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): March 4, 2008

 

 

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

 

 

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

 

 

[earningsrelease001.jpg]

 

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)


 

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (805) 987-0400

 

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:

 

[   ]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))

 

 















 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

ITEM 2.02 RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

ITEM 7.01 REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

ITEM 9.01 FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

EXHIBITS

SIGNATURE

EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit 99.1










ITEM 2.02     RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION

 

On March 4, 2008, Salem Communications Corporation issued a press release regarding its results of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2007.



ITEM 7.01     REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE

 

On March 4, 2008, Salem Communications Corporation issued a press release regarding its results of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2007.


Additionally, on March 4, 2008, Salem Communications Corporation issued a press release announcing its results of its 2008 national block programming renewals.

 

 

ITEM 9.01     FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND EXHIBITS

  

(c)     Exhibits. The following exhibit is furnished with this report on Form 8-K:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press release, dated March 4, 2008, of Salem Communications Corporation regarding its results of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

99.2

 

Press release, dated March 4, 2008, of Salem Communications Corporation announcing its results of its 2008 national block programming renewals.









SIGNATURE 

 

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 thereunto duly authorized. 

 

 

 

 

SALEM COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

 

 

 

Date: March 4, 2008

 

By: /s/ EVAN D. MASYR

 

 

Evan D. Masyr

 

 

Senior Vice President and

Chief Financial Officer









EXHIBIT INDEX



Exhibit No.

 

Description

99.1

 

Press release, dated March 4, 2008, of Salem Communications Corporation regarding its results of operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2007.

 

 

 

99.2

 

Press release, dated March 4, 2008, of Salem Communications Corporation announcing its results of its 2008 national block programming renewals.
















 EXHIBIT 99.1




[earningsrelease002.jpg]




SALEM COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES FOURTH QUARTER 2007 TOTAL REVENUE OF $59.1 MILLION  


CAMARILLO, CA March 4, 2008 – Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: SALM), 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, today announced results for the three months and year ended December 31, 2007.


Fourth Quarter 2007 Results


For the quarter ended December 31, 2007 compared to the quarter ended December 31, 2006:

·

Total revenue decreased 0.2% to $59.1 million from $59.2 million;

·

Operating income decreased 28.8% to $7.1 million from $10.0 million;

·

Net income decreased to $0.2 million, or $0.01 net income per diluted share, from $3.3 million, or $0.14 net income per diluted share;

·

EBITDA decreased 29.3% to $10.9 million from $15.4 million;

·

Adjusted EBITDA decreased 8.7% to $13.8 million from $15.1 million;


Broadcasting

·

Net broadcasting revenue decreased 1.8% to $52.2 million from $53.2 million;

·

Station operating income (“SOI”) decreased 7.7% to $18.0 million from $19.5 million;

·

Same station net broadcasting revenue decreased 2.1% to $50.8 million from $51.9 million;

·

Same station SOI decreased 7.2% to $18.2 million from $19.6 million;

·

Same station SOI margin decreased to 35.7% from 37.7%;


Non-broadcast Media

·

Non-broadcast revenue increased 14.1% to $6.9 million from $6.0 million; and

·

Non-broadcast operating income increased 23.5% to $0.5 million from $0.4 million.


Included in the results for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 are:

·

A $0.1 million loss on the disposal of assets;

·

A $1.9 million impairment charge ($1.0 million, net of tax or $0.08 per share) resulting from our decision to discontinue the printing of CCM Magazine; and

·

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 of:

o

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

o

$0.3 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 December 31, 2007, this station did not generate any revenue or profit. For the comparable 2006 period, the station generated net broadcasting revenue of $0.4 million and generated no profit.


These results reflect the reclassification of the operations of our Milwaukee stations to discontinued operations for all periods presented. These stations had net broadcasting revenue of approximately $0.5 million and generated a profit of $0.1 million for both the quarters ended December 31, 2007 and December 31, 2006.





Other comprehensive loss of $1.6 million, net of tax, for the quarter ended December 31, 2007 is due to the change in fair market value of the company’s interest rate swaps.


Per share numbers are calculated based on 23,668,788 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended December 31, 2007, and 23,852,840 diluted weighted average shares for the comparable 2006 period.


