Scripps beats expectations with Q2 results, raises 2021 free cash flow guidance

Rhea-AI Summary

The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) reported a 23% increase in consolidated revenue for Q2 2021, attributed to strong advertising market recovery and sales execution. Local Media core advertising surged 48%, including a remarkable 623% rise in travel and leisure spending. The company's free cash flow guidance for 2021 was raised to $240-$260 million. Despite a loss of $11.4 million for continuing operations, Scripps showed robust performance in both Local Media and Scripps Networks. Total revenue for the quarter reached $565 million, reflecting a 57% year-over-year increase.

Positive

• Consolidated revenue grew 23% year-over-year.
• Local Media core advertising increased 48%.
• Travel and leisure advertising rose 623%.
• Raised free cash flow guidance to $240-$260 million.
• Total Q2 revenue reached $565 million, up 57%.

Negative

• Loss from continuing operations was $11.4 million or 14 cents per share.
• Incurred a $31.9 million non-cash charge related to a stock warrant.
• Total debt stands at $3.2 billion.

CINCINNATI, Aug. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the second quarter of 2021, The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) grew consolidated revenue by 23% over the same period last year on a same-station basis, fueled by the post-lockdown return of the advertising marketplace and strong sales execution.

• Second-quarter Local Media core advertising outperformed expectations, up 48% on an adjusted-combined basis, aided by a rebound in the advertising market and strong sales execution. The top five core advertising categories were up well into double digits on a year-over-year basis, including a 623% increase in travel and leisure driven by spending for sports betting.
• Scripps Networks surpassed Q2 expectations, up 23% from Q2 2020 on an adjusted-combined basis, with a margin of 45%. The networks are seeing consistently strong demand and rate growth in direct response advertising. In July, the networks completed a strong upfront season, with substantial year-over-year ad dollar growth, substantial rate increases and significant addition of new advertisers.
• The company has raised its free cash flow guidance for full-year 2021 from $210-$240 million to $240-$260 million due to the robust increase in advertising dollars this year.
• On May 15, Scripps redeemed all $400 million in aggregate principal of its outstanding 2025 senior notes and made an additional principal payment on the 2028 term loan totaling $50 million – activities that underscore the company's commitment to reducing its debt.
• Scripps' second-quarter earnings were reduced by 58 cents per share due to the impact of several second-quarter transactional items. Among them was a non-cash charge totaling $31.9 million related to the Berkshire outstanding common stock warrant. The company has now amended the Berkshire agreement and will not record any fair-value adjustments for the warrant in future quarters.

"Scripps' second-quarter results for our Local Media and Scripps Networks divisions have surpassed expectations for both revenue and segment profit. Their performance, combined with expectations for a strong second half of the year, have allowed us to raise our full-year free cash flow guidance to $240-$260 million," Scripps President and CEO Adam Symson said.

"In Local Media, we are delivering core advertising revenue results that reflect very strong sales execution, especially focused on new-to television ad dollars, in the midst of the rebound of the advertising marketplace.

"In our Scripps Networks division, we outpaced our revenue expectations, driven by continued strength in direct response advertising. In addition, our first upfront presentations as a nine-network division exceeded our expectations, with tremendous growth compared to past ION and Katz upfronts, substantial increases in advertising rates and a significant expansion of our advertiser accounts. National advertisers are embracing our powerful networks portfolio's audience reach.

"Our second-quarter results illustrate the benefits of the company's strategic approach in recent years to both longer-term transformative change and near-term operating-performance excellence. Our improved financial profile today positions us well for ongoing business growth, future free cash flow generation and the ability to continue reducing our debt." 

Operating results
Effective with the close of the ION acquisition on Jan. 7, the company realigned its internal reporting structure and changed the reporting of its businesses' operating results to reflect this new structure. Operating results are now reported under Local Media, Scripps Networks and Other segment captions. The Scripps Networks segment is comprised of our nine national networks. The operating results of our recently sold Triton business and the other businesses that were reported in our National Media segment are aggregated into the Other segment caption.

Unless otherwise indicated, all comparisons below are to as-reported results.

Total second-quarter company revenue was $565 million, an increase of 57% or $206 million from the prior-year quarter, reflecting the impact of the ION acquisition.

Costs and expenses for segments, shared services and corporate were $413 million, up from $329 million in the year-ago quarter, reflecting the impact of the ION acquisition and higher affiliation fees for both our broadcast television stations and national networks.

