Rogers Communications Reports First Quarter 2025 Results
Rogers reports continued growth in subscribers and financials, including strong margin improvement year-over-year despite slowing market
Delivers significant balance sheet deleveraging with announced $7 billion minority equity investment in April; debt leverage ratio1 expected to be 3.6x vs. 5.2x post-Shaw closing 24 months ago
- Company removes discount on dividend reinvestment plan shares
Positive consolidated financial results led by growth in service revenue and adjusted EBITDA
- Total service revenue and adjusted EBITDA both up 2%
- Consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin of 45%
Combined mobile phone and Internet net additions of 57,000
- Added 34,000 total mobile phone net subscriber additions, consisting of 11,000 postpaid and 23,000 prepaid
- Mobile phone blended ARPU of $56.94; postpaid mobile phone churn of 1.01%
- Wireless service revenue and adjusted EBITDA both up 2%
- Retail Internet net additions of 23,000; Cable adjusted EBITDA up 1%
Strong Media performance
- Revenue up 24% to $596 million; adjusted EBITDA improved by $36 million
- Signed monumental 12-year agreement with the NHL for national media rights on all platforms in Canada
Reiterates 2025 outlook for total service revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth and capital expenditures and free cash flow ranges
TORONTO, April 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX:RCI, NYSE:RCI) today announced its unaudited financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
Consolidated Financial Highlights
| (In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts, unaudited) | Three months ended March 31 | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |||
| Total revenue | 4,976 | 4,901 | 2 | ||
| Total service revenue | 4,447 | 4,357 | 2 | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA 1 | 2,254 | 2,214 | 2 | ||
| Net income | 280 | 256 | 9 | ||
| Adjusted net income 1 | 543 | 540 | 1 | ||
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.50 | $0.46 | 9 | ||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share 1 | $0.99 | $0.99 | — | ||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 1,296 | 1,180 | 10 | ||
| Free cash flow 1 | 586 | 586 | — | ||
"In the first quarter, we delivered positive revenue and adjusted EBITDA growth while growing mobile phone and Internet net additions against the backdrop of a slowing economy," said Tony Staffieri, President and CEO. "We are executing with discipline, deleveraging our balance sheet ahead of schedule, and making strategic investments to drive long-term growth."
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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" in our Q1 2025 Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), available at www.sedarplus.ca, and this earnings release 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.
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 quarter.
Build the biggest and best networks in the country
- Awarded Canada's most reliable wireless network by Opensignal in February 2025.
- Recognized as Canada's most reliable Internet by Opensignal in March 2025.
- Launched the first commercial deployment in Canada of Ericsson 5G Cloud RAN technology.
Deliver easy to use, reliable products and services
- Launched Rogers Xfinity Storm-Ready WiFi nationally, Canada's first home Internet backup solution.
- Launched Rogers Xfinity App TV, an app-only bundle that brings together live and on-demand TV and streaming services.
- Launched popular HGTV, Food Network, Magnolia, Discovery, and Discovery ID channels.
Be the first choice for Canadians
- Renewed our agreement with the National Hockey League (NHL) for the national media rights to NHL games on all platforms in Canada through the 2037-38 season.
- Broadcast the 4 Nations Face-Off championship game, the second most-watched hockey game ever on Sportsnet.
- Broadcast Canada's #1 Canadian original drama, Citytv's Law & Order Toronto: Criminal Intent, for the second year in a row.
Be a strong national company investing in Canada
- Invested $978 million in capital expenditures, the majority of which was in our networks.
- Signed a three-year agreement with the Toronto International Film Festival to be the Presenting Partner of the Festival.
- Expanded access to hockey for newcomers and underprivileged youth.
Be the growth leader in our industry
- Grew total service revenue and adjusted EBITDA by 2%.
- Reported industry-leading margins in our Wireless and Cable operations.
- Generated substantial free cash flow of $586 million and cash flow from operating activities of $1,296 million.
Subsidiary Equity Investment
On April 4, 2025, we announced we had entered into a definitive agreement with funds managed by Blackstone, backed by leading Canadian institutional investors, for a US$4.85 billion (approximately $7 billion) equity investment (the "network transaction"). Under the terms of the network transaction, Blackstone will acquire a non-controlling interest in a new Canadian subsidiary of Rogers that will own a minor part of our wireless network. We will maintain full operational control of our network and we will include the financial results of the subsidiary in our consolidated financial statements. We intend to use the net proceeds from the network transaction to repay debt.
