Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT

v3.3.1.900
NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]  
NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
NOTE 8. NOTES PAYABLE AND LONG-TERM DEBT
 
Salem Media Group, Inc. has no independent assets or operations, the subsidiary guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several, and any subsidiaries of Salem Media Group, Inc. other than the subsidiary guarantors are minor. 
 
Term Loan B and Revolving Credit Facility
 
On March 14, 2013, we entered into a senior secured credit facility, consisting of a term loan of $300.0 million (“Term Loan B”) and a revolving credit facility of $25.0 million (“Revolver”). The Term Loan B was issued at a discount for total net proceeds of $298.5 million. The discount is being amortized to non-cash interest expense over the life of the loan using the effective interest method. For each of the twelve months ended December 31, 2014 and 2015, approximately $0.2 million, respectively, of the discount has been recognized as interest expense including approximately $0.3 million and $27,000, respectively, of bank loan fees.
 
The Term Loan B has a term of seven years, maturing in March 2020. During this term, the principal amount may be increased by up to an additional $60.0 million, subject to the terms and conditions of the credit agreement. We are required to make principal payments of $750,000 per quarter which began on September 30, 2013 for the Term Loan B. Prepayments may be made against the outstanding balance of our Term Loan B. Each repayment of the outstanding Term Loan B is applied ratably to each of the next four principal installments thereof in the direct order of maturity and thereafter to the remaining principal balance in reverse order of maturity.
 
We have made prepayments on our Term Loan B, including interest through the date of the as follows:
 
Date
 
Principal Paid
 
Unamortized Discount
 
 
 
(Dollars in Thousands)
 
January 30, 2015
 
$
2,000
 
$
15
 
December 31, 2014
 
 
4,000
 
 
16
 
November 28, 2014
 
 
4,000
 
 
15
 
September 29, 2014
 
 
5,000
 
 
18
 
March 31, 2014
 
 
2,250
 
 
8
 
December 30, 2013
 
 
750
 
 
3
 
September 30, 2013
 
 
4,000
 
 
16
 
June 28, 2013
 
 
4,000
 
 
14
 
 
The Revolver has a term of five years, maturing in March 2018. We report outstanding balances on our Revolver as short-term based on use of the Revolver to fund ordinary and customary operating cash needs with repayments made frequently. We believe that the borrowing capacity under our Term Loan B and Revolver allows us to meet our ongoing operating requirements, fund capital expenditures and satisfy our debt service requirements for at least the next twelve months.
 
Borrowings under the Term Loan B may be made at LIBOR (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus a spread of 3.50% or Wells Fargo’s base rate plus a spread of 2.50%. Borrowings under the Revolver may be made at LIBOR or Wells Fargo’s base rate plus a spread determined by reference to our leverage ratio, as set forth in the pricing grid below.  If an event of default occurs under the credit agreement, the applicable interest rate may increase by 2.00% per annum. At December 31, 2015, the blended interest rate on amounts outstanding under the Term Loan B and Revolver was 4.83%.
 
 
 
 
 
Revolver Pricing
 
Pricing Level
 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio
 
Base Rate Loans
 
LIBOR Loans
 
1
 
Less than 3.00 to 1.00
 
 
1.250
%
 
2.250
%
2
 
Greater than or equal to 3.00 to 1.00 but less than 4.00 to 1.00
 
 
1.500
%
 
2.500
%
3
 
Greater than or equal to 4.00 to 1.00 but less than 5.00 to 1.00
 
 
1.750
%
 
2.750
%
4
 
Greater than or equal to 5.00 to 1.00 but less than 6.00 to 1.00
 
 
2.000
%
 
3.000
%
5
 
Greater than or equal to 6.00 to 1.00
 
 
2.500
%
 
3.500
%
 
The obligations under the credit agreement and the related loan documents are secured by liens on substantially all of the assets of Salem and its subsidiaries, other than certain exceptions set forth in the Security Agreement, dated as of March 14, 2013, among Salem, the subsidiary guarantors party thereto, and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Administrative Agent (the “Security Agreement”) and such other related loan documents.
 
