GRAY TELEVISION, INC.
 
 
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) August 7, 2008
Gray Television, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
Georgia
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)
     
1-13796   58-0285030
 
(Commission File Numbers)   (IRS Employer Identification No.)
     
4370 Peachtree Road, Atlanta, Georgia   30319
 
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
404-504-9828
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
     Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
o   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
o   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
o   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
 
 

 


 

Item 2.02   Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
The information set forth under this Item 2.02 is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.
On August 7, 2008, Gray Television Inc. issued a press release reporting its financial results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008. A copy of the press release is hereby attached as Exhibit 99 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d)     Exhibits
99     Press Release issued by Gray Television Inc. on August 7, 2008

 


 

SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
         
  Gray Television Inc.
 
 
August 7, 2008  By:   /s/ James C. Ryan    
    Name:   James C. Ryan   
    Title:   Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President   
 
 

 


 

Exhibit Index
         
Exhibit No.   Description
  99    
Press release issued by Gray Television Inc. on August 7, 2008

 

EX-99.1 PRESS RELEASE
Exhibit 99
Gray
Television, Inc.
 
NEWS RELEASE
Gray Reports Operating Results
For the Three Months and Six Months Ended June 30, 2008
Atlanta, Georgia — August 7, 2008. . . Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we” or “us”) (NYSE: GTN) today announced results from operations for the three months (the “second quarter”) and six months ended June 30, 2008 as compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007.
Comments on As Reported Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended June 30, 2008:
Revenues.
Total net revenue decreased $1.0 million, or 1%, to $78.7 million due primarily to decreased local and national advertising revenues that were partially offset by increased political and internet advertising revenue in the current year. The increase in political advertising revenue reflects increased advertising from political candidates in the 2008 primary and general elections. Increased internet advertising revenue reflects our internet sales initiatives in each of our markets. The decrease in local and national revenue was largely due to a softening economy.
     Political advertising revenues increased $2.3 million, or 88%, to $5.0 million.
     Internet advertising revenue increased $0.8 million, or 34%, to $3.0 million.
     Local advertising revenue decreased $2.5 million, or 5%, to $49.5 million.
     National advertising revenue decreased $1.4 million, or 7%, to $18.5 million.
Operating expenses.
Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) decreased $0.6 million, or 1%, to $48.5 million.
Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) decreased $0.9 million, or 24%, to $2.7 million.
We recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense during the three months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 of $395,000 and $310,000, respectively.
Comments on Results of Operations for the Six Months Ended June 30, 2008:
Revenues.
Total net revenue increased $0.3 million to $149.7 million due primarily to increased political and internet advertising revenue that were partially offset by decreased local and national advertising revenue in the current year. The increase in political advertising revenue reflects increased advertising from political candidates in the 2008 primary and general elections. Increased internet advertising revenue reflects our internet sales initiatives in each of our markets. The decrease in local and national revenue was largely due to a softening economy and due to the change in networks broadcasting the Super Bowl. During the first six months of 2008, we earned approximately $130,000 of net revenue relating to the 2008 Super Bowl broadcast on our six Fox channels compared to earning approximately $750,000 of net revenue relating to the 2007 Super Bowl broadcast on our 17 CBS channels during the first six months of 2007.
     Political advertising revenues increased $4.3 million, or 115%, to $8.0 million.
     Internet advertising revenue increased $1.4 million, or 31%, to $5.7 million.
4370 Peachtree Road, NE * Atlanta, GA 30319
(404) 504-9828 * Fax (404) 261-9607

 


 

     Local advertising revenue decreased $3.5 million, or 4%, to $95.2 million.
     National advertising revenue decreased $2.1 million, or 6%, to $34.8 million.
Operating expenses.
Broadcast expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) increased $0.6 million, or 1%, to $98.5 million.
Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) decreased $1.4 million, or 18%, to $6.3 million.
We recorded non-cash stock-based compensation expense during the six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007 of $689,000 and $830,000, respectively.
Internet Initiatives:
We have continued to expand our internet initiatives in each of our markets. Our focus has been to expand local content to attract traffic to our websites.
This strong revenue growth reflects the significantly increased traffic to our websites as illustrated below by the aggregate page views reported by our websites in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008 compared to the three months and six months ended June 30, 2007.
Gray Websites — Aggregate Page Views
                         
    Three Months Ended
June 30,
 
                    %  
    2008     2007     Change  
    (in millions)          
Total Aggregate Page Views (including video plays and cell phone page views)
    150.3       97.3       54 %
                         
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
 
                    %  
    2008     2007     Change  
    (in millions)          
Total Aggregate Page Views (including video plays and cell phone page views)
    312.5       203.6       53 %
We attribute the increase in our website traffic to increased posting of local content and public awareness of our websites as the result of our on-air promotion of our websites.
The aggregate internet revenues discussed above are derived from two sources. The first source is advertising or sponsorship opportunities directly on our websites. We call this “direct internet revenue.” The other source is television advertising time purchased by our clients to directly promote their involvement in our websites. We refer to this internet revenue source as “internet related commercial time sales.”
     
