Gray Reports Record Operating Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Gray Television reported impressive financial results for Q4 2020, with revenues soaring to $792 million, a 37% increase year-over-year. Political advertising revenue surged by 545% to $245 million. Net income attributable to common stockholders reached $211 million, or $2.22 per share, reflecting a 160% rise from Q4 2019. Despite a 8% decline in Total Core Revenue, the company anticipates positive trends moving forward. Gray also announced a $925 million acquisition of Quincy Media, expected to enhance free cash flow and market share.

Positive

• Revenue increased by $213 million (37%) to $792 million in Q4 2020.
• Net income rose by 160% to $211 million ($2.22 per share) in Q4 2020.
• Political advertising revenue dramatically increased by 545% to $245 million in Q4 2020.
• Free cash flow for 2020 reached $559 million, up 105% year-over-year.
• Announced acquisition of Quincy Media for $925 million, expected to be accretive to cash flow.

Negative

• Total Core Revenue fell by approximately 8% compared to Q4 2019.
• Local and national broadcast revenue declined by 9% and 7% respectively.
• Increased operating expenses, notably retransmission costs by 17%.

ATLANTA, Feb. 25, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN) today announced financial results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2020. Despite the impact of the novel coronavirus and its disease (collectively, “COVID-19”) on economic activity, our strong political revenues, prudent cost management, strategic sales initiatives and training, and focused management at every level during the last three quarters of 2020, and especially the fourth quarter of 2020, resulted in record operating results for the fourth quarter and the full-year. Key financial results are as follows:

• Our revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $792 million, an increase of $213 million, or 37%, from the fourth quarter of 2019. The primary components of revenue were combined local and national broadcast advertising revenue of $284 million, political advertising revenue of $245 million and retransmission revenue of $217 million.
• Net income attributable to common stockholders for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $211 million, or $2.22 per fully diluted share, increasing $130 million, or 160% from the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Broadcast Cash Flow for the fourth quarter of 2020, was $424 million increasing $195 million, or 85%, from the fourth quarter of 2019. Our Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $404 million, increasing $189 million, or 88%, from the fourth quarter of 2019.
• In the fourth quarter of 2020, our combined local and national broadcast revenue, excluding political revenue (“Total Core Revenue”), decreased by approximately 8% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, much of which can be attributed to historically strong political displacement in a large number of markets. In light of returning advertiser demand, the year-over-year declines in Total Core Revenue continued their improvement through the fourth quarter of 2020 as follows: October declined 22%, largely impacted by political displacement, November declined less than 1% and December declined by 2%.
• As of December 31, 2020, our total leverage ratio, as defined in our senior credit facility, was 3.95 times on a trailing eight-quarter basis, netting our total cash balance of $773 million and giving effect to all Transaction Related Expenses (as defined below). We have not drawn any amounts from our revolving credit facility, and, as a result, we are not subject to any maintenance covenants in our credit facilities at this time.
• During the fourth quarter of 2020, we repurchased 972,706 shares of our common stock at an average price of $16.44 per share, including commissions, for a total cost of approximately $16 million. During 2020, we repurchased 5.5 million shares of our common stock on the open market at an average price of $13.80 per share, including commissions, for a total cost of $75 million. We have not repurchased any shares since the close of the fourth quarter. Currently, we have 88,223,962 common shares and 7,214,838 Class A common shares outstanding. Our total capacity under our share repurchase programs is currently $204 million.
• On February 1, 2021, we announced an agreement to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Quincy Media, Inc. for $925 million in cash. Upon completion, and net of divestitures required to meet regulatory requirements, we will own television stations serving 102 television markets that collectively reach over 25 % of US television households, including number-one ranked television stations in 77 markets and the first and/or second ranked television station in 93 markets according to Comscore’s average all-day ratings for calendar year 2020. This transaction is expected to close following receipt of regulatory and other approvals in the second or third quarter of 2021. We expect that the transaction will be immediately accretive to our free cash flow, including expected year-one annualized synergies of approximately $23 million.

