Salem Media Group, Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2021 Total Revenue of $66.0 Million

Rhea-AI Summary

Salem Media Group (NASDAQ: SALM) reported its Q3 2021 results, showing a 8.8% increase in total revenue to $66.0 million compared to Q3 2020. Operating expenses decreased 10.2% to $50.2 million, leading to an operating income surge of 232.5% to $15.8 million. Net income skyrocketed 6,615.5% to $22.1 million, or $0.81 per diluted share. Year-to-date figures also reflected growth, with total revenue up 10.1% to $189.1 million. The company anticipates Q4 revenue growth of up to 2% compared to last year.

Positive

• Total revenue increased 8.8% to $66.0 million for Q3 2021.
• Operating income surged 232.5% to $15.8 million in Q3 2021.
• Net income soared 6,615.5% to $22.1 million in Q3 2021.
• Year-to-date total revenue rose 10.1% to $189.1 million.

Negative

• Digital Media Operating Income decreased 10.8% to $2.4 million in Q3 2021.
• Net cash provided by operating activities decreased 36.3% to $14.7 million year-to-date.

IRVING, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Salem Media Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SALM) released its results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021.

Third Quarter 2021 Results

For the quarter ended September 30, 2021 compared to the quarter ended September 30, 2020:

Consolidated

• Total revenue increased 8.8% to $66.0 million from $60.6 million;
• Total operating expenses decreased 10.2% to $50.2 million from $55.9 million;
• Operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, debt modification costs, depreciation expense and amortization expense (1) increased 8.1% to $55.2 million from $51.0 million;
• Operating income increased 232.5% to $15.8 million from $4.8 million;
• Net income increased 6,615.5% to $22.1 million, or $0.81 net income per diluted share from $0.3 million, or $0.01 net income per diluted share;
• EBITDA (1) increased 268.8% to $30.2 million from $8.2 million;
• Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased 12.5% to $10.8 million from $9.6 million; and
• Net cash provided by operating activities increased 8.8% to $4.5 million from $4.2 million.

Broadcast

• Net broadcast revenue increased 9.3% to $49.6 million from $45.4 million;
• Station Operating Income (“SOI”) (1) increased 9.2% to $12.1 million from $11.1 million;
• Same Station (1) net broadcast revenue increased 8.9% to $49.1 million from $45.1 million; and
• Same Station SOI (1) increased 5.5% to $12.0 million from $11.4 million.

Digital Media

• Digital media revenue increased 8.5% to $10.6 million from $9.8 million; and
• Digital Media Operating Income (1) decreased 10.8% to $2.4 million from $2.7 million.

Publishing

• Publishing revenue increased 5.6% to $5.7 million from $5.4 million; and
• Publishing Operating Income (1) was $0.5 million to compared to an operating loss of $0.4 million.

Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2021 are:

• A $2.3 million ($1.7 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per share) charge for debt medication costs. On September 10, 2021, the company refinanced $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes by exchanging into $114.7 million (reflecting a call premium of 1.688%) of 2028 Notes. The transaction was assessed on a lender-specific level and was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC 470 with $2.3 million of fees paid to third parties included in operating expenses for the period;
• A $10.6 million ($7.8 million, net of tax, or $0.29 per diluted share) net gain on the disposition of assets relates to a $10.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of land in Lewisville, Texas, and $0.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletter and related assets as well as various other fixed asset disposals; and
• A $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.1 million, net of tax) related to the expensing of stock options.

Included in the results for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 are:

• A $1.4 million ($1.0 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per share) net loss on the disposition of assets which includes a $1.4 million estimated pre-tax loss for the write-off of Miami assets as a result of the company’s plan to exit the market and reflects various fixed asset disposals; and
• A $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.1 million, net of tax) related to the expensing of stock options.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 27,280,949 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2021, and 26,791,353 diluted weighted average shares for the quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Year to Date 2021 Results

For the nine months ended September 30, 2021 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2020:

Consolidated

• Total revenue increased 10.1% to $189.1 million from $171.8 million;
• Total operating expenses decreased 12.1% to $163.3 million from $185.9 million;
• Operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, debt modification costs, depreciation expense and amortization expense (1) increased 3.7% to $161.6 million from $155.9 million;
• The company had operating income of $25.8 million compared to an operating loss of $14.1 million;
• The company generated net income of $24.7 million, or $0.91 net income per diluted share compared to a net loss of $57.4 million, or $2.15 net loss per share;
• EBITDA (1) was $46.7 million as compared to a loss of $3.5 million;
• Adjusted EBITDA (1) increased 73.4% to $27.5 million from $15.9 million; and
• Net cash provided by operating activities decreased 36.3% to $14.7 million from $23.1 million.