Full Year 2007 Results


For the year ended December 31, 2007 compared to the year ended December 31, 2006:

·

Total revenue increased 2.7% to $231.7 million from $225.7 million;

·

Operating income decreased 31.1% to $39.8 million from $57.7 million;

·

Net income decreased to $8.2 million, or $0.34 net income per diluted share, from $19.0 million, or $0.78 net income per diluted share;

·

EBITDA decreased 22.6% to $55.2 million from $71.3 million;

·

Adjusted EBITDA increased 0.1% to $58.1 million from $58.0 million;


Broadcasting

·

Net broadcasting revenue increased 0.1% to $206.6 million from $206.4 million;

·

SOI decreased 2.8% to $74.8 million from $76.9 million;

·

Same station net broadcasting revenue increased 0.5% to $202.3 million from $201.3 million;

·

Same station SOI decreased 3.0% to $75.2 million from $77.5 million;

·

Same station SOI margin decreased to 37.2% from 38.5%;


Non-broadcast Media

·

Non-broadcast revenue increased 29.7% to $25.1 million from $19.4 million; and

·

Non-broadcast operating income increased 70.2% to $2.0 million from $1.2 million.


Included in the results for the year ended December 31, 2007 are:

·

A $2.2 million gain primarily from the disposal of assets in the Cleveland and Nashville markets ($1.2 million gain, net of tax, or $0.05 gain per diluted share);

·

A $1.9 million impairment charge ($1.0 million, net of tax or $0.08 per share) resulting from our decision to discontinue the printing of CCM Magazine;

·

A $0.2 million gain ($0.01 per diluted share) from discontinued operations, net of tax related to the disposition of assets in the Milwaukee markets; and

·

A $3.4 million non-cash compensation charge ($1.9 million, net of tax, or $0.08 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:

o

$2.4 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses;

o

$0.8 million non-cash compensation included in broadcasting operating expenses; and

o

$0.2 million non-cash compensation included in other media operating expenses


Included in the results for the year ended December 31, 2006 are:

·

An $18.7 million gain primarily from the disposal and exchange of assets in the in the Sacramento, Cleveland and Dallas markets ($11.1 million gain, net of tax, or $0.46 gain per diluted share);

·

A $3.6 million loss ($2.2 million loss, net of tax, or $0.09 loss per share) from the early redemption of $94.0 million of 9.0% senior subordinated notes due 2011;

·

A $2.6 million gain ($0.11 per diluted share) from discontinued operations, net of tax related to the disposition of assets in the Baltimore, Jacksonville, Richmond and Milwaukee markets; and

·

A $4.3 million non-cash compensation charge ($2.6 million, net of tax, or $0.11 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:

o

$3.4 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses;

o

$0.8 million non-cash compensation included in broadcasting operating expenses; and

o

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



For the twelve months ended December 31, 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 $2.3 million and generated no profit.





These results reflect the reclassification of the operations of our Milwaukee stations to discontinued operations for all periods presented. These stations had net broadcasting revenue of approximately $2.1 million and generated a profit of $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2007 as compared to net broadcasting revenue of approximately $2.0 million and profit of $0.4 million in the same period of the prior year.


Other comprehensive loss of $2.3 million, net of tax, for the year ended December 31, 2007 is due to the change in fair market value of the company’s interest rate swaps.


Per share numbers are calculated based on 23,788,568 diluted weighted average shares for the year ended December 31, 2007, and 24,223,751 diluted weighted average shares for the comparable 2006 period.


Balance Sheet


As of December 31, 2007, the company had net debt of $353.8 million and was in compliance with the covenants of its credit facilities and bond indentures. The company’s bank leverage ratio was 6.0 versus a compliance covenant of 6.25 and its bond leverage ratio was 5.1 versus a compliance covenant of 7.0.


Acquisitions and Divestitures


The following transactions are currently pending:

·

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 that began on February 1, 2007 with the call letters KTRO);

·

WTPS (1080 AM) in Miami, Florida will be acquired for approximately $12.3 million (this station is operated by Salem under a local marketing agreement that began on October 18, 2007 with the call letters WMCU);

·

KTEK (1110 AM) in Houston, Texas will be sold for approximately $7.8 million (this station is operated by the buyer under a time brokerage agreement that began on November 29, 2007)

·

WHKZ (1440 AM) in Warren, Ohio will be sold for approximately $0.6 million;

·

WRRD (540 AM) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be sold for approximately $3.8 million (this station is operated by the buyer under a local marketing agreement that began on February 14, 2008); and

·

WFZH (105.3 FM) in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, will be sold for approximately $8.1 million (this station is operated by the buyer under a local marketing agreement that began on February 15, 2008).




