gtn20191106_8k.htm
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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) November 7, 2019 (November 7, 2019)

 

Gray Television, Inc.

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

Georgia

(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)

 

001-13796

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. ☐

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the act:

 

Title of each Class Trading Symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Class A common stock (no par value) GTN.A New York Stock Exchange
common stock (no par value) GTN New York Stock Exchange

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.02 - Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On November 7, 2019, Gray Television, Inc. (the “Company”) issued a press release reporting its financial results for the three and nine-months ended September 30, 2019. 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 8.01. Other Events.

 

On November 7, 2019, the Company issued a press release announcing the Company’s share repurchase authorization, pursuant to which the Company may purchase up to an aggregate of $150 million of its common stock and/or Class A common stock prior to December 31, 2022, and the termination of the Company’s prior share repurchase authorizations. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.2 and incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)   Exhibits

 

99.1   Press release issued by Gray Television, Inc. – Financial Results, on November 7, 2019

99.2   Press release issued by Gray Television, Inc. – Share Repurchase Authorization, on November 7, 2019

104    Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

 

 

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.

 

 

 

 

November 7, 2019

By:  

 /s/ James C. Ryan

 

 

 

Name:  

James C. Ryan 

 

 

 

Title:  

Executive Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

ex_163418.htm

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

Gray Reports Record Operating Results for the Quarter Ended September 30, 2019

 

Atlanta, Georgia – November 7, 2019. . . Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN) today announces record results of operations for the three-months ended September 30, 2019.

 

Financial Highlights, Selected Operating Data and Other Recent Developments:

 

Record Third Quarter Results - Our revenue for the third quarter of 2019 was $517 million, increasing $238 million, or 85%, from the third quarter of 2018, our all-time best quarterly revenue. Our net income was $59 million, and was our second best third quarter net income. Our Broadcast Cash Flow was our all-time best quarterly result ever at $192 million, increasing $57 million, or 42%, from the third quarter of 2018. Comparing our reported results to our previously issued guidance for the third quarter of 2019, our as-reported total revenue was near the high end of our previously issued guidance while our broadcast and corporate operating expenses were each below the low end of our guidance. Our Adjusted EBITDA significantly exceeded the high end of our guidance.

 

Political Revenue – Our political advertising revenue was $22 million for the third quarter of 2019, significantly exceeding our previously issued guidance of $11 million to $12 million. For comparison, after giving effect to stations acquired and divested between January 1, 2017 and September 30, 2019, we earned $8 million of political advertising revenue in the third quarter of 2017, which was the most recent non-election year. Our political advertising revenue for the third quarter of 2019 was therefore 175% greater than that of the third quarter of 2017, on this adjusted basis.

 

Stock Repurchases – During the third quarter of 2019, we repurchased approximately 652,000 shares of our common stock on the open market at an average price of $16.37 per share, including commissions, for a total cost of approximately $11 million, under a stock repurchase authorization adopted in November 2016. Yesterday, our Board of Directors authorized the Company to repurchase up to $150 million of outstanding common stock (GTN) and/or Class A common stock (GTN.A) through December 31, 2022. This new authorization supersedes all prior authorizations, including the plan adopted in November 2016.

 

Fox Television Network (“FOX”) Affiliations - During the third quarter of 2019, we renewed and extended our network affiliations for all of our FOX affiliated television stations across 21 markets, including Cincinnati, West Palm Beach, Birmingham, and New Orleans.

 

Integration of Raycom – We believe that we continue to make great progress integrating Gray and Raycom operationally. We have completed various actions that we expect to yield approximately $85 million of annualized first-year synergies. As we continue the integration, we may be able to secure additional revenue and cost synergies by year end.

 

Transaction Related Expenses and Non-Cash Stock-Based Compensation - During our third quarter and year to date periods, we incurred transaction related expenses (“Transaction Related Expenses”) that are incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions, divestitures, and financing activities, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation and contract termination fees. In addition, we have recorded certain non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. These expenses are summarized as follows (in millions):

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2019

   

2018

 

Transaction Related Expenses:

                               

Broadcast

  $ 1     $ -     $ 38     $ 3  

Corporate and administrative

    1       3       34       6  

Total Transaction Related Expenses

  $ 2     $ 3     $ 72     $ 9  
                                 

Total non-cash stock-based compensation

  $ 5     $ 2     $ 10     $ 5  

 

 

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

 

 

 

Selected Statement of Operations Data - Selected statement of operations data on an As-Reported basis and excluding the impact of Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation for the third quarter and year to date 2019 and 2018 periods was as follows (in millions, except for per share data):

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2019

   

2018

 

As-Reported:

                               

Net income attributable to common stockholders

  $ 46     $ 61     $ 46     $ 123  

Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted, per share

  $ 0.46     $ 0.69     $ 0.46     $ 1.38  

Adjusted EBITDA (1)

  $ 181     $ 128     $ 499     $ 303  
                                 

Excluding Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash stock-based comp:

                               

Net income attributable to common stockholders (1)

  $ 51     $ 65     $ 107     $ 133  

Net income attributable to common stockholders, diluted, per share (1)

  $ 0.50     $ 0.73     $ 1.07     $ 1.49  

 

 

(1)

See reconciliation of non-GAAP amounts to net income, included elsewhere herein.

 

Partial Pre-payment of 2019 Term Loan - On November 1, 2019, we made a voluntary pre-payment of $100 million on the term loan outstanding under our senior credit facility, using cash on hand. This pre-payment reduced the lenders’ total loan commitment for the senior credit facility by an equal amount and relieved our obligation to make future quarterly principal payments until maturity of the senior credit facility.

 

Total Leverage Ratio, Net of all Cash - As of September 30, 2019, our total leverage ratio, as defined in our senior credit facility, was 4.59 times on a trailing eight-quarter basis after netting our total cash balance of $326 million, and after giving effect to all Transaction Related Expenses. We currently anticipate that our leverage ratio will continue to decline to further into the “4’s” by the end of this year and continue to decline into the “3’s” by the end of 2020, assuming consistent macroeconomic trends and immaterial outlays for stock repurchases and acquisitions.