Broadcast

• Net broadcast revenue increased 8.0% to $140.4 million from $130.0 million;
• SOI (1) increased 32.0% to $33.5 million from $25.3 million;
• Same station (1) net broadcast revenue increased 8.1% to $139.5 million from $129.0 million; and
• Same station SOI (1) increased 27.4% to $33.5 million from $26.3 million.

Digital media

• Digital media revenue increased 7.9% to $30.6 million from $28.4 million; and
• Digital media operating income (1) increased 1.7% to $5.3 million from $5.2 million.

Publishing

• Publishing revenue increased 35.4% to $18.1 million from $13.4 million; and
• Publishing Operating Income (1) was $1.2 million compared to an operating loss of $3.1 million.

Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2021 are:

• A $2.3 million ($1.7 million, net of tax, or $0.06 per share) charge for debt medication costs. On September 10, 2021, the company refinanced $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes by exchanging into $114.7 million (reflecting a call premium of 1.688%) of 2028 Notes. The transaction was assessed on a lender-specific level and was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with ASC 470 with $2.3 million of fees paid to third parties included in operating expenses for the period;
• A $10.6 million ($7.8 million, net of tax, or $0.29 per diluted share) net gain on the disposition of assets relating to a $10.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of land in Lewisville, Texas, a $0.5 million pre-tax gain on the sale of Singing News Magazine and Singing News Radio and a $0.1 million pre-tax gain on the sale of the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletter and related assets offset by $0.4 million additional loss recorded at closing on the sale of radio station WKAT-AM and FM translator in Miami, Florida and various fixed asset disposals; and
• A $0.2 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the expensing of stock options.

Included in the results for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 are:

• A $1.5 million ($1.1 million, net of tax, or $0.04 per share) net loss on the disposition of assets which includes a $1.4 million estimated pre-tax loss for the write-off of Miami assets as a result of the company’s plan to exit the market and reflects various fixed asset disposals;
• A $17.3 million impairment charge ($12.8 million, net of tax, or $0.48 per share), of which $0.3 million related to impairment of mastheads, and the remainder to broadcast licenses due to the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic;
• A $0.3 million impairment charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the company’s goodwill; and
• A $0.3 million non-cash compensation charge ($0.2 million, net of tax, or $0.01 per share) related to the expensing of stock options primarily consisting of:
  • $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge included in corporate expenses; and
  • $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge included in broadcast operating expenses; and
  • the remaining $0.1 million non-cash compensation charge included in digital media and publishing operating expenses.

Per share numbers are calculated based on 27,217,382 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2021, and 26,683,363 diluted weighted average shares for the nine months ended September 30, 2020.

Balance Sheet

On September 10, 2021, the company exchanged $112.8 million of the 2024 Notes for $114.7 million (reflecting a call premium of 1.688%) of newly issued 7.125% Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (“2028 Notes.”) Contemporaneously with the refinancing, the company obtained commitments from the holders of the 2028 Notes to purchase up to $50 million in additional 2028 Notes (“Delayed Draw 2028 Notes,”) contingent upon satisfying certain performance benchmarks, the proceeds of which are to be used exclusively to repurchase or repay the remaining balance outstanding of the 2024 Notes. The transaction was assessed on a lender-specific level and was accounted for as a debt modification in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 470. The company incurred debt issuance costs of $4.2 million, of which $2.3 million of third-party debt modification costs are reflected in operating expenses for the current period, $0.8 million is deferred with the Delayed Draw 2028 Notes, and $1.1 million, along with $3.0 million from the exchanged 2024 Notes, is being amortized as part of the effective yield on the 2028 Notes.

The company received $11.2 million in aggregate principal amount of PPP loans through the SBA during the first quarter of 2021 based on the eligibility of our radio stations and networks as determined on a per-location basis. The PPP loans were accounted for as debt in accordance with ASC 470. The loan balances and accrued interest were forgivable provided that the proceeds were used for eligible purposes, including payroll, benefits, rent and utilities within the covered period. The company used the PPP loan proceeds according to the terms and filed timely applications for forgiveness. During July 2021, the SBA forgave all but $20,000 of the PPP loans resulting in a pre-tax gain on the forgiveness of $11.2 million. The remaining PPP loan was repaid in July 2021.

