SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC. ANNOUNCES THIRD QUARTER 2015

TOTAL REVENUE OF $67.5 MILLION  

CAMARILLO, CA November 9, 2015 – Salem Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: SALM) released its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015.

Third Quarter 2015 Highlights

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Net broadcast revenue increased 1.9%

·

Recurring operating expenses decreased 1.0%

·

Acquired WBIX-AM (formerly WMKI-AM) in Boston, Massachusetts and KEXB-AM (formerly KMKI-AM) in Dallas, Texas

·

Acquired DividendInvestor.com, the DailyBible app and a Spanish Bible app

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior year operating results, condensed financial statements and supplemental information contained in this press release to conform to the current year presentation.  These reclassifications include changes in the composition of the company’s operating segments based on changes in its business and a realignment of its operating segments following the acquisition of Eagle Publishing during 2014.  The change in composition of the company’s operating segments conforms to how its chief operating decision makers, defined as a collective group of senior executives, assess the performance of each operating segment and determines appropriate allocations of resources to each segment.  

Third Quarter 2015 Results

For the quarter ended September 30, 2015 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2014:

Consolidated

·

Total revenue decreased 3.0% to $67.5 million from $69.6 million;

·

Total operating expenses decreased 3.4% to $58.7 million from $60.8 million;

·

Operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation expense and amortization expense decreased 1.0% to $54.7 million from $55.2 million;

·

Operating income remained consistent at $8.8 million;

·

Net income decreased to $2.1 million, or $0.08 net income per diluted share, from $3.7 million, or $0.14 net income per diluted share, in the prior year;

·

EBITDA (1) decreased 5.7% to $13.3 million from $14.1 million;

·

Adjusted EBITDA (1) decreased 10.9% to $12.8 million from $14.4 million; and

·

Free cash flow (1) decreased 17.5% to $7.1 million from $8.6 million.

Broadcast

·

Net broadcast revenue increased 1.9% to $49.2 million from $48.2 million;

·

Station Operating Income (“SOI”) (1) remained consistent at $13.8 million;

·

Same station net broadcast revenue increased 1.0% to $48.7 million from $48.2 million;

·

Same station SOI remained consistent at $13.8 million; and

·

Same station SOI margin decreased to 28.4% from 28.7%.

Digital media

·

Digital media revenue decreased 1.0% to $11.4 million from $11.5 million; and

·

Digital media operating income (1) increased 5.9% to $2.6 million from $2.5 million.

Publishing

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Publishing revenue decreased 29.9% to $6.9 million from $9.9 million; and

·

Publishing operating income (1) decreased to a loss of $0.1 million from net income of $1.6 million.  

Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2015 are:

·

A $0.6 million ($0.4 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) net decrease in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration associated with the Twitchy.com, Eagle entities, Bryan Perry Newsletters and Daily Devotional acquisitions; and

·

A $0.2 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.1 million, net of tax) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:

o

$0.1 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses and;

o

the remainder included in broadcast, Digital media and publishing operating expenses.

Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2014 are:

·

A $0.5 million ($0.3 million, net of tax, or $0.02 per share) net increase in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration associated with Twitchy.com and Eagle entities; and

·

A $0.3 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:

o

$0.2 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses; and

o

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

Per share numbers are calculated based on 25,907,651 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2015, and 26,265,957 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

Year to Date 2015 Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2014:

Consolidated

·

Total revenue decreased 2.0% to $196.6 million from $200.6 million;

·

Total operating expenses decreased 3.4% to $172.9 million from $178.9 million;

·

Operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, depreciation expense and amortization expense decreased 1.8% to $159.5 million from $162.4 million;

·

Operating income increased 9.6% to $23.8 million from $21.7 million;

·

Net income increased to $5.9 million, or $0.23 net income per diluted share, from $5.4 million, or $0.21 net income per diluted share, in the prior year;

·

EBITDA (1) increased 1.8% to $37.1 million from $36.4 million;

·

Adjusted EBITDA (1) decreased 2.8% to $37.1 million from $38.2 million; and

·

Free cash flow (1) increased 1.6% to $19.8 million from $19.5 million.