Following the closing of the network transaction, Blackstone will hold a 49.9% equity interest (with a 20% voting interest) in the subsidiary and we will hold a 50.1% equity interest (with an 80% voting interest) in the subsidiary. Provided our debt leverage ratio is not greater than 3.25x, at any time between the eighth and twelfth anniversaries of closing, we will have the right to purchase Blackstone's interest in the subsidiary. The Blackstone investment will be reported as equity in our consolidated financial statements.
During the first five years of Blackstone's investment, the subsidiary will have a distribution policy to make quarterly pro rata cash distributions to Blackstone and Rogers of available cash in an amount that is intended to provide Blackstone with a 7% annual return on its US dollar investment.
The network transaction is expected to close shortly after all closing conditions are waived or satisfied. Please see our material change report filed on sedarplus.ca on April 4, 2025 for more information. In connection with the network transaction, we received the requisite consent from the holders of our outstanding senior notes for certain proposed clarifying amendments to the indentures governing those securities, and will pay an aggregate of approximately $30 million to the consenting holders for their consents concurrently with closing the network transaction plus approximately $19 million of other directly attributable transaction costs.
Quarterly Financial Highlights
Revenue
Total revenue and total service revenue each increased by 2% this quarter, driven by service revenue growth in our Wireless and Media businesses.
Wireless service revenue increased by 2% this quarter, primarily as a result of continued growth in our subscriber base. Wireless equipment revenue decreased by 3%, primarily as a result of lower device sales to new and existing subscribers.
Cable revenue decreased by 1% this quarter as a result of continued competitive promotional activity and declines in our Home Phone, Video, and Satellite subscriber bases.
Media revenue increased by 24% this quarter, primarily as a result of higher sports-related revenue, including at the Toronto Blue Jays, and higher subscriber and advertising revenue related to the launch of Warner Bros. Discovery's suite of channels and content.
Adjusted EBITDA and margins
Consolidated adjusted EBITDA increased 2% this quarter, and our adjusted EBITDA margin increased by 10 basis points, primarily as a result of ongoing productivity and cost efficiencies.
Wireless adjusted EBITDA increased by 2%, primarily due to the flow-through impact of higher revenue as discussed above. This gave rise to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 65%, up 40 basis points.
Cable adjusted EBITDA increased by 1% due to ongoing cost efficiencies. This gave rise to an adjusted EBITDA margin of 57%, up 110 basis points.
Media adjusted EBITDA increased by $36 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 9% and 1%, 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 $1,296 million (2024 - $1,180 million), which increased as a result of higher adjusted EBITDA and a lower net investment in net operating assets and liabilities partially offset by higher income taxes paid, and free cash flow of $586 million (2024 - $586 million), which was in line with last year.
As at March 31, 2025, we had $7.5 billion of available liquidity2 (December 31, 2024 - $4.8 billion), primarily including $2.7 billion in cash and cash equivalents and $4.0 billion available under our bank and other credit facilities.
Our debt leverage ratio as at March 31, 2025 was 4.3 (December 31, 2024 - 4.5). Had the network transaction closed on March 31, 2025, our debt leverage ratio as at March 31, 2025 would have been 3.6. See "Financial Condition" for more information.
We also returned $269 million in dividends to shareholders this quarter and we declared a $0.50 per share dividend on January 29, 2025.
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2 Available liquidity is a capital management measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in our Q1 2025 Management's Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), available at www.sedarplus.ca, and this earnings release for more information about this measure. This is not a standardized financial measure under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other companies. See "Financial Condition" in our Q1 2025 MD&A for a reconciliation of available liquidity.
About this Earnings Release
This earnings release contains important information about our business and our performance for the three months ended March 31, 2025, as well as forward-looking information (see "About Forward-Looking Information") about future periods. This earnings release should be read in conjunction with our First Quarter 2025 Interim Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (First Quarter 2025 Interim Financial Statements) and notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with International Accounting Standard 34, Interim Financial Reporting, as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB); our First Quarter 2025 MD&A; our 2024 Annual MD&A; our 2024 Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto, which have been prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as issued by the IASB; and our other recent filings with Canadian and US securities regulatory authorities, including our Annual Information Form, which are available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca or EDGAR at sec.gov, respectively.
For more information about Rogers, including product and service offerings, competitive market and industry trends, our overarching strategy, key performance drivers, and objectives, see "Understanding Our Business", "Corporate Overview", and "Delivering on our Priorities" in our 2024 Annual MD&A.