Acquisitions and Divestitures

The following transactions were completed since July 1, 2021:

• On July 27, 2021, the company sold the Hilary Kramer Financial Newsletter and related assets for $0.2 million to be collected in quarterly installments over the two-year period ending September 30, 2023.
• On July 23, 2021, the company sold approximately 34 acres of land in Lewisville, Texas, currently being used as the transmitter site for Company owned radio station KSKY-AM, for $12.1 million in cash. The company will retain enough of the property in the southwest corner of the site to operate the station.
• On July 2, 2021, the company acquired SeniorResource.com for $0.1 million of cash.
• On July 1, 2021, the company acquired the ShiftWorship.com domain and digital assets for $2.6 million of cash.

Pending transactions:

• On August 31, 2021, the company entered an agreement to sell approximately 77 acres of land in Tampa, Florida for $13.5 million. The company will move the transmitter for WTBN-AM and diplex it at its owned and operated WGUL-AM facility. The company expects to close on this transaction by the end of the year.
• On August 23, 2021, the company entered an agreement to sell just over nine acres of land in the Denver area for $8.2 million. The company expects to close this sale early in 2022 and plans to continue broadcasting both KRKS-AM and KBJD-AM from this site.
• On June 2, 2021, the company entered into an agreement to acquire radio station KKOL-AM in Seattle, Washington for $0.5 million. The company paid $0.1 million of cash into an escrow account and began operating the station under a Local Marketing Agreement (“LMA”) on June 7, 2021.
• On February 5, 2020, we entered into an agreement with Word Broadcasting to sell radio stations WFIA-AM, WFIA-FM and WGTK-AM in Louisville, Kentucky for $4.0 million with credits applied from amounts previously paid, including a portion of the monthly fees paid under a Time Brokerage Agreement (“TBA”). Due to changes in debt markets, the transaction was not funded, and it is uncertain when, or if, the transaction will close. Word Broadcasting continues to program the stations under a TBA that began in January 2017.

Conference Call Information

Salem will host a teleconference to discuss its results on November 4, 2021 at 4:00 p.m. Central Time. To access the teleconference, please dial (877) 524-8416, and then ask to be joined into the Salem Media Group Third Quarter 2021 call or listen via the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at investor.salemmedia.com. A replay of the teleconference will be available through November 18, 2021 and can be heard by dialing (877) 660-6853, passcode 13722694 or on the investor relations portion of the company’s website, located at investor.salemmedia.com.

Follow us on Twitter @SalemMediaGrp.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Outlook

For the fourth quarter of 2021, the company is projecting total revenue to be between flat and an increase of 2% from fourth quarter 2020 total revenue of $64.5 million. Excluding the impact of $3.5 million in political revenue in fourth quarter of 2020, we are projecting revenue to increase between 6% and 8%. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, we are projecting revenue to be between flat and an increase of 2%. The company is also projecting operating expenses before gains or losses on the sale or disposal of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense to increase between 1% and 4% compared to the fourth quarter of 2020 non-GAAP operating expenses of $54.6 million. Compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, we are projecting expenses to also increase between 1% and 4%.

A reconciliation of non-GAAP operating expenses, excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation expense, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation expense and amortization expense to the most directly comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts on a forward-looking basis due to the potential high variability, complexity and low visibility with respect to the charges excluded from this non-GAAP financial measure, in particular, the change in the estimated fair value of earn-out consideration, impairments and gains or losses from the disposition of fixed assets. The company expects the variability of the above charges may have a significant, and potentially unpredictable, impact on its future GAAP financial results.

About Salem Media Group, Inc.

Salem Media Group is America’s leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing. Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally. With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape. Learn more about Salem Media Group, Inc., at www.salemmedia.com, Facebook and Twitter (@SalemMediaGrp).

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.

(1) Regulation G

Management uses certain non-GAAP financial measures defined below in communications with investors, analysts, rating agencies, banks and others to assist such parties in understanding the impact of various items on its financial statements. The company uses these non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial results, develop budgets, manage expenditures and as a measure of performance under compensation programs.

The company’s presentation of these non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered as a substitute for or superior to the most directly comparable financial measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

Regulation G defines and prescribes the conditions under which certain non-GAAP financial information may be presented in this earnings release. The company closely monitors EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Station Operating Income (“SOI”), Same Station net broadcast revenue, Same Station broadcast operating expenses, Same Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), and operating expenses excluding gains or losses on the disposition of assets, stock-based compensation, changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, impairments, depreciation and amortization, all of which are non-GAAP financial measures. The company believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide useful information about its core operating results, and thus, are appropriate to enhance the overall understanding of its financial performance. These non-GAAP financial measures are intended to provide management and investors a more complete understanding of its underlying operational results, trends and performance.

