Salem Communications Announces Third Quarter 2010 Total Revenue of $51.4 Million
CAMARILLO, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 11/08/10 -- 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, released its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010.
Third Quarter 2010 Results
For the quarter ended September 30, 2010 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2009:
Consolidated
- Total revenue increased 4.4% to $51.4 million from $49.2 million;
- Operating expenses decreased 21.0% to $43.2 million from $54.7 million;
- Operating expenses excluding impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, cost of denied tower site and abandoned projects and loss on disposal of assets increased 6.7% to $43.2 million from $40.5 million;
- Operating income from continued operations increased to $8.2 million from a loss of $5.5 million;
- Net income increased to $0.3 million, or $0.01 net income per diluted share, from a loss of $4.6 million, or $0.19 net loss per share in the prior year;
- EBITDA increased to $11.9 million from a loss of $0.2 million; and
- Adjusted EBITDA decreased 2.1% to $12.3 million from $12.6 million.
Broadcast
- Net broadcast revenue increased 2.7% to $43.5 million from $42.4 million;
- Station operating income ("SOI") increased 2.6% to $15.6 million from $15.2 million;
- Same station net broadcast revenue increased 2.3% to $43.2 million from $42.2 million;
- Same station SOI increased 2.0% to $15.6 million from $15.3 million; and
- Same station SOI margin decreased to 36.0% from 36.1%.
Non-broadcast
- Non-broadcast revenue increased 15.0% to $7.9 million from $6.9 million; and
- Non-broadcast operating income decreased 29.3% to $0.5 million from $0.7 million.
Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2010 are:
- A $0.4 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:
- $0.2 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses; and
- $0.1 million non-cash compensation included in broadcast operating expenses.
Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2009 are:
- A $14.1 million impairment of indefinite-lived assets ($8.5 million, net of tax, or $0.35 per share) related to the impairment of radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill in our Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit, Portland and Cleveland markets;
- A $0.8 million charge ($0.5 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per share) related to the change in fair value of our interest rate swaps;
- A $1.6 million gain of bargain purchase ($1.0 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per diluted share) related to the purchase of WZAB-AM in Miami, Florida of $1.0 million; and
- A $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge related to the expensing of stock options.
These results reflect the reclassification of the operations of our Milwaukee, Wisconsin radio stations to discontinued operations for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and the reclassification of WRFD-AM, Columbus, Ohio, into operations from discontinued operations.
Per share numbers are calculated based on 24,822,412 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2010, and 23,933,940 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.
Year to Date 2010 Results
For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009:
Consolidated
- Total revenue increased 3.0% to $152.8 million from $148.4 million;
- Operating expenses decreased 16.4% to $126.5 million from $151.4 million;
- Operating expenses excluding impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, cost of denied tower site and abandoned projects and loss on disposal of assets increased 4.7% to $126.5 million from $120.8 million;
- Operating income from continued operations increased to $26.4 million from a loss of $3.0 million;
- Net income increased to $1.2 million, or $0.05 net income per diluted share, from a loss of $6.8 million, or $0.28 net loss per share in the prior year;
- EBITDA increased to $36.2 million from $10.7 million; and
- Adjusted EBITDA decreased 2.5% to $38.4 million from $39.3 million.
Broadcast
- Net broadcast revenue increased 1.3% to $130.4 million from $128.7 million;
- Station operating income ("SOI") increased 1.4% to $47.5 million from $46.8 million;
- Same station net broadcast revenue increased 1.1% to $129.7 million from $128.3 million;
- Same station SOI increased 1.2% to $47.6 million from $47.0 million; and
- Same station SOI margin increased to 36.7% from 36.6%.
Non-broadcast
- Non-broadcast revenue increased 14.2% to $22.5 million from $19.7 million; and
- Non-broadcast operating income decreased 14.6% to $1.9 million from $2.3 million.
Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 are:
- A $1.1 million loss ($0.6 million, net of tax, or $0.03 per share) on early redemption of long-term debt due to the repurchase of $17.5 million of our 9 5/8% senior secured second lien notes due in 2016; and
- A $1.1 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.7 million, net of tax or $0.03 per share) related to the expensing of stock options consisting of:
- $0.7 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses;
- $0.3 million non-cash compensation included in broadcast operating expenses; and
- $0.1 million non-cash compensation included in non-broadcast operating expenses.
Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 are:
- A $1.1 million charge ($0.7 million, net of tax, or $0.05 per share) related to the costs of a denied tower site relocation project for radio station KDOW-AM, San Francisco, California, which was rejected by the City of Hayward and an abandoned tower site relocation for KKLA-FM, Los Angeles, California;
- A $27.8 million impairment of indefinite-lived assets ($16.7 million, net of tax, or $0.70 per share) consisting of a $26.6 million impairment of radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill in our Dallas, Atlanta, Detroit, Portland and Cleveland markets and a $1.2 million impairment of goodwill and mastheads in our non-broadcast segment;
- A $1.7 million loss ($1.0 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per share) on disposal of assets primarily from the sale of radio station KPXI-FM in Tyler-Longview, Texas;
- A $1.5 million benefit ($0.9 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per diluted share) related to the change in fair value of our interest rate swaps;
- A $1.6 million gain of bargain purchase ($1.0 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per diluted share) related to the purchase of WZAB-AM in Miami, Florida of $1.0 million;
- A $0.7 million gain ($0.4 million, net of tax, or $0.02 per diluted share) on early redemption of long-term debt due to the repurchase of $1.0 million of our 7 3/4% senior subordinated notes due in 2010; and
- A $0.4 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:
- $0.2 million non-cash compensation included in corporate expenses; and
- $0.1 million non-cash compensation included in broadcast operating expenses; and
- $0.1 million non-cash compensation included in non-broadcast operating expenses.
These results reflect the reclassification of the operations of our Milwaukee, Wisconsin radio stations to discontinued operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and the reclassification of WRFD-AM, Columbus, Ohio, into operations from discontinued operations.
Per share numbers are calculated based on 24,602,258 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, and 23,760,505 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.
Balance Sheet
As of September 30, 2010, the company had $282.5 million of 9 5/8% senior secured second lien notes outstanding and had $17.5 million drawn on its revolver. The company was in compliance with the covenants of its credit facility and bond indenture. The company's bank leverage ratio was 5.69 versus a compliance covenant of 7.0.
Acquisitions and Divestitures
The following transactions were completed since July 1, 2010:
- On September 28, 2010, we received approximately $1.0 million as compensation for loss of our property rights for our back up transmitter site for KSKY-AM under an Eminent Domain Petition from the Dallas Independent School District;
- On September 1, 2010, we acquired Samaritan Fundraising, a web-based fundraising products company, for $0.6 million in cash plus $0.2 million contingent consideration payable in the future based on achieving established financial benchmarks; and
- On August 3, 2010, we completed the acquisition of WWRC-AM in Washington DC for $3.1 million.
The following transactions are currently pending:
- On November 1, 2010, we amended our Revolver to allow us to use borrowings under the Revolver, subject to the "Available Amount" as defined by the terms of the Credit Agreement, to redeem applicable portions of our 9 5/8% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes. The calculation of the "Available Amount" also pertains to the payment of dividends when the leverage ration is above 5.0 to 1. Additionally, we increased the total capacity of the Revolver from $30.0 million to $40.0 million;
- On November 1, 2010, we launched a redemption of $12.5 million of our 9 5/8% Senior Secured Second Lien Notes at a price of 103. We expect the redemption to close on December 1, 2010;
- On October 15, 2010, we entered into an agreement to sell radio station KKMO-AM in Seattle, Washington for $2.7 million. The sale is subject to the approval of the FCC and is expected to close in the first quarter of 2011;
- On September 23, 2010, we entered into an agreement to sell radio station, WAMD-AM, Aberdeen, Maryland, for $1. The sale is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2010; and
- On June 24, 2010, we entered into an agreement to sell radio station KXMX-AM, Los Angeles, California, for $12.0 million. The sale is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2010.
Conference Call Information
Salem will host a teleconference to discuss its results on November 8, 2010 at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time. To access the teleconference, please dial (913) 312-1405, passcode 5465800 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 November 22, 2010 and can be heard by dialing (719) 457-0820, passcode 5465800 or on the investor relations portion on the company's website, located at www.salem.cc.
Fourth Quarter 2010 Outlook
For the fourth quarter of 2010, Salem is projecting total revenue to increase 3% to 5% over fourth quarter 2009 total revenue of $50.8 million. Salem is also projecting operating expenses before gain or loss on disposal of assets and impairments to increase 5% to 8% as compared to the fourth quarter of 2009 operating expenses of $40.1 million.
Salem Communications Corporation is the largest commercial U.S. radio broadcasting company that provides programming targeted at audiences interested in Christian and family-themed radio content, as measured by the number of stations and audience coverage. Upon completion of all announced transactions, the company will own and/or operate a national portfolio of 93 radio stations in 36 markets, including 58 stations in 22 of the top 25 markets. We also program the Family Talk Christian-themed talk format on XM Radio, channel 170 and beginning November 30, 2010, on SIRIUS, Channel 161.
Salem also owns Salem Radio Network, a national radio network that syndicates talk, news and music programming to approximately 2,000 affiliated radio stations and Salem Media Representatives, a national media advertising sales firm with offices across the country.