References in this earnings release to the MLSE Transaction are to our proposed acquisition of BCE Inc.'s (Bell) indirect 37.5% ownership stake of Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment Inc. (MLSE). For additional details regarding the MLSE Transaction, see "MLSE Transaction" in our 2024 Annual MD&A and note 20 to our 2024 Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements. 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 in this earnings release 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. This earnings release is current as at April 22, 2025 and was approved by RCI's Board of Directors (the Board) on that date.
In this earnings release, this quarter, the quarter, or first quarter refer to the three months ended March 31, 2025, unless the context indicates otherwise. All results commentary is compared to the equivalent period in 2024 or as at December 31, 2024, as applicable, unless otherwise indicated.
Xfinity marks and logos are trademarks of Comcast Corporation, used under license. ©2025 Comcast. Rogers 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 third 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, businesses, the public sector, and wholesale providers. |
| 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 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 March 31 | ||||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except margins and per share amounts) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |||||
| Revenue | ||||||||
| Wireless | 2,544 | 2,528 | 1 | |||||
| Cable | 1,935 | 1,959 | (1 | ) | ||||
| Media | 596 | 479 | 24 | |||||
| Corporate items and intercompany eliminations | (99 | ) | (65 | ) | 52 | |||
| Revenue | 4,976 | 4,901 | 2 | |||||
| Total service revenue 1 | 4,447 | 4,357 | 2 | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | ||||||||
| Wireless | 1,311 | 1,284 | 2 | |||||
| Cable | 1,108 | 1,100 | 1 | |||||
| Media | (67 | ) | (103 | ) | (35 | ) | ||
| Corporate items and intercompany eliminations | (98 | ) | (67 | ) | 46 | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 2,254 | 2,214 | 2 | |||||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin 2 | 45.3 | % | 45.2 | % | 0.1 pts | |||
| Net income | 280 | 256 | 9 | |||||
| Basic earnings per share | $0.52 | $0.48 | 8 | |||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.50 | $0.46 | 9 | |||||
| Adjusted net income 2 | 543 | 540 | 1 | |||||
| Adjusted basic earnings per share 2 | $1.01 | $1.02 | (1 | ) | ||||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $0.99 | $0.99 | — | |||||
| Capital expenditures | 978 | 1,058 | (8 | ) | ||||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 1,296 | 1,180 | 10 | |||||
| Free cash flow | 586 | 586 | — | |||||
1As defined. See "Key Performance Indicators".
2Adjusted 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" in our Q1 2025 MD&A for more information about each of these measures, available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Results of our Reportable Segments
WIRELESS
Wireless Financial Results
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except margins) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |||
| Revenue | ||||||
| Service revenue from external customers | 2,003 | 1,986 | 1 | |||
| Service revenue from internal customers | 23 | 10 | 130 | |||
| Service revenue | 2,026 | 1,996 | 2 | |||
| Equipment revenue from external customers | 518 | 532 | (3 | ) | ||
| Revenue | 2,544 | 2,528 | 1 | |||
| Operating costs | ||||||
| Cost of equipment | 508 | 539 | (6 | ) | ||
| Other operating costs | 725 | 705 | 3 | |||
| Operating costs | 1,233 | 1,244 | (1 | ) | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 1,311 | 1,284 | 2 | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin 1 | 64.7 | % | 64.3 | % | 0.4 pts | |
| Capital expenditures | 407 | 404 | 1 | |||
1Calculated using service revenue.
Wireless Subscriber Results 1
| Three months ended March 31 | |||||||||
| (In thousands, except churn and mobile phone ARPU) | 2025 | 2024 | Chg | ||||||
| Postpaid mobile phone | |||||||||
| Gross additions | 337 | 443 | (106 | ) | |||||
| Net additions | 11 | 98 | (87 | ) | |||||
| Total postpaid mobile phone subscribers 2 | 10,779 | 10,486 | 293 | ||||||
| Churn (monthly) | 1.01 | % | 1.10 | % | (0.09 pts) | ||||
| Prepaid mobile phone | |||||||||
| Gross additions | 132 | 84 | 48 | ||||||
| Net additions (losses) | 23 | (37 | ) | 60 | |||||
| Total prepaid mobile phone subscribers 2 | 1,129 | 1,018 | 111 | ||||||
| Churn (monthly) | 3.34 | % | 3.90 | % | (0.56 pts) | ||||
| Mobile phone ARPU (monthly) 3 | $56.94 | $58.06 | ($1.12 | ) | |||||
1Subscriber counts and subscriber churn are key performance indicators. See "Key Performance Indicators".