The company defines Station Operating Income (“SOI”) as net broadcast revenue minus broadcast operating expenses. The company defines Digital Media Operating Income as net Digital Media Revenue minus Digital Media Operating Expenses. The company defines Publishing Operating Income (Loss) as net Publishing Revenue minus Publishing Operating Expenses. The company defines EBITDA as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA before gains or losses on the disposition of assets, before changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, before impairments, before net miscellaneous income and expenses, before gain on bargain purchase, before (gain) loss on early retirement of long-term debt and before non-cash compensation expense. SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are commonly used by the broadcast and media industry as important measures of performance and are used by investors and analysts who report on the industry to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasters. SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not measures 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 its results of operations and financial condition presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definitions of SOI, Digital Media Operating Income, Publishing Operating Income (Loss), EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA are not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The company defines Adjusted Free Cash Flow as Adjusted EBITDA less cash paid for capital expenditures, less cash paid for income taxes, and less cash paid for interest. The company considers Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by its operations after cash paid for capital expenditures, cash paid for income taxes and cash paid for interest. A limitation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in its cash balance for the period. The company uses Adjusted Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP liquidity measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluation and management of the business. The company’s presentation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definition of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The company defines Same Station net broadcast revenue as broadcast revenue from its radio stations and networks that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The company defines Same Station broadcast operating expenses as broadcast operating expenses from its radio stations and networks that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. The company defines Same Station SOI as Same Station net broadcast revenue less Same Station broadcast operating expenses. Same Station operating results include those stations that the company owns or operates in the same format on the first and last day of each quarter, as well as the corresponding quarter of the prior year. Same Station operating results for a full calendar year are calculated as the sum of the Same Station-results for each of the four quarters of that year. The company uses Same Station operating results, a non-GAAP financial measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluations and management of the business. The company believes that Same Station operating results provide a meaningful comparison of period over period performance of its core broadcast operations as this measure excludes the impact of new stations, the impact of stations the company no longer owns or operates, and the impact of stations operating under a new programming format. The company’s presentation of Same Station operating results are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definition of Same Station operating results is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

For all non-GAAP financial measures, investors should consider the limitations associated with these metrics, including the potential lack of comparability of these measures from one company to another.

The Supplemental Information tables that follow the condensed consolidated financial statements provide reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures that the company uses in this earnings release to the most directly comparable measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The company uses non-GAAP financial measures to evaluate financial performance, develop budgets, manage expenditures, and determine employee compensation. The company’s presentation of this additional information is not to be considered as a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures as reported in accordance with GAAP.

Salem Media Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2020				2021				2020				2021
		(Unaudited)
Net broadcast revenue		$	45,391			$	49,591			$	130,041			$	140,422
Net digital media revenue			9,808				10,645				28,355				30,603
Net publishing revenue			5,442				5,747				13,366				18,093
Total revenue			60,641				65,983				171,762				189,118
Operating expenses:
Broadcast operating expenses			34,283				37,463				104,704				106,968
Digital media operating expenses			7,144				8,269				23,123				25,280
Publishing operating expenses			5,814				5,213				16,443				16,844
Unallocated corporate expenses			3,849				4,284				11,909				12,764
Debt modification costs			—				2,347				—				2,347
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration			(10	)			—				(12	)			—
Impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets other than goodwill			—				—				17,254				—
Impairment of goodwill			—				—				307				—
Depreciation and amortization			3,428				3,215				10,686				9,671
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets			1,381				(10,607	)			1,494				(10,552	)
Total operating expenses			55,889				50,184				185,908				163,322
Operating income (loss)			4,752				15,799				(14,146	)			25,796
Other income (expense):
Interest income			1				—				1				1
Interest expense			(4,024	)			(4,026	)			(12,069	)			(11,887	)
Gain on the forgiveness of PPP loans			—				11,212				—				11,212
Gain (loss) on the early retirement of long-term debt			—				(56	)			49				(56	)
Net miscellaneous income and (expenses)			1				2				(45	)			87
Net income (loss) before income taxes			730				22,931				(26,210	)			25,153
Provision for income taxes			401				837				31,180				479
Net income (loss)		$	329			$	22,094			$	(57,390	)		$	24,674
Basic income (loss) per share Class A and Class B common stock		$	0.01			$	0.82			$	(2.15	)		$	0.92
Diluted income (loss) per share Class A and Class B common stock		$	0.01			$	0.81			$	(2.15	)		$	0.91
Basic weighted average Class A and Class B common stock shares outstanding			26,683,363				26,870,664				26,683,363				26,825,483
Diluted weighted average Class A and Class B common stock shares outstanding			26,791,353				27,280,949				26,683,363				27,217,382

