Description of Business

 

Salem is a domestic multi-media company with integrated operations including radio broadcasting, digital media, and publishing. Effective as of February 19, 2015, we changed our name from Salem Communications Corporation to Salem Media Group, Inc. to more accurately reflect our multi-media business. Salem was formed in 1986 as a California corporation and was reincorporated in Delaware in 1999. Our content is intended for audiences interested in Christian and family-themed programming and conservative news talk. We maintain a website at www.salemmedia.com.

 

We have three operating segments, (1) Broadcast, (2) Digital Media, and (3) Publishing, which are discussed in Note 17 – Segment Data. Our foundational business is the ownership and operation of radio stations in large metropolitan markets. We also own and operate Salem Radio Network® (“SRN”), SRN News Network (“SNN”), Salem Music Network (“SMN”), Today’s Christian Music (“TCM”), Singing News Network (formerly Solid Gospel Network) and Salem Media Representatives^TM (“SMR”). SRN, SNN, SMN and Singing News Network are networks that develop, produce and syndicate a broad range of programming specifically targeted to Christian and family-themed talk stations, music stations and general News Talk stations throughout the United States, including Salem-owned and operated stations. SMR, a national advertising sales firm with offices in ten U.S. cities, specializes in placing national advertising on religious and other commercial radio stations.

 

Web-based and digital content has been an area of growth for Salem and continues to be a focus of future development. Salem Web Network™ (“SWN”) and our other web-based businesses provide Christian and conservative-themed content, audio and video streaming, and other resources digitally through the web. SWN’s web portals include Christian content websites: OnePlace.com, Christianity.com, Crosswalk.com®, GodVine.com, Jesus.org and BibleStudyTools.com. Our conservative opinion websites, collectively known as Townhall Media, include Townhall.com™, HotAir.com, Twitchy.com, HumanEvents.com and RedState.com. We also issue digital newsletters, including Eagle Financial Publications, which provide general market analysis and non-individualized investment strategies from financial commentators on a subscription basis. Church product websites including WorshipHouseMedia.com, SermonSpice.com, and ChurchStaffing.com offer downloads and service platforms to pastors and other educators. Our web content is accessible through all of our radio station websites that feature content of interest to local listeners throughout the United States.

 

Digital media also includes our e-commerce sites, Eagle Wellness and Gene Smart Wellness. These e-commerce sites offer health advice and nutritional products.

 

Our publishing operating segment is comprised of three businesses. Regnery Publishing is a traditional book publisher that has published dozens of bestselling books by leading conservative authors and personalities, including Ann Coulter, Newt Gingrich, David Limbaugh, Ed Klein, Mark Steyn and Dinesh D'Souza. Xulon Press provides self-publishing services to authors. Salem Publishing™ produces and distributes five print magazines and one digital magazine.

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

Significant areas for which management uses estimates include:

 

 

These estimates require the use of judgment as future events and the effect of these events cannot be predicted with certainty. The estimates will change as new events occur, as more experience is acquired and as more information is obtained. We evaluate and update our assumptions and estimates on an ongoing basis and we may consult outside experts to assist as considered necessary.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

 

Changes to accounting principles are established by the FASB in the form of ASUs to the FASB’s Codification. We consider the applicability and impact of all ASUs on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. Described below are ASUs that are not yet effective, but may be applicable to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof. ASUs not listed below were assessed and determined to be not applicable to our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.  