2As at end of period.
3Mobile phone ARPU is a supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in our Q1 2025 MD&A for more information about this measure, available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Service revenue
The 2% increase in service revenue this quarter was primarily a result of continued growth in our subscriber base, partially offset by the impact of our evolving mobile phone plans that increasingly bundle more services in the monthly service fee.
The decrease in mobile phone ARPU this quarter was a result of ongoing competitive intensity in a slowing market.
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 3% decrease in equipment revenue this quarter was primarily a result of:
- fewer device upgrades by existing customers; and
- a decrease in new subscribers purchasing devices due to lower gross additions; partially offset by
- a continued shift in the product mix towards higher-value devices.
Operating costs
Cost of equipment
The 6% decrease in the cost of equipment this quarter was a result of the equipment revenue changes discussed above.
Other operating costs
The 3% increase in other operating costs this quarter was a result of:
- higher service costs; and
- higher costs associated with marketing and advertising initiatives.
Adjusted EBITDA
The 2% increase in adjusted EBITDA this quarter was a result of the revenue and expense changes discussed above.
CABLE
Cable Financial Results
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except margins) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |||
| Revenue | ||||||
| Service revenue from external customers | 1,907 | 1,935 | (1 | ) | ||
| Service revenue from internal customers | 17 | 12 | 42 | |||
| Service revenue | 1,924 | 1,947 | (1 | ) | ||
| Equipment revenue from external customers | 11 | 12 | (8 | ) | ||
| Revenue | 1,935 | 1,959 | (1 | ) | ||
| Operating costs | 827 | 859 | (4 | ) | ||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 1,108 | 1,100 | 1 | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | 57.3 | % | 56.2 | % | 1.1 pts | |
| Capital expenditures | 446 | 480 | (7 | ) | ||
Cable Subscriber Results 1
| Three months ended March 31 | |||||||||
| (In thousands, except ARPA and penetration) | 2025 | 2024 | Chg | ||||||
| Homes passed 2 | 10,270 | 9,992 | 278 | ||||||
| Customer relationships | |||||||||
| Net additions | 4 | 7 | (3 | ) | |||||
| Total customer relationships 2 | 4,687 | 4,643 | 44 | ||||||
| ARPA (monthly) 3 | $136.97 | $140.10 | ($3.13 | ) | |||||
| Penetration 2 | 45.6 | % | 46.5 | % | (0.9 pts) | ||||
| Retail Internet | |||||||||
| Net additions | 23 | 26 | (3 | ) | |||||
| Total retail Internet subscribers 2 | 4,296 | 4,188 | 108 | ||||||
| Video | |||||||||
| Net losses | (32 | ) | (27 | ) | (5 | ) | |||
| Total Video subscribers 2 | 2,585 | 2,724 | (139 | ) | |||||
| Home Monitoring | |||||||||
| Net additions (losses) | 5 | (1 | ) | 6 | |||||
| Total Home Monitoring subscribers 2 | 138 | 88 | 50 | ||||||
| Home Phone | |||||||||
| Net losses | (26 | ) | (35 | ) | 9 | ||||
| Total Home Phone subscribers 2 | 1,481 | 1,594 | (113 | ) | |||||
1Subscriber results are key performance indicators. See "Key Performance Indicators".
2As at end of period.
3ARPA is a supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in our Q1 2025 MD&A for more information about this measure, available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Service revenue
The 1% decrease in service revenue and lower ARPA this quarter were a result of:
- continued competitive promotional activity; and
- declines in our Home Phone, Video, and Satellite subscriber bases.
Operating costs
The 4% decrease in operating costs this quarter was a result of ongoing cost efficiency initiatives, partially offset by increased costs associated with marketing and advertising activities.
Adjusted EBITDA
The 1% 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 March 31 | ||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except margins) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |||
| Revenue from external customers | 517 | 415 | 25 | |||
| Revenue from internal customers | 79 | 64 | 23 | |||
| Revenue | 596 | 479 | 24 | |||
| Operating costs | 663 | 582 | 14 | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | (67 | ) | (103 | ) | (35 | ) |
| Adjusted EBITDA margin | (11.2 | )% | (21.5 | )% | 10.3 pts | |
| Capital expenditures | 36 | 120 | (70 | ) | ||
Revenue
The 24% increase in revenue this quarter was a result of:
- higher sports-related revenue, including at the Toronto Blue Jays; and
- higher subscriber and advertising revenue due to the launch of Warner Bros. Discovery's suite of channels and content.