Salem Media Group, Inc.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(in thousands)
			December 31, 2020			September 30, 2021
						(Unaudited)
Assets
Cash		$	6,325		$	23,781
Trade accounts receivable, net			24,469			24,429
Other current assets			15,002			15,641
Property and equipment, net			79,122			78,425
Operating and financing lease right-of-use assets			48,355			44,221
Intangible assets, net			347,547			346,779
Deferred financing costs			213			895
Other assets			3,538			4,042
Total assets		$	524,571		$	538,213
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
Current liabilities		$	50,860		$	48,386
Long-term debt			213,764			208,559
Operating and financing lease liabilities, less current portion			47,847			43,259
Deferred income taxes			68,883			69,287
Other liabilities			7,938			8,124
Stockholders’ Equity			135,279			160,598
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity		$	524,571		$	538,213

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Class A				Class B
	Common Stock				Common Stock				Additional
									Paid-In		Accumulated		Treasury
	Shares		Amount		Shares		Amount		Capital		Deficit		Stock		Total
Stockholders’ equity, December 31, 2019	23,447,317		$ 227		5,553,696		$ 56		$ 246,680		$ (23,294)		$(34,006)		$ 189,663
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		103		—		—		103
Cash distributions	—		—		—		—		—		(667)		—		(667)
Net loss	—		—		—		—		—		(55,204)		—		(55,204)
Stockholders’ equity, March 31, 2020	23,447,317		$ 227		5,553,696		$ 56		$ 246,783		$ (79,165)		$(34,006)		$ 133,895
Distributions per share	$ 0.025				$ 0.025
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		96		—		—		96
Net loss	—		—		—		—		—		(2,515)		—		(2,515)
Stockholders’ equity, June 30, 2020	23,447,317		$ 227		5,553,696		$ 56		$ 246,879		$ (81,680)		$(34,006)		$ 131,476
Stock-based compensation	—		—		—		—		74		—		—		74
Net income	—		—		—		—		—		329		—		329
Stockholders’ equity, September 30, 2020	23,447,317		$ 227		5,553,696		$ 56		$ 246,953		$ (81,351)		$(34,006)		$ 131,879

	Class A					Class B
	Common Stock					Common Stock					Additional
											Paid-In			Accumulated				Treasury
	Shares		Amount			Shares		Amount			Capital			Deficit				Stock				Total
Stockholders’ equity, December 31, 2020	23,447,317		$	227		5,553,696		$	56		$	247,025		$	(78,023	)		$	(34,006	)		$	135,279
Stock-based compensation	—			—		—			—			78			—				—				78
Options exercised	185,782			2		—			—			390			—				—				392
Net income	—			—		—			—			—			323				—				323
Stockholders’ equity, March 31, 2021	23,633,099		$	229		5,553,696		$	56		$	247,493		$	(77,700	)		$	(34,006	)		$	136,072
Stock-based compensation	—			—		—			—			84			—				—				84
Net income	—			—		—			—			—			2,257				—				2,257
Stockholders’ equity, June 30, 2021	23,633,099		$	229		5,553,696		$	56		$	247,577		$	(75,443	)		$	(34,006	)		$	138,413
Stock-based compensation	—			—		—			—			78			—				—				78
Options exercised	6,725			—		—			—			13			—				—				13
Net income	—			—		—			—			—			22,094				—				22,094
Stockholders’ equity, September 30, 2021	23,639,824		$	229		5,553,696		$	56		$	247,668		$	(53,349	)		$	(34,006	)		$	160,598