 

Recent Transactions On September 25, 2019, we completed the acquisition of KDLT-TV (NBC), in the Sioux Falls, South Dakota market (DMA 115), for $32.5 million. On October 1, 2019, we completed the acquisition of WVIR-TV (NBC) in the Charlottesville, Virginia market (DMA 183) for $12 million. Also, on October 1, 2019, in order to meet regulatory requirements, we divested our legacy stations in the Charlottesville, Virginia market, WCAV-TV (CBS/FOX) and WVAW-LD (ABC) for $23 million, resulting in a gain of approximately $19 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.

 

Combined Historical Basis Information

 

We define “2019 Acquisitions” as the businesses acquired, and stations divested in connection with the merger with Raycom Media, Inc. (the “Raycom Merger”) completed on January 2, 2019, and the acquisition of the assets of WWNY-TV (CBS) and WNYF-CD (FOX) in Watertown, New York (DMA 178) and KEYC-TV (CBS/FOX) in Mankato, Minnesota (DMA 199) from United Communications Corporation (the “United Acquisition”) completed on May 1, 2019. Including the 2019 Acquisitions, from January 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019 (except for KDLT-TV, assets acquired on September 25, 2019), we completed seven acquisition transactions and four divestiture transactions. Due to the significant effect that these transactions have had on our results of operations, and in order to provide more meaningful period over period comparisons, we present certain financial information below on a “Combined Historical Basis” or “CHB.” Our Combined Historical Basis presentation reflects financial results that have been compiled by adding Gray’s historical revenue, broadcast expenses and corporate and administrative expenses to the historical revenue, broadcast expenses and corporate and administrative expenses of the net stations acquired in those acquisitions, and subtracting the historical revenues and broadcast expenses of the divested stations as if all stations had been acquired or divested, respectively, on January 1, 2017, the beginning of the earliest period that CHB information is presented herein. For more information on CHB, see “Effects of Acquisitions and Divestitures on Our Results of Operations and Non-GAAP Terms” at the end of this release.

 

 

 

 Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 2 of 22
 

 

 

Selected Operating Data (unaudited)

                                       
   

As-Reported Basis

 
   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
                   

% Change

           

% Change

 
                    2019 to             2019 to  
   

2019

   

2018

   

2018

   

2017

   

2017

 
   

(dollars in millions)

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 501     $ 279       80 %   $ 219       129 %

Production companies

    16       -               -          

Total revenue

  $ 517     $ 279       85 %   $ 219       136 %
                                         

Political advertising

  $ 22     $ 48       (54 )%   $ 4       450 %
                                         

Operating expenses (1)(3):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 316     $ 145       118 %   $ 140       126 %

Production companies

  $ 13     $ -             $ -          

Corporate and administrative

  $ 14     $ 11       27 %   $ 8       75 %
                                         

Net income attributable to common stockholders

  $ 46     $ 61       (25 )%   $ 15       (207 )%
                                         

Non-GAAP Cash Flow (2):

                                       

Broadcast Cash Flow (3)

  $ 192     $ 135       42 %   $ 79       143 %

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses (3)

  $ 180     $ 125       44 %   $ 72       150 %

Free Cash Flow

  $ 92     $ 73       26 %   $ 38       142 %
                                         

Transaction related expenses included in operating expenses (4):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 1     $ -             $ -          

Production companies

  $ -     $ -             $ -          

Corporate and administrative

  $ 1     $ 3             $ -          

 

   

As-Reported Basis

 
   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
                   

% Change

           

% Change

 
                    2019 to             2019 to  
   

2019

   

2018

   

2018

   

2017

   

2017

 
   

(dollars in millions)

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 1,481     $ 756       96 %   $ 649       128 %

Production companies

    62       -               -          

Total revenue

  $ 1,543     $ 756       104 %   $ 649       138 %
                                         

Political advertising

  $ 30     $ 72       (58 )%   $ 9       233 %
                                         

Operating expenses (1)(3):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 986     $ 437       126 %   $ 407       142 %

Production companies

  $ 57     $ -             $ -          

Corporate and administrative

  $ 83     $ 30       177 %   $ 24       246 %
                                         

Net income attributable to common stockholders

  $ 46     $ 123       (63 )%   $ 96       (52 )%
                                         

Non-GAAP Cash Flow (2):

                                       

Broadcast Cash Flow (3)

  $ 500     $ 321       56 %   $ 243       106 %

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses (3)

  $ 424     $ 294       44 %   $ 222       91 %

Free Cash Flow

  $ 165     $ 165       0 %   $ 131       26 %
                                         

Transaction related expenses included in operating expenses (4):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 38     $ 3             $ 2          

Production companies

  $ -     $ -             $ -          

Corporate and administrative

  $ 34     $ 6             $ 1          

 

(1)

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

(2)

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

(3)

Amounts in 2017 have been reclassified for the implementation of Accounting Standards Update 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) – Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”).

(4)

Transaction Related Expenses are incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions and divestitures, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation and contract termination fees.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 3 of 22
 

 

 

Selected Operating Data - Continued (unaudited)

         
   

Combined Historical Basis

 
   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
                   

% Change

           

% Change

 
                    2019 to             2019 to  
   

2019

   

2018

   

2018

   

2017

   

2017

 
   

(dollars in millions)

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 501     $ 529       (5 )%   $ 447       12 %

Production companies

    16       19       (16 )%     17       (6 )%

Total revenue

  $ 517     $ 548       (6 )%   $ 464       11 %
                                         

Political advertising

  $ 22     $ 68       (68 )%   $ 8       175 %
                                         

Operating expenses (1)(3):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 316     $ 304       4 %   $ 287       10 %

Production companies

  $ 13     $ 15       (13 )%   $ 13       0 %

Corporate and administrative

  $ 14     $ 19       (26 )%   $ 15       (7 )%
                                         

Non-GAAP Cash Flow (2):

                                       

Broadcast Cash Flow (3)

  $ 195     $ 229       (15 )%   $ 165       18 %

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses (3)