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008
  Page 2 of 9

 


 

In the future we anticipate our direct internet revenue will grow at a significantly faster pace relative to our internet related commercial time sales.
Other Financial Data:
                 
    June 30, 2008     December 31, 2007  
    (in thousands)  
Cash
  $ 22,568     $ 15,338  
Total debt
    855,538       925,000  
Preferred stock
    68,638        
Available credit under senior credit facility
    100,000       100,000  
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
    (in thousands)  
Net cash provided by operating activities
  $ 17,237     $ 5,012  
Net cash used in investing activities
    (6,277 )     (18,228 )
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities
    (3,730 )     11,853  
On June 26, 2008, we issued 750 shares of Series D Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) having an aggregate liquidation value of $75.0 million in a privately placed transaction to qualified investors. We received approximately $68.6 million in net proceeds after issuance discounts and transaction expenses. Also on June 26, 2008, we used $65.0 million of the net proceeds from the issuance to make a voluntary prepayment on our term loan. The remaining $3.6 million of the net proceeds was retained by Gray for general corporate purposes.
On July 15, 2008, we issued an additional 250 shares of Series D Preferred Stock having an aggregate liquidation value of $25.0 million in a privately placed transaction to qualified investors. We received approximately $23.0 million in net proceeds after issuance discounts and transaction expenses. Also on July 15, 2008, we used the $23.0 million of net proceeds from the issuance to make a voluntary prepayment on our term loan.
A detailed table of operating results follows on the next page.
     
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008
  Page 3 of 9

 


 

Gray Television, Inc.
Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)

(in thousands except for per share data and percentages)
                         
    Three Months Ended  
    June 30,  
                    %  
    2008     2007     Change  
Revenues (less agency commissions)
  $ 78,743     $ 79,750       (1 )%
Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets, net:
                       
Broadcast
    48,460       49,048       (1 )%
Corporate and administrative
    2,722       3,584       (24 )%
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets
    8,907       10,117       (12 )%
(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net
    (84 )     119       (171 )%
 
                   
 
    60,005       62,868       (5 )%
 
                   
Operating income
    18,738       16,882       11 %
Other income (expense):
                       
Miscellaneous income, net
    63       449       (86 )%
Interest expense
    (13,402 )     (16,525 )     (19 )%
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          (16,361 )        
 
                   
Income (loss) before income tax
    5,399       (15,555 )        
Income tax expense (benefit)
    2,184       (5,613 )        
 
                   
Net income (loss)
    3,215       (9,942 )        
Preferred dividends (includes accretion of issuance cost of $0 and $418, respectively)
    125       847       (85 )%
 
                   
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 3,090     $ (10,789 )        
 
                   
 
                       
Basic per share information:
                       
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 0.06     $ (0.23 )        
 
                   
Weighted average shares outstanding
    48,235       47,688       1 %
 
                   
 
                       
Diluted per share information:
                       
Net income (loss) available to common stockholders
  $ 0.06     $ (0.23 )        
 
                   
Weighted average shares outstanding
    48,273       47,688       1 %
 
                   
 
                       
Political revenue (less agency commission)
  $ 4,951     $ 2,634       88 %
     
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008
  Page 4 of 9

 


 

Gray Television, Inc.
Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)

(in thousands except for per share data and percentages)
                         
    Six Months Ended  
    June 30,  
                    %  
    2008     2007     Change  
Revenues (less agency commissions)
  $ 149,742     $ 149,431       0 %
Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets, net:
                       
Broadcast
    98,476       97,866       1 %
Corporate and administrative
    6,261       7,645       (18 )%
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets
    17,991       19,892       (10 )%
(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net
    (1,005 )     116       (966 )%
 
                   
 
    121,723       125,519       (3 )%
 
                   
Operating income
    28,019       23,912       17 %
Other income (expense):
                       
Miscellaneous income, net
    90       807       (89 )%
Interest expense
    (29,201 )     (33,797 )     (14 )%
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          (22,853 )        
 
                   
Loss before income tax benefit
    (1,092 )     (31,931 )        
Income tax benefit
    (457 )     (11,475 )        
 
