Gray’s Operating Results for the First Quarter Driven by Continued Strong Demand and Execution
ATLANTA, May 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gray Television, Inc. (“Gray,” “we,” “us” or “our”) (NYSE: GTN) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2023, reflecting our total revenue of
Overall, our businesses have started 2023 in a strong position. The first quarter of 2023 produced record results, including
During the first quarter of 2023, our production segment recorded
Looking ahead, we anticipate that our television stations will maintain advertising and retransmission revenues at a level generally flat to somewhat ahead of revenues in recent years due to our strong position in local markets.
Meanwhile, we believe our investments in Atlanta Assembly will provide some diversification from our broadcasting segment with new exposure to the growing film and television production industry in Georgia. In the first quarter, we received
Summary of Operating Results
Operating Highlights (the respective 2022 periods reflect the “on-year” of the two year political advertising cycle):
- Total revenue was
$801 million , a decrease of3% from the first quarter of 2022. - Core Advertising Revenue was
$357 million , a decrease of$8 million or2% from the first quarter of 2022. In the first quarter of 2023, we earned approximately$6 million of net revenue from the broadcast of the Super Bowl on our 27 FOX channels compared to an aggregate of$13 million of net revenue relating to the broadcast of the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl on our 56 NBC channels during the first quarter of 2022. Adjusting for the effect of these marquee sporting events, our Core Advertising Revenue was essentially unchanged from the first quarter of 2023. - Net loss attributable to common stockholders was
$44 million , or$0.48 per fully diluted share, a decrease of190% from the first quarter of 2022. - Broadcast Cash Flow was
$186 million , a decrease of31% from the first quarter of 2022.
Other Key Metrics
- As of March 31, 2023, our Total Leverage Ratio, Net of all Cash, was 5.26 times on a trailing eight-quarter basis, netting our total cash balance of
$56 million , giving effect to all Transaction Related Expenses and excluding the cash flow of our unrestricted subsidiaries, which is calculated as set forth in our Senior Credit Facility. - Non-cash stock compensation was
$2 million during the first quarter of 2023, and$5 million in the first quarter of 2022.
Taxes
- During the first quarter of 2023 and 2022, we did not make any material income tax payments. During 2023, we anticipate making income tax payments within a range of
$35 million to$45 million . - As of March 31, 2023, we have an aggregate of
$344 million of various state operating loss carryforwards, of which we expect that approximately one-third will be utilized.
Securitization Facility
On February 23, 2023, we, certain of our subsidiaries and a wholly-owned special purpose subsidiary (the “SPV”), entered into a three-year
Interest Rate Cap
On February 23, 2023, we entered into interest rate caps pursuant to an International Swaps and Derivatives Association (“ISDA”) Master Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, NA and Truist Bank, respectively. The agreement effectively limits the annual interest charged on all of our variable rate debt to a maximum one-month LIBOR rate of 5 percent, plus the Applicable Margin, as specified in our Senior Credit Facility. Subsequently, we amended the reference rate applicable to this agreement to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”).
Term Loan SOFR Amendment
On March 17, 2023, we amended our Senior Credit Facility to, among other things, provide for borrowings under term SOFR of one, three and six months. As part of this amendment,
Marquee Transaction
On May 1, 2023, we and Marquee Broadcasting, Inc. (“Marquee”) completed transactions in which we sold television station KNIN (FOX) in the Boise, Idaho market (DMA 102) for
Guidance for the Three-Months Ending June 30, 2023
Based on our current forecasts for the quarter ending June 30, 2023, we anticipate the following key financial results, as outlined below in approximate ranges and as compared to the quarter ending June 30, 2022. We present revenue net of agency commissions. We exclude depreciation, amortization and gain/loss on disposal of assets from our estimates of operating expenses.
- Revenue:
- Core advertising revenue of
$362 million to$374 million ; flat to up low single digits. - Retransmission revenue of
$390 million to$393 million ; up low single digits. - Political advertising revenue of
$5 million to$6 million , including approximately$1 million of revenue related to the 2024 Presidential election. - Production company revenue of
$11 million to$12 million . - Total revenue of
$784 million to$802 million .
