Saga Communications, Inc. Reports 2nd Quarter 2025 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Saga Communications (Nasdaq: SGA) reported declining financial results for Q2 2025. Net revenue decreased 5.0% to $28.2 million compared to $29.7 million in Q2 2024. The company's operating income declined to $1.4 million from $2.1 million year-over-year.

Key financial metrics include a net income of $1.1 million ($0.18 per diluted share), down from $2.5 million in Q2 2024. The company maintained its quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share, with aggregate payments of approximately $1.6 million. Saga's balance sheet showed $24.9 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2025.

The company announced plans to sell tower sites with expected proceeds in the high 7 to low 8 figure range, intending to use portions of the proceeds for stock buybacks. Capital expenditures for 2025 are projected at $3.0-$3.5 million.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Net revenue decreased 5.0% to $28.2 million in Q2 2025
• Operating income declined 33.3% to $1.4 million from $2.1 million
• Net income dropped 56% to $1.1 million from $2.5 million year-over-year
• Same station net revenue decreased 6.4% to $27.6 million
• Political revenue declined significantly to $51,000 from $288,000 in Q2

Insights

Financial Analyst

Saga Communications reported declining revenue, narrowing margins, and shifting capital allocation strategy with potential asset sales planned.

Saga Communications' Q2 2025 results show concerning financial deterioration with net revenue declining 5.0% to $28.2 million compared to the same period last year. The decrease in station operating expenses by 4.6% wasn't enough to offset revenue declines, resulting in operating income dropping 33.3% to $1.4 million from $2.1 million last year.

The company's quarterly net income fell by 55.7% to $1.1 million compared to $2.5 million in Q2 2024, with diluted EPS at $0.18. The six-month figures look even more concerning, with Saga reporting a $889,000 operating loss and a net loss of $447,000 (-$0.07 per share) compared to a net income of $924,000 for the same period in 2024.

The same-station metrics, which provide a clearer picture of organic performance by excluding acquired properties, show an even steeper 6.4% revenue decline on a quarterly basis and 6.5% for the six-month period. Political advertising revenue, often a bright spot in election years, was down substantially at just $51,000 this quarter versus $288,000 in Q2 2024.

Despite these challenges, Saga maintained its $0.25 quarterly dividend (approximately $1.6 million total), continuing its shareholder return strategy that has delivered over $138 million in dividends since 2012. The company's balance sheet shows $24.9 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, with that figure increasing to $27.3 million by August 4.

In a notable strategic shift, Saga revealed it's in negotiations to sell some tower sites, potentially generating high seven-figure or low eight-figure proceeds. Management also indicated it's assessing other non-core asset sales with plans to use some proceeds for stock buybacks. This suggests the company is pivoting toward financial engineering and shareholder returns rather than growth initiatives, possibly due to challenging industry conditions in traditional radio broadcasting.

GROSSE POINTE FARMS, Mich., Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Saga Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq - SGA) (the “Company” or “Saga”) today reported that net revenue decreased 5.0% to $28.2 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 compared to $29.7 million for the same period last year. Station operating expense decreased 4.6% for the quarter to $22.2 million compared to the same period last year. For the quarter, operating income was $1.4 million compared to $2.1 million for the same quarter last year and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased 6.4% to $6.0 million. Capital expenditures were $1.3 million for the quarter compared to $1.5 million for the same period last year. We had net income of $1.1 million for the quarter compared to net income of $2.5 million for the second quarter last year. Diluted earnings per share were $0.18 in the second quarter of 2025.

On a same station basis for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 net revenue decreased $1.5 million or 6.4% to $27.6 million and station operating expense decreased 6.4% to $21.7 million.

Net revenue decreased 4.7% to $52.4 million for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025 compared to $55.0 million for the same period last year. Station operating expense decreased 3.4% for the six-month period to $44.2 million compared to the same period last year. For the six-month period, we had an operating loss of $889 thousand compared to an operating loss of $274 thousand for the same period last year and station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure) decreased 10.8% to $8.2 million. Capital expenditures for the six-month period were $2.0 million compared to $2.6 million for the same period last year. We had a net loss of $447 thousand for the six-month period compared to net income of $924 thousand for the same period last year. Diluted loss per share was $0.07 for the six-months of 2025.

On a same station basis for the six months ended June 30, 2025 net revenue decreased $2.6 million or 6.5% to $51.2 million from last year and station operating expense decreased 5.7% to $43.0 million.