With respect to financial covenants, the credit agreement includes a minimum interest coverage ratio, which started at 1.50 to 1.0 and steps up to 2.50 to 1.0 by 2016 and a maximum leverage ratio, which started at 6.75 to 1.0 and steps down to 5.75 to 1.0 by 2017.  The credit agreement also includes other negative covenants that are customary for credit facilities of this type, including covenants that, subject to exceptions described in the credit agreement, restrict the ability of Salem and its subsidiary guarantors: (i) to incur additional indebtedness; (ii) to make investments; (iii) to make distributions, loans or transfers of assets; (iv) to enter into, create, incur, assume or suffer to exist any liens; (v) to sell assets; (vi) to enter into transactions with affiliates; or (vii) to merge or consolidate with, or dispose of all or substantially all assets to, a third party.  As of December 31, 2015, our leverage ratio was 5.47 to 1 compared to our compliance covenant of 6.25 and our interest coverage ratio was 3.33 compared to our compliance ratio of 2.25. We were in compliance with our debt covenants under the credit facility at December 31, 2015.
 
Terminated Senior Secured Second Lien Notes
 
On December 1, 2009, we issued $300.0 million principal amount of our 95/8% Notes Senior Secured Second Lien Notes due 2016 (“Terminated 95/8% Notes”) at a discount for $298.1 million resulting in an effective yield of 9.75%. Interest was due and payable on June 15 and December 15 of each year, commencing June 15, 2010 until maturity. We were not required to make principal payments on the Terminated 95/8% Notes, which were due in full in December 2016. The Terminated 95/8% Notes were guaranteed by all of our existing domestic restricted subsidiaries. Upon issuance, we were required to pay $28.9 million per year in interest on the then outstanding Terminated 95/8% Notes. As of December 31, 2012, accrued interest on the Terminated 95/8% Notes was $0.9 million. The discount was being amortized to interest expense over the term of the Terminated 95/8% Notes based on the effective interest method. For the twelve months ended December 31, 2013, $37,000 of the discount, respectively, was recognized as interest expense.
 
On March 14, 2013, we tendered for $212.6 million in aggregate principal amount of the Terminated 95/8% Notes for an aggregate purchase price of $240.3 million, or at a price equal to 110.65% of the face value of the Terminated 95/8% Notes in the Tender Offer. We paid $22.7 million for this repurchase resulting in a $26.9 million pre-tax loss on the early retirement of long-term debt, which included approximately $0.8 million of unamortized discount and $2.9 million of bond issue costs associated with the Terminated 95/8% Notes. We issued a notice of redemption to redeem any of the Terminated 95/8% Notes that remained outstanding after the expiration date of the Tender Offer. On June 3, 2013, we redeemed the remaining $0.9 million of the outstanding Terminated 95/8% Notes to satisfy and discharge Salem’s obligations under the indenture for the Terminated 95/8% Notes. The carrying value of the Terminated 95/8% Notes was $212.6 million at December 31, 2012. There are no outstanding Terminated 95/8% Notes as of the effectiveness of the redemption.
 
Information regarding repurchases and redemptions of the Terminated 95/8% Notes is as follows:
 
Date
 
Principal
Redeemed/Repurchased
 
Premium
Paid
 
Unamortized
Discount
 
Bond Issue
Costs
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
June 3, 2013
 
