Exchange rate Notional
(Cdn$)
  Notional
(US$)
Exchange
rate
Notional
(Cdn$)
               
Expenditure derivatives entered 30 1.300 39   1,140 1.340 1,528
Expenditure derivatives settled 285 1.326 378   1,200 1.325 1,590


  Three months ended December 31, 2023   Twelve months ended December 31, 2023
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional
(US$)
Exchange rate Notional
(Cdn$)
  Notional
(US$)
Exchange
rate
Notional
(Cdn$)
               
Expenditure derivatives entered 420 1.326 557   1,650 1.325 2,187
Expenditure derivatives acquired   212 1.330 282
Expenditure derivatives settled 273 1.267 346   1,172 1.262 1,479


As at December 31, 2024, we had US$1,590 million notional amount of expenditure derivatives outstanding (December 31, 2023 - US$1,650 million) with terms to maturity ranging from January 2025 to December 2026 (December 31, 2023 - January 2024 to December 2025) at an average rate of $1.336/US$ (December 31, 2023 - $1.325/US$).

See "Mark-to-market value" for more information about our expenditure derivatives.

Equity derivatives
We use total return swaps (equity derivatives) to hedge the market price appreciation risk of the Class B Non-Voting Shares granted under our stock-based compensation programs. The equity derivatives have not been designated as hedges for accounting purposes.

As at December 31, 2024, we had equity derivatives outstanding for 6.0 million (December 31, 2023 - 6.0 million) Class B Non-Voting Shares with a weighted average price of $53.27 (December 31, 2023 - $54.02).

In 2024, we executed extension agreements for our equity derivative contracts under substantially the same commitment terms and conditions with revised expiry dates to April 2025 (from April 2024) and the weighted average cost was adjusted to $53.27 per share.

See "Mark-to-market value" for more information about our equity derivatives.

Cash settlements on debt derivatives and forward contracts
Below is a summary of the net proceeds on settlement of debt derivatives and forward contracts during the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.

  Three months ended December 31     Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) 2024 2023     2024 2023  
           
Credit facilities 95 (27 )   87 (10 )
US commercial paper program 8 (1 )   13 (20 )
Senior and subordinated notes 288     522  
Lease liabilities 7     7  
           
Net proceeds on settlement of debt derivatives and forward contracts 110 260     107 492  


Mark-to-market value
We record our derivatives using an estimated credit-adjusted, mark-to-market valuation, calculated in accordance with IFRS.

  As at December 31, 2024  
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional
amount
(US$)
Exchange
rate
Notional
amount
(Cdn$)
Fair value 
(Cdn$)
 
Debt derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges:        
As assets 11,116 1.2510 13,906 1,194  
As liabilities 6,550 1.3127 8,598 (842 )
Debt derivatives not accounted for as hedges:        
As assets 666 1.4282 951 7  
As liabilities 696 1.4421 1,004 (2 )
Net mark-to-market debt derivative asset       357  
Expenditure derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges:        
As assets 1,590 1.3362 2,125 132  
Net mark-to-market expenditure derivative asset       132  
Equity derivatives not accounted for as hedges:        
As liabilities 320 (54 )
Net mark-to-market equity derivative liability       (54 )
         
Net mark-to-market asset       435  


  As at December 31, 2023  
(In millions of dollars, except exchange rates) Notional
amount
(US$)
Exchange
rate
Notional
amount
(Cdn$)
Fair value 
(Cdn$)
 
Debt derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges:        
As assets 4,557 1.1583 5,278 599  
As liabilities 10,550 1.3055 13,773 (1,069 )
Short-term debt derivatives not accounted for as hedges:        
As liabilities 3,354 1.3526 4,537 (101 )
Net mark-to-market debt derivative liability       (571 )
Expenditure derivatives accounted for as cash flow hedges:        
As assets 600 1.3147 789 4  
As liabilities 1,050 1.3315 1,398 (19 )
Net mark-to-market expenditure derivative liability       (15 )
Equity derivatives not accounted for as hedges:        
As assets 324 48  
Net mark-to-market equity derivative asset       48  
         
Net mark-to-market liability       (538 )