SALEM MEDIA GROUP, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended September 30,							Nine Months Ended September 30,
		2020				2021			2020				2021
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income (loss)	$	329			$	22,094			$	(57,390	)		$	24,674
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Non-cash stock-based compensation		74				78				273				240
Depreciation and amortization		3,428				3,215				10,686				9,671
Amortization of deferred financing costs		214				264				675				690
Non-cash lease expense		2,281				2,180				6,745				6,527
Provision for bad debts		501				77				4,122				(248	)
Deferred income taxes		325				807				30,954				404
Impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets other than goodwill		—				—				17,254				—
Impairment of goodwill		—				—				307				—
Gain on the forgiveness of PPP loans		—				(11,212	)			—				(11,212	)
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration		(10	)			—				(12	)			—
Net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets		1,381				(10,607	)			1,494				(10,552	)
(Gain) loss on early retirement of long-term debt		—				56				(49	)			56
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue		(2,965	)			(488	)			2,565				(67	)
Inventories		89				(188	)			99				(412	)
Prepaid expenses and other current assets		(1,440	)			(899	)			(1,343	)			(1,218	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		4,151				2,143				5,871				2,596
Operating lease liabilities		(2,993	)			(2,386	)			(6,396	)			(7,317	)
Contract liabilities		(1,993	)			(528	)			5,274				782
Deferred rent income		(117	)			(83	)			(268	)			28
Other liabilities		1,050				6				2,254				41
Income taxes payable		(125	)			20				30				63
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	4,180			$	4,549			$	23,145			$	14,746
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Cash paid for capital expenditures net of tenant improvement allowances		(1,040	)			(2,958	)			(3,565	)			(6,952	)
Capital expenditures reimbursable under tenant improvement allowances and trade agreements		(46	)			(119	)			(140	)			(138	)
Deposits on broadcast assets and radio stations		—				—				—				(100	)
Purchases of broadcast assets and radio stations		—				—				—				(600	)
Purchases of digital media businesses and assets		(400	)			(2,680	)			(400	)			(3,980	)
Proceeds from sale of assets		—				12,144				188				15,771
Proceeds from the cash surrender value of life insurance policies		—				—				2,363				—
Other		31				(413	)			(353	)			(1,227	)
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities	$	(1,455	)		$	5,974			$	(1,907	)		$	2,774
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Proceeds from 2028 Notes		—				114,731				—				114,731
Payments to repurchase or exchange 2024 Notes		—				(119,443	)			(3,392	)			(119,443	)
Proceeds from borrowings under ABL Facility		277				—				38,626				16
Payments on ABL Facility		(2,677	)			—				(34,452	)			(5,016	)
Proceeds from borrowing under PPP loans		—				—				—				11,195
Payments under PPP loans		—				17				—				17
Payments of debt issuance costs		(58	)			(1,902	)			(124	)			(1,921	)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options		—				13				—				405
Payments on financing lease liabilities		(17	)			(16	)			(52	)			(48	)
Payment of cash distribution on common stock		—				—				(667	)			—
Book overdraft		—				—				(1,885	)			—
Net cash used in financing activities	$	(2,475	)		$	(6,600	)		$	(1,946	)		$	(64	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	$	250			$	3,923			$	19,292			$	17,456
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year		19,048				19,858				6				6,325
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	19,298			$	23,781			$	19,298			$	23,781

Salem Media Group, Inc. Supplemental Information
(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2020				2021				2020				2021
		(Unaudited)
Reconciliation of Total Operating Expenses to Operating Expenses excluding Gains or Losses on the Disposition of Assets, Stock-based Compensation Expense, Changes in the Estimated Fair Value of Contingent Earn-out Consideration, Impairments, Debt Modification Costs and Depreciation and Amortization Expense (Recurring Operating Expenses)
Operating Expenses		$	55,889			$	50,184			$	185,908			$	163,322
Less debt modification costs			—				(2,347	)			—				(2,347	)
Less depreciation and amortization expense			(3,428	)			(3,215	)			(10,686	)			(9,671	)
Less change in estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration			10				—				12				—
Less impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets other than goodwill			—				—				(17,254	)			—
Less impairment of goodwill			—				—				(307	)			—
Less net gain (loss) on the disposition of assets			(1,381	)			10,607				(1,494	)			10,552
Less stock-based compensation expense			(74	)			(78	)			(273	)			(240	)
Total Recurring Operating Expenses		$	51,016			$	55,151			$	155,906			$	161,616
Reconciliation of Net Broadcast Revenue to Same Station Net Broadcast Revenue
Net broadcast revenue		$	45,391			$	49,591			$	130,041			$	140,422
Net broadcast revenue – acquisitions			—				(264	)			—				(343	)
Net broadcast revenue – dispositions			(192	)			2				(635	)			(36	)
Net broadcast revenue – format change			(104	)			(216	)			(384	)			(561	)
Same Station net broadcast revenue		$	45,095			$	49,113			$	129,022			$	139,482
Reconciliation of Broadcast Operating Expenses to Same Station Broadcast Operating Expenses
Broadcast operating expenses		$	34,283			$	37,463			$	104,704			$	106,968
Broadcast operating expenses – acquisitions			—				(168	)			—				(206	)
Broadcast operating expenses – dispositions			(344	)			(14	)			(1,225	)			(199	)
Broadcast operating expenses – format change			(252	)			(209	)			(771	)			(593	)
Same Station broadcast operating expenses		$	33,687			$	37,072			$	102,708			$	105,970
Reconciliation of SOI to Same Station SOI
Station Operating Income		$	11,108			$	12,128			$	14,229			$	33,454
Station operating (income) loss – acquisitions			—				(96	)			—				(137	)
Station operating loss – dispositions			152				16				438				163
Station operating (income) loss – format change			148				(7	)			239				32
Same Station - Station Operating Income		$	11,408			$	12,041			$	14,906			$	33,512