First Quarter 2008 Outlook


We have elected to discontinue the practice of providing specific quarterly revenue, SOI and earnings per share guidance. Going forward, Salem will provide a quarterly range for total revenue and operating expenses.  Accordingly, for the first quarter of 2008, Salem is projecting total revenue to decrease in the low-single digit range over first quarter 2007 total revenue of $55.2 million.  Salem is also projecting operating expenses before gain or loss on disposal of assets to increase in the low-to-mid-single digit range over first quarter of 2007 operating expenses of $46.7 million.  This increase is primarily the result of increased investment in our non-broadcast business.


Conference Call Information

Salem will host a teleconference to discuss its results today, on March 4, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time. To access the teleconference, please dial 973-582-2717 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 March 18, 2008 and can be heard by dialing 706-645-9291, pass code 33528493 or on the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at www.salem.cc.


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 96 radio stations, including 59 stations in 23 of the top 25 markets. Additional information about Salem may be accessed at the company’s website, www.salem.cc.



Company Contact:

Tomasita Aranda

Salem Communications

(805) 987-0400 ext. 1067

tomasitaa@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, impairment of goodwill and intangible assets, discontinued operations (net of tax), 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

 

 Twelve Months Ended

 

 December 31,

 

 December 31,

 

 2006

 2007

 

 2006

 2007

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net broadcasting revenue

 $       53,209

 $       52,248

 

 $     206,367

 $     206,596

Non-broadcast revenue

            6,031

            6,880

 

          19,369

          25,130

Total revenue

          59,240

          59,128

 

        225,736

        231,726

Operating expenses:

 

   

 

 

 

  Broadcasting operating expenses

          33,703

          34,243

 

        129,438

        131,796

  Non-broadcast operating expenses

            5,602

            6,350

 

          18,172

          23,093

  Impairment of goodwill

                  -   

            1,862

 

                  -   

            1,862

  Corporate expenses

            5,710

            5,579

 

          24,043

          22,314

  Depreciation and amortization

            4,035

            3,861

 

          15,026

          15,082

  (Gain) loss on disposal of assets

               220

               136

 

         (18,653)

           (2,190)

Total operating expenses

          49,270

          52,031

 

        168,026

        191,957

Operating income

            9,970

            7,097

 

          57,710

          39,769

Other income (expense):

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest income

                 96

                 23

 

               210

               183

  Interest expense

           (6,485)

           (6,351)

 

         (26,342)

         (25,488)

  Loss on early redemption of long-term debt

                  -   

                  -   

 

           (3,625)

                  -   

  Other income (expense), net

                 46

                (66)

 

              (420)

               164

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

            3,627

               703

 

          27,533

          14,628

Provision for income taxes

            1,757

               540

 

          11,096

            6,620

Income from continuing operations

            1,870

               163

 

          16,437

            8,008

Discontinued operations, net of tax

            1,395

                 25

 

            2,562

               167

Net income

 $         3,265

 $            188

 

 $       18,999

 $         8,175

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

                  (5)

           (1,593)

 

               457

           (2,267)

Comprehensive income (loss)

 $         3,260

 $       (1,405)

 

 $       19,456

 $         5,908

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic income per share before discontinued operations

 $           0.08

 $           0.01

 

 $           0.68

 $           0.34

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 $           0.06

$               -

 

 $           0.11

 $           0.01

Basic income per share after discontinued operations

 $           0.14

 $           0.01

 

 $           0.78

 $           0.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted income per share before discontinued operations

 $           0.08

 $           0.01

 

 $           0.68

 $           0.34

Discontinued operations, net of tax

 $           0.06

$               -

 

 $           0.11

 $           0.01

Diluted income per share after discontinued operations

 $           0.14

 $           0.01

 

 $           0.78

 $           0.34

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

   23,847,520

   23,668,788

 