Key Performance Indicators

We measure the success of our strategy using a number of key performance indicators that are defined and discussed in our 2023 Annual MD&A and this earnings release. We believe these key performance indicators allow us to appropriately measure our performance against our operating strategy and against the results of our peers and competitors. The following key performance indicators, some of which are supplementary financial measures (see "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures"), are not measurements in accordance with IFRS. They include:

  • subscriber counts;
    • Wireless;
    • Cable; and
    • homes passed (Cable);
  • Wireless subscriber churn (churn);
  • Wireless mobile phone average revenue per user
    (ARPU);
  • Cable average revenue per account (ARPA);
  • Cable customer relationships;
  • Cable market penetration (penetration);
  • capital intensity; and
  • total service revenue.

Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures

We use the following "non-GAAP financial measures" and other "specified financial measures" (each within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law). These are reviewed regularly by management and the Board in assessing our performance and making decisions regarding the ongoing operations of our business and its ability to generate cash flows. Some or all of these measures may also be used by investors, lending institutions, and credit rating agencies as indicators of our operating performance, of our ability to incur and service debt, and as measurements to value companies in the telecommunications sector. These are not standardized measures under IFRS, so may not be reliable ways to compare us to other companies.

Non-GAAP financial measures
Specified financial measure How it is useful How we calculate it Most directly
comparable
IFRS financial
measure
Adjusted net
income
  To assess the performance of our businesses before the effects of the noted items, because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Excluding these items does not imply that they are non-recurring. Net (loss) income add (deduct) restructuring, acquisition and other; loss (recovery) on sale or wind down of investments; loss (gain) on disposition of property, plant and equipment; (gain) on acquisitions; loss on non-controlling interest purchase obligations; loss on repayment of long-term debt; loss on bond forward derivatives; depreciation and amortization on fair value increment of Shaw Transaction-related assets; and income tax adjustments on these items, including adjustments as a result of legislative or other tax rate changes. Net (loss) income
Pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA   To illustrate the results of a combined Rogers and Shaw as if the Shaw Transaction had closed at the beginning of the applicable trailing 12-month period. Trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA
add
Acquired Shaw business adjusted EBITDA - January 2023 to March 2023
Trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA


Non-GAAP ratios
Specified financial measure How it is useful How we calculate it
Adjusted basic
earnings per
share



Adjusted diluted
earnings per
share
  To assess the performance of our businesses before the effects of the noted items, because they affect the comparability of our financial results and could potentially distort the analysis of trends in business performance. Excluding these items does not imply that they are non-recurring. Adjusted net income
divided by
basic weighted average shares outstanding.



Adjusted net income including the dilutive effect of stock-based compensation
divided by
diluted weighted average shares outstanding.
Pro forma debt leverage ratio   We believe this helps investors and analysts analyze our ability to service our debt obligations, with the results of a combined Rogers and Shaw as if the Shaw Transaction had closed at the beginning of the applicable trailing 12-month period. Adjusted net debt
divided by
pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA


Total of segments measures
Specified financial measure Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure
Adjusted EBITDA Net income


Capital management measures
Specified financial measure How it is useful
Free cash flow

  To show how much cash we generate that is available to repay debt and reinvest in our company, which is an important indicator of our financial strength and performance.
  We believe that some investors and analysts use free cash flow to value a business and its underlying assets.
Adjusted net debt   We believe this helps investors and analysts analyze our debt and cash balances while taking into account the economic impact of debt derivatives on our US dollar-denominated debt.
Debt leverage ratio   We believe this helps investors and analysts analyze our ability to service our debt obligations.
Available liquidity   To help determine if we are able to meet all of our commitments, to execute our business plan, and to mitigate the risk of economic downturns.


Supplementary financial measures
Specified financial measure How we calculate it
Adjusted EBITDA margin Adjusted EBITDA
divided by
revenue.
Wireless mobile phone average revenue per user (ARPU) Wireless service revenue
divided by
average total number of Wireless mobile phone subscribers for the relevant period.
Cable average revenue per account (ARPA) Cable service revenue
divided by
average total number of customer relationships for the relevant period.
Capital intensity Capital expenditures
divided by
revenue.


Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA

  Three months ended December 31     Twelve months ended December 31
(In millions of dollars) 2024   2023     2024   2023
           
Net income 558   328     1,734   849
Add:          
Income tax expense 158   194     572   517
Finance costs 571   568     2,295   2,047
Depreciation and amortization 1,174   1,172     4,616   4,121
EBITDA 2,461   2,262     9,217   7,534
Add (deduct):          
Other (income) expense (11 ) (19 )   (6 ) 362
Restructuring, acquisition and other 83   86     406   685
           
Adjusted EBITDA 2,533   2,329     9,617   8,581


Reconciliation of pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA

  As at December 31
(In millions of dollars) 2023
   
Trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA - 12 months ended December 31, 2023 8,581
Add (deduct):  
Acquired Shaw business adjusted EBITDA - January 2023 to March 2023 514
   
Pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA 9,095


Reconciliation of adjusted net income

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars) 2024   2023     2024   2023  
           
Net income 558   328     1,734   849  
Add (deduct):          
Restructuring, acquisition and other 83   86     406   685  
Depreciation and amortization on fair value increment of Shaw Transaction-related assets 228   249     917   764  
Loss on non-controlling interest purchase obligation         422  
Income tax impact of above items (75 ) (85 )   (338 ) (366 )
Income tax adjustment, tax rate change   52       52  
           
Adjusted net income 794   630     2,719   2,406  


Reconciliation of free cash flow

  Three months ended December 31     Twelve months ended December 31  
(In millions of dollars) 2024   2023     2024   2023  
           
Cash provided by operating activities 1,135   1,379     5,680   5,221  
Add (deduct):          
Capital expenditures (1,007 ) (946 )   (4,041 ) (3,934 )
Interest on borrowings, net and capitalized interest (491 ) (521 )   (1,986 ) (1,794 )
Interest paid, net 465   456     2,087   1,780  
Restructuring, acquisition and other 83   86     406   685  
Program rights amortization (11 ) (12 )   (63 ) (70 )
Change in net operating assets and liabilities 667   369     876   627  
Other adjustments 1 37   12     86   (101 )
           
Free cash flow 878   823     3,045   2,414  

1 Consists of post-employment benefit contributions, net of expense, cash flows relating to other operating activities, and other investment income from our financial statements.

Other Information

Consolidated financial results - quarterly summary
Below is a summary of our consolidated results for the past eight quarters.

    2024       2023  
(In millions of dollars, except per share amounts)   Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1       Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  
Revenue                  
Wireless   2,981     2,620     2,466     2,528       2,868     2,584     2,424     2,346  
Cable   1,983     1,970     1,964     1,959       1,982     1,993     2,013     1,017  
Media   616     653     736     479       558     586     686     505  
Corporate items and intercompany eliminations   (99 )   (114 )   (73 )   (65 )     (73 )   (71 )   (77 )   (33 )
Total revenue   5,481     5,129     5,093     4,901       5,335     5,092     5,046     3,835  
Total service revenue 1   4,543     4,567     4,599     4,357       4,470     4,527     4,534     3,314  
                   
Adjusted EBITDA                  
Wireless   1,367     1,365     1,296     1,284       1,291     1,294     1,222     1,179  
Cable   1,169     1,133     1,116     1,100       1,111     1,080     1,026     557  
Media   53     134         (103 )     4     107     4     (38 )
Corporate items and intercompany eliminations   (56 )   (87 )   (87 )   (67 )     (77 )   (70 )   (62 )   (47 )
Adjusted EBITDA   2,533     2,545     2,325     2,214       2,329     2,411     2,190     1,651  
Deduct (add):                  
Depreciation and amortization   1,174     1,157     1,136     1,149       1,172     1,160     1,158     631  
Restructuring, acquisition and other   83     91     90     142       86     213     331     55  
Finance costs   571     568     576     580       568     600     583     296  
Other (income) expense   (11 )   2     (5 )   8       (19 )   426     (18 )   (27 )
Net income before income tax expense   716     727     528     335       522     12     136     696  
Income tax expense   158     201     134     79       194     111     27     185  
Net income (loss)   558     526     394     256       328     (99 )   109     511  
                   