Salem Media Group, Inc.
Supplemental Information
(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2020				2021				2020				2021
		(Unaudited)
Calculation of Station Operating Income, Digital Media Operating Income and Publishing Operating Income (Loss)
Net broadcast revenue		$	45,391			$	49,591			$	130,041			$	140,422
Less broadcast operating expenses			(34,283	)			(37,463	)			(104,704	)			(106,968	)
Station Operating Income		$	11,108			$	12,128			$	25,337			$	33,454
Net digital media revenue		$	9,808			$	10,645			$	28,355			$	30,603
Less digital media operating expenses			(7,144	)			(8,269	)			(23,123	)			(25,280	)
Digital Media Operating Income		$	2,664			$	2,376			$	5,232			$	5,323
Net publishing revenue		$	5,442			$	5,747			$	13,366			$	18,093
Less publishing operating expenses			(5,814	)			(5,213	)			(16,443	)			(16,844	)
Publishing Operating Income (Loss)		$	(372	)		$	534			$	(3,077	)		$	1,249

The company defines EBITDA (1) as net income before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. The table below presents a reconciliation of EBITDA (1) to Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure. EBITDA (1) is a non-GAAP financial performance measure that is not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP. The company defines Adjusted EBITDA (1) as EBITDA (1) before gains or losses on the disposition of assets, before debt modification costs, before changes in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration, before impairments, before net miscellaneous income and expenses, before (gain) loss on early retirement of long-term debt, before gain on the forgiveness of PPP loans, and before non-cash compensation expense. The table below presents a reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA (1) to Net Income (Loss), the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted EBITDA (1) is a non-GAAP financial performance measure that is not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

			Three Months Ended September 30,								Nine Months Ended September 30,
			2020				2021				2020				2021
			(Unaudited)
Net income (loss)		$	329			$	22,094			$	(57,390	)		$	24,674
Plus interest expense, net of capitalized interest			4,024				4,026				12,069				11,887
Plus provision for income taxes			401				837				31,180				479
Plus depreciation and amortization			3,428				3,215				10,686				9,671
Less interest income			(1	)			—				(1	)			(1	)
EBITDA		$	8,181			$	30,172			$	(3,456	)		$	46,710
Less net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets			1,381				(10,607	)			1,494				(10,552	)
Less debt modification costs			—				2,347				—				2,347
Less change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration			(10	)			—				(12	)			—
Plus impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets other than goodwill			—				—				17,254				—
Plus impairment of goodwill			—				—				307				—
Plus (gain) loss on early retirement of long- term debt			—				56				(49	)			56
Plus net miscellaneous (income) and expenses			(1	)			(2	)			45				(87	)
Plus gain on the forgiveness of PPP loans			―				(11,212	)			―				(11,212	)
Plus non-cash stock-based compensation			74				78				273				240
Adjusted EBITDA		$	9,625			$	10,832			$	15,856			$	27,502

The company defines Adjusted Free Cash Flow (1) as Adjusted EBITDA (1) less cash paid for capital expenditures, less cash paid for income taxes, and less cash paid for interest. The company considers Adjusted Free Cash Flow to be a liquidity measure that provides useful information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated by its operations after cash paid for capital expenditures, cash paid for income taxes and cash paid for interest. A limitation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow as a measure of liquidity is that it does not represent the total increase or decrease in its cash balance for the period. The company uses Adjusted Free Cash Flow, a non-GAAP liquidity measure, both in presenting its results to stockholders and the investment community, and in its internal evaluation and management of the business. The company’s presentation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with GAAP. The company’s definition of Adjusted Free Cash Flow is not necessarily comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.

The table below presents a reconciliation of Adjusted Free Cash Flow to net cash provided by operating activities, the most directly comparable GAAP measure. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP liquidity measure that is not to be considered a substitute for or superior to the directly comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP.