Gross Revenue excluding political decreased 4.7% for both the quarter and six-month period ending June 30, 2025. Gross political revenue was $51 thousand and $288 thousand respectively for the second quarter in 2025 and 2024. Gross political revenue was $321 thousand for the six-month period ended June 30, 2025 compared to $598 thousand for the comparable period last year.

The Company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on June 27, 2025. The aggregate amount of the quarterly dividend was approximately $1.6 million. To date Saga has paid over $138 million in dividends to shareholders since the first special dividend was paid in 2012 as well as has bought back over $58 million in Saga stock.   The Company intends to pay regular quarterly cash dividends in the future.

Further as part of its overall capital allocation plan for fiscal year 2025, Saga is in non-binding negotiations to sell some of its tower sites. It is anticipated that these negotiations, if concluded and approved by the Company’s Board of Directors, will result in proceeds from the sale in the high 7 figure or low 8 figure range. The Company is also assessing the potential sale of other non-core assets with the intent to use a portion of the proceeds from these sales to fund stock buybacks, which may include open market repurchases, block trades or other forms of buybacks.
  
The Company’s balance sheet reflects $24.9 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2025 and $27.3 million as of August 4, 2025. The Company expects to spend approximately $3.0 – $3.5 million for capital expenditures during 2025.

Saga’s 2025 Second Quarter conference call will be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. The dial-in number for the call is (973) 528-0008. Enter conference code 739704. A recording and transcript of the call will be posted to the Company’s website as soon as it is available after the call.

The Company requests that all parties that have a question that they would like to submit to the Company please email the inquiry by 10:00 a.m. on August 7, 2025 to SagaIR@sagacom.com. The Company will discuss, during the limited period of the conference call, those inquiries it deems of general relevance and interest. Only inquiries made in compliance with the foregoing directions will be discussed during the call.

Saga utilizes certain financial measures that are not calculated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) to assess its financial performance. The attached Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables disclose “actual”, “same station”, and “pro forma” financial information as well as the Company’s reconciliation of non-GAAP measures: GAAP operating income to station operating income, GAAP net income to trailing twelve-month consolidated EBITDA and actual operating results to same station operating results as well as other financial data. The actual financial information reflects our historical financial results and include the results of operations for stations that we did not own for the entire comparable period. The same station financial information reflects only the results of operations for stations that we owned for the entire comparable period. The pro forma financial information assume all acquisitions in 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2024. Such non-GAAP measures include same station financial information, pro forma financial information, station operating income, trailing 12-month consolidated EBITDA, and leverage ratio. These non-GAAP measures are generally recognized by the broadcasting industry as measures of performance and are used by Saga to assess its financial performance including, but not limited to, evaluating individual station and market-level performance, evaluating overall operations, as a primary measure for incentive-based compensation of executives and other members of management and as a measure of financial position. Saga’s management believes these non-GAAP measures are used by analysts who report on the industry and by investors to provide meaningful comparisons between broadcasting groups, as well as an indicator of their market value. These measures are not measures of liquidity or of performance in accordance with GAAP and should be viewed as a supplement to and not as a substitute for the results of operations presented on a GAAP basis including net operating revenue, operating income, and net income. Reconciliations for all the non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measure are attached in the Selected Supplemental Financial Data tables.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that are based upon current expectations and involve certain risks and uncertainties. Words such as “will,” “may,” “believes,” “intends,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “projects,” “guidance,” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The material risks facing our business are described in the reports Saga periodically files with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including, in particular, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K. Readers should note that forward-looking statements may be impacted by several factors, including global, national, and local economic changes and changes in the radio broadcast industry in general as well as Saga’s actual performance. Actual results may vary materially from those described herein and Saga undertakes no obligation to update any information contained herein that constitutes a forward-looking statement.

Saga is a media company whose business is devoted to acquiring, developing and operating broadcast properties with a growing focus on opportunities complimentary to our core radio business including digital, e-commerce, local on-line news services and non-traditional revenue initiatives. Saga owns or operates broadcast properties in 28 markets, including 82 FM, 31 AM radio stations and 79 metro signals. For additional information, contact us at (313) 886-7070 or visit our website at www.sagacom.com.