- Core advertising revenue of
- Operating Expenses:
- Broadcasting expenses of
$560 million to$570 million , including retransmission expense of approximately$235 million and non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately$1 million . - Production company expenses of approximately
$15 million to$16 million . - Corporate expenses of
$36 million to$40 million and non-cash stock-based compensation expense of approximately$5 million .
- Broadcasting expenses of
| Selected Operating Data (Unaudited) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
| % Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 to | 2023 to | |||||||||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2022 | 2021 | 2021 | ||||||||||||||||
| (dollars in millions) | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Revenue (less agency commissions): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Core advertising | $ | 357 | $ | 365 | (2 | )% | $ | 260 | 37 | % | ||||||||||
| Political | 8 | 26 | (69 | )% | 9 | (11 | )% | |||||||||||||
| Retransmission consent | 395 | 393 | 1 | % | 247 | 60 | % | |||||||||||||
| Other | 19 | 20 | (5 | )% | 14 | 36 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total broadcasting revenue | 779 | 804 | (3 | )% | 530 | 47 | % | |||||||||||||
| Production companies | 22 | 23 | (4 | )% | 14 | 57 | % | |||||||||||||
| Total revenue | $ | 801 | $ | 827 | (3 | )% | $ | 544 | 47 | % | ||||||||||
| Operating expenses (1): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadcasting | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Station expenses | $ | 320 | $ | 301 | 6 | % | $ | 215 | 49 | % | ||||||||||
| Retransmission expense | 235 | 227 | 4 | % | 145 | 62 | % | |||||||||||||
| Transaction Related Expenses | - | 2 | (100 | )% | - | 0 | % | |||||||||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | - | - | 0 | % | 1 | (100 | )% | |||||||||||||
| Total broadcasting expense | $ | 555 | $ | 530 | 5 | % | $ | 361 | 54 | % | ||||||||||
| Production companies | $ | 59 | $ | 26 | 127 | % | $ | 17 | 247 | % | ||||||||||
| Corporate and administrative | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate expenses | $ | 24 | $ | 22 | 9 | % | $ | 14 | 71 | % | ||||||||||
| Transaction Related Expenses | - | 1 | (100 | )% | 1 | (100 | )% | |||||||||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | 2 | 5 | (60 | )% | 3 | (33 | )% | |||||||||||||
| Total corporate and administrative expense | $ | 26 | $ | 28 | (7 | )% | $ | 18 | 44 | % | ||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (31 | ) | $ | 62 | (150 | )% | $ | 39 | (179 | )% | |||||||||
| Non-GAAP Cash Flow (2): | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Broadcast Cash Flow | $ | 186 | $ | 271 | (31 | )% | $ | 168 | 11 | % | ||||||||||
| Broadcast Cash Flow Less | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Cash Corporate Expenses | $ | 162 | $ | 248 | (35 | )% | $ | 153 | 6 | % | ||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow (3) | $ | 23 | $ | 139 | (83 | )% | $ | 78 | (71 | )% | ||||||||||
(1) Excludes depreciation, amortization and loss (gain) on disposal of assets.
(2) See definition of non-GAAP terms and a reconciliation of the non-GAAP amounts to net income included elsewhere herein.
