earningsrelease.htm

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES A 3.4% INCREASE IN SECOND QUARTER 2007 TOTAL REVENUE

CAMARILLO, Calif. August, 7, 2007 – Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: SALM), a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in content related to faith, family and conservative values, today announced results for the three month period ended June 30, 2007.

Commenting on the company’s results, Edward G. Atsinger III, Chief Executive Officer of Salem, said, “Our results for the quarter underscore the stability and resiliency of our business model. While local spot advertising experienced some challenges this quarter and declined 5.1% on a same station basis, we achieved total revenue growth of 3.4% in the second quarter of 2007. Our programming revenue increased 4.8% and our Internet and publishing businesses grew revenue 36.4% to $6.4 million. We continue to see solid growth in our non-broadcast media as we invest in new media businesses that take advantage of the content and promotional abilities of our radio stations.”

Second Quarter 2007 Results

For the quarter ended June 30, 2007 compared to the quarter ended June 30, 2006:

·	Total revenue increased 3.4% to $60.0 million from $58.1 million;

·	Operating income decreased 58.2% to $10.9 million from $26.1 million;

·	Net income decreased 74.7% to $2.9 million, or $0.12 per diluted share, from $11.6 million, or $0.47 per diluted share;

·	EBITDA decreased 50.3% to $14.8 million from $29.8 million;

·	Adjusted EBITDA increased 4.5% to $16.3 million from $15.6 million;

Broadcasting

·	Net broadcasting revenue increased 0.5% to $53.7 from $53.4 million;

·	Station operating income (“SOI”) increased 0.7% to $20.0 million from $19.9 million;

·	Same station net broadcasting revenue increased 1.5% to $52.9 million from $52.1 million;

·	Same station SOI increased 0.8% to $20.2 million from $20.0 million;

·	Same station SOI margin decreased to 38.1% from 38.4%;

Non-broadcast Media

·	Non-broadcast revenue increased 36.4% to $6.4 million from $4.7 million; and

·	Non-broadcast operating income decreased to $0.7 million from $0.9 million.

Included in the results for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 are:

·	A $0.6 million gain ($0.4 million gain, net of tax, or $0.02 per diluted share) on the disposal of assets;

·	A $0.9 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.5 million, net of tax, or $0.02 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting primarily of:

o	$0.6 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses; and

o	$0.2 million non-cash compensation included in broadcasting operating expenses.

Included in the results for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 are:

·	A $15.5 million gain ($9.4 million gain, net of tax, or $0.38 per diluted share) on the disposal of assets; and

·	A $1.3 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.8 million, net of tax, or $0.03 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting primarily of:

o	$1.1 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses; and

o	$0.2 million non-cash compensation included in broadcasting operating expenses.

On February 7, 2007, we sold WKNR (850 AM) in Cleveland, Ohio. We discontinued operating this radio station under a local marketing agreement effective December 1, 2006. For the quarter ended June 30, 2007, this station did not generate any revenue or profit. For the comparable 2006 period, the station generated net broadcasting revenue of $0.6 million and generated no profit.

Other comprehensive income of $1.1 million, net of tax, for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and $0.9 million, net of tax, for the quarter ended June 30, 2006 is due to the change in fair market value of the company's interest rate swaps.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 23,855,967 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 and 24,356,275 diluted weighted average shares for the comparable 2006 period.

Year to Date 2007 Results

For the six month period ended June 30, 2007 compared to the six month period ended June 30, 2006:

·	Total revenue increased 5.5% to $116.1 million from $110.1 million;

·	Operating income decreased 38.0% to $22.8 million from $36.8 million;

·	Net income decreased 58.8% to $5.9 million, or $0.25 net income per diluted share, from net income of $14.3 million or $0.58 net income per diluted share;

·	EBITDA decreased 30.4% to $30.6 million from $43.9 million;

·	Adjusted EBITDA increased 8.6% to $29.6 million from $27.2 million

Broadcasting

·	Net broadcasting revenue increased 1.9% to $104.1 million from $102.2 million;

·	SOI increased 2.7% to $38.0 million from $37.0 million;

·	Same station net broadcasting revenue increased 2.5% to $102.3 million from $99.8 million;

·	Same station SOI increased 1.8% to $38.1 million from $37.4 million;