Saga Communications, Inc. Selected Consolidated Financial Data For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (amounts in 000’s except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2025				2024				2025				2024
Operating Results
Net operating revenue		$	28,229			$	29,716			$	52,441			$	55,010
Station operating expense			22,226				23,305				44,189				45,764
Corporate general and administrative			3,074				3,004				6,241				6,087
Depreciation and amortization			1,267				1,258				2,593				2,456
Other operating expense, net			253				6				307				977
Operating income (loss)			1,409				2,143				(889	)			(274	)
Interest expense			107				71				214				114
Interest income			(210	)			(251	)			(432	)			(554	)
Other income, net			(1	)			(1,133	)			(24	)			(1,133	)
Income (loss) before income tax expense			1,513				3,456				(647	)			1,299
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current			510				815				(160	)			300
Deferred			(125	)			140				(40	)			75
			385				955				(200	)			375
Net income (loss)		$	1,128			$	2,501			$	(447	)		$	924
Income (loss) per share:
Basic		$	0.18			$	0.40			$	(0.07	)		$	0.15
Diluted		$	0.18			$	0.40			$	(0.07	)		$	0.15
Weighted average common shares			6,176				6,072				6,138				6,068
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares			6,176				6,072				6,138				6,068

								June 30,
								2025			2024
Balance Sheet Data
Working capital								$	29,054		$	28,920
Net fixed assets								$	51,219		$	53,251
Net intangible assets and other assets								$	122,118		$	122,321
Total assets								$	218,873		$	221,617
Long-term debt								$	5,000		$	5,000
Stockholders' equity								$	163,680		$	165,827

Saga Communications, Inc. Selected Consolidated Financial Data For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (amounts in 000’s except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Six Months Ended
		June 30,
		2025				2024
		(Unaudited)
		(In thousands)
Statement of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income		$	(447	)		$	924
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization			2,593				2,456
Deferred income tax (benefit) expense			(40	)			75
Amortization of deferred costs			16				18
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards			1,130				973
Provision for credit losses			225				579
Loss on sale of assets, net			307				977
Other gain, net			(27	)			(1,133	)
Barter (revenue) expense, net			(163	)			(32	)
Deferred and other compensation			(98	)			(82	)
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase in receivables and prepaid expenses			(802	)			(1,032	)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable, accrued expenses, and other liabilities			(575	)			1,324
Total adjustments			2,566				4,123
Net cash provided by operating activities			2,119				5,047
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of short-term investments			(9,031	)			(10,817	)
Redemption of short-term investments			9,031				12,928
Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures)			(2,010	)			(2,574	)
Acquisition of broadcast properties			—				(5,705	)
Proceeds from sale and disposal of assets			10				175
Proceeds from insurance claims and other			27				1,143
Other investing activities			—				4
Net cash used in investing activities			(1,973	)			(4,846	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long-term debt			—				5,000
Cash dividends paid			(3,215	)			(19,391	)
Net cash used in financing activities			(3,215	)			(14,391	)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents			(3,069	)			(14,190	)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period			18,860				29,582
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period		$	15,791			$	15,392

Saga Communications, Inc. Selected Supplemental Financial Data For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (amounts in 000’s, except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Actual								Same Station (1)						Pro Forma (2)
		Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,						June 30,
		2025				2024				2025			2024			2025				2024
Operating Results
Net operating revenue		$	28,229			$	29,716			$	27,575		$	29,458		$	28,229			$	30,256
Station operating expense			22,226				23,305				21,656			23,125			22,226				23,692
Corporate general and administrative			3,074				3,004				3,074			3,003			3,074				3,004
Depreciation and amortization			1,267				1,258				1,158			1,210			1,267				1,350
Other operating expense, net			253				6				253			6			253				6
Operating income			1,409				2,143			$	1,434		$	2,114			1,409				2,204
Interest expense			107				71										107				123
Interest income			(210	)			(251	)									(210	)			(251	)
Other income, net			(1	)			(1,133	)									(1	)			(1,133	)
Income (loss) before income tax expense			1,513				3,456										1,513				3,465
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current			510				815										510				816
Deferred			(125	)			140										(125	)			149
			385				955										385				965
Net income		$	1,128			$	2,501									$	1,128			$	2,500
Income per share:
Basic		$	0.18			$	0.40									$	0.18			$	0.40
Diluted		$	0.18			$	0.40									$	0.18			$	0.40
Weighted average common shares			6,176				6,072										6,176				6,072
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares			6,176				6,072										6,176				6,072
		Actual								Same Station (1)						Pro Forma (2)
		Three Months Ended								Three Months Ended						Three Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,						June 30,
		2025				2024				2025			2024			2025				2024
Depreciation and amortization by segment
Radio Stations		$	1,224			$	1,213			$	1,115		$	1,165		$	1,224			$	1,305
Corporate			43				45				43			45			43				45
		$	1,267			$	1,258			$	1,158		$	1,210		$	1,267			$	1,350

      (1)   Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire comparable period.
      (2)   Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2024.