(3) Excludes deductions, net of reimbursements, for purchase of property, plant and equipment related to the Assembly Atlanta project of
| Detail Table of Operating Results (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| (in millions, except per share information) | ||||||||
| Revenue (less agency commissions): | ||||||||
| Broadcasting | $ | 779 | $ | 804 | ||||
| Production companies | 22 | 23 | ||||||
| Total revenue (less agency commissions) | 801 | 827 | ||||||
| Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, | ||||||||
| and loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net: | ||||||||
| Broadcasting | 555 | 530 | ||||||
| Production companies | 59 | 26 | ||||||
| Corporate and administrative | 26 | 28 | ||||||
| Depreciation | 35 | 32 | ||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 49 | 52 | ||||||
| Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net | 10 | (5 | ) | |||||
| Operating expenses | 734 | 663 | ||||||
| Operating income | 67 | 164 | ||||||
| Other expense: | ||||||||
| Miscellaneous, net | (2 | ) | (2 | ) | ||||
| Interest expense | (104 | ) | (79 | ) | ||||
| Loss from early extinguishment of debt | (3 | ) | - | |||||
| (Loss) income before income taxes | (42 | ) | 83 | |||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (11 | ) | 21 | |||||
| Net (loss) income | (31 | ) | 62 | |||||
| Preferred stock dividends | 13 | 13 | ||||||
| Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders | $ | (44 | ) | $ | 49 | |||
| Basic per common share information: | ||||||||
| Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders | $ | (0.48 | ) | $ | 0.53 | |||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 92 | 93 | ||||||
| Diluted per common share information: | ||||||||
| Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders | $ | (0.48 | ) | $ | 0.52 | |||
| Weighted-average common shares outstanding | 92 | 94 | ||||||
| Other Financial Data (Unaudited) | ||||||||
| Three Months Ended March 31, | ||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 412 | $ | 141 | ||||
| Net cash used in investing activities | (95 | ) | (53 | ) | ||||
| Net cash used in financing activities | (322 | ) | (30 | ) | ||||
| Net increase in cash | $ | (5 | ) | $ | 58 | |||
| As of | ||||||||
| March 31, | December 31, | |||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||
| Cash | $ | 56 | $ | 61 | ||||
| Long-term debt, including current portion, less | ||||||||
| deferred financing costs | $ | 6,162 | $ | 6,455 | ||||
| Series A perpetual preferred stock | $ | 650 | $ | 650 | ||||
| Borrowing availability under Senior Credit Facility | $ | 494 | $ | 496 | ||||
Additional Information
The Company
We are a multimedia company headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and the nation’s largest owner of top-rated local television stations and digital assets in the United States. Our television stations serve 113 television markets that collectively reach approximately 36 percent of US television households. This portfolio includes 80 markets with the top-rated television station and 102 markets with the first and/or second highest rated television station. It also owns video program companies Raycom Sports, Tupelo Media Group, and PowerNation Studios, as well as the studio production facilities Assembly Atlanta and Third Rail Studios. Gray owns a majority interest in Swirl Films. For more information, please visit www.gray.tv.
Cautionary Statements for Purposes of the “Safe Harbor” Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements that are based largely on our current expectations and reflect various estimates and assumptions by us. These statements are statements other than those of historical fact and may be identified by words such as “estimates,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “will,” “implied,” “assume” and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results and achievements to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such risks, trends and uncertainties, which in some instances are beyond our control, include our inability to achieve expected synergies from recent transactions on a timely basis or at all, the impact of recently completed transactions, estimates of future revenue, future expenses and other future events. We are subject to additional risks and uncertainties described in our quarterly and annual reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time, including in the “Risk Factors,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections contained therein, which reports are made publicly available via our website, www.gray.tv. Any forward-looking statements in this press release should be evaluated in light of these important risk factors. This press release reflects management’s views as of the date hereof. Except to the extent required by applicable law, Gray undertakes no obligation to update or revise any information contained in this press release beyond the published date, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. 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, 2022, 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 first quarter operating results on May 5, 2023. The call will begin at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The live dial-in number is 1-800-285-6670. The call will be webcast live and available for replay at www.gray.tv. The replay of the conference call will also be available at 1-888-556-3470, Confirmation Code: 898476 until June 5, 2023.
Gray Contacts
Web site: www.gray.tv
Hilton H. Howell, Jr., Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, 404-266-5513
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
Non-GAAP Terms
From time to time, we supplement our 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 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.
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 and common dividends, purchase of property and equipment (net of reimbursements and certain defined purchases) and income taxes paid (net of any refunds).