In addition to its radio broadcast business, Salem owns a non-broadcast media division. Salem Web Network is a provider of online Christian and conservative-themed content and streaming and includes websites such as Christian faith focused Christianity.com, Christian living focused Crosswalk.com®, Online Bible Study at BibleStudyTools.com, and Christian radio ministries online at OnePlace.com. Additionally Salem owns conservative news leader Townhall.com® and conservative political blog, HotAir.com providing conservative commentary, news and blogging. Salem Publishing circulates Christian and conservative magazines such as Homecoming® The Magazine, YouthWorker Journal, The Singing News, FaithTalk Magazine, Preaching and Townhall Magazine. Xulon Press is a provider of self publishing services targeting the Christian audience.
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 broadcast revenues minus broadcast 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, change in fair value of interest rate swaps, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as EBITDA before discontinued operations (net of tax), impairment of indefinite-lived intangible assets, cost of denied tower site and abandoned projects, loss on the disposal of assets, gain on bargain purchase, gain or loss on early redemption of long-term debt 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 broadcast 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 broadcast. 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 data and margin
data)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
---------------------- ----------------------
2009 2010 2009 2010
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(Unaudited)
Net broadcast revenue $ 42,368 $ 43,507 $ 128,708 $ 130,386
Non-broadcast revenue 6,856 7,883 19,667 22,452
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total revenue 49,224 51,390 148,375 152,838
Operating expenses:
Broadcast operating
expenses 27,194 27,940 81,900 82,921
Non-broadcast operating
expenses 6,163 7,393 17,400 20,516
Corporate expenses 3,440 4,154 10,054 12,140
Cost of denied tower site
and abandoned projects -- -- 1,111 --
Impairment of indefinite-
lived intangible assets 14,146 -- 27,809 --
Depreciation and
amortization 3,679 3,713 11,423 10,890
Loss on disposal of assets 54 18 1,670 13
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Total operating expenses 54,676 43,218 151,367 126,480
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Operating income (loss) (5,452) 8,172 (2,992) 26,358
Other income (expense):
Interest income 91 48 238 142
Interest expense (4,291) (7,435) (12,929) (22,903)
Change in fair value of
interest rate swaps (842) -- 1,534 --
Gain on bargain purchase 1,634 -- 1,634 --
Gain (loss) on early
redemption of long-term
debt -- -- 660 (1,050)
Other expense, net (24) 13 (72) (18)
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations
before income taxes (8,884) 798 (11,927) 2,529
Provision for (benefit from)
income taxes (4,253) 455 (5,155) 1,284
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Income (loss) from
continuing operations (4,631) 343 (6,772) 1,245
Income (loss) from
discontinued operations,
net of tax (5) -- 8 --
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
Net income (loss) $ (4,636) $ 343 $ (6,764) $ 1,245
========== ========== ========== ==========
Basic income (loss) per
share before discontinued
operations $ (0.19) $ 0.01 $ (0.29) $ 0.05
Income from discontinued
operations, net of tax -- -- -- --
Basic income (loss) per
share after discontinued
operations $ (0.19) $ 0.01 $ (0.28) $ 0.05
Diluted income (loss) per
share before discontinued
operations $ (0.19) $ 0.01 $ (0.29) $ 0.05
Income from discontinued
operations, net of tax -- -- -- --
Diluted income (loss) per
share after discontinued
operations $ (0.19) $ 0.01 $ (0.28) $ 0.05
Basic weighted average
shares outstanding 23,933,940 24,357,042 23,760,505 23,966,797
========== ========== ========== ==========
Diluted weighted average
shares outstanding 23,933,940 24,822,412 23,760,505 24,602,258
========== ========== ========== ==========
Other Data:
Station operating income $ 15,174 $ 15,567 $ 46,808 $ 47,465
Station operating margin 35.8% 35.8% 36.4% 36.4%
Salem Communications Corporation
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
December 31, September 30,
2009 2010
-------------- --------------
(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash $ 8,945 $ 1,035
Restricted cash 100 100
Trade accounts receivable, net 27,289 28,014
Deferred income taxes 4,700 5,631
Other current assets 3,459 4,617
Property, plant and equipment, net 121,174 117,123
Intangible assets, net 397,801 404,730
Bond issue costs 7,078 6,659
Bank loan fees 1,515 1,203
Other assets 6,984 6,586
-------------- --------------
Total assets $ 579,045 $ 575,698
============== ==============
Liabilities and Stockholders' equity
Current liabilities 20,373 26,951