                   
Net loss
    (635 )     (20,456 )        
Preferred dividends (includes accretion of issuance cost of $0 and $439, respectively )
    125       1,626       (92 )%
 
                   
Net loss available to common stockholders
  $ (760 )   $ (22,082 )        
 
                   
 
                       
Basic per share information:
                       
Net loss available to common stockholders
  $ (0.02 )   $ (0.46 )        
 
                   
Weighted average shares outstanding
    48,194       47,711       1 %
 
                   
 
                       
Diluted per share information:
                       
Net loss available to common stockholders
  $ (0.02 )   $ (0.46 )        
 
                   
Weighted average shares outstanding
    48,194       47,711       1 %
 
                   
 
                       
Political revenue (less agency commission)
  $ 8,024     $ 3,731       115 %
     
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008
  Page 5 of 9

 


 

Guidance for the Third Quarter of 2008
We currently anticipate that our broadcast results of operations for the three months ending September 30, 2008 (the “third quarter of 2008”) will approximate the ranges presented in the table below.
                                         
            %             %        
    2008     Change     2008     Change        
    Guidance     From     Guidance     From        
    Low     Actual     High     Actual     Actual  
Selected operating data:   Range     2007     Range     2007     2007  
    (dollars in thousands)  
OPERATING REVENUES:
                                       
Revenues (less agency commissions)
  $ 84,500       15 %   $ 86,500       18 %   $ 73,585  
 
                                       
OPERATING EXPENSES:
                                       
(before depreciation, amortization and other expenses)
                                       
Broadcast
  $ 50,000       1 %   $ 50,500       2 %   $ 49,583  
Corporate and administrative
  $ 3,900       (1 )%   $ 4,000       2 %   $ 3,932  
 
                                       
OTHER SELECTED DATA:
                                       
Broadcast political revenues (less agency commissions)
  $ 13,500             $ 14,500             $ 1,450  
 
                                       
Expense for non-cash contributions to 401(k) plan
  $ 575             $ 600             $ 564  
 
                                       
Expense for corporate non-cash stock-based compensation
  $ 400             $ 425             $ 285  
Comments on Guidance
Total revenues anticipated for the third quarter of 2008 reflect an incremental increase in political revenues. Local non-political advertising revenue for the third quarter of 2008 is currently anticipated to approximate the results of the three months ended September 30, 2007 (the “third quarter of 2007”). National non-political advertising revenue is currently anticipated to be down approximately 6% to 7% in the third quarter of 2008 compared to the third quarter of 2007. Internet advertising revenue for the third quarter of 2008 is currently anticipated to increase approximately 25% to 35% compared to the third quarter of 2007.
The increase in broadcast operating expenses, before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets, primarily reflects national sales representative commissions on anticipated political revenue. For the full fiscal year ended December 31, 2008, broadcast operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization and loss on disposal of assets) are currently anticipated to increase approximately 1% compared to the full fiscal year ended December 31, 2007 results. This annual increase primarily reflects national sales representative commissions on anticipated political revenue and severance costs relating to staff reductions at certain television stations.
Changes in the classification of certain items:
The classification of certain prior year amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements have been changed in order to conform to the current year presentation.
In our previous disclosures, we had included internet advertising revenue with local advertising revenue and retransmission consent revenue was included with production and other revenue. We are now presenting
     
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008
  Page 6 of 9

 


 

internet advertising revenue and retransmission consent revenue separately. The table below presents our expanded disclosure for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively (dollars in thousands):
                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
            Percent             Percent  
    Amount     of Total     Amount     of Total  
Broadcasting net revenues:
                               
Local
  $ 49,495       62.9 %   $ 52,009       65.2 %
National
    18,479       23.4 %     19,862       24.9 %
Internet
    3,048       3.9 %     2,267       2.9 %
Political
    4,951       6.3 %     2,634       3.3 %
Retransmission consent
    801       1.0 %     488       0.6 %
Production and other
    1,763       2.2 %     2,294       2.9 %
Network compensation
    206       0.3 %     196       0.2 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 78,743       100.0 %   $ 79,750       100.0 %
 
                       
                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2008     2007  
            Percent             Percent  
    Amount     of Total     Amount     of Total  
Broadcasting net revenues:
                               
Local
  $ 95,214       63.6 %   $ 98,706       66.1 %
National
    34,816       23.2 %     36,955       24.7 %
Internet
    5,677       3.8 %     4,325       2.9 %
Political
    8,024       5.4 %     3,731       2.5 %
Retransmission consent
    1,447       1.0 %     942       0.6 %
Production and other
    4,184       2.8 %     4,388       2.9 %
Network compensation
    380       0.2 %     384       0.3 %
 
                       
Total
  $ 149,742       100.0 %   $ 149,431       100.0 %
 
                       
The aggregate internet revenues presented above are derived from two sources: (i) direct internet revenue and (ii) internet related commercial time sales.
Conference Call Information
     We will host a conference call to discuss our second quarter operating results on August 7, 2008. The call will begin at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1 (888) 663-2258 and the confirmation code is 3464127. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.gray.tv. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at 1 (888) 203-1112, Confirmation Code: 3464127 until September 6, 2008.
     