·	Same station SOI margin decreased to 37.2% from 37.5%;

Non-broadcast Media

·	Non-broadcast revenue increased 51.7% to $12.0 million from $7.9 million; and

·	Non-broadcast operating income increased 65.3% to $1.1 million from $0.7 million

Included in the results for the six month period ended June 30, 2007 are:

·	A $2.6 million gain ($1.5 million gain, net of tax or $0.06 gain per diluted share) from the disposal of assets; and

·	A $1.6 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.9 million, net of tax, or $0.4 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:

o	$1.1 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses;

o	$0.4 million non-cash compensation included in broadcasting operating expenses; and

o	$0.1 million non-cash compensation included in non-broadcast operating expenses.

Included in the results for the six month period ended June 30, 2006 are:

·	A $19.0 million gain ($11.5 million gain, net of tax, or $0.47 per diluted share) on the disposal of assets;

·	A $0.3 million loss from discontinued operations, net of tax or $0.01 per diluted share; and

·	A $2.6 million non-cash compensation charge ($1.6 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:

o	$2.2 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses; and

o	$0.4 million non-cash compensation included in broadcasting operating expenses.

For the six months ended June 30, 2007, WKNR (850 AM) in Cleveland, Ohio, which was sold on February 7, 2007, did not generate any revenue or profit. For the comparable 2006 period, the station generated net broadcasting revenue of $1.2 million and lost $0.1 million.

Other comprehensive income of $0.8 million, net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and $1.9 million, net of tax, for the six months ended June 30, 2006 is due to the change in fair market value of the company's interest rate swaps.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 23,854,518 diluted weighted average shares for the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 24,525,718 diluted weighted average shares for the comparable 2006 period.

SOI Margin Composition Analysis

The following table, which is for analytical purposes only, has been created by assigning each station in the company’s radio station portfolio to one of four categories based upon the station’s first quarter SOI margin. The company believes this table is helpful in assessing the portfolio’s financial and operational development.

Three Months Ended June 30,

(Net Broadcasting Revenue and SOI in millions)

	2006										2007
								Average										Average
SOI Margin %	Stations		Revenue		SOI			SOI %			Stations		Revenue		SOI			SOI %
50% or greater		27	$	23.6	$	14.7			62.1	%		21	$	21.7	$	13.3			61.5	%
30% to 49%		22		11.8		4.7			40.1	%		25		13.6		5.4			39.6	%
0% to 29%		31		10.8		1.8			16.9	%		30		10.4		2.1			19.5	%
Less than 0%		19		3.0		(1.0	)		(33.8	%)		22		3.7		(0.9	)		(23.9	%)
Subtotal		99		49.2		20.2			41.0	%		98		49.4		19.9			40.2	%
Other		-		4.2		(0.3	)		(7.0	%)		-		4.3		0.1			3.5	%
Total		99	$	53.4	$	19.9			37.2	%		98		53.7		20.0			37.3	%

Balance Sheet

As of June 30, 2007, the company had net debt of $347.9 million and was in compliance with the covenants of its credit facilities and bond indentures. The company’s bank leverage ratio was 5.6 versus a compliance covenant of 6.75 and its bond leverage ratio was 4.9 versus a compliance covenant of 7.0.

Stock Repurchases

During the quarter ended June 30 2007, the company did not repurchase shares of its Class A common stock and had 23,850,020 shares of its Class A and Class B common stock outstanding.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

During the quarter ended June 30, 2007, Salem completed the following transaction:

·	WVRY (105.1 FM) in Waverly, Tennessee was sold on May 29, 2007 for $0.9 million.

The following transaction was pending as of June 30, 2007:

·	KKSN (910 AM) in Portland, Oregon will be acquired for approximately $4.5 million (this station is operated by Salem under a local marketing agreement beginning February 1, 2007 with call letters KTRO).

Third Quarter 2007 Outlook

For the third quarter of 2007, Salem is projecting:

·	Total revenue to be between $58.0 million and $58.5 million compared to third quarter 2006 total revenue of $57.9 million;

·	Adjusted EBITDA to be between $13.8 million and $14.3 million compared to third quarter 2006 Adjusted EBITDA of $15.9 million; and

·	Net income per diluted share to be between $0.08 and $0.09.