Loss from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of Scripps was $11.4 million or 14 cents per share. The current-year quarter included a $13.8 million loss on extinguishment of debt from the redemption of our 2025 senior notes, a $31.9 million non-cash adjustment due to the increase in the fair value of the outstanding common stock warrant liability as our stock price rose, acquisition and related integration costs of $6.7 million and $514,000 of restructuring costs. These items decreased income from continuing operations by $47.6 million, net of taxes, or 58 cents per share. In the prior-year quarter, loss from continuing operations was $17.5 million or 22 cents per share.

Second-quarter 2021 as-reported results by segment compared to prior-period amounts were:

Local Media
Revenue from Local Media was $325 million, up 16% from the prior-year quarter.

Core advertising revenue increased 38% to $161 million.

Political revenue was $3.2 million, compared to $13.4 million in the prior-year quarter.

Retransmission revenue increased 7.5% to $156 million. Scripps renegotiated three large retransmission consent contracts in 2020.

Total segment expenses increased 6.4% to $260 million, primarily driven by network affiliation fees.

Segment profit was $64.6 million, compared to $35.5 million in the year-ago quarter.

Scripps Networks
Second-quarter revenue from Scripps Networks was $239 million. Expenses for Scripps Networks were $131 million. Segment profit was $107 million.

Second-quarter 2021 adjusted-combined results by segment compared to prior-period amounts

In order to provide more meaningful year-over-year comparisons, we are providing non-GAAP supplemental information for certain revenues and expenses for the prior-year periods on an adjusted-combined basis.

The adjusted-combined revenue and expense information illustrates what the historical results of Scripps would have been, given the assumptions outlined in the supplemental materials and had the transactions been effective at the beginning of 2020. Refer to the "Supplemental Information" section that begins on page E-8 of the attached tables.

Local Media – Adjusted-Combined Basis
Adjusted-combined revenue from Local Media was $325 million, up $58.3 million or 22% from the prior-year quarter.

Core advertising rose 48% to $161 million. Weakened economic conditions due to the COVID-19 pandemic slowed advertiser spending in 2020.

Political advertising revenue was $13.1 million in the second quarter of 2020, compared to $3.2 million in the current period.

Retransmission revenue increased 11%. Scripps renegotiated three large retransmission consent contracts in 2020.

Total segment expenses on an adjusted combined basis increased 13%.

Segment profit was $64.6 million, compared to $36.6 million in the year-ago quarter.

Scripps Networks – Adjusted-Combined Basis
Adjusted-combined revenue from Scripps Networks was $239 million, up $45.4 million or 23% from the prior-year quarter.

Total segment expenses increased 7.4%.

Segment profit was $107 million, compared to $71 million in the year-ago quarter.

Financial condition
On June 30, cash and cash equivalents totaled $86 million while total debt was $3.2 billion.

On Jan. 7, the company executed an $800 million term loan with its bank group and issued $600 million of series A preferred shares to Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. The proceeds from these transactions, in combination with the $1.05 billion of bonds issued on Dec. 30, 2020, and cash on hand, provided the financing for the ION acquisition. Under the terms of Berkshire Hathaway's preferred equity investment, Scripps is prohibited from paying dividends and purchasing its shares until all preferred shares are redeemed.

On May 15, the company redeemed $400 million 2025 senior notes for a redemption price equal to 102.563% of the aggregate principal amount and made an additional principal payment on the 2028 term loan totaling $50 million.

Year-to-date operating results
The following comparisons are for the period ending June 30, 2021:

In 2021, revenue was $1.1 billion, which compares to revenue of $773 million in 2020. Political revenue was $32.1 million in 2020.

Costs and expenses for segments, shared services and corporate were $821 million, up from $689 million in the year-ago period, reflecting the impact of the ION acquisition and higher affiliation fees.

Loss from continuing operations attributable to the shareholders of Scripps was $19.5 million or 24 cents per share. The 2021 period included an $81.8 million gain from the sale of Triton, a $13.8 million loss on extinguishment of debt, a $99.1 million non-cash adjustment due to the increase in the fair value of the outstanding common stock warrant liability, acquisition and related integration costs of $35.3 million and $7.6 million of restructuring costs. These items decreased income from continuing operations by $76.9 million, net of taxes, or 94 cents per share. In the prior-year period, loss from continuing operations was $24.7 million or 30 cents per share. Pre-tax costs for the prior year included $5.1 million of acquisition and related integration costs that increased the loss from continuing operations by $3.8 million, net of taxes, or 5 cents per share.