  $ 182     $ 213       (15 )%   $ 153       19 %

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Facility (3)

  $ 180     $ 232       (22 )%   $ 173       4 %

Free Cash Flow

  $ 95     $ 133       (29 )%   $ 75       27 %
                                         

Transaction related expenses included in operating expenses (4):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 1     $ -             $ -          

Production companies

  $ -     $ -             $ -          

Corporate and administrative

  $ 1     $ 3             $ -          

 

   

Combined Historical Basis

 
   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
                   

% Change

           

% Change

 
                   

2019 to

           

2019 to

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2018

   

2017

   

2017

 
   

(dollars in millions)

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 1,483     $ 1,479       0 %   $ 1,331       11 %

Production companies

    62       64       (3 )%     60       3 %

Total revenue

  $ 1,545     $ 1,543       0 %   $ 1,391       11 %
                                         

Political advertising

  $ 29     $ 108       (73 )%   $ 17       71 %
                                         

Operating expenses (1)(3):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 988     $ 906       9 %   $ 863       14 %

Production companies

  $ 57     $ 57       0 %   $ 53       8 %

Corporate and administrative

  $ 84     $ 54       56 %   $ 43       95 %
                                         

Non-GAAP Cash Flow (2):

                                       

Broadcast Cash Flow (3)

  $ 540     $ 585       (8 )%   $ 484       12 %

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses (3)

  $ 463     $ 540       (14 )%   $ 448       3 %

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Facility (3)

  $ 494     $ 603       (18 )%   $ 508       (3 )%

Free Cash Flow

  $ 238     $ 331       (28 )%   $ 231       3 %
                                         

Transaction related expenses included in operating expenses (4):

                                       

Broadcast

  $ 38     $ 3             $ 2          

Production companies

  $ -     $ -             $ -          

Corporate and administrative

  $ 34     $ 6             $ 1          

 

(1)

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

(2)

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

(3)

Amounts in 2017 have been reclassified for the implementation of Accounting Standards Update 2017-07, Compensation – Retirement Benefits (Topic 715) – Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Postretirement Benefit Cost (“ASU 2017-07”).

(4)

Transaction Related Expenses are incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions and divestitures, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation and contract termination fees.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 4 of 22
 

 

 

Results of Operations for the Third Quarter of 2019

 

Revenue (less agency commissions).

 

The table below presents our revenue (less agency commissions) by type for the third quarter of 2019 and 2018 (dollars in millions):

 

   

Three Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

Amount

   

Percent

 
           

Percent

           

Percent

   

Increase

   

Increase

 
   

Amount

   

of Total

   

Amount

   

of Total

   

(Decrease)

   

(Decrease)

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                               

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 218       42.2 %   $ 106       38.0 %   $ 112       106 %

National

    56       10.8 %     29       10.4 %     27       93 %

Political

    22       4.3 %     48       17.2 %     (26 )     (54 )%

Retransmission consent

    196       37.9 %     92       33.0 %     104       113 %

Production companies

    16       3.1 %     -       0.0 %     16       100 %

Other

    9       1.7 %     4       1.4 %     5       125 %

Total

  $ 517       100.0 %   $ 279       100.0 %   $ 238       85 %

 

The 2019 Acquisitions accounted for $274 million of the increase in our total revenue for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018. Excluding the revenue attributable to the 2019 Acquisitions, revenue decreased primarily due to decreases in political advertising revenue, resulting primarily from 2019 being an “off-year” of the two-year political advertising cycle. Excluding the 2019 Acquisitions, retransmission consent revenue increased $7 million due to increases in rates.

 

Revenue (less agency commissions) on Combined Historical Basis.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, total revenue decreased $31 million to $517 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to $548 million in the third quarter of 2018. On a Combined Historical Basis, the changes in revenue for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 were approximately as follows:

 

 

Local advertising revenue (including internet/digital/mobile) decreased $2 million, or 1%, to $218 million.

 

 

National advertising revenue decreased $5 million, or 8%, to $56 million.

 

 

Political advertising revenue decreased $46 million, or 68%, to $22 million.

 

 

Retransmission consent revenue increased $26 million, or 15%, to $196 million.

 

 

Production company revenue decreased $3 million, or 16%, to $16 million.

 

 

Other revenue decreased $1 million, or 10%, to $9 million.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, our local and national advertising revenue was consistent with the upper end of our guidance for the third quarter of 2019 and were slightly less than the third quarter of 2018. Political advertising revenue decreased consistent with 2019 being an “off-year” in the two-year political advertising cycle yet were significantly higher than our guidance for the third quarter of 2019, due to stronger and more widespread demand from political ad buyers across our larger portfolio of stations. Retransmission consent revenue continued to grow, reflecting the increasing rate environment.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 5 of 22
 

 

 

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

 

Broadcast operating expenses increased $171 million, or 118%, to $316 million for the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018. The 2019 Acquisitions accounted for $165 million of the increase in broadcast operating expenses for the third quarter of 2019. Our operating expenses for the third quarter of 2019 were better than previously expected. Broadcast operating expenses of $316 million for the third quarter of 2019 was well below our earlier guidance range of $322 million to $325 million.

 

Production company operating expenses, which relate to the video and event production companies acquired in the Raycom Merger, were $13 million in the third quarter of 2019. Approximately 40% of these operating expenses were for personnel costs and approximately half for production operating costs at sporting and other events.

 

Corporate and administrative expenses increased $3 million, or 27%, to $14 million in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018. The increase reflects, in part, the following:

 

 

Non-compensation expense decreased $1 million in the 2019 period, primarily due to decreased professional fees related to acquisition activities. Professional fees for Transaction Related Expenses were $1 million and $2 million in the third quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

 

Compensation expense increased $4 million in the 2019 period, primarily due to increases in both base and incentive compensation costs. Non-cash stock-based amortization expenses were $2 million and $1 million in the third quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

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

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, broadcast operating expenses increased $12 million, or 4%, to $316 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018. The increase reflects, in part, the following:

 

 

Retransmission expense paid to broadcast networks increased $16 million, or 18%, to $105 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 consistent with increases in retransmission consent revenue. National sales representative commission expense decreased by approximately $3 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 consistent with our termination of those relationships earlier in 2019. Other broadcast operating expenses, primarily professional fees also decreased by approximately $1 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018.