Third quarter 2007 outlook reflects the following:

·	Same station net broadcasting revenue to be between $51.3 million to $51.8 million compared to $51.3 million in third quarter 2006;

·	Non-broadcast revenue increasing to approximately $5.9 million from $5.4 million in third quarter 2006;

·	Same station SOI declining to between $18.7 million and $19.2 million from $20.7 million in third quarter 2006;

·	Non-cash compensation expense of $0.6 million compared to third quarter 2006 non-cash compensation expense of $0.9 million;

·	Increased marketing and programming costs of $0.9 million primarily on News Talk stations in Chicago, Denver, Louisville and Phoenix, and on Contemporary Christian Music stations in Dallas, Atlanta and Sacramento;

·	Continued growth from our core block programming business and our underdeveloped radio stations, particularly our News Talk stations;

·	Ongoing softness in the radio advertising market; and

·	The impact of recent acquisition and divestiture transactions.

Conference Call Information

Salem will host a teleconference to discuss its results today, on August 7, 2007 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the teleconference, please dial 973-935-8511 ten minutes prior to the start time or listen via the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at www.salem.cc. A replay of the teleconference will be available through August 24, 2007 and can be heard by dialing 973-341-3080, pass code 9051778 or on the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at www.salem.cc.

Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: SALM) is a leading U.S. radio broadcaster, Internet content provider, and magazine and book publisher targeting audiences interested in Christian and family-themed content and conservative values. In addition to its radio properties, Salem owns Salem Radio Network®, which syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliates; Salem Radio Representatives™, a national radio advertising sales force; Salem Web Network™, an Internet provider of Christian content and online streaming; and Salem Publishing™, a publisher of Christian-themed magazines. Upon the close of all announced transactions, the company will own 97 radio stations, including 61 stations in 23 of the top 25 markets. Additional information about Salem may be accessed at the company’s website, www.salem.cc.

Media Contact: Investor / Analyst Contact:

Denise Davis Elizabeth Stewart

Director of Communications Investor Relations

Salem Communications Salem Communications

(805) 987-0400 ext. 1081 (805) 987-0400 ext. 1065

denised@salem.cc Elizabeth.Stewart@salem.cc

Forward Looking Statements

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

Regulation G

Station operating income, non-broadcast operating income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Station operating income is defined as net broadcasting revenues minus broadcasting operating expenses. Non-broadcast operating income is defined as non-broadcast revenue minus non-broadcast operating expenses. EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before loss on early redemption of long-term debt, discontinued operations (net of tax), litigation costs, gain or loss on the disposal of assets and non-cash compensation expense. In addition, Salem has provided supplemental information as an attachment to this press release, reconciling these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP. The company believes these non-GAAP financial measures, when considered in conjunction with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, provide useful measures of the company’s operating performance.

Station operating income, non-broadcast operating income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as important measures of performance and are used by investors as well as analysts who report on the industry to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting. Station operating income, non-broadcast operating income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not a measure of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP, and should be viewed as a supplement to and not a substitute for, or superior to, the company’s results of operations presented on a GAAP basis such as operating income and net income. In addition, Salem’s definitions of station operating income, non-broadcast operating income, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

Salem Communications Corporation Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share, per share and margin data)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2006			2007			2006			2007
	(unaudited)

Net broadcasting revenue	$	53,381		$	53,650		$	102,155		$	104,090
Non-broadcast revenue		4,684			6,388			7,936			12,042
Total revenue		58,065			60,038			110,091			116,132
Operating expenses:
Broadcasting operating expenses		33,498			33,629			65,192			66,112
Non-broadcast operating expenses		3,827			5,652			7,259			10,923
Corporate expenses		6,256			5,496			12,696			11,310
Depreciation and amortization		3,866			3,699			7,161			7,600
(Gain) loss on disposal of assets		(15,510	)		634			(19,039	)		(2,635	)
Total operating expenses		31,937			49,110			73,269			93,310
Operating income		26,128			10,928			36,822			22,822
Other income (expense):
Interest income		-			48			46			108
Interest expense		(6,779	)		(6,308	)		(13,367	)		(12,762	)
Other income (expense), net		(174	)		182			(346	)		147
Income from continuing operations before income taxes		19,175			4,850			23,155			10,315
Provision for income taxes		7,584			1,926			9,178			4,426
Income from continuing operations		11,591			2,924			13,977			5,889
Discontinued operations, net of tax		(25	)		-			304			-
Net income	$	11,566		$	2,924		$	14,281		$	5,889
Other comprehensive income, net of tax		894			1,112			1,930			824
Comprehensive income	$	12,460		$	4,036		$	16,211		$	6,713