Operating costs
The 14% increase in operating costs this quarter was a result of:
- higher programming and production costs, including those related to the launch of Warner Bros. Discovery's suite of channels and content; and
- higher player salaries at the Toronto Blue Jays.
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 March 31 | ||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except capital intensity) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |||
| Wireless | 407 | 404 | 1 | |||
| Cable | 446 | 480 | (7 | ) | ||
| Media | 36 | 120 | (70 | ) | ||
| Corporate | 89 | 54 | 65 | |||
| Capital expenditures 1 | 978 | 1,058 | (8 | ) | ||
| Capital intensity 2 | 19.7 | % | 21.6 | % | (1.9 pts) | |
1Includes 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.
2Capital intensity is a supplementary financial measure. See "Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures" in our Q1 2025 MD&A for more information about this measure, available at www.sedarplus.ca.
One of our objectives is to build the biggest and best networks in the country. We continue to expand the reach and capacity of our 5G network (the largest 5G network in Canada as at March 31, 2025) 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
Capital expenditures in Wireless this quarter were in line with last year as we continued 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
The decrease in capital expenditures in Cable this quarter was a result of prioritizing our capital investments and striving to recognize capital efficiencies. 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 Toronto Blue Jays stadium infrastructure expenditures associated with the Rogers Centre modernization project that was substantially completed in the prior year, partially offset by higher IT and digital infrastructure expenditures.
Capital intensity
Capital intensity decreased 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 March 31 | ||||
| (In millions of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 2,254 | 2,214 | 2 | |
| Deduct (add): | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,166 | 1,149 | 1 | |
| Restructuring, acquisition and other | 127 | 142 | (11 | ) |
| Finance costs | 579 | 580 | — | |
| Other expense | 2 | 8 | (75 | ) |
| Income tax expense | 100 | 79 | 27 | |
| Net income | 280 | 256 | 9 | |
Depreciation and amortization
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||
| (In millions of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |
| Depreciation of property, plant and equipment | 931 | 906 | 3 | |
| Depreciation of right-of-use assets | 98 | 110 | (11 | ) |
| Amortization | 137 | 133 | 3 | |
| Total depreciation and amortization | 1,166 | 1,149 | 1 | |
Restructuring, acquisition and other
| Three months ended March 31 | ||
| (In millions of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Restructuring, acquisition and other excluding Shaw Transaction-related costs | 90 | 112 |
| Shaw Transaction-related costs | 37 | 30 |
| Total restructuring, acquisition and other | 127 | 142 |
The restructuring, acquisition and other costs excluding Shaw Transaction-related costs in the first quarters of 2024 and 2025 include severance and other departure-related costs associated with the targeted restructuring of our employee base and costs related to real estate rationalization programs. In 2025, these costs also include costs related to the network transaction.
The Shaw Transaction-related costs in 2024 and 2025 consisted of incremental costs supporting integration activities related to the Shaw Transaction.
Finance costs
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||||
| (In millions of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |||
| Interest on borrowings, net 1 | 511 | 508 | 1 | |||
| Interest on lease liabilities | 36 | 35 | 3 | |||
| Interest on post-employment benefits | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | — | |
| (Gain) loss on foreign exchange | (11 | ) | 109 | n/m | ||
| Change in fair value of derivative instruments | 13 | (98 | ) | n/m | ||
| Capitalized interest | (9 | ) | (12 | ) | (25 | ) |
| Deferred transaction costs and other | 41 | 40 | 2 | |||
| Total finance costs | 579 | 580 | — | |||
n/m – not meaningful
1Interest on borrowings, net includes interest on short-term borrowings and on long-term debt.
Income tax expense
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||
| (In millions of dollars, except tax rates) | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Statutory income tax rate | 26.2 | % | 26.2 | % |
| Income before income tax expense | 380 | 335 | ||
| Computed income tax expense | 100 | 88 | ||
| Increase (decrease) in income tax expense resulting from: | ||||
| Non-taxable stock-based compensation | (2 | ) | (6 | ) |
| Other items | 2 | (3 | ) | |
| Total income tax expense | 100 | 79 | ||
| Effective income tax rate | 26.3 | % | 23.6 | % |
| Cash income taxes paid | 188 | 74 | ||
Cash income taxes paid increased this quarter due to higher profit and timing of installments.
