gtn20170804_8k.htm

 

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 8, 2017 (August 8, 2017)

 

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 Number)

 

(IRS Employer Identification No.)

 

 

4370 Peachtree Road, NE, 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):

 

     ☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

     ☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

     ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

     ☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 
 

 

 

Item 2.02 - Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On August 8, 2017, Gray Television, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release reporting its financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2017. A copy of the press release is furnished as Exhibit 99.1 to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

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, 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.

 

Item 7.01 - Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

 Also on August 8, 2017, the Company published on its corporate website certain unaudited selected operating data for the three month and year-to-date periods ended March 31 and June 30, 2017, as well as for the three month and year-to-date periods ended March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014. A copy of such unaudited selected operating data is furnished as Exhibit 99.2 to this Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.

 

The information set forth under this item 7.01 is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, nor shall it be deemed to be incorporated by reference in any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, except as may be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)     Exhibits

 

99.1

Press release issued by Gray Television, Inc. on August 8, 2017

99.2

Unaudited selected operating data published on its corporate website by Gray Television, Inc., on August 8, 2017

 

 
 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities 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 8, 2017

By:  

 /s/ James C. Ryan

 

 

 

Name:  

James C. Ryan 

 

 

 

Title:  

Executive Vice President  and

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit

No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press release issued by Gray Television, Inc. on August 8, 2017

99.2

 

Unaudited selected operating data published on its corporate website by Gray Television, Inc., on August 8, 2017

 

ex99-1.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Gray Reports Record Operating Results

 

Atlanta, Georgia – August 8, 2017. . . Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN and GTN.A) today announces record-setting results of operations for the period ended June 30, 2017, including record revenue, record net income and record Broadcast Cash Flow.

 

We experienced accelerating market trends throughout the second quarter of 2017. As a result, our operating revenue and political advertising revenue significantly exceeded the high end of the guidance ranges that we had provided for this period. We also succeeded in recording broadcast and corporate and administrative expenses below the low end of our guidance. This performance, plus the gain on disposal of two licenses through our participation in the FCC reverse auction for broadcast spectrum produced fully diluted net income per share of $0.97 in the second quarter of 2017.

 

Looking forward, on a Combined Historical Basis, we anticipate that aggregate local and national advertising revenue, excluding approximately $8.2 million of advertising revenue attributable to the broadcast of the 2016 Summer Olympics, will increase in the low to mid-single digit percentage range in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016.

 

Financial Highlights:

 

 

Record Revenue - The following table presents certain of our record results on an As-Reported and Combined Historical Basis for the second quarter of 2017 and the respective percentage change from the second quarter of 2016 (dollars in millions):

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30, 2017

 
           

%

   

Combined

   

%

 
   

As-Reported

   

Change

   

Historical

   

Change

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                   

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 117.9       13%       $ 119.8       0%    

National

    31.0       19%         31.9       2%    

Political

    3.7       (62)%         3.7       (67)%    

Retransmission consent

    69.4       37%         69.9       25%    

Other

    4.7       (17)%         4.0       1%    

Total

  $ 226.7       15%       $ 229.3       3%    

 

 

Record Net Income, Broadcast Cash Flow and Free Cash Flow - Our net income was $70.6 million for the second quarter of 2017. Our Broadcast Cash Flow was $93.2 million for the second quarter of 2017 ($94.0 million on a Combined Historical Basis). Our Free Cash Flow was $55.9 million for the second quarter of 2017 ($57.2 million on a Combined Historical Basis).

 

 

Total Leverage Ratio - As of June 30, 2017, our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of all Cash (as defined below) was 5.41 times on a trailing eight-quarter basis. On August 7, 2017 we received approximately $90.8 million in proceeds from the reverse auction for broadcast spectrum (the “FCC Spectrum Auction”) that was conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). Adjusting for the subsequent receipt of the FCC Spectrum Auction proceeds, as of June 30, 2017 our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of all Cash and Net of Auction Proceeds was 5.14 times on a trailing eight-quarter basis.

 

 

4370 Peachtree Road, NE, Atlanta, GA 30319 | P 404.504.9828 F 404.261.9607 | www.gray.tv

 

 
 

 

 

Other Highlights and Recent Developments:

 

 

On May 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of television stations WDTV-TV (CBS) and WVFX-TV (FOX/CW), a legal duopoly in the Clarksburg-Weston, West Virginia market (DMA 169) (the “Clarksburg Acquisition”) for $26.5 million. We had operated these stations under a local marketing agreement (“LMA”) since June 1, 2016, and the LMA expired upon completion of the acquisition.

 

 

On May 1, 2017, we completed the acquisition of television stations WABI-TV (CBS/CW) in the Bangor, Maine market (DMA 156) and WCJB-TV (ABC/CW) in the Gainesville, Florida market (DMA 161) (collectively, the “Diversified Acquisition”) for $85.0 million. We had operated these stations under an LMA since April 1, 2017, and the LMA expired upon completion of the acquisition.

 

 

On May 4, 2017, we announced that we entered into an agreement to acquire WCAX-TV (CBS) in the Burlington, Vermont - Plattsburgh, New York market (DMA 97) for $29.0 million (the “Vermont Acquisition”). We completed the acquisition on August 1, 2017. We had operated this station under an LMA since June 1, 2017, and the LMA expired upon completion of the acquisition.

 

 

Effects of Acquisitions and Divestitures on Our Results of Operations

 

From October 31, 2013 through June 30, 2017, we completed 23 acquisition transactions and three divestiture transactions. As more fully described in our Form 10-Q to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission today and in our prior disclosures, these transactions added a net total of 50 television stations in 30 television markets, including 25 new television markets, to our operations.

 

We refer to the seven stations acquired (excluding the stations acquired in the Clarksburg Acquisition) during the first six-months of 2017 and the stations we commenced operating under an LMA during that period as the “2017 Acquisitions.” We refer to the 13 stations acquired in 2016, and that we retained in those transactions, as well as the stations in the Clarksburg Acquisition that we commenced operating under an LMA on June 1, 2016, as the “2016 Acquisitions.” During 2015, we completed six acquisitions, which collectively added seven television stations in six markets (four new markets) to our operations, and we refer to those stations as the “2015 Acquisitions.” Unless the context of the following discussion requires otherwise, we refer to the stations acquired in the 2017 Acquisitions, the 2016 Acquisitions and the 2015 Acquisitions, collectively, as the “Acquired Stations.”