   24,215,867

   23,785,015

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

   23,852,840

   23,668,788

 

   24,223,751

   23,788,568

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

   

   

   

Other Data:

   

   

 

   

   

Station operating income

 $       19,506

 $       18,005

 

 $       76,929

 $       74,800

Station operating margin

36.7%

34.5%

 

37.3%

36.2%






Salem Communications Corporation

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 December 31,

 

 December 31,

 

 

 2006

 

 2007

 

 

(unaudited)

Assets

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

 $              710

 

 $              447

Trade accounts receivable, net

 

            31,984

 

            30,030

Deferred income taxes

 

              5,020

 

              5,567

Other current assets

 

              2,881

 

              3,256

Assets of discontinued operations

 

              8,671

 

              8,599

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

          127,956

 

          131,087

Intangible assets, net

 

          500,496

 

          492,156

Bond issue costs

 

                 593

 

                 444

Bank loan fees

 

              2,996

 

              1,994

Fair value of interest rate swaps

 

              1,290

 

                      -

Other assets

 

              3,667

 

              6,218

Total assets

 

 $       686,264

 

 $       679,798

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 $         27,295

 

 $         26,290

Long-term debt and capital lease obligations

 

          358,978

 

          350,106

Deferred income taxes

 

            53,935

 

            61,381

Other liabilities

 

              8,340

 

              8,843

Stockholders' equity

 

          237,716

 

          233,178

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity

 

 $       686,264

 

 $       679,798






Salem Communications Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Information

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Three Months Ended

 

 Twelve Months Ended

 

 December 31,

 

 December 31,

 

 2006

 2007

 

 2006

 2007

 

 (unaudited)

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition related / income producing

 $         2,813

 $         1,877

 

 $       14,594

 $         7,280

Maintenance

            2,177

            2,155

 

            6,476

            8,616

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total capital expenditures

 $         4,990

 $         4,032

 

 $       21,070

 $       15,896

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax information

 

 

 

 

 

Cash tax expense

 $              57

 $              75

 

 $            256

 $            368

Deferred tax expense

            1,700

               465

 

          10,840

            6,252

 

 

 

 

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 $         1,757

 $            540

 

 $       11,096

 $         6,620

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax benefit of non-book amortization

 $         3,499

 $         4,180

 

 $       10,620

 $       16,120

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Same Station Net Broadcasting Revenue to

 

 

 

 

 

  Total Net Broadcasting Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

Net broadcasting revenue - same station

 $       51,899

 $       50,815

 

 $     201,333

 $     202,280

Net broadcasting revenue - acquisitions

43

447

 

215

1,241

Net broadcasting revenue - dispositions

616

                 86

 

2,911

234

Net broadcasting revenue - format changes

651

900

 

            1,908

2,841

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net broadcasting revenue

 $       53,209

 $       52,248

 

 $     206,367

 $     206,596

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

Reconciliation of Same Station Broadcasting Operating Expenses to

 

 

 

 

 

  Total Broadcasting Operating Expenses

 

 

 

 

 

Broadcasting operating expenses - same station

 $       32,322

 $       32,651

 

 $     123,878

 $     127,119

Broadcasting operating expenses - acquisitions

                 39

               440

 

               215

            1,355

Broadcasting operating expenses - dispositions

               648

               101

 

            2,918

               314

Broadcasting operating expenses - format changes

               694

            1,051

 

            2,427

            3,008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total broadcasting operating expenses

 $       33,703

 $       34,243

 

 $     129,438

 $     131,796

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

   

Reconciliation of Same Station Station Operating Income to

 

 

 

 

 

  Total Station Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

Station operating income - same station

 $       19,577

 $       18,164

 

 $       77,455

 $       75,161

Station operating income - acquisitions

                   4

                   7

 

                  -   

              (114)

Station operating income - dispositions

                (32)

                (15)

 

                  (7)

                (80)

Station operating income - format changes

                (43)

              (151)

 

              (519)

              (167)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total station operating income

 $       19,506

 $       18,005

 

 $       76,929

 $       74,800






Salem Communications Corporation

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental Information

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Three Months Ended

 

 Twelve Months Ended

 

 December 31,

 

 December 31,

 

 2006

 2007

 

 2006

 2007

 

 (unaudited)