Earnings (loss) per share:                  
Basic $ 1.04   $ 0.99   $ 0.74   $ 0.48     $ 0.62   ($ 0.19 ) $ 0.21   $ 1.01  
Diluted $ 1.02   $ 0.98   $ 0.73   $ 0.46     $ 0.62   ($ 0.20 ) $ 0.20   $ 1.00  
                   
Net income (loss)   558     526     394     256       328     (99 )   109     511  
Add (deduct):                  
Restructuring, acquisition and other   83     91     90     142       86     213     331     55  
Depreciation and amortization on fair value increment of Shaw Transaction-related assets   228     227     220     242       249     263     252      
Loss on non-controlling interest purchase obligation                         422          
Income tax impact of above items   (75 )   (82 )   (81 )   (100 )     (85 )   (120 )   (148 )   (13 )
Income tax adjustment, tax rate change                     52              
Adjusted net income   794     762     623     540       630     679     544     553  
                   
Adjusted earnings per share:                  
Basic $ 1.48   $ 1.43   $ 1.17   $ 1.02     $ 1.19   $ 1.28   $ 1.03   $ 1.10  
Diluted $ 1.46   $ 1.42   $ 1.16   $ 0.99     $ 1.19   $ 1.27   $ 1.02   $ 1.09  
                   
Capital expenditures   1,007     977     999     1,058       946     1,017     1,079     892  
Cash provided by operating activities   1,135     1,893     1,472     1,180       1,379     1,754     1,635     453  
Free cash flow   878     915     666     586       823     745     476     370  

1 As defined. See "Key Performance Indicators".

Supplementary Information

Rogers Communications Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In millions of dollars, except for per share amounts, unaudited)

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31
    2024     2023       2024     2023
           
Revenue   5,481     5,335       20,604     19,308
           
Operating expenses:          
Operating costs   2,948     3,006       10,987     10,727
Depreciation and amortization   1,174     1,172       4,616     4,121
Restructuring, acquisition and other   83     86       406     685
Finance costs   571     568       2,295     2,047
Other (income) expense   (11 )   (19 )     (6 )   362
           
Income before income tax expense   716     522       2,306     1,366
Income tax expense   158     194       572     517
           
Net income for the period   558     328       1,734     849
           
Earnings per share:          
Basic $1.04   $0.62     $3.25   $1.62
Diluted $1.02   $0.62     $3.20   $1.62


Rogers Communications Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In millions of dollars, unaudited)

  As at
December 31
As at
December 31
  2024 2023
     
Assets    
Current assets:    
Cash and cash equivalents 898 800
Accounts receivable 5,478 4,996
Inventories 641 456
Current portion of contract assets 171 163
Other current assets 849 1,202
Current portion of derivative instruments 336 80
Assets held for sale 137
Total current assets 8,373 7,834
     
Property, plant and equipment 25,072 24,332
Intangible assets 17,858 17,896
Investments 615 598
Derivative instruments 997 571
Financing receivables 1,189 1,101
Other long-term assets 1,027 670
Goodwill 16,280 16,280
     
Total assets 71,411 69,282
     
Liabilities and shareholders' equity    
Current liabilities:    
Short-term borrowings 2,959 1,750
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 4,059 4,221
Income tax payable 26
Other current liabilities 482 434
Contract liabilities 800 773
Current portion of long-term debt 3,696 1,100
Current portion of lease liabilities 587 504
Total current liabilities 12,609 8,782
     
Provisions 61 54
Long-term debt 38,200 39,755
Lease liabilities 2,191 2,089
Other long-term liabilities 1,666 1,783
Deferred tax liabilities 6,281 6,379
Total liabilities 61,008 58,842
     
Shareholders' equity 10,403 10,440
     
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity 71,411 69,282


Rogers Communications Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions of dollars, unaudited)

  Three months ended December 31 Twelve months ended December 31
  2024   2023     2024   2023  
Operating activities:          
Net income for the period 558   328     1,734   849  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:          
Depreciation and amortization 1,174   1,172     4,616   4,121  
Program rights amortization 11   12     63   70  
Finance costs 571   568     2,295   2,047  
Income tax expense 158   194     572   517  
Post-employment benefits contributions, net of expense 28   21     82   46  
(Income) losses from associates and joint ventures (9 )     (8 ) 412  
Other (67 ) (52 )   (166 ) 5  
Cash provided by operating activities before changes in net operating assets and liabilities, income taxes paid, and interest paid 2,424   2,243     9,188   8,067  
Change in net operating assets and liabilities (667 ) (369 )   (876 ) (627 )
Income taxes paid (157 ) (39 )   (545 ) (439 )
Interest paid, net (465 ) (456 )   (2,087 ) (1,780 )
           