 

Due to the significant effect that our acquisitions and divestitures have had on our results of operations, and in order to provide more meaningful period over period comparisons, we present herein certain financial information on a “Combined Historical Basis.” Unless otherwise defined, Combined Historical Basis reflects financial results that have been compiled by adding Gray’s historical revenue and broadcast expenses to the historical revenue and broadcast expenses of the Acquired Stations and removing the historical revenues and historical broadcast expenses of divested stations as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on January 1, 2015 (the beginning of the earliest period presented). In addition, our Combined Historical Basis non-GAAP terms “Broadcast Cash Flow,” “Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses,” “Operating Cash Flow as Defined in our 2017 Senior Credit Facility,” “Free Cash Flow” and “Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash” give effect to the financings related to the acquisition of the Acquired Stations as if these financings occurred on January 1, 2015, and certain anticipated net expense savings resulting from the completed acquisitions. Free Cash Flow presented on a Combined Historical Basis also includes adjustments for the purchase of property and equipment and income taxes paid, net of refunds, as if the acquisition of the Acquired Stations occurred on January 1, 2015. Combined Historical Basis financial information does not reflect all purchase accounting and other adjustments required, and includes certain other amounts not included, in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 2 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Selected Operating Data on As-Reported Basis (unaudited):

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
                   

% Change

           

% Change

 
                    2017 to             2017 to  
   

2017

   

2016

   

2016

   

2015

   

2015

 
   

(dollars in thousands)

   

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                           

Total

  $ 226,681     $ 196,633       15%       $ 143,464       58%    

Political

  $ 3,708     $ 9,649       (62)%       $ 2,197       69%    
                                             

Operating expenses (1):

                                           

Broadcast

  $ 133,545     $ 117,335       14%       $ 86,445       54%    

Corporate and administrative

  $ 8,409     $ 8,524       (1)%       $ 6,444       30%    
                                             

Net income

  $ 70,561     $ 17,662       300%       $ 12,110       483%    
                                             

Non-GAAP cash flow (2):

                                           

Broadcast Cash Flow

  $ 93,239     $ 79,267       18%       $ 57,244       63%    

Broadcast Cash Flow Less

                                           

Cash Corporate Expenses

  $ 85,908     $ 71,713       20%       $ 51,591       67%    

Free Cash Flow

  $ 55,883     $ 25,928       116%       $ 27,388       104%    

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
                   

% Change

           

% Change

 
                    2017 to             2017 to  
   

2017

   

2016

   

2016

   

2015

   

2015

 
   

(dollars in thousands)

   

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                           

Total

  $ 430,142     $ 370,356       16%       $ 276,767       55%    

Political

  $ 5,029     $ 19,304       (74)%       $ 3,356       50%    
                                             

Operating expenses (1):

                                           

Broadcast

  $ 267,016     $ 225,903       18%       $ 173,292       54%    

Corporate and administrative

  $ 16,118     $ 24,202       (33)%       $ 13,291       21%    
                                             

Net income

  $ 81,066     $ 26,652       204%       $ 17,705       358%    
                                             

Non-GAAP cash flow (2):

                                           

Broadcast Cash Flow

  $ 163,703     $ 145,164       13%       $ 103,968       57%    

Broadcast Cash Flow Less

                                           

Cash Corporate Expenses

  $ 149,637     $ 122,900       22%       $ 92,218       62%    

Free Cash Flow

  $ 92,477     $ 50,144       84%       $ 49,379       87%    

 

(1) Excludes depreciation, amortization, and (gain) loss on disposal of assets.

(2) See definition of non-GAAP terms and reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to net income included elsewhere herein.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

 

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 3 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

 

Selected Operating Data on Combined Historical Basis (unaudited):

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
                   

% Change

           

% Change

 
                    2017 to             2017 to  
   

2017

   

2016

   

2016

   

2015

   

2015

 
   

(dollars in thousands)

   

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                           

Total

  $ 229,313     $ 222,170       3 %       $ 204,444       12%    

Political

  $ 3,723     $ 11,218       (67)%       $ 2,939       27%    
                                             

Operating expenses (1):

                                           

Broadcast

  $ 136,412     $ 133,413       2%       $ 125,851       8%    

Corporate and administrative

  $ 8,409     $ 8,524       (1)%       $ 6,444       30%    
                                             

Non-GAAP cash flow (2):

                                           

Broadcast Cash Flow

  $ 93,972     $ 91,248       3%       $ 86,691       8%    

Broadcast Cash Flow Less

                                           

Cash Corporate Expenses

  $ 86,641     $ 83,692       4%       $ 81,038       7%    

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our 2017 Senior Credit Facility

  $ 87,020     $ 83,129       5%       $ 81,394       7%    

Free Cash Flow

  $ 57,157     $ 37,098       54%       $ 50,873       12%    

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
                   

% Change

           

% Change

 
                    2017 to             2017 to  
   

2017

   

2016

   

2016

   

2015

   

2015

 
   

(dollars in thousands)

   

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                           

Total

  $ 442,496     $ 436,675       1%       $ 393,668       12%    

Political

  $ 5,069     $ 25,988       (80)%       $ 4,311       18%    
                                             

Operating expenses (1):

                                           

Broadcast

  $ 280,032     $ 270,843       3%       $ 251,955       11%    

Corporate and administrative

  $ 16,118     $ 24,202       (33)%       $ 13,291       21%    
                                             

Non-GAAP cash flow (2):

                                           

Broadcast Cash Flow

  $ 166,225     $ 173,194       (4)%       $ 157,913       5%    

Broadcast Cash Flow Less

                                           

Cash Corporate Expenses

  $ 152,159     $ 150,930       1%       $ 146,163       4%    

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our 2017 Senior Credit Facility

  $ 152,385     $ 156,622       (3)%       $ 148,920       2%    

Free Cash Flow

  $ 95,356     $ 79,786       20%       $ 86,936       10%    

 

(1) Excludes depreciation, amortization, and (gain) loss on disposal of assets.

(2) See definition of non-GAAP terms and reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to net income included elsewhere herein.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 4 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Results of Operations for the Second Quarter of 2017

 

 

Revenue (less agency commissions) on As-Reported Basis.

 

The table below presents our revenue (less agency commissions) by type for the second quarter of 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands):

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
           

Percent

           

Percent

 
   

Amount

   

of Total

   

Amount

   

of Total

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                   

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 117,917       52.0%       $ 104,727       53.3%    

National

    30,981       13.7%         26,070       13.3%    

Political

    3,708       1.6%         9,649       4.9%    

Retransmission consent

    69,371       30.6%         50,549       25.7%    

Other

    4,704       2.1%         5,638       2.8%    

Total

  $ 226,681       100.0%       $ 196,633       100.0%    

 

Total revenue increased $30.0 million, or 15%, to $226.7 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. Revenue from the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, collectively, accounted for approximately $61.0 million of our total revenue in the second quarter of 2017. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $34.1 million of our total revenue in the second quarter of 2016.

 

The changes in revenue for the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016 were approximately as follows:

 

 

Local advertising revenue (including internet/digital/mobile) increased $13.2 million, or 13%, to $117.9 million.

 

 

National advertising revenue increased $4.9 million, or 19%, to $31.0 million.