 

 

Compensation expense decreased slightly in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018 due primarily from the elimination of redundant positions related to the 2019 Acquisitions. Non-cash stock-based compensation expenses were $2 million in the third quarter of 2019, but were not significant in the third quarter of 2018.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, production company operating expenses decreased $2 million, or 13%, to $13 million in the third quarter of 2019 compared to the third quarter of 2018, primarily due to decreases in the cost of sports programming.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, corporate and administrative operating expenses decreased $5 million, or 26%, to $14 million in the third quarter of 2019 as compared to the third quarter of 2018. The decrease was primarily the result of a reduction in professional fees for Transaction Related Expenses of $4 million. Non-cash stock-based compensation expenses were $2 million and $3 million in the third quarters of 2019 and 2018, respectively.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 6 of 22
 

 

 

Results of Operations for the Nine-Months Ended September 30, 2019

 

Revenue (less agency commissions).

 

The table below presents our revenue (less agency commissions) by type for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 and 2018 (dollars in millions):

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

Amount

   

Percent

 
           

Percent

           

Percent

   

Increase

   

Increase

 
   

Amount

   

of Total

   

Amount

   

of Total

   

(Decrease)

   

(Decrease)

 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                                               

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 655       42.4 %   $ 325       43.0 %   $ 330       102 %

National

    162       10.5 %     84       11.1 %     78       93 %

Political

    30       1.9 %     72       9.5 %     (42 )     (58 )%

Retransmission consent

    601       39.0 %     262       34.7 %     339       129 %

Production companies

    62       4.0 %     -       0.0 %     62       100 %

Other

    33       2.2 %     13       1.7 %     20       154 %

Total

  $ 1,543       100.0 %   $ 756       100.0 %   $ 787       104 %

 

The stations and production companies acquired in the 2019 Acquisitions accounted for $819 million of the increase in our total revenue for the 2019 nine-month period. Excluding the revenue attributable to the 2019 Acquisitions, revenue decreased primarily due to decreases in political advertising revenue, resulting primarily from 2019 being an “off-year” of the two-year political advertising cycle.

 

Revenue (less agency commissions) on Combined Historical Basis.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, total revenue increased $2 million to $1.545 billion in the 2019 nine-month period compared to $1.543 billion in the 2018 nine-month period. On a Combined Historical Basis, the changes in revenue for the 2019 nine-month period compared to the 2018 nine-month period were approximately as follows:

 

 

Local advertising revenue (including internet/digital/mobile) decreased $9 million, or 1%, to $656 million.

 

 

National advertising revenue decreased $14 million, or 8%, to $162 million.

 

 

Political advertising revenue decreased $79 million, or 73%, to $29 million.

 

 

Retransmission consent revenue increased $105 million, or 21%, to $602 million.

 

 

Production company revenue decreased $2 million, or 3%, to $62 million.

 

 

Other revenue was unchanged at $34 million.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis local and national advertising revenue decreased only slightly, reflecting a decline in advertising spending in the automobile category. Political advertising revenue decreased consistent with 2019 being an off-year in the two-year political advertising cycle. Retransmission consent revenue continues to grow reflecting the increasing rate environment.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 7 of 22
 

 

 

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

 

Broadcast operating expenses increased $549 million, or 126%, to $986 million for the nine-months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the nine-months ended September 30, 2018. The 2019 Acquisitions accounted for nearly all of the increase in broadcast operating expenses in the 2019 nine-month period.

 

Production company operating expenses, related to the video and event production companies acquired in the Raycom Merger, were $57 million in the 2019 nine-month period.

 

Corporate and administrative expenses increased $53 million, or 177%, to $83 million in the 2019 nine-month period compared to the 2018 nine-month period. The increase reflects, in part, the following:

 

 

Non-compensation expenses increased $27 million, primarily due to increased professional fees related to acquisition activities. Professional fees for Transaction Related Expenses were $24 million and $6 million in the 2019 and 2018 periods, respectively.

 

 

Compensation expense increased $27 million, primarily due to increased incentive compensation costs related to the 2019 Acquisitions. Non-cash stock-based amortization expenses were $7 million and $3 million in the 2019 and 2018 periods, respectively.

 

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

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, broadcast operating expenses increased $82 million, or 9%, to $988 million in the 2019 nine-month period compared to the 2018 nine-month period. The increase reflects, in part, the following:

 

 

Retransmission expense increased $55 million, or 21%, to $314 million in the 2019 nine-month period, compared to the 2018 nine-month period, which was consistent with the increase in retransmission consent revenue. Professional services expense increased $18 million to $75 million primarily as a result of Transaction Related Expenses, including $29 million for costs incurred to terminate sales representation agreements, partially offset by decreases in other expenses.

 

 

Compensation expense increased by approximately $6 million, or 1%, in the 2019 nine-month period, compared to the 2018 nine-month period. Compensation expenses also included Transaction Related Expenses of approximately $9 million primarily due to incentive compensation and severance costs related to the 2019 Acquisitions, offset by $2 million of decreases in various other components of compensation expense. Non-cash stock-based compensation expenses were $3 million and $2 million in the 2019 and 2018 nine-month periods, respectively.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, production company operating expenses, related to the production companies acquired in the Raycom Merger, were $57 million in each of the 2019 and 2018 nine-month periods.

 

On a Combined Historical Basis, corporate and administrative expenses increased $30 million, or 56%, to $84 million in 2019 nine-month period compared to the 2018 nine-month period. The increase reflects the following:

 

 

Non-compensation expense increased by $19 million to $45 million, due to increases in professional fees of $17 million, including Transaction Related Expenses of $23 million that were partially offset by decreases in other expenses.