Broadcast

·

Net broadcast revenue increased 0.4% to $144.8 million from $144.1 million;

·

SOI (1) decreased 0.8% to $40.3 million from $40.6 million;

·

Same station net broadcast revenue decreased 0.6% to $143.0 million from $143.9 million;

·

Same station SOI decreased 0.8% to $40.3 million from $40.6 million; and

·

Same station SOI margin remained consistent at 28.2%.

Digital media

·

Digital media revenue decreased 4.1% to $33.7 million from $35.1 million; and

·

Digital media operating income (1) decreased 10.5% to $7.2 million from $8.0 million.

Publishing

·

Publishing revenue decreased 14.7% to $18.2 million from $21.3 million; and

·

Publishing operating income (1) decreased to $0.2 million from $1.2 million.  

Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 are:

·

A $0.8 million ($0.5 million, net of tax, or $0.02 per share) net decrease in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration associated with the Twitchy.com, Eagle entities, Bryan Perry Newsletters and Daily Devotional acquisitions;

·

A $0.2 million pre-tax loss ($0.1 million, net of tax) on disposals of assets primarily associated with the relocation of the office and studio in our Seattle market; and

·

A $0.7 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.4 million, net of tax, or $0.02 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:

o

$0.4 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses;

o

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

o

$0.1 million non-cash compensation included in Digital media operating expenses; and

o

the remainder included in publishing operating expenses.

Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 are:

·

A $0.9 million ($0.5 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per share) net increase in the estimated fair value of the contingent earn-out consideration associated with Twitchy.com and Eagle entities;

·

A $0.2 million loss ($0.1 million, net of tax) on disposals associated with the write-off of a receivable from a prior station sale and the relocation of the office and studio in our San Francisco market offset by insurance proceeds for damages associated with one of our stations; 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 of:

o

$0.8 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses;

o

$0.3 million non-cash compensation included in broadcast operating expenses;

o

$0.1 million non-cash compensation included in Digital media operating expenses; and

o

the remainder included in publishing operating expenses.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 25,886,087 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2015, and 26,032,798 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2015, the company had $274.0 million outstanding on the Term Loan B and $6.1 million outstanding under the revolver.  The company was in compliance with the covenants of its credit facility.  The company’s bank leverage ratio was 5.61 versus a compliance covenant of 6.25.

Cash Distribution

On September 1, 2015, the company announced a quarterly distribution in the amount of $0.0650 per share on Class A and Class B common stock.  The quarterly distribution of $1.7 million was paid on September 30, 2015 to all common stockholders of record as of September 16, 2015.  

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The following transactions were completed since July 1, 2015:

·

On July 1, 2015, we acquired DividendInvestor.com for $1.0 million in cash.  DividendInvestor.com is a website offering stock screening tools and dividend information for individual subscribers to obtain dividend information and data;  

·

On September 1, 2015, we completed the acquisition of the DailyBible mobile applications, including all content, code and functionality for $1.5 million in cash;

·

On September 3, 2015, we acquired Spanish Bible applications and related website and Facebook properties for $0.5 million in cash;

·

On September 10, 2015, we completed the acquisition of radio station WBIX-AM (formerly WMKI-AM) in Boston, Massachusetts, for $0.5 million in cash;

·

On September 15, 2015, we completed the acquisition of radio station KEXB-AM (formerly KMKI-AM) in Dallas, Texas, for $3.0 million in cash; and

·

On October 1, 2015, we completed the acquisition of radio station KKSP-FM in Little Rock, Arkansas, for $1.5 million in cash.   

The following transactions are currently pending:

·

On August 28, 2015, we entered an Asset Purchase Agreement (“APA”) to acquire radio station WWMI-AM in Tampa, Florida, for $0.8 million in cash;  

·

On August 28, 2015, we entered an APA to acquire radio station KDDZ-AM in Denver, Colorado, for $0.6 million in cash;  

·

On August 28, 2015, we entered an APA to acquire radio station KDIZ-AM in Minneapolis, Minnesota, for $0.4 million in cash;  

·

On August 28, 2015, we entered an APA to acquire radio station KDZR-AM in Portland, Oregon, for $0.3 million in cash; and  

·

On August 28, 2015, we entered an APA to acquire radio station WSDZ-AM in St. Louis, Missouri, for $0.3 million in cash.  