 

 

Political advertising revenue decreased $5.9 million, or 62%, to $3.7 million.

 

 

Retransmission consent revenue increased $18.8 million, or 37%, to $69.4 million.

 

 

Other revenue decreased $0.9 million, or 17%, to $4.7 million.

 

Excluding the total revenue contributed by the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, our total revenue increased by $3.1 million in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016. The components of this net increase included the following: retransmission consent revenue increased by $9.8 million due primarily to increased retransmission consent rates, and political advertising revenue decreased by $6.4 million due to 2017 being the “off-year” of the two-year election cycle.

 

Revenue on Combined Historical Basis.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, total revenue increased $7.1 million to $229.3 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to $222.2 million the second quarter of 2016, as a result of the following:

 

 

Local advertising revenue (including internet/digital/mobile) was unchanged at $119.8 million.

 

 

National advertising revenue increased $0.7 million, or 2%, to $31.9 million.

 

 

Political advertising revenue decreased $7.5 million, or 67%, to $3.7 million.

 

 

Retransmission consent revenue increased $13.9 million, or 25%, to $69.9 million.

 

 

Other revenue was unchanged at $3.9 million.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 5 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Broadcast Operating Expenses on As-Reported Basis.

 

Broadcast operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) increased $16.2 million, or 14%, to $133.5 million for the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. The 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, collectively, accounted for approximately $32.4 million of our broadcast operating expenses in the second quarter of 2017, and the 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $20.9 million of our broadcast operating expenses for the second quarter of 2016. Including the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, total retransmission expense increased $9.8 million, or 41%, to $33.8 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

 

Excluding the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions:

 

 

Non-compensation expenses increased by $5.6 million, or 10%, in the second quarter of 2017 primarily due to retransmission expense increases of $5.3 million and net increases in several categories including programming, licensing and professional fees.

 

 

Compensation expense decreased by $0.9 million in the second quarter of 2017.

 

Broadcast Operating Expenses on Combined Historical Basis.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, broadcast operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) increased $3.0 million, or 2%, to $136.4 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016. The increase reflects, in part, the following:

 

 

Retransmission expense increased $7.1 million, or 26%, to $34.2 million in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016, consistent with increases in retransmission consent revenue.

 

 

Syndicated programming and licensing expenses decreased $0.6 million, or 5%, in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

 

 

Professional fees decreased $1.0 million, or 14% in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

 

 

Compensation expense decreased by approximately $2.4 million, or 3%, in the second quarter of 2017 compared to the second quarter of 2016.

 

Corporate and Administrative Operating Expenses on As-Reported Basis.

 

Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) decreased $0.1 million, or 1%, to $8.4 million in the second quarter of 2017 as compared to the second quarter of 2016, primarily as a result of decreases in incentive compensation costs. Non-cash share based compensation expenses were $1.1 million and $1.0 million in the second quarters of 2017 and 2016, respectively.

 

(Gain) Loss on Disposal of Assets.

 

We reported a gain on disposal of assets of $77.3 million in the second quarter of 2017 and a loss on disposal of assets of $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2016. On May 30, 2017, we tendered two of our broadcast licenses and made other modifications to our broadcast spectrum related to our participation in the FCC Spectrum Auction. Our proceeds from this auction which were received on August 7, 2017, were $90.8 million and the cost of the assets disposed was $13.1 million.

 

Taxes.

 

During the second quarter of 2017, we made aggregate federal and state income tax payments of approximately $0.6 million. During the remainder of 2017, we anticipate making income tax payments (net of refunds) of approximately $1.0 million. We anticipate making significant federal and state income tax payments beginning in 2018, assuming no significant changes to the corporate tax code as currently in effect.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 6 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Results of Operations for the Six-Month Period Ended June 30, 2017

 

Revenue (less agency commissions) on As-Reported Basis.

 

The table below presents our revenue (less agency commissions) by type for the six-month periods ended June 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in thousands):

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
           

Percent

           

Percent

 
   

Amount

   

of Total

   

Amount

   

of Total

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                   

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 220,514       51.3%       $ 194,081       52.4%    

National

    55,795       13.0%         48,149       13.0%    

Political

    5,029       1.2%         19,304       5.2%    

Retransmission consent

    136,944       31.8%         97,818       26.4%    

Other

    11,860       2.7%         11,004       3.0%    

Total

  $ 430,142       100.0%       $ 370,356       100.0%    

 

 

Total revenue increased $59.8 million, or 16%, to $430.1 million for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016. Revenue from the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, collectively, accounted for approximately $108.5 million of our total revenue in the six-months ended June 30, 2017. The 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $50.7 million of our total revenue in the six-months ended June 30, 2016.

 

The changes in revenue for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016 were approximately as follows:

 

 

Local advertising revenue (including internet/digital/mobile) increased $26.4 million, or 14%, to $220.5 million.

 

 

National advertising revenue increased $7.6 million, or 16%, to $55.8 million.

 

 

Political advertising revenue decreased $14.3 million, or 74%, to $5.0 million.

 

 

Retransmission consent revenue increased $39.1 million, or 40%, to $136.9 million.

 

 

Other revenue increased $0.9 million, or 8%, to $11.9 million.

 

Excluding the total revenue contributed by the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, our total revenue increased by $2.0 million in the six-months ended June 30, 2017 as compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016. The components of this net increase included the following: retransmission consent revenue increased by $18.9 million due primarily to increased retransmission consent rates; political advertising revenue decreased by $14.7 million due to 2017 being the “off-year” of the two-year election cycle; and local revenue decreased by $2.0 million.

 

Excluding the revenue contributed by the 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, local and national advertising revenue declined, in part, as a result of the impact of the broadcast of the 2017 Super Bowl on our FOX-affiliated stations generating approximately $0.6 million of local and national advertising revenue, compared to $1.6 million that we earned from the broadcast of the 2016 Super Bowl on our CBS-affiliated stations.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 7 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Revenue (less agency commissions) on Combined Historical Basis.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, total revenue increased $5.8 million to $442.5 for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to $436.7 in the six-months ended June 30, 2016, as a result of the following:

 

 

Local advertising revenue (including internet/digital/mobile) decreased $1.1 million, or less than 1%, to $228.9 million.

 

 

National advertising revenue decreased $0.8 million, or 1%, to $59.0 million.

 

 

Political advertising revenue decreased $20.9 million, or 80%, to $5.1 million.

 

 

Retransmission consent revenue increased $28.6 million, or 26%, to $140.2 million.

 

 

Other revenue was unchanged at $9.4 million.

 

Local and national advertising revenue declined, in part, as a result of the impact of the broadcast of the 2017 Super Bowl on our FOX-affiliated stations generating approximately $0.6 million of local and national advertising revenue, compared to $2.1 million that we earned from the broadcast of the 2016 Super Bowl on our CBS-affiliated stations.