Saga Communications, Inc. Selected Supplemental Financial Data For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (amounts in 000’s, except per share data) (Unaudited)
		Actual								Same Station (1)								Pro Forma (2)
		Six Months Ended								Six Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,								June 30,
		2025				2024				2025				2024				2025				2024
Operating Results
Net operating revenue		$	52,441			$	55,010			$	51,194			$	54,742			$	52,441			$	56,178
Station operating expense			44,189				45,764				42,998				45,580				44,189				46,679
Corporate general and administrative			6,241				6,087				6,241				6,087				6,241				6,087
Depreciation and amortization			2,593				2,456				2,341				2,408				2,593				2,685
Other operating expense, net			307				977				307				977				307				977
Operating loss			(889	)			(274	)		$	(693	)		$	(310	)			(889	)			(250	)
Interest expense			214				114												214				245
Interest income			(432	)			(554	)											(432	)			(554	)
Other income, net			(24	)			(1,133	)											(24	)			(1,133	)
Income (loss) before income tax expense			(647	)			1,299												(647	)			1,192
Income tax (benefit) expense
Current			(160	)			300												(160	)			275
Deferred			(40	)			75												(40	)			71
			(200	)			375												(200	)			346
Net income (loss)		$	(447	)		$	924											$	(447	)		$	846
Income (loss) per share:
Basic		$	(0.07	)		$	0.15											$	(0.07	)		$	0.13
Diluted		$	(0.07	)		$	0.15											$	(0.07	)		$	0.13
Weighted average common shares			6,138				6,068												6,138				6,068
Weighted average common and common equivalent shares			6,138				6,068												6,138				6,068
		Actual								Same Station (1)								Pro Forma (2)
		Six Months Ended								Six Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,								June 30,
		2025				2024				2025				2024				2025				2024
Depreciation and amortization by segment
Radio Stations		$	2,507			$	2,365			$	2,255			$	2,317			$	2,507			$	2,594
Corporate			86				91				86				91				86				91
		$	2,593			$	2,456			$	2,341			$	2,408			$	2,593			$	2,685

      (1)   Same station includes only the results of stations we owned and operated for the entire comparable period.
      (2)   Pro Forma results assume all acquisitions in 2024 occurred as of January 1, 2024.

Saga Communications, Inc. Selected Supplemental Financial Data For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (amounts in 000’s) (Unaudited)
		Three Months Ended								Six Months Ended
		June 30,								June 30,
		2025				2024				2025				2024
Reconciliation of GAAP operating income to station operating income (a non-GAAP financial measure)
Operating income (loss)		$	1,409			$	2,143			$	(889	)		$	(274	)
Plus:
Corporate general and administrative			3,074				3,004				6,241				6,087
Other operating expense, net			253				6				307				977
Depreciation and amortization			1,267				1,258				2,507				2,365
Station operating income		$	6,003			$	6,411			$	8,166			$	9,155
Other financial data
Depreciation and amortization:
Radio Stations		$	1,224			$	1,213			$	2,507			$	2,365
Corporate		$	43			$	45			$	86			$	91
Compensation expense related to restricted stock awards		$	603		(1)	$	520		(1)	$	1,130		(1)	$	973		(1)
Other operating expense, net (2)		$	253			$	6			$	307			$	977
Other income, net (2)		$	(1	)		$	(1,133	)		$	(24	)		$	(1,133	)
Deferred income tax expense (benefit) (2)		$	(125	)		$	140			$	(40	)		$	75
Acquisition of property and equipment (Capital Expenditures)		$	1,314		(1)	$	1,524		(1)	$	2,010		(1)	$	2,574		(1)

      (1)   As presented in the Statement of Cash Flows in the Selected Consolidated Financial Data tables
      (2)   As presented in the Operating Results in the Selected Consolidated Financial Data tables

