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Salem Media Group, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2017 Total Revenue of $67.2 Million

By: Mar. 16, 2018
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Salem Media Group, Inc. Announces Fourth Quarter 2017 Total Revenue of $67.2 Million Image Salem Media Group, Inc. (SALM) released its results for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017.

Fourth Quarter 2017 Results

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For the quarter ended December 31, 2017 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2016:

Consolidated

  • Total revenue decreased 4.9% to $67.2 million from $70.7 million;
  • Total operating expenses decreased 6.8% to $62.7 million from $67.2 million;
  • Operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense (1) decreased 2.8% to $53.9 million from $55.5 million;
  • Operating income increased 31.0% to $4.5 million from $3.5 million;
  • Net income increased to $22.4 million, or $0.85 net income per diluted share from $3.0 million, or $0.11 net income per diluted share;
  • EBITDA (1) decreased 8.8% to $8.9 million from $9.8 million;
  • Adjusted EBITDA (1) decreased 12.6% to $13.3 million from $15.2 million; and
  • Net cash provided by operating activities decreased 82.5% to $2.2 million from $12.4 million.

Broadcast

  • Net broadcast revenue decreased 2.9% to $50.7 million from $52.2 million;
  • Station Operating Income ("SOI") (1) decreased 9.0% to $14.0 million from $15.4 million;
  • Same Station (1) net broadcast revenue decreased 2.4% to $50.6 million from $51.9 million; and
  • Same Station SOI (1) decreased 9.0% to $14.1 million from $15.5 million.

Digital Media

  • Digital media revenue decreased 12.8% to $11.1 million from $12.7 million; and
  • Digital Media Operating Income (1) decreased 17.9% to $2.7 million from $3.2 million.

Publishing

  • Publishing revenue decreased 5.8% to $5.4 million from $5.7 million; and
  • Publishing Operating Loss (1) decreased 29.5% to $0.4 million from $0.5 million.

Included in the results for the quarter ended December 31, 2017 are:

  • A $4.3 million ($2.6 million, net of tax, or $0.10 per share) net loss on the sale or disposal of assets, including a $4.7 million estimated loss for the sale of WQVN-AM (formerly WKAT-AM) in Miami, Florida offset by a $0.4 million gain on the sale of the WSPZ-AM tower site; and
  • A $23.0 million ($0.87 per share) income tax benefit was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.

Included in the results for the quarter ended December 31, 2016 are:

  • A $6.5 million ($3.9 million, net of tax, or $0.15 per share) impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets related to the company's broadcast licenses in the Cleveland, Detroit, Dallas and Portland markets;
  • A $0.5 million ($0.3 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets related to the company's mastheads within Salem Publishing;
  • A $0.2 million ($0.1 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) net decrease in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration associated with the Eagle, Bryan Perry Newsletters, Daily Devotional and Turner Investment acquisitions;
  • A $0.1 million gain on bargain purchase of KXFN-AM in St. Louis, Missouri; and
  • A $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge related to the expensing of stock options primarily consisting of corporate expenses.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 26,378,260 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended December 31, 2017, and 26,101,172 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended December 31, 2016.

Year to Date 2017 Results

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 compared to the twelve months ended December 31, 2016:

Consolidated

  • Total revenue decreased 3.9% to $263.7 million from $274.3 million;
  • Total operating expenses decreased 2.2% to $240.8 million from $246.2 million;
  • Operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense (1) decreased 2.2% to $218.2 million from $223.2 million;
  • Operating income decreased 18.2% to $23.0 million from $28.1 million;
  • Net income increased to $24.6 million, or $0.94 net income per diluted share from $8.9 million, or $0.34 per diluted share;
  • EBITDA (1) decreased 18.0% to $37.4 million from $45.7 million;
  • Adjusted EBITDA (1) decreased 10.9% to $45.6 million from $51.1 million; and
  • Net cash provided by operating activities decreased 29.7% to $27.3 million from $38.9 million.