 

Broadcast Operating Expenses on As-Reported Basis.

 

Broadcast operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) increased $41.1 million, or 18%, to $267.0 million for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016. The 2017 Acquisitions and 2016 Acquisitions, collectively, accounted for approximately $60.2 million of our broadcast operating expenses in the six-months ended June 30, 2017, and the 2016 Acquisitions accounted for approximately $31.7 million of our broadcast operating expenses for the six-months ended June 30, 2016. Including the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions, total retransmission expense increased $19.7 million, or 43%, to $66.0 million in the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016.

 

Excluding the impact of the 2017 Acquisitions and the 2016 Acquisitions:

 

 

Non-compensation expenses increased by $12.5 million, or 12%, in the six-months ended June 30, 2017 primarily due to retransmission expense increases of $10.4 million and professional fee increases of $2.9 million.

 

 

Compensation expense were unchanged in the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016.

 

Broadcast Operating Expenses on Combined Historical Basis.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, broadcast operating expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets) increased $9.2 million, or 3%, to $280.0 million for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016. The increase reflects, in part, the following:

 

 

Retransmission expense increased $14.2 million, or 26%, to $68.5 million for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016, consistent with increases in retransmission consent revenue.

 

 

Syndicated programming and licensing expenses decreased $1.1 million, or 5%, in the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016.

 

 

Professional fees decreased $1.3 million, or 8%, in the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016.

 

 

Compensation expense decreased by approximately $2.4 million, or 2%, for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 8 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Corporate and Administrative Operating Expenses on As-Reported Basis.

 

Corporate and administrative expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) decreased $8.1 million, or 33%, to $16.1 million for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 compared to the six-months ended June 30, 2016. The decrease reflects, in part, the following:

 

 

Non-compensation expense decreased $7.6 million, primarily due to a decrease of $7.7 million in professional fees related to acquisition activities.

 

 

Compensation expense decreased $0.5 million, primarily due to decreases in incentive compensation costs. Non-cash share based compensation expenses were $2.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, for the six-months ended June 30, 2017 and the six-months ended June 30, 2016.

 

Loss from Early Extinguishment of Debt.

 

In the six-months ended June 30, 2017, we recorded a loss from early extinguishment of debt of approximately $2.9 million, or $1.7 million after tax, related to the amendment and restatement of our senior credit facility.

 

Gain on Disposal of Assets.

 

We reported gains on disposals of assets of $76.8 million and $0.4 million in the six-months ended June 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively. On May 30, 2017 we tendered two of our broadcast licenses and made other modifications to our broadcast spectrum related to our participation in the FCC Spectrum Auction. Our proceeds from this auction which were received on August 7, 2017, were $90.8 million and the cost of the assets disposed was $13.1 million.

 

Taxes.

 

During six-months ended June 30, 2017, we made aggregate federal and state income tax payments of approximately $0.9 million.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 9 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Detailed table of Operating Results

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)

(in thousands except for per share data)

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

   

June 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2017

   

2016

 
                                 

Revenue (less agency commissions)

  $ 226,681     $ 196,633     $ 430,142     $ 370,356  

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and (gain) loss on disposal of assets, net:

                               

Broadcast

    133,545       117,335       267,016       225,903  

Corporate and administrative

    8,409       8,524       16,118       24,202  

Depreciation

    12,841       11,617       25,470       22,743  

Amortization of intangible assets

    6,657       4,242       12,224       8,130  

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net

    (77,326 )     1,228       (76,799 )     (420 )

Operating expenses

    84,126       142,946       244,029       280,558  

Operating income

    142,555       53,687       186,113       89,798  

Other income (expense):

                               

Miscellaneous income, net

    1       141       8       710  

Interest expense

    (23,791 )     (24,269 )     (46,982 )     (45,544 )

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

    (311 )     -       (2,851 )     -  

Income before income tax expense

    118,454       29,559       136,288       44,964  

Income tax expense

    47,893       11,897       55,222       18,312  

Net income

  $ 70,561     $ 17,662     $ 81,066     $ 26,652  
                                 

Basic per share information:

                               

Net income

  $ 0.98     $ 0.25     $ 1.13     $ 0.37  

Weighted-average shares outstanding

    71,821       71,878       71,849       71,835  
                                 

Diluted per share information:

                               

Net income

  $ 0.97     $ 0.24     $ 1.12     $ 0.37  

Weighted-average shares outstanding

    72,501       72,748       72,510       72,665  
                                 

Political advertising revenue (less agency commissions)

  $ 3,708     $ 9,649     $ 5,029     $ 19,304  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 10 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Other Financial Data: 

 

   

As of

 
   

June 30,

   

December 31,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
   

(in thousands)

 
                 

Cash

  $ 42,360     $ 325,189  

Long-term debt, including current portion

  $ 1,838,614     $ 1,756,747  

Borrowing availability under our revolving credit facility

  $ 100,000     $ 60,000  

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

 
   

(in thousands)

 
                 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 59,144     $ 45,475  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (413,217 )     (448,437 )

Net cash provided by financing activities

    71,244       481,989  

Net (decrease) increase in cash

  $ (282,829 )   $ 79,027  

 

 

Guidance for the Three-Months Ending September 30, 2017

 

Based on our current forecasts for the third quarter of 2017, we anticipate the changes from the three-months ended September 30, 2016 as outlined below. Our estimates for the third quarter of 2017 include approximately $59.5 million of revenue and $36.7 million of broadcast operating expense estimated to be contributed by the 2017 Acquired Stations and 2016 Acquired Stations. Our as-reported results for the third quarter of 2016 included approximately $37.1 million of revenue and approximately $20.9 million of broadcast operating expenses contributed by the 2016 Acquired Stations. The table below presents our estimates of certain selected operating data for the third quarter of 2017 (dollars in thousands):

 

 

   

Three Months Ending September 30,

 
   

Low End

   

% Change From

   

High End

   

% Change From

         
   

Guidance for

   

As-Reported

   

Guidance for

   

As-Reported

   

As-Reported

 
   

the Third

   

Third

   

the Third

   

Third

   

Third

 
   

Quarter of

   

Quarter of

   

Quarter of

   

Quarter of

   

Quarter of

 

Selected operating data:

 

2017

   

2016

   

2017

   

2016

   

2016

 
   

(dollars in thousands)

 

OPERATING REVENUE:

                                           

Revenue (less agency commissions)

  $ 217,000       6 %       $ 220,000       8%       $ 204,490  
                                             

OPERATING EXPENSES

                                           

(before depreciation, amortization and (gain) loss on disposal of assets):

                                           

Broadcast

  $ 141,000       17%       $ 143,000       18%       $ 120,717  

Corporate and administrative

  $ 8,500       18%       $ 9,000       25%       $ 7,223  
                                             

OTHER SELECTED DATA:

