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

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

_{____________________
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.

_{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.

_{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).

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:

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

_{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

^{1 Calculated using service revenue.}

Wireless Subscriber Results ¹

_{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

Cable Subscriber Results ¹

_{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

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

_{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.

Depreciation and amortization

Restructuring, acquisition and other

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

_{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

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

Net income

Adjusted net income
We calculate adjusted net income from adjusted EBITDA as follows:

_{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

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.

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

_{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.}

_{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.

_{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.}

_{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.}

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.

_{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.

_{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

_{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.

_{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.}

_{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.

_{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.

_{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

_{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.

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.

_{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.

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.

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.

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

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:

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.

Reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA

Reconciliation of pro forma trailing 12-month adjusted EBITDA

Reconciliation of adjusted net income

Reconciliation of free cash flow

_{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.