Reconciliation of Station Operating Income and Non-Broadcast

 

 

 

 

 

  Operating Income to Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

Station operating income

 $       19,506

 $       18,005

 

 $       76,929

 $       74,800

Non-broadcast operating income

               429

               530

 

            1,197

            2,037

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

  Corporate expenses

           (5,710)

           (5,579)

 

         (24,043)

         (22,314)

  Impairment of goodwill

                  -   

           (1,862)

 

                  -   

           (1,862)

  Depreciation and amortization

           (4,035)

           (3,861)

 

         (15,026)

         (15,082)

  Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

              (220)

              (136)

 

          18,653

            2,190

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 $         9,970

 $         7,097

 

 $       57,710

 $       39,769

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to EBITDA to Net Income

 

 

 

 

 

Adjusted EBITDA

 $       15,059

 $       13,756

 

 $       57,997

 $       58,068

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

  Stock-based compensation

              (788)

              (866)

 

           (4,334)

           (3,381)

  Discontinued operations, net of tax

            1,395

                 25

 

            2,562

               167

  Gain (loss) on disposal of assets

              (220)

              (136)

 

          18,653

            2,190

  Impairment of goodwill

                    -

           (1,862)

 

                    -

           (1,862)

  Loss on early redemption of long-term debt

                    -

                    -

 

           (3,625)

                    -

 

 

 

 

 

 

EBITDA

          15,446

          10,917

 

          71,253

          55,182

Plus:

 

 

 

 

 

  Interest income

                 96

                 23

 

               210

               183

Less:

 

 

 

 

 

  Depreciation and amortization

           (4,035)

           (3,861)

 

         (15,026)

         (15,082)

  Interest expense

           (6,485)

           (6,351)

 

         (26,342)

         (25,488)

  Provision for income taxes

           (1,757)

              (540)

 

         (11,096)

           (6,620)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 $         3,265

 $            188

 

 $       18,999

 $         8,175

 

   

    

   

   

   

 

 

 Applicable

 

 

 

 

 Outstanding

 Interest

 

 

 

 

 at 12/31/2007

 Rate

 

 

 

Selected Debt and Swap Data

 

 

 

 

 

  7 3/4% senior subordinated notes

 $     100,000

7.75%

 

 

 

  Senior bank term loan B debt (1)

          72,375

6.63%

 

 

 

  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)

          72,525

6.80%

 

 

 

  Senior bank revolving debt (at variable rates) (1)

          13,000

6.66%

 

 

 

  Swingline credit facility (3)

            2,952

7.00%

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

(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 December 31, 2007, that spread was 1.75% and is incorporated into the applicable interest rates set

 

      forth above.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)  Subject to prime interest rate less 0.25%.

 

 

 

 

 





 EXHIBIT 99.2

[earningsrelease003.jpg]




SALEM COMMUNICATIONS ANNOUNCES RESULTS OF 2008 NATIONAL BLOCK PROGRAMMING RENEWALS  


CAMARILLO, CA March 4, 2008 – Salem Communications Corporation (Nasdaq: SALM), 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, today announced the results of its national block programming rate negotiations, which are conducted annually at the start of each year. The average increase in rates for 2008 is approximately 4% with 90% of the block programming contracts successfully renewed.


Commenting on the company’s results, Edward G. Atsinger III, CEO said, “Our Christian Teaching and Talk format is featured on nearly one-half of Salem’s radio stations, and we have at least one station in this format in 30 separate markets.  We also offer this format on the XM Radio Family Talk Channel. Christian Teaching and Talk has been and will continue to be our foundational format.


“The ongoing success of this format is directly related to the effort we and our 125 national block program customers put into making our relationship a true partnership.  The programmers provide compelling content.  We provide the broadcast platform.  In addition, many of the personalities featured on these programs make themselves available to speak at local radio events.  We sponsored over 50 of these events in 2007, connecting stations, programmers and the local church community at a personal level.   Our commitment to this type of partnership results in consistent renewals and a reliable stream of revenue and cash flow.”


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 96 radio stations, including 59 stations in 23 of the top 25 markets. Additional information about Salem may be accessed at the company’s website, www.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.


Company Contact:

Tomasita Aranda

Salem Communications

(805) 987-0400 ext. 1067

tomasitaa@salem.cc