                                           

Political advertising revenue (less agency commissions)

  $ 3,000       (87)%       $ 3,500       (84)%       $ 22,272  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 11 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Third Quarter of 2017 Comparisons to the Third Quarter of 2016, Which Included the Broadcast of the 2016 Summer Olympics:

 

Our local and national advertising revenues (excluding political advertising revenue) during the third quarter of 2016 were significantly influenced by the broadcast of the 2016 Summer Olympics on our NBC - affiliated stations. In the third quarter of 2016, these stations earned approximately $6.0 million of local advertising revenue and $2.2 million of national advertising revenue from the broadcast of the 2016 Summer Olympics. Currently, we anticipate that our NBC - affiliated stations will replace approximately one-half of that Olympic local and national advertising revenue with additional local and national advertising revenue from new and existing accounts in the third quarter of 2017 as compared to the third quarter of 2016. Accordingly, on a Combined Historical Basis, local and national advertising revenue for our NBC affiliated stations is expected to be lower in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. Conversely, on a Combined Historical Basis, our stations affiliated with all other networks are currently expected to increase their aggregate local and national advertising revenue in the low single digit percentage range in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016. On a Combined Historical Basis, we anticipate that aggregate local and national advertising revenue, excluding approximately $8.2 million of advertising revenue attributable to the broadcast of the 2016 Summer Olympics, will increase in the low to mid-single digit percentage range in the third quarter of 2017 compared to the third quarter of 2016.

 

Comments on Third Quarter of 2017 Guidance

 

Third Quarter of 2017 on As-Reported Basis:

 

Revenue on As-Reported Basis.

 

Based on our current forecasts for the third quarter of 2017, we anticipate the following changes from the third quarter of 2016:

 

 

We believe our third quarter of 2017 local advertising revenue (including internet/digital/mobile) will increase in the high single digit percentages.

 

 

We expect our third quarter of 2017 national advertising revenue will increase by 18% to 20%.

 

 

We believe our third quarter of 2017 political advertising revenue will be within a range of approximately $3.0 million to $3.5 million.

 

 

We believe our third quarter of 2017 retransmission consent revenue will be approximately $70.0 million.

 

Broadcast Operating Expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net) on As-Reported Basis.

 

For the third quarter of 2017, we anticipate our broadcast operating expenses will increase from the third quarter of 2016, reflecting the additional broadcast operating expenses of the 2017 Acquired Stations and the 2016 Acquired Stations. We anticipate that our broadcast operating expenses will also reflect an increase in retransmission expense of approximately $10.0 million to approximately $35.0 million for the third quarter of 2017.

 

Corporate and Administrative Operating Expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) on As-Reported Basis.

 

For the third quarter of 2017, we anticipate our corporate and administrative operating expense will increase to within a range of approximately $8.5 million to $9.0 million, primarily attributable to increases in professional services fees.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 12 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Third Quarter of 2017 on Combined Historical Basis:

 

Based on our current forecasts for the third quarter of 2017, we anticipate the following changes from the Combined Historical Basis results for the third quarter of 2016. For the purposes hereof, our Combined Historical Basis for the third quarter of 2016 have been adjusted to give effect to the 2017 Acquired Stations and the 2016 Acquired Stations as if they had been acquired in the first day of the earliest period presented.

 

Revenue on Combined Historical Basis.

 

 

We believe our third quarter of 2017 total revenue will change by approximately -6% to -7%, due primarily to 2017 being an off-year of the political advertising revenue cycle.

 

 

We believe our third quarter of 2017 local advertising revenue will decrease in the low single digit percentages. We currently anticipate that local advertising revenue from our non-NBC affiliated stations will increase in the low single digit percentage range in the third quarter of 2017, while our advertising revenue from our NBC affiliated stations will decrease in the high single digit percentage range due to the Summer Olympics programming in 2016.

 

 

We believe our third quarter of 2017 national advertising revenue will increase in the low single digit percentages. We currently anticipate that national advertising revenue from our non-NBC affiliated stations will increase in the mid-single digit percentage range in the third quarter of 2017, while our advertising revenue from our NBC affiliated stations will decrease in the low single digit percentage range due to the Summer Olympics programming in 2016.

 

 

We believe our third quarter of 2017 retransmission consent revenue will increase by approximately $14.0 million to approximately $70.0 million.

 

Broadcast Operating Expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets) on Combined Historical Basis.

 

Our total broadcast operating expenses for the third quarter of 2017 are anticipated to increase from the third quarter of 2016 on a Combined Historical Basis by approximately 5% or $6.0 million to $7.0 million. This increase reflects an expected increase of $7.1 million in retransmission expense (to approximately $35.0 million for the third quarter of 2017).

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 13 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Non-GAAP Terms

 

From time to time, Gray supplements its financial results prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) by disclosing the non-GAAP financial measures Broadcast Cash Flow, Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses, Operating Cash Flow as defined in Gray’s Senior Credit Agreement (“Operating Cash Flow”), Free Cash Flow and Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash. These non-GAAP amounts are used by us to approximate the amount used to calculate key financial performance covenants contained in our debt agreements and are used with our GAAP data to evaluate our results and liquidity. These non-GAAP amounts may be provided on an As-Reported Basis as well as a Combined Historical Basis.

 

We define Broadcast Cash Flow as net income plus loss from early extinguishment of debt, corporate and administrative expenses, broadcast non-cash stock based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast obligations and network compensation revenue.

 

We define Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses as net income plus loss from early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, and non-cash 401(k) expense, less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast obligations and network compensation revenue.

 

We define Operating Cash Flow as Combined Historical Basis net income plus loss from early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense and pension expenses less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast obligations, network compensation revenue and cash contributions to pension plans.

 

We define Free Cash Flow as net income plus loss from early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, amortization of deferred financing costs, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense and pension expense, less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast obligations, network compensation revenue, contributions to pension plans, amortization of original issue discount on our debt, capital expenditures (net of any insurance proceeds) and the payment of income taxes (net of any refunds received).

 

Our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash is calculated as our Operating Cash Flow for the preceding eight quarters, divided by two, which is then divided by our long term debt, excluding net premiums and net deferred financing costs, but including any other debt, net of all cash. Auction proceeds receivable from the FCC Spectrum Auction of $90.8 million were recorded on our balance sheet as of June 30, 2017 related to the disposal of two of our licenses in the FCC Spectrum Auction. These proceeds were received on August 7, 2017. The Total Leverage Ratio, Net of all Cash and Net of Auction Proceeds Receivable from FCC Spectrum Auction, reflects what our leverage ratio would have been if the proceeds from the FCC Spectrum Auction had been received on or prior to June 30, 2017.