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations 313,969 299,261
Deferred income taxes 38,973 40,882
Other liabilities 8,531 8,638
Stockholders' equity 197,199 199,966
-------------- --------------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 579,045 $ 575,698
============== ==============
Salem Communications Corporation
Supplemental Information
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
-------------------- --------------------
2009 2010 2009 2010
--------- --------- --------- ---------
(Unaudited)
Capital expenditures
Acquisition related / income
producing $ -- $ 218 $ 295 $ 659
Maintenance 945 1,862 2,700 5,207
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total capital expenditures $ 945 $ 2,080 $ 2,995 $ 5,866
========= ========= ========= =========
Tax information
Cash tax expense $ 38 $ 1 $ 318 $ 235
Deferred tax expense (benefit) (4,291) 454 (5,473) 1,049
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Provision for (benefit from)
income taxes $ (4,253) $ 455 $ (5,155) $ 1,284
========= ========= ========= =========
Tax benefit of non-book
amortization $ 1,876 $ 2,616 $ 6,142 $ 7,863
========= ========= ========= =========
Reconciliation of Same Station
Net Broadcast Revenue to Total
Net Broadcast Revenue
Net broadcast revenue - same
station $ 42,228 $ 43,204 $ 128,285 $ 129,682
Net broadcast revenue -
acquisitions -- 145 6 235
Net broadcast revenue -
dispositions 3 -- 5 --
Net broadcast revenue - format
changes 137 158 412 469
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total net broadcast revenue $ 42,368 $ 43,507 $ 128,708 $ 130,386
========= ========= ========= =========
Reconciliation of Same Station
Broadcast Operating Expenses to
Total Broadcast Operating
Expenses
Broadcast operating expenses -
same station $ 26,977 $ 27,641 $ 81,307 $ 82,128
Broadcast operating expenses -
acquisitions (1) 113 -- 250
Broadcast operating expenses -
dispositions 35 16 56 16
Broadcast operating expenses -
format changes 183 170 537 527
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total broadcast operating
expenses $ 27,194 $ 27,940 $ 81,900 $ 82,921
========= ========= ========= =========
Reconciliation of Same Station
Operating Income to Total
Station Operating Income
Station operating income - same
station $ 15,251 $ 15,563 $ 46,978 $ 47,554
Station operating income -
acquisitions 1 32 6 (15)
Station operating income -
dispositions (32) (16) (51) (16)
Station operating income -
format changes (46) (12) (125) (58)
--------- --------- --------- ---------
Total station operating income $ 15,174 $ 15,567 $ 46,808 $ 47,465
========= ========= ========= =========
Salem Communications Corporation
Supplement Information
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
-------------------------- --------------------------
2009 2010 2009 2010
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Unaudited)
Reconciliation of
SOI and Non-
Broadcast Operating
Income to Operating
Income (Loss)
Station operating
income $ 15,174 $ 15,567 $ 46,808 $ 47,465
Non-broadcast
operating income 693 490 2,267 1,936
Less:
Corporate expenses (3,440) (4,154) (10,054) (12,140)
Cost of denied
tower site and
abandoned
projects -- -- (1,111) --
Impairment of
indefinite-lived
intangible assets (14,146) -- (27,809) --
Depreciation and
amortization (3,679) (3,713) (11,423) (10,890)
Loss on disposal
of assets (54) (18) (1,670) (13)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Operating income
(loss) $ (5,452) $ 8,172 $ (2,992) $ 26,358
============ ============ ============ ============
Reconciliation of
Adjusted EBITDA to
EBITDA to Net
Income (Loss)
Adjusted EBITDA $ 12,552 $ 12,289 $ 39,328 $ 38,352
Less:
Stock-based
compensation (149) (373) (379) (1,109)
Cost of denied
tower site and
abandoned
projects -- -- (1,111) --
Gain on bargain
purchase 1,634 -- 1,634 --
Impairment of
indefinite-lived
intangible assets (14,146) -- (27,809) --
Gain (loss) on
early redemption
of long-term debt -- -- 660 (1,050)
Discontinued
operations, net
of tax (5) -- 8 --
Loss on disposal
of assets (54) (18) (1,670) (13)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
EBITDA (168) 11,898 10,661 36,180
Plus:
Interest income 91 48 238 142
Less:
Depreciation and
amortization (3,679) (3,713) (11,423) (10,890)
Interest expense (4,291) (7,435) (12,929) (22,903)
Change in fair
value of interest
rate swaps (842) -- 1,534 --
Provision for
(benefit from)
income taxes 4,253 (455) 5,155 (1,284)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Net income (loss) $ (4,636) $ 343 $ (6,764) $ 1,245
============ ============ ============ ============
Outstanding Applicable
at September Interest
30, 2010 Rate
------------ ------------
Selected Debt and
Swap Data
9 5/8% senior
subordinated notes $ 282,500 9.63%
Revolving credit
facility $ 17,500 3.76%
Company Contact: Evan D. Masyr Salem Communications (805) 987-0400 ext. 1053 Email Contact
Released November 8, 2010