 

 

Compensation expense increased $11 million to $39 million, resulting from Transaction Related Expenses of $10 million for incentive compensation and severance compensation expenses. Non-cash stock-based compensation expenses were $7 million and $9 million in the 2019 and 2018 nine-month periods, respectively.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 8 of 22
 

 

 

Taxes.

 

During the 2019 and 2018 nine-month periods, we made aggregate federal and state income tax payments (net of refunds) of approximately $12 million and $27 million, respectively. During the remainder of 2019, we anticipate making income tax payments (net of refunds) of approximately $13 million. We have approximately $776 million of federal operating loss carryforwards, which expire during the years 2021 through 2037. We expect to have federal taxable income in the carryforward periods, therefore we believe that it is more likely than not that these federal operating loss carryforwards will be fully utilized. Additionally, we have an aggregate of approximately $837 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that approximately $564 million will be utilized.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 9 of 22
 

 

 

Detailed table of operating results

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)

(in millions except for net income per share data)

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 
                                 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2019

   

2018

 
                                 

Revenue (less agency commissions):

                               

Broadcasting

  $ 501     $ 279     $ 1,481     $ 756  

Production companies

    16       -       62       -  

Total revenue (less agency commissions)

    517       279       1,543       756  

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

                               

Broadcast

    316       145       986       437  

Production companies

    13       -       57       -  

Corporate and administrative

    14       11       83       30  

Depreciation

    20       13       60       41  

Amortization of intangible assets

    29       5       86       16  

(Gain) loss on disposal of fixed assets, net

    (14 )     (3 )     (27 )     (6 )

Operating expenses

    378       171       1,245       518  

Operating income

    139       108       298       238  

Other income (expense):

                               

Miscellaneous income, net

    -       -       4       2  

Interest expense

    (57 )     (25 )     (173 )     (74 )

Income before income taxes

    82       83       129       166  

Income tax expense

    23       22       44       43  

Net income

    59       61       85       123  

Preferred stock dividends

    13       -       39       -  

Net income attributable to common stockholders

  $ 46     $ 61     $ 46     $ 123  
                                 

Basic per share information:

                               

Net income attributable to common stockholders

  $ 0.46     $ 0.70     $ 0.46     $ 1.39  

Weighted-average shares outstanding

    100       88       100       88  
                                 

Diluted per share information:

                               

Net income attributable to common stockholders

  $ 0.46     $ 0.69     $ 0.46     $ 1.38  

Weighted-average shares outstanding

    101       89       100       89  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 10 of 22
 

 

 

Other Financial Data

 

   

As of

 
   

September 30, 2019

   

December 31, 2018

 
   

(in millions)

 
                 

Cash

  $ 326     $ 667  

Restricted Cash

  $ -     $ 752  

Long-term debt including current portion

  $ 3,895     $ 2,549  

Borrowing availability under our senior credit facility

  $ 200     $ 100  

 

   

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

 
   

(in millions)

 
                 

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $ 255     $ 186  

Net cash used in investing activities

    (2,646 )     (33 )

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

    1,298       (64 )

Net (decrease) increase in cash

  $ (1,093 )   $ 89  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 11 of 22
 

 

 

Guidance for the Three-Months Ending December 31, 2019   

 

Based on our current forecasts for the quarter ending December 31, 2019 (the “fourth quarter of 2019”), we anticipate changes from the quarter ended December 31, 2018 (the “fourth quarter of 2018”) as outlined below:

 

   

As Reported Basis

Selected operating data:

 

Three Months Ending December 31,

   

Low End Guidance

 

High End Guidance

       
   

Low

 

Amount

 

Percentage

 

High

 

Amount

 

Percentage

       
   

Guidance for

 

Change From

 

Change From

 

Guidance for

 

Change From

 

Change From

       
   

the Fourth

 

Fourth

 

Fourth

 

the Fourth

 

Fourth

 

Fourth

 

Fourth

   

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

   

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

2018

   

(dollars in millions)

 

REVENUE (less agency commissions):

                                               

Broadcast:

                                               

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 238     $ 121     103%   $ 240     $ 123     105%   $ 117  

National

    63       32     103%     65       34     110%     31  

Political

    25       (58 )   (70)%     26       (57 )   (69)%     83  

Retransmission consent

    192       99     106%     194       101     109%     93  

Other

    9       5     125%     10       6     150%     4  

Total Broadcast revenue

    527       199     61%     535       207     63%     328  

Production companies revenue

    22       22           23       23           -  

Total revenue

  $ 549     $ 221     67%   $ 558     $ 230     70%   $ 328  
                                                 

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

                                               

Broadcast:

                                               

Station expenses

  $ 218     $ 101     86%   $ 221     $ 104     89%   $ 117  

Retransmission expense

    106       63     147%   $ 108       65     151%     43  

Transaction Related Expenses

    1       1           1       1           -  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    2       2           2       2           -  

Total broadcast expense

  $ 327     $ 167     104%   $ 332     $ 172     108%   $ 160  
                                                 

Production companies expense

  $ 14     $ 14         $ 15     $ 15         $ -  
                                                 

Corporate and administrative:

                                               

Corporate expenses

  $ 16     $ 8     100%   $ 18     $ 10     125%   $ 8  

Transaction Related Expenses

    1       (1 )   (50)%     1       (1 )   (50)%     2  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    2       1     100%     2       1     100%     1  

Total corporate and administrative expense

  $ 19     $ 8     73%   $ 21     $ 10     91%   $ 11  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 12 of 22
 

 

 

Based on our current forecasts for the fourth quarter of 2019, we anticipate changes from the fourth quarter of 2018 on a Combined Historical Basis(1) as outlined below:

 

Selected operating data:

 

Combined Historical Basis (1)

   

Three Months Ending December 31,

   

Low End Guidance

 

High End Guidance

       
   

Low CHB

         

% Change

 

High CHB

         

% Change

       
   

Guidance

 

Amount

 

From

 

Guidance

 

Amount

 

From

       
   

for

 

Change From

 

CHB

 

for

 

Change From

 

CHB

 

CHB

   

the Fourth

 

Fourth

 

Fourth

 

the Fourth

 

Fourth

 

Fourth

 

Fourth

   