 

These non-GAAP terms are not defined in GAAP and our definitions may differ from, and therefore not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies, thereby limiting their usefulness. Such terms are used by management 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 income and cash flows reported in accordance with GAAP.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 14 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Reconciliation on As-Reported Basis, in thousands – Quarter:

 

   

Three Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2015

 
                         

Net income

  $ 70,561     $ 17,662     $ 12,110  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Broadcast Cash Flow:

                       

Depreciation

    12,841       11,617       8,754  

Amortization of intangible assets

    6,657       4,242       2,731  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    1,434       1,272       1,009  

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net

    (77,326 )     1,228       332  

Miscellaneous income, net

    (1 )     (141 )     (67 )

Interest expense

    23,791       24,269       18,587  

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

    311       -       -  

Income tax expense

    47,893       11,897       8,128  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    5,013       4,813       3,553  

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan excluding corporate 401(k) contributions

    8       7       7  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (5,274 )     (5,153 )     (3,553 )

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    7,331       7,554       5,653  

Broadcast Cash Flow

    93,239       79,267       57,244  

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    (7,331 )     (7,554 )     (5,653 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses

    85,908       71,713       51,591  

Pension expense

    (162 )     40       1,789  

Contributions to pension plans

    -       (1,113 )     (1,433 )

Interest expense

    (23,791 )     (24,269 )     (18,587 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    1,158       1,196       798  

Amortization of net original issue premium on senior notes

    (152 )     (216 )     (216 )

Purchases of property and equipment

    (6,438 )     (7,544 )     (5,547 )

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

    (640 )     (13,879 )     (1,007 )

Free Cash Flow

  $ 55,883     $ 25,928     $ 27,388  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 15 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Reconciliation on As-Reported Basis, in thousands – Year to Date:

 

   

Six Months Ended June 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2015

 
                         

Net income

  $ 81,066     $ 26,652     $ 17,705  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Broadcast Cash Flow:

                       

Depreciation

    25,470       22,743       17,552  

Amortization of intangible assets

    12,224       8,130       5,502  

Non-cash stock based compensation

    2,772       2,556       2,002  

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net

    (76,799 )     (420 )     314  

Miscellaneous income, net

    (8 )     (710 )     (74 )

Interest expense

    46,982       45,544       37,117  

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

    2,851       -       -  

Income tax expense

    55,222       18,312       12,068  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    10,235       9,209       7,160  

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan excluding corporate 401(k) contributions

    15       14       13  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (10,393 )     (9,130 )     (7,141 )

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    14,066       22,264       11,750  

Broadcast Cash Flow

    163,703       145,164       103,968  

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    (14,066 )     (22,264 )     (11,750 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses

    149,637       122,900       92,218  

Pension expense

    (247 )     80       4,190  

Contributions to pension plans

    (624 )     (1,633 )     (1,433 )

Interest expense

    (46,982 )     (45,544 )     (37,117 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    2,309       2,267       1,597  

Amortization of net original issue premium on senior notes

    (305 )     (432 )     (432 )

Purchases of property and equipment

    (10,415 )     (13,475 )     (8,396 )

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

    (896 )     (14,019 )     (1,248 )

Free Cash Flow

  $ 92,477     $ 50,144     $ 49,379  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 16 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Reconciliation on Combined Historical Basis, in thousands – Quarter:

 

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2015

 
                         

Net income

  $ 70,236     $ 24,844     $ 21,716  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Broadcast Cash Flow:

                       

Depreciation

    12,981       12,980       12,739  

Amortization of intangible assets

    6,658       4,361       4,482  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    1,434       1,272       1,009  

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net

    (77,374 )     1,232       491  

Miscellaneous income, net

    (4 )     (155 )     1,407  

Interest expense

    23,791       25,588       24,103  

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

    311       -       -  

Income tax expense

    47,894       11,384       7,211  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    5,090       5,363       5,272  

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan excluding corporate 401(k) contributions

    8       8       7  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (5,351 )     (5,703 )     (5,272 )

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    7,331       7,556       5,653  

Other

    967       2,518       7,873  

Broadcast Cash Flow

    93,972       91,248       86,691  

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    (7,331 )     (7,556 )     (5,653 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses

    86,641       83,692       81,038  

Pension expense

    (162 )     40       1,789  

Contributions to pension plans

    -       (1,113 )     (1,433 )

Other

    541       510       -  

Operating Cash Flow as Defined in Senior Credit Agreement

    87,020       83,129       81,394  

Interest expense

    (23,791 )     (25,588 )     (24,103 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    1,158       1,196       798  

Amortization of net original issue premium on senior notes

    (152 )     (216 )     (216 )

Purchases of property and equipment

    (6,438 )     (7,544 )     (5,750 )

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

    (640 )     (13,879 )     (1,250 )

Free Cash Flow

  $ 57,157     $ 37,098     $ 50,873  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 17 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Reconciliation on Combined Historical Basis, in thousands – Year to Date:

 

   

Six Months Ended

 
   

June 30,

 
   

2017

   

2016

   

2015

 
                         

Net income

  $ 79,247     $ 38,132     $ 31,597  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Broadcast Cash Flow:

                       

Depreciation

    26,207       26,215       25,729  

Amortization of intangible assets

    12,250       9,219       9,132  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    2,772       2,556       2,002  

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net

    (76,849 )     (216 )     526  

Miscellaneous income, net

    (17 )     232       2,921  

Interest expense

    47,722       51,177       48,149  

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

    2,851       -       -  

Income tax expense

    54,936       16,872       10,368  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    10,498       10,745       10,620  

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan excluding corporate 401(k) contributions

    15       14       13  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (10,656 )     (10,666 )     (10,601 )

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    14,066       22,264       11,750  

Other

    3,183       6,650       15,707  

Broadcast Cash Flow

    166,225       173,194       157,913  

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    (14,066 )     (22,264 )     (11,750 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses

    152,159       150,930       146,163  

Pension expense

    (247 )     80       4,190  

Contributions to pension plans

    (624 )     (1,633 )     (1,433 )

Other

    1,097       7,245       -  

Operating Cash Flow as defined in Senior Credit Agreement

    152,385       156,622       148,920  

Interest expense

    (47,722 )     (51,177 )     (48,149 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    2,309       2,267       1,597  

Amortization of net original issue premium on senior notes

    (305 )     (432 )     (432 )

Purchases of property and equipment

    (10,415 )     (13,475 )     (12,500 )

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

    (896 )     (14,019 )     (2,500 )

Free Cash Flow

  $ 95,356     $ 79,786     $ 86,936  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 18 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

Reconciliation of Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash, in thousands except for ratio:

 

Combined Historical Basis Operating Cash Flow

 

Eight Quarters Ended

 

as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement:

 

June 30, 2017

 

Net income

  $ 218,375  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Broadcast Cash Flow:

       