Selected Operating Data (unaudited):
	Three Months Ended December 31,
		2020			2019		% Change 2020 to 2019				2018		% Change 2020 to 2018
	(dollars in millions)
Revenue (less agency commissions):
Broadcasting	$	763		$	554		38	%		$	328		133	%
Production companies		29			25		16	%			-
Total revenue	$	792		$	579		37	%		$	328		141	%
Political advertising revenue	$	245		$	38		545	%		$	83		195	%
Operating expenses (1):
Broadcasting	$	355		$	339		5	%		$	160		122	%
Production companies	$	20		$	17		18	%		$	-
Corporate and administrative	$	18		$	21		(14	)%		$	11		64	%
Net income	$	224		$	94		138	%		$	88		155	%
Non-GAAP Cash Flow (2):
Broadcast Cash Flow	$	424		$	229		85	%		$	172		147	%
Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses	$	409		$	212		93	%		$	163		151	%
Free Cash Flow	$	300		$	108		178	%		$	98		206	%
	Year Ended December 31,
		2020			2019		% Change 2020 to 2019				2018		% Change 2020 to 2018
	(dollars in millions)
Revenue (less agency commissions):
Broadcasting	$	2,320		$	2,035		14	%		$	1,084		114	%
Production companies		61			87		(30	)%			-
Total revenue	$	2,381		$	2,122		12	%		$	1,084		120	%
Political advertising revenue	$	430		$	68		532	%		$	155		177	%
Operating expenses (1):
Broadcasting	$	1,340		$	1,325		1	%		$	596		125	%
Production companies	$	52		$	74		(30	)%		$	-
Corporate and administrative	$	65		$	104		(38	)%		$	41		59	%
Net income	$	410		$	179		129	%		$	211		94	%
Non-GAAP Cash Flow (2):
Broadcast Cash Flow	$	999		$	729		37	%		$	493		103	%
Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses	$	945		$	636		49	%		$	457		107	%
Free Cash Flow	$	559		$	273		105	%		$	263		113	%

(1) Excludes depreciation, amortization and gain on disposal of assets, net.
(2) See definition of non-GAAP terms and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to net income included herein.

Results of Operations for the Fourth Quarter of 2020

		Three Months Ended December 31,
			2020						2019					Amount				Percent
					Percent						Percent			Increase				Increase
		Amount			of Total			Amount			of Total			(Decrease)				(Decrease)
		(dollars in millions)
Revenue (less agency commissions):
Local (including internet/digital/mobile)		$	222		28	%		$	243		42	%		$	(21	)		(9	)%
National			62		8	%			67		12	%			(5	)		(7	)%
Political			245		31	%			38		7	%			207			545	%
Retransmission consent			217		27	%			195		34	%			22			11	%
Production companies			29		4	%			25		4	%			4			16	%
Other			17		2	%			11		1	%			6			55	%
Total		$	792		100	%		$	579		100	%		$	213			37	%
Total local and national revenue
combined ("Total Core Revenue")		$	284		36	%		$	310		54	%		$	(26	)		(8	)%

OPERATING EXPENSES (before
depreciation, amortization and
gain on disposal of assets, net):
Broadcasting:
Station expenses		$	230		65	%		$	223		66	%		$	7			3	%
Retransmission expense			125		35	%			107		32	%			18			17	%
Transaction Related Expenses			-		0	%			7		2	%			(7	)
Non-cash stock-based compensation			-		0	%			2		0	%			(2	)
Total broadcasting expense		$	355		100	%		$	339		100	%		$	16			5	%
Production companies expense		$	20					$	17					$	3			18	%
Corporate and administrative:
Corporate expenses		$	13		73	%		$	17		81	%		$	(4	)		(24	)%
Transaction Related Expenses			1		5	%			-		0	%			1
Non-cash stock-based compensation			4		22	%			4		19	%			-			0	%
Total corporate and
administrative expense		$	18		100	%		$	21		100	%		$	(3	)		(14	)%

Results of Operations for the Year Ended December 31, 2020

		Year Ended December 31,
			2020						2019					Amount				Percent
					Percent						Percent			Increase				Increase
		Amount			of Total			Amount			of Total			(Decrease)				(Decrease)
		(dollars in millions)
Revenue (less agency commissions):
Local (including internet/digital/mobile)		$	771		32	%		$	898		42	%		$	(127	)		(14	)%
National			198		8	%			229		11	%			(31	)		(14	)%
Political			430		18	%			68		3	%			362			532	%
Retransmission consent			867		36	%			796		38	%			71			9	%
Production companies			61		3	%			87		4	%			(26	)		(30	)%
Other			54		3	%			44		2	%			10			23	%
Total		$	2,381		100	%		$	2,122		100	%		$	259			12	%
Total Core Revenue		$	969		40	%		$	1,127		53	%		$	(158	)		(14	)%