$
903
 
$
27
 
$
3
 
$
-
 
March 14, 2013
 
 
212,597
 
 
22,650
 
 
837
 
 
2,867
 
December 12, 2012
 
 
4,000
 
 
120
 
 
17
 
 
57
 
June 1, 2012
 
 
17,500
 
 
525
 
 
80
 
 
287
 
December 12, 2011
 
 
12,500
 
 
375
 
 
62
 
 
337
 
September 6, 2011
 
 
5,000
 
 
144
 
 
26
 
 
135
 
June 1, 2011
 
 
17,500
 
 
525
 
 
93
 
 
472
 
December 1, 2010
 
 
12,500
 
 
375
 
 
70
 
 
334
 
June 1, 2010
 
 
17,500
 
 
525
 
 
105
 
 
417
 
 
Terminated Senior Credit Facility
 
On December 1, 2009, we entered into a Revolver (“Terminated Revolver”). We amended the Terminated Revolver on November 1, 2010 to increase the borrowing capacity from $30 million to $40 million. The amendment allowed 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 the Terminated 95/8% Notes. The calculation of the “Available Amount” also pertained to the payment of dividends when the leverage ratio was above 5.0 to 1.
 
On November 15, 2011, we completed the Second Amendment of the Terminated Revolver to, among other things, (1) extend the maturity date from December 1, 2012 to December 1, 2014, (2) change the interest rate applicable to LIBOR or the Wells Fargo base rate plus a spread to be determined based on our leverage ratio, (3) allow us to borrow and repay unsecured indebtedness provided certain conditions are met and (4) include step-downs related to our leverage ratio covenant. We incurred $0.5 million in fees to complete this amendment, which were being amortized over the remaining term of the agreement. The applicable interest rate relating to the amended credit agreement was LIBOR plus a spread of 3.00% per annum or the Base Rate plus a spread of 1.25% per annum, which was adjustable based on our leverage ratio. If an event of default occurred, the interest rate could be increased by 2.00% per annum. Details of the change in our rate based on our leverage ratio were as follows:
 
Consolidated Leverage Ratio
 
Base Rate
 
Eurodollar
Rate Loans
 
Applicable Fee
Rate
 
Less than 3.25 to 1.00
 
 
0.75
%
 
2.25
%
 
0.40
%
Greater than or equal to 3.25 to 1.00 but less than 4.50 to 1.00
 
 
0.75
%
 
2.50
%
 
0.50
%
Greater than or equal to 4.50 to 1.00 but less than 6.00 to 1.00
 
 
1.25
%
 
3.00
%
 
0.60
%
Greater than or equal to 6.00 to 1.00
 
 
2.25
%
 
3.50
%
 
0.75
%
 
The Terminated Revolver included a $5 million subfacility for standby letters of credit and a subfacility for swingline loans of up to $5 million, subject to the terms and conditions of the credit agreement relating to the Terminated Revolver. In addition to interest charges outlined above, we paid a commitment fee on the unused balance based on the Applicable Fee Rate in the above table.
 
The Terminated Revolver was terminated on March 14, 2013 upon entry into our current senior secured credit facility. This termination resulted in a $0.9 million pre-tax loss on the early retirement of long-term debt related to unamortized credit facility fees. There was no outstanding balance on the Terminated Revolver as of the termination date.
 
Terminated Subordinated Credit Facility with First California Bank
 
On May 21, 2012, we entered into a Business Loan Agreement, Promissory Note and related loan documents with First California Bank (the “FCB Loan”). The FCB Loan was an unsecured, $10.0 million fixed-term loan with a maturity date of June 15, 2014.  The interest rate for the FCB Loan (“Interest Rate”) was variable and was equal to the greater of: (a) 4.250% or (b) the Wall Street Journal Prime Rate as published in The Wall Street Journal and reported by FCB plus 1%.
 
We were required to repay the FCB Loan as follows: (a) twenty-three (23) consecutive monthly interest payments based upon the then-current principal balance outstanding at the then-current Interest Rate commencing on September 15, 2012; (b) seven (7) quarterly consecutive principal payments of $1.25 million each commencing on September 15, 2012; and (c) one (1) final principal and interest payment on June 15, 2014 of all outstanding and unpaid interest and principal as of such maturity date.  The FCB Loan could be prepaid at any time subject to a minimum interest charge of fifty dollars ($50).  If an event of default occurred on the FCB Loan, the Interest Rate could have been increased by 5.00% per annum.
 