Depreciation

    104,363  

Amortization of intangible assets

    40,283  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    9,891  

Gain on disposals of assets, net

    (75,044 )

Miscellaneous income, net

    2,910  

Interest expense

    198,524  

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

    34,838  

Income tax expense

    109,184  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    43,026  

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan excluding corporate 401(k) contributions

    57  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (42,604 )

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    70,008  

Other

    21,341  

Broadcast Cash Flow

    735,152  

Corporate and administrative expenses excluding depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and non-cash stock-based compensation

    (70,008 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses

    665,144  

Pension expense

    (65 )

Contributions to pension plans

    (7,660 )

Other

    16,027  

Operating Cash Flow as defined in Senior Credit Agreement

  $ 673,446  

Operating Cash Flow as defined in Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two

  $ 336,723  

 

   

June 30, 2017

 

Adjusted Total Indebtedness:

       

Long term debt, including current portion

  $ 1,838,614  

Capital leases and other debt

    624  

Total deferred financing costs, net

    30,320  

Premium on subordinated debt, net

    (5,492 )

Cash

    (42,360 )

Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash

  $ 1,821,706  

Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash

    5.41  
         

Auction proceeds receivable from FCC Spectrum Auction

    90,824  

Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash and net of auction proceeds receivable from FCC Spectrum Auction

  $ 1,730,882  

Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash and Net of Auction Proceeds Receivable from FCC Spectrum Auction

    5.14  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 19 of 20

 

 
 

 

 

The Company

 

 

We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, that owns and operates over 100 television stations and leading digital assets in markets throughout the United States. As of the date of this release, we own and/or operate television stations in 57 television markets that broadcast more than 200 separate program streams, including 104 channels affiliated with the CBS Network, the NBC Network, the ABC Network and the FOX Network. Our portfolio, including pending acquisitions, includes the number-one and/or number-two ranked television station operations in essentially all of our markets, which collectively cover approximately 10.6 percent of total United States television households.

 

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

 

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the federal securities laws. These “forward-looking statements” are not statements of historical facts, and may include, among other things, statements regarding our current expectations and beliefs of operating results for the third quarter of 2017 or other periods, the impact of recently completed transactions, future operating expenses, future income tax payments and other future events. Actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations and beliefs discussed in this press release. All information set forth in this release is as of August 8, 2017. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any 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, 2016 and may be contained in reports subsequently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

 

Conference Call Information

 

We will host a conference call to discuss our second quarter operating results on August 8, 2017. The call will begin at 9:00 AM Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1(800) 310-1961 and the confirmation code is 9602721. 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: 9602721 until September 7, 2017.

 

Gray Contacts

 

Web site: www.gray.tv

 

 

Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, 404-266-5512

 

Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 404-504-9828

 

Kevin P. Latek, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer, 404-266-8333

 

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2017

Page 20 of 20

ex99-2.htm

Exhibit 99.2

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

As Reported Basis

 

   

2017

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Year To Date Ended

 
   

March 31

   

June 30

                   

June 30

                 
                                                         

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                                       

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 102,597     $ 117,917                     $ 220,514                  

National

    24,814       30,981                       55,795                  

Political

    1,321       3,708                       5,029                  

Retransmission consent

    67,573       69,371                       136,944                  

Other

    7,156       4,704                       11,860                  

Total revenue

  $ 203,461     $ 226,681                     $ 430,142                  
                                                         

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net:

                                                       
Broadcast:                                                        

Payroll, programming and other

  $ 101,206     $ 99,787                     $ 200,993                  

Retransmission

    32,265       33,758                       66,023                  

Total broadcast expenses

  $ 133,471     $ 133,545                     $ 267,016                  
                                                         

Corporate and administrative

  $ 7,709     $ 8,409                     $ 16,118                  
                                                         
                                                         

 

   

2016

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Year To Date Ended

 
   

March 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

 
                                                         

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                                       

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 89,354     $ 104,727     $ 102,172     $ 107,083     $ 194,081     $ 296,253     $ 403,336  

National

    22,079       26,070       25,426       24,776       48,149       73,575       98,351  

Political

    9,655       9,649       22,272       48,519       19,304       41,576       90,095  

Retransmission consent

    47,269       50,549       51,096       51,965       97,818       148,914       200,879  

Other

    5,366       5,638       3,524       5,276       11,004       14,528       19,804  

Total revenue

  $ 173,723     $ 196,633     $ 204,490     $ 237,619     $ 370,356     $ 574,846     $ 812,465  
                                                         

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net:

                                                       

Broadcast:

                                                       

Payroll, programming and other

  $ 86,230     $ 93,385     $ 95,659     $ 102,173     $ 179,615     $ 275,274     $ 377,447  

Retransmission

    22,338       23,950       25,058       26,338       46,288       71,346       97,684  

Total broadcast expenses

  $ 108,568     $ 117,335     $ 120,717     $ 128,511     $ 225,903     $ 346,620     $ 475,131  
                                                         

Corporate and administrative

  $ 15,678     $ 8,524     $ 7,223     $ 8,922     $ 24,202     $ 31,425     $ 40,347  

 

 
Page 1 of 4

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

As Reported Basis

 

   

2015

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Year To Date Ended

 
   

March 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

 
                                                         

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                                       

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 74,865     $ 83,091     $ 83,972     $ 94,543     $ 157,956     $ 241,928     $ 336,471  

National

    17,767       18,949       20,889       23,505       36,716       57,605       81,110  

Political

    1,159       2,197       4,594       9,213       3,356       7,950       17,163  

Retransmission consent

    36,251       36,909       39,329       39,468       73,160       112,489       151,957  

Other

    3,261       2,318       2,318       2,758       5,579       7,897       10,655  

Total revenue

  $ 133,303     $ 143,464     $ 151,102     $ 169,487     $ 276,767     $ 427,869     $ 597,356  
                                                         

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net:

                                                       

Broadcast:

                                                       

Payroll, programming and other

  $ 69,898     $ 69,467     $ 80,949     $ 83,603     $ 139,365     $ 220,314     $ 303,917  

Retransmission

    16,949       16,978       17,972       18,366       33,927       51,899       70,265  

Total broadcast expenses

  $ 86,847     $ 86,445     $ 98,921     $ 101,969     $ 173,292     $ 272,213     $ 374,182  
                                                         

Corporate and administrative

  $ 6,847     $ 6,444     $ 10,022     $ 11,030     $ 13,291     $ 23,313     $ 34,343  

 

   

2014

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Year To Date Ended

 
   

March 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

 
                                                         

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                                       

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 57,083     $ 63,884     $ 69,460     $ 83,586     $ 120,967     $ 190,427     $ 274,013  

National

    13,348       14,826       16,158       20,626       28,174       44,332       64,958  

Political

    2,792       8,616       22,029       48,538       11,408       33,437       81,975  