 

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses,” which changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. For trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans and other instruments, entities will be required to use a new forward-looking “expected loss” model that will replace today’s “incurred loss” model and generally will result in the earlier recognition of allowances for losses. For available-for-sale debt securities with unrealized losses, entities will measure credit losses in a manner similar to current practice, except that the losses will be recognized as an allowance. The guidance is effective in 2020 with early adoption permitted in 2019. We have not yet evaluated the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

 

In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting.” This ASU simplifies several aspects of the accounting for share-based payment transactions, including the income tax consequences, classification of awards as either equity or liabilities and classification on the statement of cash flows. This ASU is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those years, beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We have not yet evaluated the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

 

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” which requires that lessees recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability for all leases with lease terms greater than twelve months in the balance sheet. ASU 2016-02 requires additional disclosures including the significant judgments made by management to provide insight into the revenue and expense to be recognized from existing contracts and the timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, with early adoption permitted. We have not yet determined the dollar impact of recording operating leases on our statement of financial position. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 will have a material impact on our financial position and the presentation thereof. Our existing credit facility stipulates that our covenants are based on GAAP as of the agreement date. Therefore, the material impact of recording right-to-use assets and lease liabilities on our statement of financial position is not expected to impact the compliance status for any covenant.

 

In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” which provides updated guidance that enhances the reporting model for financial instruments, including amendments, to address aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017. With the exception of the early application guidance, early adoption of the amendments is not permitted. We have not yet evaluated the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

 

In November 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-17, “Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes,” to simplify the presentation of deferred taxes in the statement of financial position. The updated guidance requires that deferred tax assets and liabilities be classified as noncurrent in a classified balance sheet. The standard is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is permitted. We have not yet evaluated the impact of the adoption of this accounting standard on our financial position or presentation thereof.

In July 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-11, “Simplifying the Measurement of Inventory,” to reduce the complexity in accounting for inventory. This ASU requires entities to measure inventory at the lower of cost or net realizable value, replacing the market value approach that required floor and ceiling considerations. This guidance for public entities is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. We are in the process of evaluating the adoption of this ASU, but do not expect this to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

In August 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-15, “Disclosure of Uncertainties About an Entities Ability to Continue as a Going Concern,” which requires management to assess a company’s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures. The new standard provides management with specific guidance on the assessments and related disclosures as well as provides a longer look-forward period as one year from the financial statement issuance date. The new standard is effective for the annual period ending after December 15, 2016, with early adoption permitted. The adoption of ASU 2014-15 is not expected to have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.

 

In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Deferral of the Effective Date” that deferred the effective date of the new standard by one year. The new standard is now effective as of the first interim period within annual reporting periods beginning on or after December 15, 2017, and will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. GAAP. Early adoption is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method and requires additional disclosures about the nature, amount, timing and uncertainty of revenue and cash flows arising from customer contracts. The FASB and the International Accounting Standards Board (“IASB”) formed a Transition Resource Group (TRG”) to discuss implementation issues and inform the IASB and the FASB of interpretive issues arising during implementation of the revenue recognition standard. The TRG does not issue guidance. The FASB has issued additional ASUs to amend or clarify select items in the original guidance. In March 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-08 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Principal versus Agent Considerations (Reporting Revenue Gross versus Net)” that clarifies principal versus agent reporting of revenue. In April 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-10, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Identifying Performance Obligations and Licensing” that provides clarification and guidance on separately identifiable performance obligations and licenses of intellectual property. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-12 “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): Narrow-Scope Improvements and Practical Expedients” that provides guidance on collectability, non-cash consideration and completed contracts as of the transition date and provides a practical expedient for contract modifications at transition and an accounting policy election related to the presentation of sales taxes and other similar taxes collected from customers. In May 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-11, “Revenue Recognition (Topic 605) and Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Rescission of SEC Guidance Because of Accounting Standards Updates 2014-09 and 2014-16 Pursuant to Staff Announcements at the March 3, 2016 EITF Meeting” that rescinds guidance issued by the Securities Exchange Commission. These rescissions include changes to topics pertaining to accounting for shipping and handling fees and costs and accounting for consideration given by a vendor to a customer that are codified in ASC 605. We continue to evaluate the effect that this revenue guidance will have on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. We have not yet selected a transition method, nor have we determined the effect of ASU 2014-09 on our financial position, results of operations, cash flows, or presentation thereof.