Cash provided by operating activities 1,135   1,379     5,680   5,221  
           
Investing activities:          
Capital expenditures (1,007 ) (946 )   (4,041 ) (3,934 )
Additions to program rights (16 ) (17 )   (72 ) (74 )
Changes in non-cash working capital related to capital expenditures and intangible assets 167   (68 )   136   (2 )
Acquisitions and other strategic transactions, net of cash acquired   786     (475 ) (16,215 )
Other (14 ) 21     (3 ) 25  
           
Cash used in investing activities (870 ) (224 )   (4,455 ) (20,200 )
           
Financing activities:          
Net proceeds received from (repayments of) short-term borrowings 19   (96 )   1,138   (1,439 )
Net issuance (repayment) of long-term debt 5   (2,749 )   (1,103 ) 5,040  
Net proceeds on settlement of debt derivatives and forward contracts 110   260     107   492  
Transaction costs incurred (1 )     (47 ) (284 )
Principal payments of lease liabilities (120 ) (106 )   (478 ) (370 )
Dividends paid (181 ) (191 )   (739 ) (960 )
Other (1 )     (5 )  
           
Cash (used in) provided by financing activities (169 ) (2,882 )   (1,127 ) 2,479  
           
Change in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents 96   (1,727 )   98   (12,500 )
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 802   2,527     800   13,300  
           
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 898   800     898   800  

Change in net operating assets and liabilities

  Three months ended December 31   Twelve months ended December 31
(In millions of dollars) 2024   2023     2024   2023  
           
Accounts receivable, excluding financing receivables (388 ) (182 )   (396 ) (362 )
Financing receivables (413 ) (433 )   (318 ) (367 )
Contract assets 11   (19 )   7   (44 )
Inventories (169 ) 6     (185 ) (4 )
Other current assets 34   35     146   1  
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 82   77     (209 ) 11  
Contract and other liabilities 176   147     79   138  
           
Total change in net operating assets and liabilities (667 ) (369 )   (876 ) (627 )


Long-term debt

          As at December 31
(In millions of dollars, except interest rates) Due date   Principal amount Interest rate 2024   2023  
Term loan facility       Floating 1,001   4,286  
Canada Infrastructure Bank credit facility 2052     1.000 % 64    
Senior notes 2024   600 4.000 %   600  
Senior notes 1 2024   500 4.350 %   500  
Senior notes 2025 US 1,000 2.950 % 1,439   1,323  
Senior notes 2025   1,250 3.100 % 1,250   1,250  
Senior notes 2025 US 700 3.625 % 1,007   926  
Senior notes 2026   500 5.650 % 500   500  
Senior notes 2026 US 500 2.900 % 719   661  
Senior notes 2027   1,500 3.650 % 1,500   1,500  
Senior notes 1 2027   300 3.800 % 300   300  
Senior notes 2027 US 1,300 3.200 % 1,870   1,719  
Senior notes 2028   1,000 5.700 % 1,000   1,000  
Senior notes 1 2028   500 4.400 % 500   500  
Senior notes 1 2029   500 3.300 % 500   500  
Senior notes 2029   1,000 3.750 % 1,000   1,000  
Senior notes 2029   1,000 3.250 % 1,000   1,000  
Senior notes 2029 US 1,250 5.000 % 1,799    
Senior notes 2030   500 5.800 % 500   500  
Senior notes 1 2030   500 2.900 % 500   500  
Senior notes 2032 US 2,000 3.800 % 2,878   2,645  
Senior notes 2032   1,000 4.250 % 1,000   1,000  
Senior debentures 2 2032 US 200 8.750 % 288   265  
Senior notes 2033   1,000 5.900 % 1,000   1,000  
Senior notes 2034 US 1,250 5.300 % 1,799    
Senior notes 2038 US 350 7.500 % 504   463  
Senior notes 2039   500 6.680 % 500   500  
Senior notes 1 2039   1,450 6.750 % 1,450   1,450  
Senior notes 2040   800 6.110 % 800   800  
Senior notes 2041   400 6.560 % 400   400  
Senior notes 2042 US 750 4.500 % 1,079   992  
Senior notes 2043 US 500 4.500 % 719   661  
Senior notes 2043 US 650 5.450 % 935   860  
Senior notes 2044 US 1,050 5.000 % 1,511   1,389  
Senior notes 2048 US 750 4.300 % 1,079   992  
Senior notes 1 2049   300 4.250 % 300   300  
Senior notes 2049 US 1,250 4.350 % 1,799   1,653  
Senior notes 2049 US 1,000 3.700 % 1,439   1,323  
Senior notes 2052 US 2,000 4.550 % 2,878   2,645  
Senior notes 2052   1,000 5.250 % 1,000   1,000  
Subordinated notes 3 2081   2,000 5.000 % 2,000   2,000  
Subordinated notes 3 2082 US 750 5.250 % 1,079   992  
          42,886   41,895  
Deferred transaction costs and discounts         (951 ) (1,040 )
Deferred government grant liability         (39 )  
Less current portion         (3,696 ) (1,100 )
             