Looking ahead
Comparisons for our segments are to the same period in 2020 on an adjusted-combined basis. Supplemental quarterly adjusted-combined financial results were provided in our 2020 year-end earnings release.

		Third-quarter 2021
Local Media revenue		Down mid-teens percent range
Local Media expense		Up low-double-digit percent range
Scripps Networks revenue		Up mid-teens percent range
Scripps Networks expense		Up low-to-mid-teens percent range
Shared services and corporate		About $19 million

Conference call
The senior management of The E.W. Scripps Company will discuss the company's quarterly results during a telephone conference call at 9:30 a.m. Eastern today. To access the live webcast, visit http://ir.scripps.com and find the link under "upcoming events."

To access the conference call by telephone, dial (844) 867-6169 (U.S.) or (409) 207-6975 (international) and give the access code 3149025 approximately five minutes before the start of the call. Investors and analysts will need the name of the call ("Scripps earnings call") to be granted access. The public is granted access to the conference call on a listen-only basis.

A replay line will be open from 1:30 p.m. Eastern time Aug. 6 until midnight Aug. 20. The domestic number to access the replay is (866) 207-1041 and the international number is (402) 970-0847. The access code for both numbers is 3633077.

A replay of the conference call will be archived and available online for an extended period of time following the call. To access the audio replay, visit http://ir.scripps.com/ approximately four hours after the call, and the link can be found on that page under "audio/video links."

Forward-looking statements
This document contains certain forward-looking statements related to the company's businesses that are based on management's current expectations. Forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, trends and uncertainties, including changes in advertising demand and other economic conditions that could cause actual results to differ materially from the expectations expressed in forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document and should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. A detailed discussion of principal risks and uncertainties, including those engendered by the COVID-19 pandemic, that may cause actual results and events to differ materially from such forward-looking statements is included in the company's Form 10-K, on file with the SEC, in the section titled "Risk Factors." The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date such statements are made.

About Scripps
The E.W. Scripps Company (NASDAQ: SSP) is a diversified media company focused on creating a better-informed world. As the nation's fourth-largest local TV broadcaster, Scripps serves communities with quality, objective local journalism and operates a portfolio of 61 stations in 41 markets. The Scripps Networks reach nearly every American through the national news outlets Court TV and Newsy and popular entertainment brands ION, Bounce, Grit, Laff, Court TV Mystery, Defy TV and TrueReal. Scripps is the nation's largest holder of broadcast spectrum. Scripps runs an award-winning investigative reporting newsroom in Washington, D.C., and is the longtime steward of the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Founded in 1878, Scripps has held for decades to the motto, "Give light and the people will find their own way."

THE E.W. SCRIPPS COMPANY
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
		Three Months Ended  June 30,								Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands, except per share data)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Operating revenues		$	565,077			$	358,883			$	1,105,998			$	773,106
Segment, shared services and corporate expenses		(412,796)				(329,160)				(821,217)				(688,771)
Acquisition and related integration costs		(6,686)				(221)				(35,331)				(5,131)
Restructuring costs		(514)				—				(7,564)				—
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets		(40,751)				(26,645)				(80,258)				(53,990)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment		(75)				(1,307)				(155)				(2,740)
Operating expenses		(460,822)				(357,333)				(944,525)				(750,632)
Operating income		104,255				1,550				161,473				22,474
Interest expense		(42,010)				(22,999)				(85,892)				(48,797)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(13,775)				—				(13,775)				—
Defined benefit pension plan income (expense)		7				(1,026)				14				(2,052)
Gains on sale of business		—				—				81,784				—
Losses on stock warrants		(31,874)				—				(99,118)				—
Miscellaneous, net		(2,707)				(1,552)				(7,558)				(438)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		13,896				(24,027)				36,928				(28,813)
(Provision) benefit for income taxes		(12,683)				6,515				(32,212)				4,103
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax		1,213				(17,512)				4,716				(24,710)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax		4,431				(4,531)				6,495				(9,142)
Net income (loss)		5,644				(22,043)				11,211				(33,852)
Preferred stock dividends		(12,576)				—				(24,219)				—
Net loss attributable to the shareholders of The E.W. Scripps Company		$	(6,932)			$	(22,043)			$	(13,008)			$	(33,852)
Net income (loss) per diluted share of common stock:
Loss from continuing operations		$	(0.14)			$	(0.22)			$	(0.24)			$	(0.30)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations		0.05				(0.06)				0.08				(0.11)
Net loss per diluted share of common stock:		$	(0.09)			$	(0.27)			$	(0.16)			$	(0.42)
Weighted average diluted shares outstanding		82,381				81,418				82,143				81,248

See notes to results of operations.