Basic income per share before discontinued operations	$	0.48		$	0.12		$	0.57		$	0.25
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$	-		$	-		$	0.01		$	-
Basic income per share after discontinued operations	$	0.48		$	0.12		$	0.58		$	0.25

Diluted income per share before discontinued operations	$	0.48		$	0.12		$	0.57		$	0.25
Discontinued operations, net of tax	$	-		$	-		$	0.01		$	-
Diluted income per share after discontinued operations	$	0.47		$	0.12		$	0.58		$	0.25

Basic weighted average shares outstanding		24,347,520			23,850,020			24,516,432			23,849,312
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding		24,356,275			23,855,967			24,525,718			23,854,518


Other Data:
Station operating income	$	19,883		$	20,021		$	36,963		$	37,978
Station operating margin		37.2	%		37.3	%		36.2	%		36.5	%

Salem Communications Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)


	December 31,		June 30,
	2006		2007
			(unaudited)
Assets
Cash	$	710	$	752
Trade accounts receivable, net		31,984		31,335
Deferred income taxes		5,020		5,009
Other current assets		2,881		3,036
Property, plant and equipment, net		128,713		130,808
Intangible assets, net		508,410		502,916
Bond issue costs		593		518
Bank loan fees		2,996		2,488
Fair value of interest rate swaps		1,290		2,663
Other assets		3,667		4,449
Total assets	$	686,264	$	683,974

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Current liabilities	$	27,295	$	25,672
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations		358,978		344,951
Deferred income taxes		53,935		60,810
Other liabilities		8,340		8,507
Stockholders' equity		237,716		244,034
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	686,264	$	683,974

Salem Communications Corporation
Supplemental Information
(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2006			2007			2006			2007
	(unaudited)
Capital expenditures
Acquisition related / income producing	$	4,520		$	2,047		$	7,793		$	3,771
Maintenance		1,708			2,342			3,465			5,017

Total capital expenditures	$	6,228		$	4,389		$	11,258		$	8,788


Tax information
Cash tax expense	$	76		$	47		$	76		$	215
Deferred tax expense		7,508			1,879			9,102			4,211

Provision for income taxes	$	7,584		$	1,926		$	9,178		$	4,426

Tax benefit of non-book amortization	$	3,685		$	3,936		$	7,262		$	8,112


Reconciliation of Same Station Net Broadcasting Revenue to
Total Net Broadcasting Revenue
Net broadcasting revenue - same station	$	52,096		$	52,901		$	99,785		$	102,300
Net broadcasting revenue - acquisitions		-			146			172			623
Net broadcasting revenue - dispositions		840			66			1,427			66
Net broadcasting revenue - format changes		445			537			771			1,101

Total net broadcasting revenue	$	53,381		$	53,650		$	102,155		$	104,090


Reconciliation of Same Station Broadcasting Operating Expenses to
Total Broadcasting Operating Expenses
Broadcasting operating expenses - same station	$	32,103		$	32,745		$	62,377		$	64,216
Broadcasting operating expenses - acquisitions		-			228			176			657
Broadcasting operating expenses - dispositions		844			64			1,511			106
Broadcasting operating expenses - format changes		551			592			1,128			1,133

Total broadcasting operating expenses	$	33,498		$	33,629		$	65,192		$	66,112


Reconciliation of Same Station Station Operating Income to
Total Station Operating Income
Station operating income - same station	$	19,993		$	20,156		$	37,408		$	38,084
Station operating income - acquisitions		-			(82	)		(4	)		(34	)
Station operating income - dispositions		(4	)		2			(84	)		(40	)
Station operating income - format changes		(106	)		(55	)		(357	)		(32	)

Total station operating income	$	19,883		$	20,021		$	36,963		$	37,978

Salem Communications Corporation
Supplemental Information
(in thousands)