Total long-term debt         38,200   39,755  

1 Senior notes originally issued by Shaw Communications Inc. which are unsecured obligations of RCI and for which RCCI was an unsecured guarantor as at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
2 Senior debentures originally issued by Rogers Cable Inc. which are unsecured obligations of RCI and for which RCCI was an unsecured guarantor as at December 31, 2024 and 2023.
3 The subordinated notes can be redeemed at par on the five-year anniversary from issuance dates of December 2021 and February 2022 or on any subsequent interest payment date.

About Forward-Looking Information

This earnings release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking information"), and assumptions about, among other things, our business, operations, and financial performance and condition approved by our management on the date of this earnings release. This forward-looking information and these assumptions include, but are not limited to, statements about our objectives and strategies to achieve those objectives, and about our beliefs, plans, expectations, anticipations, estimates, or intentions.

Forward-looking information:

  • typically includes words like could, expect, may, anticipate, assume, believe, intend, estimate, plan, project, guidance, outlook, target, and similar expressions;
  • includes conclusions, forecasts, and projections that are based on our current objectives and strategies and on estimates, expectations, assumptions, and other factors that we believe to have been reasonable at the time they were applied but may prove to be incorrect; and
  • was approved by our management on the date of this earnings release.

Our forward-looking information includes forecasts and projections related to the following items, among others:

  • revenue;
  • total service revenue;
  • adjusted EBITDA;
  • capital expenditures;
  • cash income tax payments;
  • free cash flow;
  • dividend payments;
  • the growth of new products and services;
  • expected growth in subscribers and the services to which they subscribe;
  • the cost of acquiring and retaining subscribers and deployment of new services;
  • continued cost reductions and efficiency improvements;
  • the proposed $7 billion structured equity investment, including its expected terms and the use of proceeds therefrom;
  • our debt leverage ratio and how we intend to manage that ratio;
  • the completion and financing of the MLSE Transaction; and
  • all other statements that are not historical facts.

Specific forward-looking information included in this document includes, but is not limited to, information and statements under "2025 Outlook" relating to our 2025 consolidated guidance on total service revenue, adjusted EBITDA, capital expenditures, and free cash flow. All other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements.

Our conclusions, forecasts, and projections are based on a number of estimates, expectations, assumptions, and other factors, including, among others:

  • general economic and industry conditions, including the effects of inflation;
  • currency exchange rates and interest rates;
  • product pricing levels and competitive intensity;
  • subscriber growth;
  • pricing, usage, and churn rates;
  • changes in government regulation;
  • technology and network deployment;
  • availability of devices;
  • timing of new product launches;
  • content and equipment costs;
  • the integration of acquisitions; and
  • industry structure and stability.

Except as otherwise indicated, this earnings release and our forward-looking information do not reflect the potential impact of any non-recurring or other special items or of any dispositions, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations, or other transactions that may be considered or announced or may occur after the date on which the statement containing the forward-looking information is made.

