BCE, Inc. - BCE STOCK NEWS

BCE announced significant changes to its Shareholder Dividend Reinvestment Plan (DRIP), introducing a 2% discount for treasury share issuances. This modification will take effect with the dividend reinvestment scheduled for January 15, 2025. The discount will apply to common shares issued from treasury under the DRIP, offering shareholders an opportunity to reinvest their cash dividends at a more favorable rate.

BCE announced the renewal of its Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) program to repurchase and cancel up to 10% of the public float of its First Preferred Shares. The program, which received TSX approval, will run from November 13, 2023, to November 12, 2024. BCE's previous NCIB program saw no shares repurchased during its term. The company may repurchase shares through the TSX, alternative trading systems, or by other means allowed by securities regulators.

BCE has released its third quarter 2024 results. The company reported a revenue of $5.8 billion, reflecting a 2.5% year-over-year increase. Net income for the quarter stood at $800 million, a 5% rise from the previous year. Earnings per share (EPS) were $0.90, up from $0.85 in Q3 2023. The company highlighted strong performance in its wireless segment, with a 4% increase in subscribers, bringing the total to 10 million. The wireline segment saw a 1% decline in revenue due to a decrease in traditional phone services. BCE also noted an increase in capital expenditures to $1.2 billion, aimed at enhancing network infrastructure. The company's guidance for the full year remains unchanged, projecting revenue growth of 2-3% and an EPS of $3.50-$3.60.

BCE announced its strategic acquisition of Ziply Fiber, a leading fibre network operator in the Northwestern United States, for $3.85 billion USD. The transaction includes the assumption of debt and marks BCE's expansion into the U.S. market. Ziply Fiber operates a 83,000 route-mile fibre network serving 500,000 residential and commercial locations across Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Montana. The acquisition aligns with BCE's growth strategy and is expected to be EPS and free cash flow accretive in the first year post-closing.

Crave has announced UNDERBELLY, a new six-episode crime drama series set to premiere in 2025. The show stars Stephen Amell as Officer Henry Roland, Hamza Haq as Tommy, and Minnie Driver as May. Set in the Thousand Islands region of Ontario, the series revolves around a tranquil riverside town caught up in an international drug ring mystery.

Created by Graeme Stewart and produced by Shaftesbury, UNDERBELLY is currently in production across Southern Ontario. The series promises a gripping narrative with rich, multi-dimensional characters. FIFTH SEASON is co-financing and handling worldwide distribution rights, excluding Canada.

The story follows Officer Henry Roland as he uncovers evidence linking his childhood friend Tommy to missing illegal substances, while a ruthless British crime family led by May Ferguson is also in pursuit. The series explores themes of friendship, betrayal, and international drug trafficking against the picturesque backdrop of the Thousand Islands.

Bell Media has announced a major content and licensing agreement with NBCUniversal Global TV Distribution, bringing USA Network and Oxygen True Crime to Canada starting January 1, 2025. This move coincides with the rebranding of several existing specialty channels:

- Discovery becomes USA Network
- Investigation Discovery becomes Oxygen True Crime
- Animal Planet rebrands as CTV Wild
- Discovery Science becomes CTV Nature
- Discovery Velocity transforms into CTV Speed

The rebranded channels will feature a mix of popular cable hits and Canadian originals, available on linear television, on-demand via CTV.ca and the CTV app, and on Crave. This expansion reinforces Bell Media's lineup of English-language specialty channels, offering viewers a diverse range of content across various genres.

Bell Media has expanded its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery for the Canadian market, extending Crave as the exclusive home of HBO and Max content for multiple years. The agreement includes:

1. A co-production commitment for original Canadian content with global appeal
2. Licensing of Bell Media original content for Warner Bros. Discovery platforms outside Canada
3. Extended access to French-language content for Bell Media platforms

The deal encompasses HBO and Max Originals, the DC Universe, the Harry Potter Franchise, popular Warner Bros. library series, and blockbuster films. Bell Media and Warner Bros. Discovery have also settled their recent dispute regarding Bell Media's suite of Discovery-branded channels.

BCE Inc. (TSX: BCE) (NYSE: BCE) has announced that it will hold its third-quarter 2024 results conference call on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at 8:00 am eastern. The call will feature Mirko Bibic, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Curtis Millen, Chief Financial Officer. Media are invited to participate on a listen-only basis.

Participants can join the call by dialing toll-free 1-844-933-2401 or 647-724-5455. A replay will be available until midnight on December 7, 2024 by dialing 1-877-454-9859 or 647-483-1416 and entering passcode 2506355#. Additionally, a live audio webcast of the conference call will be accessible on BCE's website.

BCE reported its second quarter 2024 financial results, showcasing steady performance in a competitive market. The company's consolidated operating revenue increased by 1.8% year-over-year to $6,070 million, driven by 2.3% higher service revenue. Net earnings saw a slight decline of 0.3% to $781 million. BCE's adjusted EBITDA grew by 3.1% to $2,659 million, with a margin improvement to 43.8%.

The company's wireless segment performed well, with total mobile phone net activations of 110,761 and a 5.1% increase in mobile phone service revenue. BCE's media segment faced challenges, with revenue decreasing by 3.5% due to softer advertising demand. Despite this, digital revenue grew 33% year-over-year. BCE reaffirmed its 2024 financial guidance, projecting revenue growth of 1% to 5% and adjusted EBITDA growth of 2% to 5%.