	Three Months Ended						Six Months Ended
	June 30,						June 30,
	2006			2007			2006			2007
	(unaudited)
Reconciliation of Station Operating Income and Non-Broadcast
Operating Income to Operating Income
Station operating income	$	19,883		$	20,021		$	36,963		$	37,978
Non-broadcast operating income		857			736			677			1,119
Less:
Corporate expenses		(6,256	)		(5,496	)		(12,696	)		(11,310	)
Depreciation and amortization		(3,866	)		(3,699	)		(7,161	)		(7,600	)
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets		15,510			(634	)		19,039			2,635

Operating income	$	26,128		$	10,928		$	36,822		$	22,822


Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to EBITDA to Net Income
Adjusted EBITDA	$	15,622		$	16,323		$	27,218		$	29,568
Less:
Stock-based compensation		(1,312	)		(880	)		(2,620	)		(1,634	)
Discontinued operations, net of tax		(25	)		-			304			-
Gain (loss) on disposal of assets		15,510			(634	)		19,039			2,635

EBITDA		29,795			14,809			43,941			30,569
Plus:
Interest income		-			48			46			108
Less:
Depreciation and amortization		(3,866	)		(3,699	)		(7,161	)		(7,600	)
Interest expense		(6,779	)		(6,308	)		(13,367	)		(12,762	)
Provision for income taxes		(7,584	)		(1,926	)		(9,178	)		(4,426	)

Net income	$	11,566		$	2,924		$	14,281		$	5,889

				Applicable
	Outstanding			Interest
	at 6/30/2007			Rate
Selected Debt and Swap Data
7 3/4% senior subordinated notes	$	100,000			7.75	%
Senior bank term loan B debt (1)		73,125			7.13	%
Senior bank term loan C debt (swap matures 7/1/2012) (2)		30,000			6.74	%
Senior bank term loan C debt (swap matures 7/1/2012) (2)		30,000			6.45	%
Senior bank term loan C debt (swap matures 7/1/2012) (2)		30,000			6.28	%
Senior bank term C debt (at variable rates) (1)		73,350			7.13	%
Senior bank revolving debt (at variable rates) (1)		8,500			7.13	%
Swingline credit facility (3)		293			8.25	%

(1) Subject to rolling LIBOR plus a spread currently at 1.75% and incorporated into the rate set forth above.

(2) Under its swap agreements, the Company pays a fixed rate plus a spread based on the Company's leverage, as defined in its
credit agreement. As of June 30, 2007, that spread was 1.75% and is incorporated into the applicable interest rates set
forth above.

(3) Subject to prime interest rate.

Delaware	000-26497	77-0121400
(State or Other Jurisdiction	(Commission	(IRS Employer
of Incorporation)	File Number)	Identification No.)

4880 Santa Rosa Road, Camarillo, California		93012
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)		(Zip Code)

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release, dated August 7, 2007, of Salem Communications Corporation regarding its results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

		SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

Date: August 7, 2007		By: /s/ EVAN D. MASYR
		Evan D. Masyr
		Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit No.		Description
99.1		Press release, dated August 7, 2007, of Salem Communications Corporation regarding its results of operations for the quarter ended June 30, 2007.

Salem Communications Corporation
Supplemental Information
(in millions)
	Projected
	Three Months Ending						Three Months
	September 30, 2007						Ended
	Low			High			September 30, 2006
	(unaudited)
Reconciliation of Station Operating Income to Operating Income
Station operating income	$	18.8		$	19.3
Plus:
Non-broadcast revenue		5.9			5.9
Less:
Non-broadcast operating expenses		(5.7	)		(5.7	)
Corporate expenses		(5.2	)		(5.2	)
Stock-based compensation (corporate expense portion)		(0.4	)		(0.4	)
Depreciation and amortization		(3.8	)		(3.8	)

Operating income	$	9.6		$	10.1


Reconciliation of Same Station Net Broadcasting Revenue to
Total Net Broadcasting Revenue
Net broadcasting revenue - same station	$	51.3		$	51.8		$	51.3
Net broadcasting revenue - acquisitions / dispositions / format changes		0.8			0.8			1.2

Total net broadcasting revenue	$	52.1		$	52.6		$	52.5


Reconciliation of Same Station Station Operating Income to
Total Station Operating Income
Station operating income - same station	$	18.7		$	19.2		$	20.7
Station operating income - acquisitions / dispositions / format changes		0.1			0.1			-

Total station operating income	$	18.8		$	19.3		$	20.7