Risks and uncertainties
Actual events and results can be substantially different from what is expressed or implied by forward-looking information as a result of risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, but not limited to:

  • regulatory changes;
  • technological changes;
  • economic, geopolitical, and other conditions affecting commercial activity;
  • unanticipated changes in content or equipment costs;
  • changing conditions in the entertainment, information, and communications industries;
  • sports-related work stoppages or cancellations and labour disputes;
  • the integration of acquisitions;
  • litigation and tax matters;
  • the level of competitive intensity;
  • the emergence of new opportunities; external threats, such as epidemics, pandemics, and other public health crises, natural disasters, the effects of climate change, or cyberattacks, among others; anticipated asset sales may not be achieved within the expected timeframes or at all for proceeds in the amount or type expected;
  • new interpretations and new accounting standards from accounting standards bodies;
  • the MLSE Transaction, and any financing for it from private investors, may not be completed on the anticipated terms or at all;
  • we may not reach definitive agreements for, or may not complete, the proposed $7 billion structured equity investment on the anticipated terms or at all;
  • if completed, we may use proceeds from the structured equity investment for different purposes due to alternative opportunities or requirements, general economic and market conditions, or other internal or external considerations; and
  • the other risks outlined in "Risks and Uncertainties Affecting our Business" in our 2023 Annual MD&A and "Updates to Risks and Uncertainties" in our Third Quarter 2024 MD&A.

These risks, uncertainties, and other factors can also affect our objectives, strategies, plans, and intentions. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties, or other factors materialize, our objectives, strategies, plans, or intentions change, or any other factors or assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, our actual results and our plans could vary materially from what we currently foresee.

Accordingly, we warn investors to exercise caution when considering statements containing forward-looking information and caution them that it would be unreasonable to rely on such statements as creating legal rights regarding our future results or plans. We are under no obligation (and we expressly disclaim any such obligation) to update or alter any statements containing forward-looking information or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law. All of the forward-looking information in this earnings release is qualified by the cautionary statements herein.

Key assumptions underlying our full-year 2025 guidance
Our 2025 guidance ranges presented in "2025 Outlook" are based on many assumptions including, but not limited to, the following material assumptions for the full-year 2025:

  • continued competitive intensity in all segments in which we operate consistent with levels experienced in 2024;
  • no significant additional legal or regulatory developments, other shifts in economic conditions, or macro changes in the competitive environment affecting our business activities;
  • overall wireless market penetration in Canada continues to grow in 2025;
  • continued subscriber growth in retail Internet;
  • declining Television and Satellite subscribers, including the impact of customers migrating to Rogers Xfinity TV from our legacy Television product, as subscription streaming services and other over-the-top providers continue to grow in popularity;
  • in Media, continued growth in sports and similar trends in 2025 as in 2024 in other traditional media businesses;
  • no significant sports-related work stoppages or cancellations will occur;
  • with respect to capital expenditures:
    • similar levels of capital investment associated with (i) expanding our 5G wireless network and (ii) upgrading our hybrid fibre-coaxial network to lower the number of homes passed per node, utilize the latest technologies, and deliver an even more reliable customer experience; and
    • we continue to make expenditures related to our Home roadmap in 2025 and we make progress on our service footprint expansion projects;
  • a substantial portion of our 2025 US dollar-denominated expenditures is hedged at an average exchange rate of $1.34/US$;
  • key interest rates remain relatively stable throughout 2025; and
  • we retain our investment-grade credit ratings.

Before making an investment decision
Before making any investment decisions and for a detailed discussion of the risks, uncertainties, and environment associated with our business, its operations, and its financial performance and condition, fully review the "Regulatory Developments" and "Updates to Risks and Uncertainties" sections in our Third Quarter 2024 MD&A and fully review the sections in our 2023 Annual MD&A entitled "Regulation in Our Industry" and "Risk Management", as well as our various other filings with Canadian and US securities regulators, which can be found at sedarplus.ca and sec.gov, respectively. Information on or connected to sedarplus.ca, sec.gov, our website, or any other website referenced in this document is not part of or incorporated into this earnings release.


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