The sum of net income (loss) per share from continuing and discontinued operations may not equal the reported total net income (loss) per share as each is calculated independently.

Notes to Results of Operations

1. SEGMENT INFORMATION

We determine our business segments based upon our management and internal reporting structures, as well as the basis on which our chief operating decision maker makes resource-allocation decisions. 

Effective with the January 7, 2021 close of the ION acquisition, we realigned our internal reporting structure and changed the reporting of our businesses' operating results to reflect this new structure. Under the new structure, our operating results are reported under Local Media, Scripps Networks and Other segment captions.

Our Local Media segment includes our 61 local broadcast stations and their related digital operations. It is comprised of 18 ABC affiliates, 11 NBC affiliates, nine CBS affiliates and four FOX affiliates. We also have 12 CW affiliates - four on full power stations and eight on multicast; two MyNetworkTV affiliates; three independent stations and 10 additional low power stations. Our Local Media segment earns revenue primarily from the sale of advertising to local, national and political advertisers and retransmission fees received from cable operators, telecommunications companies and satellite carriers. We also receive retransmission fees from over-the-top virtual MVPDs such as Hulu, YouTubeTV and AT&T Now.

Our Scripps Networks segment, which includes the recently acquired ION business, is comprised of nine national television networks that reach nearly every U.S. television home through free over-the-air broadcast, cable/satellite, over-the-top and digital distribution. These operations earn revenue primarily through the sale of advertising.

The operating results of our recently sold Triton business, and the other national businesses that were previously reported in our National Media segment, are aggregated with our remaining business activities in the Other segment caption.

Our respective business segment results reflect the impact of intercompany carriage agreements between our local broadcast television stations and our national networks. We also allocate a portion of certain corporate costs and expenses, including information technology, certain employee benefits and shared services to our business segments. These intercompany agreements and allocations are generally amounts agreed upon by management, which may differ from an arms-length amount.

Our chief operating decision maker evaluates the operating performance of our business segments and makes decisions about the allocation of resources to our business segments using a measure called segment profit. Segment profit excludes interest, defined benefit pension plan amounts, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, impairment charges, divested operating units, restructuring activities, investment results and certain other items that are included in net income (loss) determined in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Information regarding the operating results of our business segments is as follows:

		Three Months Ended  June 30,											Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				Change			2021				2020				Change
Segment operating revenues:
Local Media		$	324,837			$	279,944			16.0	%		$	637,418			$	604,877			5.4	%
Scripps Networks		238,735				66,652							452,395				143,407
Other		5,050				15,484				(67.4)	%		23,171				31,148				(25.6)	%
Intersegment eliminations		(3,545)				(3,197)				10.9	%		(6,986)				(6,326)				10.4	%
Total operating revenues		$	565,077			$	358,883			57.5	%		$	1,105,998			$	773,106			43.1	%
Segment profit (loss):
Local Media		$	64,643			$	35,457			82.3	%		$	120,580			$	94,563			27.5	%
Scripps Networks		107,317				2,153							199,520				12,122
Other		(541)				5,036							2,740				9,227				(70.3)	%
Shared services and corporate		(19,138)				(12,923)				48.1	%		(38,059)				(31,577)				20.5	%
Acquisition and related integration costs		(6,686)				(221)							(35,331)				(5,131)
Restructuring costs		(514)				—							(7,564)				—
Depreciation and amortization of intangible assets		(40,751)				(26,645)							(80,258)				(53,990)
Gains (losses), net on disposal of property and equipment		(75)				(1,307)							(155)				(2,740)
Interest expense		(42,010)				(22,999)							(85,892)				(48,797)
Loss on extinguishment of debt		(13,775)				—							(13,775)				—
Defined benefit pension plan income (expense)		7				(1,026)							14				(2,052)
Gains on sale of business		—				—							81,784				—
Losses on stock warrants		(31,874)				—							(99,118)				—
Miscellaneous, net		(2,707)				(1,552)							(7,558)				(438)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes		$	13,896			$	(24,027)						$	36,928			$	(28,813)