Broadcast

  • Net broadcast revenue decreased 2.9% to $196.2 million from $202.0 million;
  • SOI (1) decreased 9.0% to $50.7 million from $55.7 million;
  • Same Station (1) net broadcast revenue decreased 2.5% to $195.5 million from $200.4 million; and
  • Same Station SOI (1) decreased 8.8% to $50.9 million from $55.8 million.

Digital Media

  • Digital media revenue decreased 7.9% to $43.1 million from $46.8 million; and
  • Digital Media Operating Income (1) decreased 10.2% to $9.4 million from $10.5 million.

Publishing

  • Publishing revenue decreased 4.3% to $24.4 million from $25.5 million; and
  • Publishing Operating Loss (1) decreased 95.3% to $32,000 from $0.7 million.

Included in the results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017 are:

  • A $3.9 million ($2.3 million, net of tax, or $0.09 per share) net loss on the sale or disposal of assets, including a $4.7 million estimated loss for the sale of WQVN-AM (formerly WKAT-AM) in Miami, Florida that was offset by a $0.5 million gain from the sale of a former transmitter site in our Dallas, Texas market and a $0.4 million gain on the sale of the WSPZ-AM tower site;
  • A $2.8 million loss ($1.7 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per share) on the early redemption of long-term debt due to the repayment and termination of the senior credit facilities consisting of a term loan ("Term Loan B") and Revolver;
  • A $23.0 million ($0.87 per share) income tax benefit was recorded in the fourth quarter of 2017 as a result of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017; and
  • A $1.7 million non-cash compensation charge ($1.0 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per share) related to the expensing of stock options and restricted stock consisting of:
    • $1.2 million non-cash compensation charge included in corporate expenses;
    • $0.3 million non-cash compensation charge included in broadcast operating expenses;
    • $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge included in digital media operating expenses; and
    • $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge included in publishing operating expenses.

Included in the results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016 are:

  • A $6.5 million ($3.9 million, net of tax, or $0.15 per share) impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets related to the company's broadcast licenses in the Cleveland, Dallas, Detroit and Portland markets;
  • A $0.5 million ($0.3 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets related to the company's mastheads within Salem Publishing;
  • A $0.7 million impairment loss ($0.4 million, net of tax, or $0.02 per share) on land held for sale in Covina, California;
  • A $1.9 million ($1.1 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per diluted share) net gain on the sale or disposal of assets primarily associated with the $1.9 million gain on the sale of the Miami tower site and a $0.7 million gain from a land easement in South Carolina offset by a $0.4 million charge for leasehold improvements incurred upon the relocation of the offices in the Washington D.C. market and a net loss of $0.3 million related to various fixed asset disposals;
  • A $1.6 million (or $0.06 per share) increase in the deferred tax valuation allowance;
  • A $0.7 million ($0.4 million, net of tax, or $0.02 per share) net decrease in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration associated with the Eagle entities, Bryan Perry Newsletters, Daily Devotional and Turner Investment acquisitions;
  • A $0.5 million ($0.3 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) reserve for a litigation matter;
  • A $0.1 million gain on bargain purchase of KXFN-AM in St. Louis, Missouri; and
  • A $0.6 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.3 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:
    • $0.4 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses;
    • $0.1 million non-cash compensation included in broadcast operating expenses; and
    • $0.1 million non-cash compensation included in Digital media operating expenses.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 26,435,757 diluted weighted average shares for the twelve months ended December 31, 2017, and 26,034,990 diluted weighted average shares for the twelve months ended December 31, 2016.

Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 2017, the company had $255.0 million outstanding on the 6.75% senior secured notes due 2024 (the "Notes") and $9.0 million outstanding under the Asset Based Revolving Credit Facility ("ABL Facility").

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The following transactions were completed since October 1, 2017:

  • On December 28, 2017, the company sold real property, including the land, tower and broadcasting facilities, of radio station WSPZ-AM (now WWRC-AM) in Bethesda, Maryland for $1.9 million in cash.
  • On November 22, 2017, the company closed on the acquisition of radio station WSPZ-AM (now WWRC-AM) in Bethesda, Maryland for $0.6 million in cash from a related party.