Salem Media Group, Inc.
Supplemental Information
(in thousands)
		Three Months Ended								Nine Months Ended
		September 30,								September 30,
		2020				2021				2020				2021
		(Unaudited)
Net cash provided by operating activities		$	4,180			$	4,549			$	23,145			$	14,746
Non-cash stock-based compensation			(74	)			(78	)			(273	)			(240	)
Depreciation and amortization			(3,428	)			(3,215	)			(10,686	)			(9,671	)
Amortization of deferred financing costs			(214	)			(264	)			(675	)			(690	)
Non-cash lease expense			(2,281	)			(2,180	)			(6,745	)			(6,527	)
Provision for bad debts			(501	)			(77	)			(4,122	)			248
Deferred income taxes			(325	)			(807	)			(30,954	)			(404	)
Change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration			10				—				12				—
Impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets other than goodwill			—				—				(17,254	)			—
Impairment of goodwill			—				—				(307	)			—
Gain on forgiveness of PPP loans			—				11,212				—				11,212
Net gain (loss) on the disposition of assets			(1,381	)			10,607				(1,494	)			10,552
Gain (loss) on early retirement of long-term debt			—				(56	)			49				(56	)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and unbilled revenue			2,965				488				(2,565	)			67
Inventories			(89	)			188				(99	)			412
Prepaid expenses and other current assets			1,440				899				1,343				1,218
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			(4,151	)			(2,143	)			(5,871	)			(2,596	)
Contract liabilities			1,993				528				(5,274	)			(782	)
Operating lease liabilities (deferred rent)			2,993				2,386				6,396				7,317
Deferred rent revenue			117				83				268				(28	)
Other liabilities			(1,050	)			(6	)			(2,254	)			(41	)
Income taxes payable			125				(20	)			(30	)			(63	)
Net income (loss)		$	329			$	22,094			$	(57,390	)		$	24,674
Plus interest expense, net of capitalized interest			4,024				4,026				12,069				11,887
Plus provision for income taxes			401				837				31,180				479
Plus depreciation and amortization			3,428				3,215				10,686				9,671
Less interest income			(1	)			—				(1	)			(1	)
EBITDA		$	8,181			$	30,172			$	(3,456	)		$	46,710
Plus net (gain) loss on the disposition of assets			1,381				(10,607	)			1,494				(10,552	)
Plus change in the estimated fair value of contingent earn-out consideration			(10	)			—				(12	)			—
Plus debt modification costs			—				2,347				—				2,347
Plus impairment of indefinite-lived long-term assets other than goodwill			—				—				17,254				—
Plus impairment of goodwill			—				—				307				—
Plus (gain) on the early retirement of long-term debt			—				56				(49	)			56
Plus gain on the forgiveness of PPP loans			—				(11,212	)			—				(11,212	)
Plus net miscellaneous (income) and expenses			(1	)			(2	)			45				(87	)
Plus non-cash stock-based compensation			74				78				273				240
Adjusted EBITDA		$	9,625			$	10,832			$	15,856			$	27,502
Less net cash paid for capital expenditures (1)			(1,040	)			(2,958	)			(3,565	)			(6,952	)
Less cash paid for taxes			(201	)			(10	)			(196	)			(13	)
Less cash paid for interest, net of capitalized interest			(133	)			(2,239	)			(7,737	)			(9,634	)
Adjusted Free Cash Flow		$	8,251			$	5,625			$	4,358			$	10,903
(1) Net cash paid for capital expenditures reflects actual cash payments net of cash reimbursements under tenant improvement allowances and net of property and equipment acquired in trade transactions.

Selected Debt Data		Outstanding at			Applicable Interest Rate
		September 30, 2021
Senior Secured Notes due 2028 (1)	$	114,731,000			7.125%
Senior Secured Notes due 2024 (2)	$	98,815,000			6.750%
(1) $114.7 million notes with semi-annual interest payments at an annual rate of 7.125%.
(2) $98.8 million notes with semi-annual interest payments at an annual rate of 6.750%.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211104006162/en/

Evan D. Masyr

Executive Vice President and Chief

Financial Officer

(805) 384-4512

evan@salemmedia.com

Source: Salem Media Group, Inc.

FAQ

What were Salem Media Group's Q3 2021 results?

Salem Media Group reported a total revenue of $66.0 million for Q3 2021, an increase of 8.8% from Q3 2020.

How much did Salem Media Group's net income grow in Q3 2021?

Net income increased by 6,615.5% to $22.1 million in Q3 2021.

What is the forecast for Salem Media Group's Q4 2021 revenue?

Salem Media Group projects Q4 2021 revenue to be flat or increase by up to 2% compared to Q4 2020.

What was the change in operating expenses for Salem Media Group in Q3 2021?

Operating expenses decreased by 10.2% to $50.2 million in Q3 2021.