For information contact:
  Web site: www.gray.tv
Bob Prather
  Jim Ryan
President and Chief Operating Officer
  Senior V. P. and Chief Financial Officer
(404) 266-8333
  (404) 504-9828
     
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008
  Page 7 of 9

 


 

Reconciliations:
Reconciliation of net income (loss) to the non-GAAP terms (in thousands):
                 
    As Reported  
    Three Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2008     2007  
Net income (loss)
  $ 3,215     $ (9,942 )
Adjustments to reconcile to Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses:
               
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets
    8,907       10,117  
Amortization of non-cash stock based compensation
    395       310  
(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net
    (84 )     119  
Miscellaneous (income) expense, net
    (63 )     (449 )
Interest expense
    13,402       16,525  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          16,361  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    2,184       (5,613 )
Amortization of program broadcast rights
    3,821       3,803  
Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan excluding corporate 401(k) contributions
    641       582  
Network compensation revenue recognized
    (206 )     (196 )
Network compensation per network affiliation agreement
    30       78  
Payments for program broadcast rights
    (2,666 )     (3,882 )
 
           
Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses
    29,576       27,813  
Corporate and administrative expenses excluding amortization of non-cash stock-based compensation
    2,327       3,274  
 
           
Broadcast Cash Flow
  $ 31,903     $ 31,087  
 
           
                 
    As Reported  
    Six Months Ended  
    June 30,  
    2008     2007  
Net income (loss)
  $ (635 )   $ (20,456 )
Adjustments to reconcile to Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses:
               
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets
    17,991       19,892  
Amortization of non-cash stock based compensation
    689       830  
(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net
    (1,005 )     116  
Miscellaneous (income) expense, net
    (90 )     (807 )
Interest expense
    29,201       33,797  
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
          22,853  
Income tax expense (benefit)
    (457 )     (11,475 )
Amortization of program broadcast rights
    7,672       7,596  
Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan excluding corporate 401(k) contributions
    1,267       1,200  
Network compensation revenue recognized
    (380 )     (385 )
Network compensation per network affiliation agreement
    60       157  
Payments for program broadcast rights
    (6,441 )     (7,687 )
 
           
Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses
    47,872       45,631  
Corporate and administrative expenses excluding amortization of non-cash stock-based compensation
    5,572       6,815  
 
           
Broadcast Cash Flow
  $ 53,444     $ 52,446  
 
           
See the next page for the definition of Non-GAAP terms.
     
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008
  Page 8 of 9

 


 

Non-GAAP Terms
This press release includes the non-GAAP financial measure of Broadcast Cash Flow and Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses. These non-GAAP amounts are used by us to approximate the amount used to calculate a key financial performance covenant as defined in our senior credit facility. Broadcast Cash Flow is defined as operating income, plus corporate expense, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of program broadcast rights), non-cash compensation and (gain) loss on disposal of assets and cash payments received or receivable under network affiliation agreements, less payments for program broadcast obligations, less network compensation revenue and less income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes. Corporate expenses (excluding depreciation, amortization and non-cash stock-based compensation) are deducted from Broadcast Cash Flow to calculate “Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses.” These non-GAAP terms are used in addition to and in conjunction with results presented in accordance with GAAP and should be considered as supplements to, and not as substitutes for, net loss calculated in accordance with GAAP.
Gray Television, Inc.
Gray Television, Inc. is a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, GA. We currently operate 36 television stations serving 30 markets. Each of the stations are affiliated with either CBS (17 stations), NBC (10 stations), ABC (8 stations) or FOX (1 station). In addition, we currently operate 40 digital second channels including 1 ABC, 5 Fox, 8 CW and 16 MyNetworkTV affiliates plus 8 local news/weather channels and 2 “independent” channels in certain of our existing markets.
Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
The comments on our current expectations of operating results for the third quarter of 2008 and other future events are “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results of operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations discussed in this press release. All information set forth in this release and its attachments is as of August 7, 2008. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. Information about potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are included under the captions, “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 which is on file with the SEC and available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.
     
Gray Television, Inc.
Earnings Release for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2008
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