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

 

Quarter of

   

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

2019

 

2018

 

2018

 

2018

   

(dollars in millions)

 

REVENUE (less agency commissions):

                                               

Broadcast:

                                               

Local (including internet/digital/mobile)

  $ 238     $ (6 )   (2)%   $ 240     $ (4 )   (2)%   $ 244  

National

    63       (2 )   (3)%     65       -     0%     65  

Political

    25       (102 )   (80)%     26       (101 )   (80)%     127  

Retransmission consent

    192       14     8%     194       16     9%     178  

Other

    9       (1 )   (10)%     10       -     0%     10  

Total Broadcast revenue

    527       (97 )   (16)%     535       (89 )   (14)%     624  

Production companies revenue

    22       -     0%     23       1     5%     22  

Total revenue

  $ 549     $ (97 )   (15)%   $ 558     $ (88 )   (14)%   $ 646  
                                                 

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

                                               

Broadcast:

                                               

Station expenses

  $ 218     $ (25 )   (10)%   $ 221     $ (22 )   (9)%   $ 243  

Retransmission expense

    106       15     16%     108       17     19%     91  

Transaction Related Expenses

    1       1           1       1           -  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    2       2           2       2           -  

Total broadcast expense

  $ 327     $ (7 )   (2)%   $ 332     $ (2 )   (1)%   $ 334  
                                                 

Production companies expense

  $ 14     $ (2 )   (13)%   $ 15     $ (1 )   (6)%   $ 16  
                                                 

Corporate and administrative:

                                               

Corporate expenses

  $ 16     $ (4 )   (20)%   $ 18     $ (2 )   (10)%     20  

Transaction Related Expenses

    1       (6 )   (86)%     1       (6 )   (86)%     7  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    2       (2 )   (50)%     2       (2 )   (50)%     4  

Total corporate and administrative expense

  $ 19     $ (12 )   (39)%   $ 21     $ (10 )   (32)%   $ 31  

 

(1)

For the purpose of providing our forecast for the fourth quarter of 2019, Combined Historical Basis gives effect to the 2019 Acquisitions as well as the acquisitions of KDLT-TV in Sioux Falls, WVIR-TV in Charlottesville, Virginia and the divestiture of WCAV-TV and WVAW-LD also in Charlottesville, Virginia as if they had all been completed on October 1, 2018 which is the first day of the earliest period presented.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 13 of 22
 

 

 

The Company

 

We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon the completion of the Raycom Merger on January 2, 2019, we became the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. Currently, we own television stations in 93 television markets broadcasting over 400 separate program streams including approximately 150 affiliates of the ABC Network (“ABC”), the NBC Network (“NBC”), the CBS Network (“CBS”) and the FOX Network (“FOX”). We refer to these major broadcast networks collectively as the “Big Four” networks. Our television stations ranked first or second among all local television stations in 87 of our 93 markets between December 2017 and November 2018. Our station portfolio reaches approximately 24% of total United States television households. We also own video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content, which we refer to collectively as our “production companies.”

 

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 fourth quarter of 2019 or other periods, 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 the date hereof. 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, 2018 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 third quarter operating results on November 7, 2019. The call will begin at 11:00 AM Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1 (855) 493-3489 and the confirmation code is 9151326. 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 (855) 859-2056, Confirmation Code: 9151326 until December 7, 2019.

 

Gray Contacts

Web site: www.gray.tv

 

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

Pat LaPlatney, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, 334-206-1400

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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 14 of 22
 

 

 

Effects of Acquisitions and Divestitures on Our Results of Operations and Non-GAAP Terms

 

From January 1, 2017 through September 30, 2019, we completed seven acquisition transactions and four 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 television stations in 43 new television markets to our operations. We refer to the 2019 Acquisitions collectively with all other television stations acquired (except for KDLT-TV which was acquired on September 25, 2019) or divested on or subsequent to January 1, 2017 as the “Acquisitions.”

 

Due to the significant effect that the Acquisitions 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 (or “CHB”). Combined Historical Basis financial information does not include any adjustments for other events attributable to the Acquisitions unless otherwise described. Certain of the Combined Historical Basis financial information has been derived from, and adjusted based on unaudited, unreviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which Gray cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from the Combined Historical Basis financial information if the Acquisitions had been completed at the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Combined Historical Basis may not comply with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) or the requirements for proforma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act. Gray is providing the fourth quarter of 2019 guidance estimates on a Combined Historical Basis, which incorporate certain non–GAAP financial measures that are dependent on financial results that are not yet determinable with certainty. Therefore, we are unable to present a quantitative reconciliation of the estimated non-GAAP financial measures to their most directly comparable GAAP financial measures because such information is not available, and management cannot reliably estimate all of the necessary components of such GAAP measures without unreasonable effort or expense. In addition, we believe such reconciliations would imply a degree of precision that would be confusing or misleading to investors.

 

From time to time, Gray supplements its financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP by disclosing the non-GAAP financial measures Broadcast Cash Flow, Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses, Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted EBITDA and Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash. These non-GAAP amounts are used by us to approximate amounts 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.

 

We define Broadcast Cash Flow as net income or loss plus loss from early extinguishment of debt, non-cash corporate and administrative expenses, 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, Broadcast Transactions Related Expenses and broadcast other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits and payments for program broadcast rights.

 

We define Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses as net income or loss 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, Broadcast Transactions Related Expenses and broadcast other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits and payments for program broadcast rights.

 

We define Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement as net income or loss 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, Broadcast Transactions Related Expenses, broadcast other adjustments, certain pension expenses, Corporate Transaction Related Expenses, synergies and other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast rights, pension income and contributions to pension plans.

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 15 of 22
 

 

 

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement is presented on Combined Historical Basis and gives effect to the revenue and broadcast expenses of the Acquisitions as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on January 1, 2017. It also gives effect to certain operating synergies expected from the Acquisitions and related financings and adds back professional fees incurred in completing the Acquisitions. Certain of the financial information related to the Acquisitions has been derived from, and adjusted based on, unaudited, un-reviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which Gray cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from this financial information if the Acquisitions had been completed at the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement and the adjustments to such information, including expected synergies resulting from such transactions, may not comply with GAAP or the requirements for pro forma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act.