The FCB loan was terminated on March 14, 2013 upon entry into our current senior secured credit facility. This termination resulted in a $33,000 pre-tax loss on the early retirement of long-term debt for unamortized credit facility fees. There was no outstanding balance on the FCB Loan as of the termination date.
 
Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties
  
On November 17, 2011, we entered into subordinated lines of credit “Terminated Subordinated Debt due Related Parties” with Edward G. Atsinger III, Chief Executive Officer and director of Salem, and Stuart W. Epperson, Chairman of Salem’s Board of Directors.   Pursuant to the related agreements, Mr. Epperson committed to provide an unsecured revolving line of credit to Salem in a principal amount of up to $3 million, and Mr. Atsinger committed to provide an unsecured revolving line of credit in a principal amount of up to $6 million. On May 21, 2012, we also entered into a subordinated line of credit with Roland S. Hinz, a Salem board member. Mr. Hinz committed to provide an unsecured revolving line of credit in a principal amount of up to $6 million. On September 12, 2012, we amended and restated the original subordinated line of credit with Mr. Hinz to increase the unsecured revolving line of credit by $6 million for a total line of credit of up to $12 million.
 
The proceeds of the Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties could be used to repurchase a portion of the Terminated 95/8% Notes. Outstanding amounts under each subordinated line of credit bore interest at a rate equal to the lesser of (1) 5% per annum and (2) the maximum rate permitted for subordinated debt under the Terminated Revolver referred to above plus 2% per annum.  Interest was payable at the time of any repayment of principal.  In addition, outstanding amounts under each subordinated line of credit were required to be repaid within three (3) months from the time that such amounts were borrowed, with the exception of the subordinated line of credit with Mr. Hinz, which was to be repaid within six (6) months from the time that such amounts were borrowed. The Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties did not contain any covenants. On March 14, 2013, we repaid these lines of credit upon entry into our current senior secured credit facility. On April 3, 2013, we provided written notice to Messrs. Atsinger, Epperson and Hinz electing to terminate the Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties and related agreements effective as of May 3, 2013. There were no outstanding balances on the Terminated Subordinated Debt due to Related Parties as of the termination date.
 
Summary of long-term debt obligations
 
Long-term debt consisted of the following:
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2014
 
As of December 31, 2015
 
 
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
Term Loan B
 
$
274,933
 
$
273,136
 
Revolver
 
 
1,784
 
 
3,306
 
Capital leases and other loans
 
 
788
 
 
674
 
 
 
 
277,505
 
 
277,116
 
Less current portion
 
 
(1,898)
 
 
(5,662)
 
 
 
$
275,607
 
$
271,454
 
 
In addition to the outstanding amounts listed above, we also have interest payments related to our long-term debt as follows as of December 31, 2015:
 
Outstanding borrowings of $274.0 million under the Term Loan B with interest payments due at LIBOR (subject to a floor of 1.00%) plus 3.50% or prime rate plus 2.50%; and
Outstanding borrowings of $3.3 million under the Revolver, with interest payments due at LIBOR plus 3.00% or at prime rate plus 2.00%.
Commitment fees of 0.50% on any unused portion of the revolver.
 
Other Debt
 
We have several capital leases related to office equipment. The obligation recorded at December 31, 2014 and 2015 represents the present value of future commitments under the capital lease agreements.
 
Maturities of Long-Term Debt
 
Principal repayment requirements under all long-term debt agreements outstanding at December 31, 2015 for each of the next five years and thereafter are as follows:
 
 
 
Amount
 
For the Twelve Months Ended December 31,
 
(Dollars in thousands)
 
2016
 
$
5,662
 
2017
 
 
3,113
 
2018
 
 
3,105
 
2019
 
 
3,103
 
2020
 
 
3,106
 
Thereafter
 
 
259,027
 
 
 
$
277,116