Saga Communications, Inc. Selected Supplemental Financial Data June 30, 2025 (amounts in 000's) (Unaudited)
						Less:				Plus:							Trailing
		12 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				6 Months Ended				Add:			12 Months Ended
		December 31,				June 30,				June 30,				Pro Forma			June 30,
		2024				2024				2025				Acquisitions (2)			2025
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to trailing 12 Month Consolidated Earnings Before Interest, Taxes, Depreciation and Amortization ("EBITDA") (a non-GAAP financial measure) (1)
Net income (loss)		$	3,460			$	924			$	(447	)		$	—		$	2,089
Exclusions:
Gain (loss) on sale of assets, net			(1,048	)			(977	)			(307	)			—			(378	)
Other income, net			2,474				1,719				622				—			1,377
Total exclusions			1,426				742				315				—			999
Consolidated adjusted net income (loss) (1)			2,034				182				(762	)			—			1,090
Plus:
Interest expense			348				114				214				—			448
Income tax (benefit) expense			1,110				375				(200	)			—			535
Depreciation & amortization expense			5,283				2,456				2,593				—			5,420
Non-cash compensation			1,950				973				1,130				—			2,107
Trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)		$	10,725			$	4,100			$	2,975			$	—		$	9,600
Total long-term debt, including current maturities																	$	5,000
Divided by trailing twelve month consolidated EBITDA (1)																		9,600
Leverage ratio																		0.52

      (1)   As defined in the Company's credit facility.
      (2)   Trailing Twelve Month Adjustment.

Saga Communications, Inc. Selected Supplemental Financial Data For the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 (amounts in 000’s) (Unaudited)
Reconciliation of Actual Information to Same Station Operating Income
						Adjustments												Adjustments
		Actual				For Acquisitions				Same Station				Actual				For Acquisitions				Same Station
		Three Months				and Dispositions				Three Months				Three Months				and Dispositions				Three Months
		Ended				Not Included in				Ended				Ended				Not Included in				Ended
		June 30,				Entire Comparable				June 30,				June 30,				Entire Comparable				June 30,
		2025				Period				2025				2024				Period				2024
Net operating revenue		$	28,229			$	(654	)		$	27,575			$	29,716			$	(258	)		$	29,458
Station operating expense			22,226				(570	)			21,656				23,305				(180	)			23,125
Corporate general and administrative			3,074				-				3,074				3,004				(1	)			3,003
Depreciation and amortization			1,267				(109	)			1,158				1,258				(48	)			1,210
Other operating expense, net			253				-				253				6				-				6
Operating income		$	1,409			$	25			$	1,434			$	2,143			$	(29	)		$	2,114
						Adjustments												Adjustments
		Actual				For Acquisitions				Same Station				Actual				For Acquisitions				Same Station
		Six Months				and Dispositions				Six Months				Six Months				and Dispositions				Six Months
		Ended				Not Included in				Ended				Ended				Not Included in				Ended
		June 30,				Entire Comparable				June 30,				June 30,				Entire Comparable				June 30,
		2025				Period				2025				2024				Period				2024
Net operating revenue		$	52,441			$	(1,247	)		$	51,194			$	55,010			$	(268	)		$	54,742
Station operating expense			44,189				(1,191	)			42,998				45,764				(184	)			45,580
Corporate general and administrative			6,241				-				6,241				6,087				-				6,087
Depreciation and amortization			2,593				(252	)			2,341				2,456				(48	)			2,408
Other operating expense, net			307				-				307				977				-				977
Operating loss		$	(889	)		$	196			$	(693	)		$	(274	)		$	(36	)		$	(310	)

Contact:
Samuel D. Bush
(313) 886-7070

FAQ

What were Saga Communications (SGA) key financial results for Q2 2025?

Saga reported net revenue of $28.2 million (down 5.0%), operating income of $1.4 million, and net income of $1.1 million ($0.18 per diluted share) for Q2 2025.

How much dividend did Saga Communications pay in Q2 2025?

Saga paid a quarterly dividend of $0.25 per share on June 27, 2025, with an aggregate payment of approximately $1.6 million.

What are Saga Communications' plans for its tower assets in 2025?

Saga is in non-binding negotiations to sell tower sites, expecting proceeds in the high 7 figure or low 8 figure range, with plans to use portions of the proceeds for stock buybacks.

How much cash does Saga Communications (SGA) have as of June 2025?

Saga reported $24.9 million in cash and short-term investments as of June 30, 2025, and $27.3 million as of August 4, 2025.

What are Saga Communications' capital expenditure plans for 2025?

The company expects to spend approximately $3.0-$3.5 million for capital expenditures during 2025.