OPERATING EXPENSES (before
depreciation, amortization and
gain on disposal of assets, net):
Broadcasting:
Station expenses		$	839		63	%		$	855		65	%		$	(16	)		(2	)%
Retransmission expense			496		37	%			420		32	%			76			18	%
Transaction Related Expenses			-		0	%			45		3	%			(45	)
Non-cash stock-based compensation			5		0	%			5		0	%			-			0	%
Total broadcasting expense		$	1,340		100	%		$	1,325		100	%		$	15			1	%
Production companies expense		$	52					$	74					$	(22	)		(30	)%
Corporate and administrative:
Corporate expenses		$	53		81	%		$	59		56	%		$	(6	)		(10	)%
Transaction Related Expenses			1		2	%			34		33	%			(33	)		(97	)%
Non-cash stock-based compensation			11		17	%			11		11	%			-			0	%
Total corporate and
administrative expense		$	65		100	%		$	104		100	%		$	(39	)		(38	)%

Transaction Related Expenses

From time to time, we have incurred incremental expenses (“Transaction Related Expenses”) that were specific to acquisitions, divestitures and financing activities, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation and contract termination fees. In addition, we have recorded certain non-cash stock-based compensation expenses. These expenses are summarized as follows (in millions):

		Three Months Ended December 31,						Year Ended December 31,
		2020			2019			2020			2019
Transaction Related Expenses:
Broadcasting		$	-		$	7		$	-		$	45
Corporate Administrative			1			-			1			34
Total Transaction Related Expenses:		$	1		$	7		$	1		$	79
Total non-cash stock-based compensation		$	4		$	6		$	16		$	16

Taxes

During 2020 and 2019, we made aggregate federal and state income tax payments (net of refunds) of $70 million and $23 million, respectively. During 2021, we anticipate making income tax payments (net of refunds) within a range of $21 million to $23 million. As of December 31, 2020, we have $204 million of federal operating loss carryforwards, which expire during the years 2023 through 2037. We expect to have federal taxable income in the carryforward periods, therefore we believe that it is more likely than not that these federal operating loss carryforwards will be fully utilized. Additionally, we have an aggregate of $567 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that approximately half will be utilized.

On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The CARES Act, among other things, contains modifications on the limitation of business interest for tax years beginning in 2019 and 2020, and permits net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards and carrybacks to offset 100% of taxable income for taxable years beginning before 2021. In addition, the CARES Act allows NOLs incurred in 2018, 2019, and 2020 to be carried back to each of the five preceding taxable years to generate a refund of previously paid income taxes. We will continue to monitor and assess the impact the CARES Act may have on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

Detailed Table of Operating Results

Gray Television, Inc.
Selected Operating Data (Unaudited)
(in millions, except for net income per share data)
	Three Months Ended								Year Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Revenue (less agency commissions)
Broadcasting	$	763			$	554			$	2,320			$	2,035
Production companies		29				25				61				87
Total revenue (less agency commissions)		792				579				2,381				2,122
Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization and gain on
disposal of assets, net:
Broadcasting		355				339				1,340				1,325
Production companies		20				17				52				74
Corporate and administrative		18				21				65				104
Depreciation		27				20				96				80
Amortization of intangible assets		27				29				105				115
Gain on disposal of assets, net		(6	)			(27	)			(29	)			(54	)
Operating expenses		441				399				1,629				1,644
Operating income		351				180				752				478
Other (expense) income:
Miscellaneous (expense) income, net		-				-				(5	)			4
Interest expense		(48	)			(54	)			(191	)			(227	)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		(12	)			-				(12	)			-
Income before income tax		291				126				544				255
Income tax expense		67				32				134				76
Net income		224				94				410				179
Preferred stock dividends		13				13				52				52
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	211			$	81			$	358			$	127
Basic per share information:
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	2.24			$	0.82			$	3.73			$	1.28
Weighted-average shares outstanding		94				99				96				99
Diluted per share information:
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	2.22			$	0.81			$	3.69			$	1.27
Weighted-average shares outstanding		95				100				97				100