Net income
| Three months ended March 31 | |||||
| (In millions of dollars, except per share amounts) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | ||
| Net income | 280 | 256 | 9 | ||
| Basic earnings per share | $0.52 | $0.48 | 8 | ||
| Diluted earnings per share | $0.50 | $0.46 | 9 | ||
Adjusted net income
We calculate adjusted net income from adjusted EBITDA as follows:
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||||
| (In millions of dollars, except per share amounts) | 2025 | 2024 | % Chg | |||
| Adjusted EBITDA | 2,254 | 2,214 | 2 | |||
| Deduct: | ||||||
| Depreciation and amortization 1 | 937 | 907 | 3 | |||
| Finance costs | 579 | 580 | — | |||
| Other expense | 2 | 8 | (75 | ) | ||
| Income tax expense 2 | 193 | 179 | 8 | |||
| Adjusted net income 1 | 543 | 540 | 1 | |||
| Adjusted basic earnings per share | $1.01 | $1.02 | (1 | ) | ||
| Adjusted diluted earnings per share | $0.99 | $0.99 | — | |||
1Our 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 months ended March 31, 2025 of $229 million (2024 - $242 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.
2Income tax expense excludes recoveries of $93 million (2024 - recoveries of $100 million) for the three months ended March 31, 2025 related to the income tax impact for adjusted items.
Key Performance Indicators
We measure the success of our strategy using a number of key performance indicators that are defined and discussed in our 2024 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:
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Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures
Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA
| Three months ended March 31 | ||
| (In millions of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 |
| Net income | 280 | 256 |
| Add: | ||
| Income tax expense | 100 | 79 |
| Finance costs | 579 | 580 |
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,166 | 1,149 |
| EBITDA | 2,125 | 2,064 |
| Add (deduct): | ||
| Other expense | 2 | 8 |
| Restructuring, acquisition and other | 127 | 142 |
| Adjusted EBITDA | 2,254 | 2,214 |
Reconciliation of adjusted net income
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||
| (In millions of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Net income | 280 | 256 | ||
| Add (deduct): | ||||
| Restructuring, acquisition and other | 127 | 142 | ||
| Depreciation and amortization on fair value increment of Shaw Transaction-related assets | 229 | 242 | ||
| Income tax impact of above items | (93 | ) | (100 | ) |
| Adjusted net income | 543 | 540 | ||
Reconciliation of free cash flow
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||
| (In millions of dollars) | 2025 | 2024 | ||
| Cash provided by operating activities | 1,296 | 1,180 | ||
| Add (deduct): | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (978 | ) | (1,058 | ) |
| Interest on borrowings, net and capitalized interest | (502 | ) | (496 | ) |
| Interest paid, net | 595 | 555 | ||
| Restructuring, acquisition and other | 127 | 142 | ||
| Program rights amortization | (19 | ) | (16 | ) |
| Change in net operating assets and liabilities | 83 | 289 | ||
| Other adjustments 1 | (16 | ) | (10 | ) |
| Free cash flow | 586 | 586 | ||
1Consists of post-employment benefit contributions, net of expense, cash flows relating to other operating activities, and other investment income from our financial statements.