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 April 1, 2021. 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. 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: | ||||||||||||
| Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
| March 31, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | ||||||||||
| (in millions) | ||||||||||||
| Net (loss) income | $ | (31 | ) | $ | 62 | $ | 39 | |||||
| Adjustments to reconcile from net (loss) income to | ||||||||||||
| Free Cash Flow: | ||||||||||||
| Depreciation | 35 | 32 | 25 | |||||||||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 49 | 52 | 26 | |||||||||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | 2 | 5 | 4 | |||||||||
| Non-cash 401(k) expense | - | - | 1 | |||||||||
| Loss (gain) on disposal of assets, net | 10 | (5 | ) | (4 | ) | |||||||
| Miscellaneous expense (income), net | 2 | 2 | (1 | ) | ||||||||
| Interest expense | 104 | 79 | 48 | |||||||||
| Loss from early extinguishment of debt | 3 | - | - | |||||||||
| Income tax (benefit) expense | (11 | ) | 21 | 15 | ||||||||
| Amortization of program broadcast rights | 10 | 13 | 9 | |||||||||
| Payments for program broadcast rights | (11 | ) | (13 | ) | (9 | ) | ||||||
| Corporate and administrative expenses before | ||||||||||||
| depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and | ||||||||||||
| non-cash stock-based compensation | 24 | 23 | 15 | |||||||||
| Broadcast Cash Flow | 186 | 271 | 168 | |||||||||
| Corporate and administrative expenses before | ||||||||||||
| depreciation, amortization of intangible assets and | ||||||||||||
| non-cash stock-based compensation | (24 | ) | (23 | ) | (15 | ) | ||||||
| Broadcast Cash Flow Less Cash Corporate Expenses | 162 | 248 | 153 | |||||||||
| Pension income | - | (1 | ) | - | ||||||||
| Interest expense | (104 | ) | (79 | ) | (48 | ) | ||||||
| Amortization of deferred financing costs | 4 | 4 | 3 | |||||||||
| Preferred stock dividends | (13 | ) | (13 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||||
| Common stock dividends | (7 | ) | (8 | ) | (8 | ) | ||||||
| Purchases of property and equipment (1) | (19 | ) | (17 | ) | (13 | ) | ||||||
| Reimbursements of property and equipment purchases (2) | - | 5 | 4 | |||||||||
| Free Cash Flow | $ | 23 | $ | 139 | $ | 78 | ||||||
(1) Excludes approximately
(2) Excludes approximately
| Reconciliation of Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash: | ||||
| Eight Quarters Ended | ||||
| March 31, 2023 | ||||
| (dollars in millions) | ||||
| Net income | $ | 474 | ||
| Adjustments to reconcile from net income to Operating | ||||
| Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement: | ||||
| Depreciation | 243 | |||
| Amortization of intangible assets | 348 | |||
| Non-cash stock-based compensation | 34 | |||
| Non-cash 401(k) expense | 16 | |||
| Loss on disposal of assets, net | 54 | |||
| Interest expense | 615 | |||
| Loss on early extinguishment of debt | 3 | |||
| Income tax expense | 212 | |||
| Impairment of investment | 18 | |||
| Amortization of program broadcast rights | 87 | |||
| Payments for program broadcast rights | (88 | ) | ||
| Pension gain | (5 | ) | ||
| Contributions to pension plans | (7 | ) | ||
| Adjustments for unrestricted subsidiaries | 45 | |||
| Adjustments for stations acquired or divested, financings and expected | ||||
| synergies during the eight quarter period | 206 | |||
| Transaction Related Expenses | 88 | |||
| Other | 3 | |||
| Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement | $ | 2,346 | ||
| Operating Cash Flow as defined in our Senior Credit Agreement, | ||||
| divided by two | $ | 1,173 | ||
| March 31, 2023 | ||||
| Adjusted Total Indebtedness: | ||||
| Total outstanding principal, including current portion | $ | 6,221 | ||
| Letters of credit outstanding | 6 | |||
| Cash | (56 | ) | ||
| Adjusted Total Indebtedness, Net of All Cash | $ | 6,171 | ||
| Total Leverage Ratio, Net of All Cash | 5.26 | |||