Other Financial Data

	As of December 31,
		2020				2019
	(in millions)
Cash	$	773			$	212
Long-term debt, including current portion	$	3,974			$	3,697
Series A perpetual preferred stock	$	650			$	650
Borrowing availability under senior credit facility	$	200			$	200
	Year Ended December 31,
		2020				2019
	(in millions)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	652			$	385
Net cash used in investing activities		(211	)			(2,656	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		120				1,064
Net increase (decrease) in cash	$	561			$	(1,207	)

Amendment to 2019 Senior Credit Facility

On February 19, 2021, we amended our senior credit facility. The amendment, among other things: (i) increases availability under the revolving credit facility from $200 million to $300 million; (ii) extends the maturity date of borrowings under the revolving credit facility to January 2, 2026; and (iii) modifies certain terms relating to the implementation of a LIBOR replacement rate.

Guidance for the Three-Months Ending March 31, 2021

Based on our current forecasts for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 (the “first quarter of 2021”), we anticipate changes from the quarter ended March 31, 2020 (the “first quarter of 2020”), as outlined below:

• Revenue:

• Local revenue will be unchanged at approximately $198 million.
• National revenue will increase by 7% to 9% to approximately $55 million.
  
• Total Core Revenue will increase by 0% to 2% to approximately $253 million.
• Retransmission revenue will increase by 15% to 16% to approximately $245 million.
• Total broadcasting revenue will increase by 0% to 2% to approximately $520 million.
• Production company revenue will be approximately $13 million.

• Operating Expenses (before depreciation, amortization and gain/loss on disposal of assets, net):

• Broadcasting expenses will increase by 8% to 9%, to approximately $364 million. This increase of approximately $29 million primarily reflects an increase in retransmission expense of approximately $24 million.
• Production company expenses will decrease to approximately $16 million.
• Corporate expenses will increase to approximately $20 million, primarily due to additional transaction related expenses.

The Company

We are a television broadcast company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. We are the largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States (“U.S.”). Gray currently owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties in 94 television markets that collectively reach approximately 24% of U.S. television households. During 2020, our stations were ranked first in 70 markets, and ranked first and/or second in 86 markets, as calculated by Comscore, Inc.’s audience measurement service. We also own video program production, marketing, and digital businesses including Raycom Sports, Tupelo-Raycom, and RTM Studios, the producer of PowerNation programs and content, which we refer to collectively as our “production companies.”

Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act

This press release contains statements that constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and the federal securities laws. These “forward-looking statements” are not statements of historical facts, and may include, among other things, statements regarding our estimates, expectations, intentions, projections, and beliefs of operating results for future periods, the impact of COVID-19 on our future operating results, future income tax payments, pending transactions and other future events. Actual results are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties and may differ materially from the current expectations and beliefs discussed in this press release. All information set forth in this release is as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and undertake no duty, to update this information to reflect future events or circumstances. As such, caution should be taken to not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Information about certain potential factors that could affect our business and financial results and cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements are included under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and may be contained in reports subsequently filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and available at www.sec.gov.

Conference Call Information

We will host a conference call to discuss our fourth quarter operating results on February 25, 2021. The call will begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1-855-493-3489 and the confirmation code is 9756347. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.gray.tv. The taped replay of the conference call will be available at 1-855-859-2056, Confirmation Code is 9756347 until March 24, 2021.

Gray Contacts

Web site: www.gray.tv

Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 404-266-5512

Pat LaPlatney, President and Co-Chief Executive Officer, 334-206-1400

Jim Ryan, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, 404-504-9828

Kevin P. Latek, Executive Vice President, Chief Legal and Development Officer, 404-266-8333

Effects of Acquisitions and Divestitures on Our Results of Operations and Non-GAAP Terms

From time to time, Gray supplements its financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP by disclosing the non-GAAP financial measures Broadcast Cash Flow, Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses, Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement, Free Cash Flow, Adjusted EBITDA and Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash. These non-GAAP amounts are used by us to approximate amounts used to calculate key financial performance covenants contained in our debt agreements and are used with our GAAP data to evaluate our results and liquidity.

We define Broadcast Cash Flow as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash corporate and administrative expenses, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Broadcast Transactions Related Expenses and broadcast other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits and payments for program broadcast rights.