The following transactions are currently pending:

  • On December 1, 2017, the company entered into an agreement to sell radio station WQVN-AM (formerly WKAT-AM) in Miami, Florida for $3.5 million in cash. The buyer began operating the radio station under a Local Marketing Agreement ("LMA") as of the same date. The sale is expected to close during the first quarter of 2018. The company recorded an estimated loss on the sale of assets of $4.7 million as of December 31, 2017, based on the probability of the sale, which reflected the sales price as compared to the carrying value of the assets and the estimated costs of the sale.
  • On December 29, 2017, the company entered into two LMAs to program radio stations KPAM-AM and KKOV-AM in Portland, Oregon. The company began operating the radio stations on January 2, 2018. The LMA's have a 12-month term.
  • On January 3, 2018, the company entered into an agreement to sell radio station WBIX-AM in Boston, Massachusetts for $0.7 million in cash. The sale is expected to close later in 2018.
  • On March 1, 2018, the company entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement to acquire radio station KZTS-FM in Little Rock, Arkansas for $1.1 million in cash. The company will begin programming the radio station under a LMA on April 1, 2018.

Conference Call Information

Salem will host a teleconference to discuss its results on March 15, 2018 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. To access the teleconference, please dial (877) 524-8416, and then ask to be joined into the Salem Media Group Fourth Quarter 2017 call or listen via the investor relations portion of the company's website, located at investor.salemmedia.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available through March 29, 2018 and can be heard by dialing (877) 660-6853, passcode 13675938 or on the investor relations portion of the company's website, located at investor.salemmedia.com.

First Quarter 2018 Outlook

For the first quarter of 2018, the company is projecting total revenue to decline between 1% and 3% over first quarter 2017 total revenue of $65.0 million. The company is also projecting operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense to be between a 1% decline and a 2% increase compared to the first quarter of 2017 operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, depreciation expense and amortization expense of $54.6 million.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts on a forward-looking basis due to the potential high variability, complexity and low visibility with respect to the charges excluded from this non-GAAP financial measure, in particular, the change in the estimated fair value of earn-out consideration, impairments and gains or losses from the sale or disposal of fixed assets. The company expects the variability of the above charges may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on its future GAAP financial results.

Follow us on Twitter @SalemMediaGrp.

About Salem Media Group, Inc.

Salem Media Group is America's leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing. Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally. With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape.

The company is the largest commercial U.S. radio broadcasting company providing Christian and conservative programming. Salem owns and/or operates 119 radio stations, with 74 stations in the top 25 media markets. Salem Radio Network ("SRN") is a full-service national radio network, with nationally syndicated programs comprising Christian teaching and talk, conservative talk, news, and music. SRN is home to many industry-leading hosts including: Hugh Hewitt, Mike Gallagher, Dennis Prager, Michael Medved, Larry Elder, Joe Walsh and Eric Metaxas.

Salem's digital media is a leading source of Christian and conservative themed news, analysis, and commentary. Salem's Christian sites include: BibleStudyTools.com, Crosswalk.com, GodVine.com, ibelieve.com, GodTube.com, OnePlace.com, Christianity.com®, churchstaffing.com and WorshipHouseMedia.com. Salem's conservative sites include Townhall.com®, HotAir.com, Twitchy.com, RedState.com, and BearingArms.com.

Salem's Regnery Publishing unit, with a history dating back to 1948, is the nation's leading independent publisher of conservative books. Having published many of the seminal works of the early conservative movement, Regnery today continues as a major publisher in the conservative space, with leading authors including: Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, David Limbaugh, Ed Klein, Mark Steyn and Dinesh D'Souza. Salem's book publishing business also includes Salem Author Services, composed of Xulon Press™, Mill City Press and Bookprinting.com, which offer print-on-demand self-publishing services for authors.