Retransmission consent

    16,117       17,659       19,674       21,444       33,776       53,450       74,894  

Other

    1,957       2,264       4,381       3,692       4,221       8,602       12,294  

Total revenue

  $ 91,297     $ 107,249     $ 131,702     $ 177,886     $ 198,546     $ 330,248     $ 508,134  
                                                         

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net:

                                                       

Broadcast:

                                                       

Payroll, programming and other

  $ 56,439     $ 61,768     $ 67,959     $ 80,201     $ 118,207     $ 186,166     $ 266,367  

Retransmission

    3,945       4,234       5,259       6,185       8,179       13,438       19,623  

Total broadcast expenses

  $ 60,384     $ 66,002     $ 73,218     $ 86,386     $ 126,386     $ 199,604     $ 285,990  
                                                         

Corporate and administrative

  $ 6,499     $ 9,848     $ 5,271     $ 7,585     $ 16,347     $ 21,618     $ 29,203  

 

 
Page 2 of 4

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

Combined Historical Basis(1)

 

   

2017

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Year To Date Ended

 
   

March 31

   

June 30

                   

June 30

                 
                                                         

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                                       

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 109,096     $ 119,757                     $ 228,853                  

National

    27,091       31,948                       59,039                  

Political

    1,346       3,723                       5,069                  

Retransmission consent

    70,215       69,938                       140,153                  

Other

    5,435       3,947                       9,382                  

Total revenue

  $ 213,183     $ 229,313                     $ 442,496                  
                                                         

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net:

                                                       

Broadcast:

                                                       

Payroll, programming and other

  $ 109,352     $ 102,185                     $ 211,537                  

Retransmission

    34,268       34,227                       68,495                  

Total broadcast expenses

  $ 143,620     $ 136,412                     $ 280,032                  
                                                         

Corporate and administrative

  $ 7,709     $ 8,409                     $ 16,118                  

 

   

2016

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Year To Date Ended

 
   

March 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

 
                                                         

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                                       

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 110,190     $ 119,764     $ 114,796     $ 120,812     $ 229,954     $ 344,750     $ 465,562  

National

    28,547       31,261       30,112       29,493       59,808       89,920       119,413  

Political

    14,770       11,218       28,181       63,369       25,988       54,169       117,538  

Retransmission consent

    55,529       56,024       56,928       58,002       111,553       168,481       226,483  

Other

    5,469       3,903       3,781       3,852       9,372       13,153       17,005  

Total revenue

  $ 214,505     $ 222,170     $ 233,798     $ 275,528     $ 436,675     $ 670,473     $ 946,001  
                                                         

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net:

                                                       

Broadcast:

                                                       

Payroll, programming and other

  $ 110,304     $ 106,254     $ 107,845     $ 116,841     $ 216,558     $ 324,403     $ 441,244  

Retransmission

    27,126       27,159       27,965       29,624       54,285       82,250       111,874  

Total broadcast expenses

  $ 137,430     $ 133,413     $ 135,810     $ 146,465     $ 270,843     $ 406,653     $ 553,118  
                                                         

Corporate and administrative

  $ 15,678     $ 8,524     $ 7,223     $ 8,922     $ 24,202     $ 31,425     $ 40,347  

 

See following page for note

 

 

 
Page 3 of 4

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)

(in thousands)

Combined Historical Basis(1)

 

   

2015

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Year To Date Ended

 
   

March 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

 
                                                         

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                                       

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 107,486     $ 119,452     $ 113,776     $ 126,298     $ 226,938     $ 340,714     $ 467,012  

National

    29,641       31,785       32,175       33,648       61,426       93,601       127,249  

Political

    1,372       2,939       5,535       12,088       4,311       9,846       21,934  

Retransmission consent

    45,524       46,423       47,983       48,660       91,947       139,930       188,590  

Other

    5,201       3,845       3,754       4,014       9,046       12,800       16,814  

Total revenue

  $ 189,224     $ 204,444     $ 203,223     $ 224,708     $ 393,668     $ 596,891     $ 821,599  
                                                         

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net:

                                                       

Broadcast:

                                                       

Payroll, programming and other

  $ 105,627     $ 105,181     $ 111,961     $ 115,716     $ 210,808     $ 322,769     $ 438,485  

Retransmission

    20,477       20,671       21,551       23,101       41,148       62,699       85,800  

Total broadcast expenses

  $ 126,104     $ 125,852     $ 133,512     $ 138,817     $ 251,956     $ 385,468     $ 524,285  
                                                         

Corporate and administrative

  $ 6,847     $ 6,444     $ 10,022     $ 11,030     $ 13,291     $ 23,313     $ 34,343  

 

   

2014

 
   

Three Months Ended

   

Year To Date Ended

 
   

March 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

   

June 30

   

September 30

   

December 31

 
                                                         

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                                       

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 104,591     $ 113,891     $ 105,662     $ 119,303     $ 218,482     $ 324,144     $ 443,447  

National

    29,117       30,926       30,013       34,658       60,043       90,056       124,714  

Political

    5,537       16,517       41,110       79,548       22,054       63,164       142,712  

Retransmission consent

    27,826       29,445       28,515       30,188       57,271       85,786       115,974  

Other

    7,317       5,427       6,004       5,104       12,744       18,748       23,852  

Total revenue

  $ 174,388     $ 196,206     $ 211,304     $ 268,801     $ 370,594     $ 581,898     $ 850,699  
                                                         

Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain or loss on disposal of assets, net:

                                                       

Broadcast:

                                                       

Payroll, programming and other

  $ 106,908     $ 109,505     $ 109,829     $ 122,961     $ 216,413     $ 326,242     $ 449,203  

Retransmission

    8,170       8,123       8,123       9,209       16,293       24,416       33,625  

Total broadcast expenses

  $ 115,078     $ 117,628     $ 117,952     $ 132,170     $ 232,706     $ 350,658     $ 482,828  
                                                         

Corporate and administrative

  $ 6,499     $ 9,848     $ 5,271     $ 7,585     $ 16,347     $ 21,618     $ 29,203  

 

(1) Due to the significant effect that our acquisitions and divestitures have had on our results of operations, and in order to provide more meaningful period over period comparisons, we present herein certain financial information on a “Combined Historical Basis.” Combined Historical Basis reflects financial results that have been compiled by adding Gray’s historical revenue and broadcast expenses to the historical revenue and broadcast expenses of stations acquired and removing the historical revenues and historical broadcast expenses of divested stations as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on January 1, 2014 (the beginning of the earliest period presented). Combined Historical Basis financial information reflects station acquisition and divestitures ocurring between January 1, 2014 and August 1, 2017. Combined Historical Basis financial information does not reflect all purchase accounting and other adjustments required, and includes certain other amounts not included, in pro forma financial statements prepared in accordance with Regulation S-X.

 

 

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