Conference Call Information

Salem will host a teleconference to discuss its results on November 9, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. To access the teleconference, please dial (877) 241-1527, and then ask to be joined into the Salem Media Group call or listen via the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at investor.salemmedia.com.  A replay of the teleconference will be available through November 16, 2015 and can be heard by dialing (877) 344-7529, passcode 10073186 or on the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at www.salemmedia.com.

Fourth Quarter 2015 Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2015, the company is projecting total revenue to increase 1% to 3% over fourth quarter 2014 total revenue of $65.9 million.  The company is also projecting operating expenses before gains or losses on the disposal of assets, impairment losses, depreciation, amortization and stock-based compensation expense to be increase between 1% and 4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2014 operating expenses of $54.0 million.  

About Salem Media Group, Inc.

Salem Media Group is America’s leading Christian and conservative multi-media corporation, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book, magazine and newsletter publishing.  Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally.  With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the media landscape.

The company, through its Salem Radio Group, is the largest commercial U.S. radio broadcasting company providing Christian and conservative programming.  Salem owns and operates 117 local radio stations, with 72 stations in the top 25 media markets.  Salem Radio Network (“SRN”) is a full-service national radio network, with nationally syndicated programs comprising Christian teaching and talk, conservative talk, news, and music.  SRN is home to many industry-leading hosts including: Bill Bennett, Mike Gallagher, Hugh Hewitt, Michael Medved, Dennis Prager and Eric Metaxas.

Salem New Media is a powerful source of Christian and conservative themed news, analysis, and commentary.  Salem’s Christian sites include: Christianity.com®, BibleStudyTools.com, GodTube.com, GodVine.com, WorshipHouseMedia.com and OnePlace.com. Considered by many to be a consolidation of the conservative news and opinion sector’s most influential brands, Salem’s conservative sites include RedState.com, Townhall.com®, HotAir.com, Twitchy.com, BearingArms.com and HumanEvents.com.

Salem’s Regnery Publishing unit, with a 65-year history, remains the nation’s leading publisher of conservative books.  Having published many of the seminal works of the early conservative movement, Regnery today continues as the dominant publisher in the conservative space, with leading authors including: Ann Coulter, Dinesh D’Souza, Newt Gingrich, David Limbaugh, Ed Klein and Mark Steyn.  Salem’s book publishing business also includes Xulon Press™, a leading provider of self-publishing services for Christian and conservative authors.

Salem Publishing™ publishes Christian and conservative magazines including Homecoming®, YouthWorker Journal™, The Singing News, and Preaching.

Salem’s Eagle Financial Publications provides market analysis and specific investment advice for individual investors from financial commentators Mark Skousen, Nicholas Vardy, Chris Versace, Doug Fabian and Bryan Perry, as well as a stock screening website for dividend investors (DividendInvestor.com). The business unit’s other financial websites include EagleDailyInvestor.com and ETFU.com.  

Eagle Wellness provides insightful health advice and is a trusted source of high quality nutritional supplements from some of the country's leading health experts.  Leigh Erin Connealy MD, at NewportNaturalHealth.com, is the medical director of one of the largest medical practices in the country where she practices integrative medicine. Ski Chilton PhD, at GeneSmart.com, is a scientist and full professor at Wake Forest Medical School. He is a leading authority on the impact of diet and nutrition on health.

Company Contact:

Evan D. Masyr

Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

(805) 384-4512

evan@SalemMedia.com

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.

(1)

 Regulation G

Station operating income, Digital media operating income, publishing operating income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow are financial measures not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). Station operating income is defined as net broadcast revenue minus broadcast operating expenses. Digital media operating income is defined as Digital media revenue minus Digital media operating expenses.  Publishing operating income is defined as publishing revenue minus publishing operating expenses.  EBITDA is defined as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and change in fair value of interest rate swaps. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, changes in estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, net miscellaneous income and expenses and non-cash compensation expense.  Free cash flow is defined as Adjusted EBITDA less cash paid for capital expenditures, less cash paid for income taxes, less cash paid for interest.  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, Digital media operating income, publishing operating income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow are generally recognized by the broadcast and media industry as important measures of performance.  These measures are used by investors and analysts who report on the industry to provide meaningful comparisons between entities. They 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. Salem’s definitions of station operating income, Digital media operating income, publishing operating income, EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and free cash flow are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.