 

We define Free Cash Flow as net income or loss 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, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Broadcast Transactions Related Expenses, broadcast other adjustments, certain pension expenses, Corporate Transaction Related Expenses, synergies, other adjustments and amortization of deferred financing costs less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast rights, pension income, contributions to pension plans, preferred dividends, purchase of property and equipment (net of reimbursements) and income taxes paid (net of any refunds received).

 

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss plus loss from early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock based compensation, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets, any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income and any income tax benefits.

 

Our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash is determined by dividing our Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash by our Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two. Our Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash represents the total outstanding principal of our long-term debt, plus certain other obligations as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, less all cash (excluding restricted cash). Our Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two, represents our average annual Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement for the preceding eight quarters.

 

We define Transaction Related Expenses as incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions and divestitures, including but not limited to legal and professional fees; severance and incentive compensation; and contract termination fees. We present certain line-items from our selected operating data net of Transaction Related Expenses in order to present a more meaningful comparison between periods of our operating expenses and our results of operations.

 

These non-GAAP terms are not defined in GAAP and our definitions may differ from, and therefore may 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 nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 16 of 22
 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms on As Reported Basis, in millions:

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

 

Net income

  $ 59     $ 61     $ 15  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Free Cash Flow:

                       

Depreciation

    20       13       13  

Amortization of intangible assets

    29       5       7  

Non-cash stock based compensation

    5       2       1  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net

    (14 )     (3 )     2  

Interest expense

    57       25       24  

Income tax expense

    23       22       11  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    10       5       5  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (9 )     (5 )     (6 )

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

    12       10       7  

Broadcast Cash Flow (1)

    192       135       79  

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

    (12 )     (10 )     (7 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses (1)

    180       125       72  

Contributions to pension plans

    (3 )     (2 )     -  

Interest expense

    (57 )     (25 )     (24 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    3       1       1  

Preferred dividends

    (13 )     -       -  

Purchase of property and equipment

    (29 )     (15 )     (11 )

Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases

    15       4       -  

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

    (4 )     (15 )     -  

Free Cash Flow

  $ 92     $ 73     $ 38  

 

(1) Amounts in 2017 have been reclassified to give effect to the implementation of ASU 2017-07

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 17 of 22
 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms on As Reported Basis, in millions:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

 

Net income

  $ 85     $ 123     $ 96  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Free Cash Flow:

                       

Depreciation

    60       41       39  

Amortization of intangible assets

    86       16       19  

Non-cash stock based compensation

    10       5       4  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets, net

    (27 )     (6 )     (75 )

Miscellaneous income, net (1)

    (4 )     (2 )     -  

Interest expense

    173       74       71  

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

    -       -       3  

Income tax expense

    44       43       66  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    30       16       15  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (33 )     (16 )     (16 )

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

    76       27       21  

Broadcast Cash Flow (1)

    500       321       243  

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

    (76 )     (27 )     (21 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses (1)

    424       294       222  

Contributions to pension plans

    (3 )     (3 )     (1 )

Interest expense

    (173 )     (74 )     (71 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    9       3       3  

Preferred dividends

    (39 )     -       -  

Purchase of property and equipment

    (73 )     (35 )     (21 )

Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases

    32       7       -  

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

    (12 )     (27 )     (1 )

Free Cash Flow

  $ 165     $ 165     $ 131  

 

(1) Amounts in 2017 have been reclassified to give effect to the implementation of ASU 2017-07

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 18 of 22
 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms on Combined Historical Basis, in millions:

 

   

Three Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

 
                         

Net income

  $ 61     $ 83     $ 52  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Free Cash Flow:

                       

Depreciation

    20       21       21  

Amortization of intangible assets

    29       27       32  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    5       4       3  

Loss on disposal of assets, net

    (14 )     (3 )     (31 )

Miscellaneous income, net

    (1 )     4       (1 )

Interest expense

    57       57       57  

Income tax expense

    23       20       18  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    10       10       9  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (9 )     (10 )     (9 )

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

    13       16       12  

Broadcast Transaction Related Expenses

    1       -       1  

Broadcast other adjustments

    -       -       1  

Broadcast Cash Flow (1)

    195       229       165  

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

    (13 )     (16 )     (12 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses (1)

    182       213       153  

Contributions to pension plans

    (3 )     (3 )     -  

Corporate Transaction Related Expenses

    1       2       -  

Synergies and other adjustments

    -       20       20  

Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement (1)

    180       232       173  

Interest expense

    (57 )     (57 )     (57 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    3       3       3  

Preferred dividends

    (13 )     (13 )     (13 )

Purchase of property and equipment

    (29 )     (20 )     (15 )

Reimbursement of purchases of property and equipment

    15       4       -  

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

    (4 )     (16 )     (16 )

Free Cash Flow

  $ 95     $ 133     $ 75  

 

(1) Amounts in 2017 have been reclassified to give effect to the implementation of ASU 2017-07

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 19 of 22
 

 

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms on Combined Historical Basis, in millions:

 

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2017

 
                         

Net income

  $ 87     $ 163     $ 113  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Free Cash Flow:

                       

Depreciation

    60       65       64  

Amortization of intangible assets

    86       88       96  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    10       11       8  

Loss on disposal of assets, net

    (30 )     (4 )     (110 )

Miscellaneous (income) expense, net

    (5 )     2       (1 )

Interest expense

    173       173       173  

Loss from early extinguishment of debt

    -       -       3  

Income tax expense

    44       39       94  

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    30       30       29  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (33 )     (30 )     (29 )

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

    77       45       36  

Broadcast Transaction Related Expenses

    38       3       2  

Broadcast other adjustments

    3       -       6  

Broadcast Cash Flow (1)

    540       585       484  

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

    (77 )     (45 )     (36 )

Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses (1)

    463       540       448  

Contributions to pension plans

    (3 )     (3 )     (1 )