We define Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses and other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits and payments for program broadcast rights.

We define Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses, other adjustments, certain pension expenses, synergies and other adjustments less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast rights, pension income and contributions to pension plans.

Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement gives effect to the revenue and broadcast expenses of all completed acquisitions and divestitures as if they had been acquired or divested, respectively, on December 31, 2018. It also gives effect to certain operating synergies expected from the acquisitions and related financings and adds back professional fees incurred in completing the acquisitions. Certain of the financial information related to the acquisitions has been derived from, and adjusted based on, unaudited, un-reviewed financial information prepared by other entities, which Gray cannot independently verify. We cannot assure you that such financial information would not be materially different if such information were audited or reviewed and no assurances can be provided as to the accuracy of such information, or that our actual results would not differ materially from this financial information if the acquisitions had been completed on the stated date. In addition, the presentation of Operating Cash Flow as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement and the adjustments to such information, including expected synergies resulting from such transactions, may not comply with GAAP or the requirements for pro forma financial information under Regulation S-X under the Securities Act of 1933.

We define Free Cash Flow as net income or loss plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization (including amortization of intangible assets and program broadcast rights), any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transactions Related Expenses, broadcast other adjustments, certain pension expenses, synergies, other adjustments and amortization of deferred financing costs less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income, any income tax benefits, payments for program broadcast rights, pension income, contributions to pension plans, preferred dividends, purchase of property and equipment (net of reimbursements) and income taxes paid (net of any refunds received).

We define Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss, plus loss on early extinguishment of debt, non-cash stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization of intangible assets, any loss on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous expense, interest expense, any income tax expense, non-cash 401(k) expense, Transaction Related Expenses less any gain on disposal of assets, any miscellaneous income and any income tax benefits.

Our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash is determined by dividing our Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash, by our Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two. Our Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash, represents the total outstanding principal of our long-term debt, plus certain other obligations as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, less all cash (excluding restricted cash). Our Operating Cash Flow, as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, divided by two, represents our average annual Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement for the preceding eight quarters.

We define Transaction Related Expenses as incremental expenses incurred specific to acquisitions and divestitures, including but not limited to legal and professional fees, severance and incentive compensation, and contract termination fees. We present certain line-items from our selected operating data, net of Transaction Related Expenses, in order to present a more meaningful comparison between periods of our operating expenses and our results of operations.

These non-GAAP terms are not defined in GAAP and our definitions may differ from, and therefore may not be comparable to, similarly titled measures used by other companies, thereby limiting their usefulness. Such terms are used by management in addition to, and in conjunction with, results presented in accordance with GAAP and should be considered as supplements to, and not as substitutes for, net income and cash flows reported in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms, in millions:

	Three Months Ended
	December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Net income	$	224			$	94			$	88
Adjustments to reconcile from net income to
Free Cash Flow:
Depreciation		27				20				13
Amortization of intangible assets		27				29				5
Non-cash stock-based compensation		4				6				2
Gain on disposal of assets, net		(6	)			(27	)			(11	)
Miscellaneous expense, net		-				-				(3	)
Interest expense		48				54				32
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		12				-				-
Income tax expense		67				32				33
Amortization of program broadcast rights		10				9				6
Non-cash 401(k) expense		6				5				4
Payments for program broadcast rights		(10	)			(10	)			(6	)
Corporate and administrative expenses before
depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and
non-cash stock-based compensation		15				17				9
Broadcast Cash Flow		424				229				172
Corporate and administrative expenses excluding
depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and
non-cash stock-based compensation		(15	)			(17	)			(9	)
Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses		409				212				163
Interest expense		(48	)			(54	)			(32	)
Amortization of deferred financing costs		2				2				1
Preferred stock dividends		(13	)			(13	)			-
Purchase of property and equipment		(40	)			(37	)			(35	)
Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases		10				9				8
Income taxes paid, net of refunds		(20	)			(11	)			(7	)
Free Cash Flow	$	300			$	108			$	98

 

Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Terms, in millions:

	Year Ended
	December 31,
		2020				2019				2018
Net income	$	410			$	179			$	211
Adjustments to reconcile from net income to
Free Cash Flow:
Depreciation		96				80				54
Amortization of intangible assets		105				115				21
Non-cash stock-based compensation		16				16				7
Gain on disposal of assets, net		(29	)			(54	)			(17	)
Miscellaneous expense (income), net		5				(4	)			(6	)
Interest expense		191				227				107
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		12				-				-
Income tax expense		134				76				77
Amortization of program broadcast rights		38				39				21
Non-cash 401(k) expense		6				5				4
Payments for program broadcast rights		(39	)			(43	)			(22	)
Corporate and administrative expenses before
depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and
non-cash stock-based compensation		54				93				36
Broadcast Cash Flow		999				729				493
Corporate and administrative expenses before
depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and
non-cash stock-based compensation		(54	)			(93	)			(36	)
Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses		945				636				457
Contributions to pension plans		(3	)			(3	)			(2	)
Interest expense		(191	)			(227	)			(107	)
Amortization of deferred financing costs		11				11				5
Preferred stock dividends		(52	)			(52	)			-
Purchase of property and equipment		(110	)			(110	)			(70	)
Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases		29				41				14
Income taxes paid, net of refunds		(70	)			(23	)			(34	)
Free Cash Flow	$	559			$	273			$	263

Reconciliation of Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA and the Effect of Transaction Related Expenses and Certain Non-cash Expenses, in millions except for per share information:

	Three Months Ended								Year Ended
	December 31,								December 31,
		2020				2019				2020				2019
Net income	$	224			$	94			$	410			$	179
Adjustments to reconcile from net income to
Adjusted EBITDA:
Depreciation		27				20				96				80
Amortization of intangible assets		27				29				105				115
Non-cash stock-based compensation		4				6				16				16
Gain on disposal of assets, net		(6	)			(27	)			(29	)			(54	)
Miscellaneous expense (income), net		-				-				5				(4	)
Interest expense		48				54				191				227
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		12				-				12				-
Income tax expense		67				32				134				76
Total		403				208				940				635
Add: Transaction Related Expenses		1				7				1				79
Adjusted EBITDA	$	404			$	215			$	941			$	714
Net income attributable to common stockholders	$	211			$	81			$	358			$	127
Add: Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash
stock-based compensation		5				13				17				95
Less: Income tax expense related to Transaction Related
Expenses and non-cash stock-based compensation		(1	)			(3	)			(4	)			(24	)
Net income attributable to common stockholders - excluding
Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash stock-based
compensation	$	215			$	91			$	371			$	198
Net income attributable to common stockholders per common share,
diluted - excluding Transaction Related Expenses and non-cash
stock-based compensation	$	2.26			$	0.91			$	3.82			$	1.98
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		95				100				97				100

Reconciliation of Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash, in millions except for ratio:

		Eight Quarters Ended
		December 31, 2020
Net income		$ 589
Adjustments to reconcile from net income to operating cash flow as
defined in our Senior Credit Agreement:
Depreciation		176
Amortization of intangible assets		220
Non-cash stock-based compensation		31
Gain on disposal of assets, net		(83)
Interest expense		418
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		12
Income tax expense		210
Amortization of program broadcast rights		77
Common stock contributed to 401(k) plan		11
Payments for program broadcast rights		(85)
Pension benefit		(1)
Contributions to pension plan		(6)
Adjustments for stations acquired or divested, financings and expected
synergies during the eight quarter period		3
Transaction Related Expenses		81
Operating Cash Flow, as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement		$ 1,653
Operating Cash Flow, as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement,
divided by two		$ 826
		December 31, 2020
Adjusted Total Indebtedness:
Total outstanding principal, including current portion		$ 4,035
Cash		(773)
Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash		$ 3,262
Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash		3.95

FAQ

What were Gray Television's Q4 2020 revenue figures?

Gray Television reported revenue of $792 million for Q4 2020, a 37% increase from Q4 2019.

How did political advertising affect Gray Television's financial results?

Political advertising revenue surged by 545%, contributing $245 million to Gray Television's Q4 2020 revenue.

What was Gray Television's net income for Q4 2020?

The net income attributable to common stockholders for Q4 2020 was $211 million, or $2.22 per share.

What major acquisition did Gray Television announce in February 2021?

Gray Television announced an agreement to acquire Quincy Media, Inc. for $925 million.

What is the expected impact of the Quincy Media acquisition on Gray's cash flow?

The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive to Gray Television's free cash flow.