Rogers Communications Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
(In millions of Canadian dollars, except per share amounts, unaudited)
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Revenue | 4,976 | 4,901 | ||
| Operating expenses: | ||||
| Operating costs | 2,722 | 2,687 | ||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,166 | 1,149 | ||
| Restructuring, acquisition and other | 127 | 142 | ||
| Finance costs | 579 | 580 | ||
| Other expense | 2 | 8 | ||
| Income before income tax expense | 380 | 335 | ||
| Income tax expense | 100 | 79 | ||
| Net income for the period | 280 | 256 | ||
| Earnings per share: | ||||
| Basic | $0.52 | $0.48 | ||
| Diluted | $0.50 | $0.46 | ||
Rogers Communications Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Financial Position
(In millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited)
| As at March 31 | As at December 31 | |
| 2025 | 2024 | |
| Assets | ||
| Current assets: | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 2,680 | 898 |
| Accounts receivable | 5,176 | 5,478 |
| Inventories | 562 | 641 |
| Current portion of contract assets | 165 | 171 |
| Other current assets | 1,080 | 849 |
| Current portion of derivative instruments | 274 | 336 |
| Total current assets | 9,937 | 8,373 |
| Property, plant and equipment | 25,191 | 25,072 |
| Intangible assets | 17,725 | 17,858 |
| Investments | 596 | 615 |
| Derivative instruments | 1,095 | 997 |
| Financing receivables | 1,131 | 1,189 |
| Other long-term assets | 1,167 | 1,027 |
| Goodwill | 16,280 | 16,280 |
| Total assets | 73,122 | 71,411 |
| Liabilities and shareholders' equity | ||
| Current liabilities: | ||
| Short-term borrowings | 2,102 | 2,959 |
| Accounts payable and accrued liabilities | 3,616 | 4,059 |
| Income tax payable | 18 | 26 |
| Other current liabilities | 500 | 482 |
| Contract liabilities | 871 | 800 |
| Current portion of long-term debt | 2,256 | 3,696 |
| Current portion of lease liabilities | 603 | 587 |
| Total current liabilities | 9,966 | 12,609 |
| Provisions | 62 | 61 |
| Long-term debt | 42,196 | 38,200 |
| Lease liabilities | 2,195 | 2,191 |
| Other long-term liabilities | 1,805 | 1,666 |
| Deferred tax liabilities | 6,270 | 6,281 |
| Total liabilities | 62,494 | 61,008 |
| Shareholders' equity | 10,628 | 10,403 |
| Total liabilities and shareholders' equity | 73,122 | 71,411 |
Rogers Communications Inc.
Interim Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions of Canadian dollars, unaudited)
| Three months ended March 31 | ||||
| 2025 | 2024 | |||
| Operating activities: | ||||
| Net income for the period | 280 | 256 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to cash provided by operating activities: | ||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,166 | 1,149 | ||
| Program rights amortization | 19 | 16 | ||
| Finance costs | 579 | 580 | ||
| Income tax expense | 100 | 79 | ||
| Post-employment benefits contributions, net of expense | 17 | 15 | ||
| Income from associates and joint ventures | (2 | ) | (1 | ) |
| Other | 3 | 4 | ||
| Cash provided by operating activities before changes in net operating assets and liabilities, income taxes paid, and interest paid | 2,162 | 2,098 | ||
| Change in net operating assets and liabilities | (83 | ) | (289 | ) |
| Income taxes paid | (188 | ) | (74 | ) |
| Interest paid | (595 | ) | (555 | ) |
| Cash provided by operating activities | 1,296 | 1,180 | ||
| Investing activities: | ||||
| Capital expenditures | (978 | ) | (1,058 | ) |
| Additions to program rights | (24 | ) | (13 | ) |
| Changes in non-cash working capital related to capital expenditures and intangible assets | 12 | 87 | ||
| Acquisitions and other strategic transactions, net of cash acquired | — | (95 | ) | |
| Other | 1 | 13 | ||
| Cash used in investing activities | (989 | ) | (1,066 | ) |
| Financing activities: | ||||
| Net (repayment of) proceeds received from short-term borrowings | (853 | ) | 1,304 | |
| Net issuance (repayment) of long-term debt | 2,602 | (1,108 | ) | |
| Net proceeds (payments) on settlement of debt derivatives | 83 | (2 | ) | |
| Transaction costs incurred | (38 | ) | (42 | ) |
| Principal payments of lease liabilities | (133 | ) | (112 | ) |
| Dividends paid | (185 | ) | (190 | ) |
| Other | (1 | ) | — | |
| Cash provided by (used in) financing activities | 1,475 | (150 | ) | |
| Change in cash and cash equivalents | 1,782 | (36 | ) | |
| Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period | 898 | 800 | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents, end of period | 2,680 | 764 | ||
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:
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Our conclusions, forecasts, and projections are based on a number of estimates, expectations, assumptions, and other factors, including, among others:
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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 may differ materially 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 or our current expectations or knowledge, including, but not limited to:
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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.
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 sections in our 2024 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.
About Rogers
Rogers is Canada's leading communications and entertainment company and its shares are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX:RCI) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:RCI).
| Investment Community Contact | Media Contact |
| Paul Carpino | Sarah Schmidt |
| 647.435.6470 | 647.643.6397 |
| [email protected] | [email protected] |
Quarterly Investment Community Teleconference
Our first quarter 2025 results teleconference with the investment community will be held on:
- April 23, 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 our 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 [email protected]. 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.