Corporate Transaction Related Expenses

    34       6       1  

Synergies and other adjustments

    -       60       60  

Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement (1)

    494       603       508  

Interest expense

    (173 )     (173 )     (173 )

Amortization of deferred financing costs

    9       9       9  

Preferred dividends

    (39 )     (39 )     (39 )

Purchase of property and equipment

    (73 )     (45 )     (34 )

Reimbursement of purchases of property and equipment

    32       6       -  

Income taxes paid, net of refunds

    (12 )     (30 )     (40 )

Free Cash Flow

  $ 238     $ 331     $ 231  

 

(1) Amounts in 2017 have been reclassified to give effect to the implementation of ASU 2017-07

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 20 of 22
 

 

 

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and the Effect of Transaction Related Expenses and Certain Non-cash Expenses, in millions except for per share information:

 

   

Three Months Ended

   

Nine Months Ended

 
   

September 30,

   

September 30,

 
   

2019

   

2018

   

2019

   

2018

 
                                 

Net income

  $ 59     $ 61     $ 85     $ 123  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Adjusted EBITDA:

                               

Depreciation

    20       13       60       41  

Amortization of intangible assets

    29       5       86       16  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    5       2       10       5  

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net

    (14 )     (3 )     (27 )     (6 )

Miscellaneous income, net

    -       -       (4 )     (2 )

Interest expense

    57       25       173       74  

Income tax expense

    23       22       44       43  

Total

    179       125       427       294  

Add: Transaction Related Expenses

    2       3       72       9  

Adjusted EBITDA

  $ 181     $ 128     $ 499     $ 303  
                                 

Net income attributable to common stockholders

  $ 46     $ 61     $ 46     $ 123  

Add: Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation

    7       5       82       14  

Less: Income tax expense related to Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation

    (2 )     (1 )     (21 )     (4 )

Net income attributable to common stockholders - excluding Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation

  $ 51     $ 65     $ 107     $ 133  
                                 

Net income attributable to common stockholders per common share, diluted - excluding Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation

  $ 0.50     $ 0.73     $ 1.07     $ 1.49  
                                 

Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding

    101       89       100       89  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 21 of 22
 

 

 

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

 

 

   

Eight Quarters Ended

 
   

September 30, 2019

 
         

Net income

  $ 461  

Adjustments to reconcile from net income to operating cash flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement:

       

Depreciation

    127  

Amortization of intangible assets

    113  

Non-cash stock-based compensation

    20  

(Gain) loss on disposals of assets, net

    (43 )

Interest expense

    304  

Income tax expense

    (13 )

Amortization of program broadcast rights

    57  

Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan

    4  

Payments for program broadcast rights

    (63 )

Pension expense

    (1 )

Contributions to pension plans

    (8 )

Adjustments for stations acquired or divested, financings and expected synergies during the eight quarter period

    540  

Transaction Related Expenses

    84  

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement

  $ 1,582  

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

  $ 791  

 

   

September 30, 2019

 

Adjusted Total Indebtedness:

       

Total outstanding principal, including current portion

  $ 3,960  

Cash

    (326 )

Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash

  $ 3,634  
         

Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash

    4.59  

 

 

Gray Television, Inc.

Earnings Release for the three and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2019 Page 22 of 22
ex_163419.htm

Exhibit 99.2

 

 

NEWS RELEASE

GRAY ANNOUNCES NEW SHARE REPURCHASE AUTHORIZATION

 

Atlanta, Georgia – November 7, 2019. . . Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN and GTN.A) announced today that its Board of Directors has authorized the Company to repurchase up to $150 million of outstanding common stock (GTN) and/or Class A common stock (GTN.A) through December 31, 2022.

 

Gray’s Executive Chairman and CEO Hilton H. Howell, Jr., explained, “Reducing our debt level remains a high priority for Gray, as demonstrated by our recent voluntary pre-payment of $100 million of the 2019 term loan outstanding under our senior credit facility. At the same time, we believe that recent trading prices do not fully value the scale, quality, leadership and opportunities created through our merger with Raycom, which nearly doubled our size while increasing the depth and breadth of our business. From time to time, these market dislocations may provide an opportunity for stock repurchases, all while keeping a close eye on steadily decreasing our leverage.”

 

Share repurchases would be implemented through purchases made from time to time in either the open market or private transactions. The extent that the Company repurchases its shares, the number of shares and the timing of any repurchases will depend on general market conditions, regulatory requirements, alternative investment opportunities and other considerations. Gray’s repurchase program does not require the Company to repurchase a minimum number of shares, and it may be modified, suspended or terminated at any time without prior notice. The new authorization prohibits the Company from purchasing shares directly from the Company’s officers, directors, or the Gray Television, Inc. Capital Accumulation Plan (401K plan). 

 

The new stock repurchase authorization supersedes all prior authorizations, including the plan adopted in November 2016 permitting the Company to repurchase up to $75 million of its outstanding common stock prior to December 31, 2019.

 

As of October 31, 2019, Gray has 96,633,773 shares of common stock outstanding and 6,881,192 shares of Class A common stock outstanding. Shares repurchased will be held as treasury shares and may be used for general corporate purposes including, but not limited to, satisfying obligations under our employee benefit plans and long-term incentive plan.

 

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

 

 

 

About Gray Television: 

 

Gray currently owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties in 93 television markets, including the number-one rated television station in 68 markets and the first or second highest rated television station in 87 markets. Gray’s television stations cover approximately 24 percent of US television households and broadcast over 400 separate programming streams, including approximately 150 affiliates of the CBS/NBC/ABC/FOX networks. Gray also owns video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content. For further information, please visit www.gray.tv.

 

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Statements 

 

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws.  These “forward-looking statements” are statements other than statements of historical fact and may relate to, among other things, the timing and amount of any stock repurchases, and our liquidity position.  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 the date hereof except as otherwise noted.  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, 2018 and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019, each of which is on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and available at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

Gray Contacts

 

Web site: www.gray.tv

 

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

 

Pat LaPlatney, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, 334-206-1400

 

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

 

 

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