Salem's Eagle Financial Publications provides general market analysis and non-individualized investment strategies from financial commentators Mark Skousen, Bob Carlson, Jim Woods, and Bryan Perry, as well as a stock screening website for dividend investors (DividendInvestor.com). The business unit's other investing websites include StockInvestor.com and RetirementWatch.com.

Eagle Wellness, through its website newportnaturalhealth.com, provides insightful health advice and is a trusted source of high quality nutritional supplements from leading health expert, Leigh Erin Connealy MD. Dr. Connealy is the medical director of one of the largest medical practices in the country where she practices integrative medicine.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements used in this press release that relate to future plans, events, financial results, prospects or performance are forward-looking statements as defined under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to the ability of Salem to close and integrate announced transactions, market acceptance of Salem's radio station formats, competition from new technologies, adverse economic conditions, and other risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time in Salem's reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Salem undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information, changed circumstances or unanticipated events.

(1)

   

Regulation G

 

Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures defined below in communications with investors, analysts, rating agencies, banks and others to assist such parties in understanding the impact of various items on its financial statements. The company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial results, develop budgets, manage expenditures and as a measure of performance under compensation programs.

 

The company's presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable financial measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

 

Regulation G defines and prescribes the conditions under which certain non-GAAP financial information may be presented in this earnings release. The company closely monitors EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Station Operating Income ("SOI"), Same Station net broadcast revenue, Same Station broadcast operating expenses, Same Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), and operating expenses excluding gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation and amortization, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. The company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its core operating results, and thus, are appropriate to enhance the overall understanding of its financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide management and investors a more complete understanding of its underlying operational results, trends and performance.

 

The company defines Station Operating Income ("SOI") as net broadcast revenue minus broadcast operating expenses. The company defines Digital Media Operating Income as net Digital Media Revenue minus Digital Media Operating Expenses. The company defines Publishing Operating Income (Loss) as net Publishing Revenue minus Publishing Operating Expenses. The company defines EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, before changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, before changes in the fair value of interest rate swap, before impairments, before net miscellaneous income and expenses, before gain on bargain purchase, before (gain) loss on early retirement of long-term debt and before non-cash compensation expense. SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are commonly used by the broadcast and media industry as important measures of performance and are used by investors and analysts who report on the industry to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasters. SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for or superior to its results of operations and financial condition presented in accordance with GAAP. The company's definitions of SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

The company defines Adjusted Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA less cash paid for capital expenditures, less cash paid for income taxes, and less cash paid for interest. The company considers Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by its operations after cash paid for capital expenditures, cash paid for income taxes and cash paid for interest. A limitation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in its cash balance for the period. The company uses Adjusted Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP liquidity measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluation and management of the business. The company's presentation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company's definition of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

The company defines Same Station net broadcast revenue as broadcast revenue from its radio stations and networks that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The company defines Same Station broadcast operating expenses as broadcast operating expenses from its radio stations and networks that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The company defines Same Station SOI as Same Station net broadcast revenue less Same Station broadcast operating expenses. Same Station operating results include those stations that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same Station operating results for a full calendar year are calculated as the sum of the Same Station-results for each of the four quarters of that year. The company uses Same Station operating results, a non-GAAP financial measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluations and management of the business. The company believes that Same Station operating results provide a meaningful comparison of period over period performance of its core broadcast operations as this measure excludes the impact of new stations, the impact of stations the company no longer owns or operates, and the impact of stations operating under a new programming format. The company's presentation of Same Station operating results are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company's definition of Same Station operating results is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

 

For all non-GAAP financial measures, investors should consider the limitations associated with these metrics, including the potential lack of comparability of these measures from one company to another.

 

The Supplemental Information tables that follow the condensed consolidated financial statements provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures that the company uses in this earnings release to the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The company uses non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial performance, develop budgets, manage expenditures, and determine employee compensation. The company's presentation of this additional information is not to be considered as a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

 

SOURCE: BUSINESS WIRE. ©2017 Business Wire



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