Operating results for our Local Media segment were as follows:

		Three Months Ended  June 30,											Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				Change			2021				2020				Change
Segment operating revenues:
Core advertising		$	160,956			$	116,749			37.9	%		$	313,094			$	277,271			12.9	%
Political		3,193				13,368				(76.1)	%		4,504				32,088				(86.0)	%
Retransmission and carriage fees		156,361				145,465				7.5	%		312,020				285,792				9.2	%
Other		4,327				4,362				(0.8)	%		7,800				9,726				(19.8)	%
Total operating revenues		324,837				279,944				16.0	%		637,418				604,877				5.4	%
Segment costs and expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits		107,461				102,924				4.4	%		214,289				214,520				(0.1)	%
Programming		109,598				101,250				8.2	%		219,928				203,523				8.1	%
Other expenses		43,135				40,313				7.0	%		82,621				92,271				(10.5)	%
Total costs and expenses		260,194				244,487				6.4	%		516,838				510,314				1.3	%
Segment profit		$	64,643			$	35,457			82.3	%		$	120,580			$	94,563			27.5	%

Operating results for our Scripps Networks segment were as follows:

		Three Months Ended  June 30,											Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				Change			2021				2020				Change
Total operating revenues		$	238,735			$	66,652						$	452,395			$	143,407
Segment costs and expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits		23,162				12,402				86.8	%		46,799				25,938				80.4	%
Programming		64,651				33,517				92.9	%		126,278				65,909				91.6	%
Other expenses		43,605				18,580							79,798				39,438
Total costs and expenses		131,418				64,499							252,875				131,285				92.6	%
Segment profit		$	107,317			$	2,153						$	199,520			$	12,122

2. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(in thousands)		As of  June 30,  2021				As of December 31, 2020
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents		$	85,956			$	576,021
Cash restricted for pending acquisition		—				1,050,000
Other current assets		604,177				468,164
Total current assets		690,133				2,094,185
Investments		13,902				14,404
Property and equipment		463,301				343,920
Operating lease right-of-use assets		124,469				51,471
Goodwill		2,921,197				1,203,212
Other intangible assets		1,956,015				975,444
Programming		371,130				138,701
Miscellaneous		22,052				38,049
TOTAL ASSETS		$	6,562,199			$	4,859,386
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable		$	75,839			$	68,139
Unearned revenue		22,893				14,101
Current portion of long-term debt		18,612				10,612
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities		351,984				265,604
Total current liabilities		469,328				358,456
Long-term debt (less current portion)		3,243,270				2,923,359
Other liabilities (less current portion)		998,862				414,306
Total equity		1,850,739				1,163,265
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY		$	6,562,199			$	4,859,386

3. EARNINGS PER SHARE ("EPS")

Unvested awards of share-based payments with rights to receive dividends or dividend equivalents, such as our RSUs, are considered participating securities for purposes of calculating EPS. Under the two-class method, we allocate a portion of net income to these participating securities and, therefore, exclude that income from the calculation of EPS for common stock. We do not allocate losses to the participating securities.

The following table presents information about basic and diluted weighted-average shares outstanding:

		Three Months Ended  June 30,								Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Numerator (for basic and diluted earnings per share)
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax		$	1,213			$	(17,512)			$	4,716			$	(24,710)
Less preferred stock dividends		(12,576)				—				(24,219)				—
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per share		$	(11,363)			$	(17,512)			$	(19,503)			$	(24,710)
Denominator
Basic weighted-average shares outstanding		82,381				81,418				82,143				81,248
Effect of dilutive securities:
Restricted stock units		—				—				—				—
Common stock warrant		—				—				—				—
Diluted weighted-average shares outstanding		82,381				81,418				82,143				81,248

4. NON-GAAP INFORMATION

In addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP, this earnings release discusses free cash flow, a non-GAAP performance measure that management and the company's Board of Directors uses to evaluate the performance of the business. We also believe that the non-GAAP measure provides useful information to investors by allowing them to view our business through the eyes of management and is a measure that is frequently used by industry analysts, investors and lenders as a measure of valuation for broadcast companies.

Free cash flow is calculated as non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA (as defined below), plus reimbursements received from the FCC for repack expenditures, less capital expenditures, preferred stock dividends, interest payments, income taxes paid (refunded) and contributions to defined retirement plans.

Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax, plus income tax expense (benefit), interest expense, losses on extinguishment of debt, defined benefit pension plan expense (income), share-based compensation costs, depreciation, amortization of intangible assets, loss (gain) on business and asset disposals, mark-to-market losses (gains), acquisition and integration costs, restructuring charges and certain other miscellaneous items.

A reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures to the comparable financial measure in accordance with GAAP is as follows:

		Three Months Ended  June 30,								Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Income (loss) from continuing operations, net of tax		$	1,213			$	(17,512)			$	4,716			$	(24,710)
Provision (benefit) for income taxes		12,683				(6,515)				32,212				(4,103)
Interest expense		42,010				22,999				85,892				48,797
Loss on extinguishment of debt		13,775				—				13,775				—
Defined benefit pension plan expense (income)		(7)				1,026				(14)				2,052
Share-based compensation costs		6,403				3,027				14,701				7,174
Depreciation		14,245				12,396				28,370				25,747
Amortization of intangible assets		26,506				14,249				51,888				28,243
Losses (gains), net on disposal of property and equipment		75				1,307				155				2,740
Acquisition and related integration costs		6,686				221				35,331				5,131
Restructuring costs		514				—				7,564				—
Gains on sale of business		—				—				(81,784)				—
Losses on stock warrants		31,874				—				99,118				—
Miscellaneous, net		2,707				1,552				7,558				438
Adjusted EBITDA		158,684				32,750				299,482				91,509
Capital expenditures		(22,659)				(12,110)				(30,051)				(28,479)
Proceeds from FCC Repack		8,845				6,708				14,190				9,427
Preferred stock dividends		(12,000)				—				(21,067)				—
Interest paid		(25,574)				(19,085)				(54,928)				(43,918)
Income taxes paid		(54,762)				(112)				(54,215)				(124)
Contributions for defined retirement plans		(6,590)				(253)				(12,555)				(5,292)
Free cash flow		$	45,944			$	7,898			$	140,856			$	23,123

ADJUSTED COMBINED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

Due to the effect that the ION acquisition and WPIX television station disposition has on our segment operating results, and to provide meaningful period over period comparisons, we are presenting supplemental non-GAAP (Generally Accepted Accounting Principles) information for certain financial results on an adjusted combined basis. The adjusted combined financial results have been compiled by adding, as of the earliest period presented, the impact from the acquired ION television stations' historical revenue, employee compensation and benefits, programming and other expenses to Scripps' historical revenue, employee compensation and benefits, programming and other expenses captions reported within the Scripps Networks segment. Similarly, WPIX's historical revenue, employee compensation and benefits, programming and other expenses have been subtracted, as of the earliest period presented, from Scripps' historical revenue, employee compensation and benefits, programming and other expenses captions historically reported within our Local Media segment. These historical results are adjusted for certain intercompany adjustments and other impacts that would result from the companies operating under the ownership of Scripps as of the earliest period presented.

Effective with the January 7, 2021 close of the ION acquisition, we realigned the Company's internal reporting structure and changed the reporting of our businesses' operating results to reflect this new structure. Under the new structure, our operating results are reported under Local Media, Scripps Networks and Other segment captions. The Scripps Networks segment includes the recently acquired ION business as well as eight other national television networks. Our recently sold Triton business and other national businesses that were previously reported in our National Media segment are aggregated with our remaining business activities in the Other segment caption.

Management uses the adjusted combined non-GAAP supplemental information for purposes of evaluating the Company's segment results. The company therefore believes that the non-GAAP measure presented provides useful information to investors by allowing them to view the company's businesses through the eyes of management, facilitating comparison of Local Media and Scripps Networks results across historical periods and providing a focus on the underlying ongoing operating performance of our segments.

The company uses the adjusted combined non-GAAP supplemental information to supplement the financial information presented on a GAAP historical basis. This non-GAAP supplemental information is not to be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, the related GAAP measures, and should be read only in conjunction with financial information presented on a GAAP basis.

The adjusted combined financial results contained in the following supplemental information is for informational purposes only. These results do not necessarily reflect what the historical results of Scripps would have been if the acquisition of ION or sale of WPIX had occurred on January 1, 2020. Nor is this information necessarily indicative of the future results of operations of the combined entities.

The adjusted combined financial information is not pro forma information prepared in accordance with Article 11 of SEC regulation S-X, and the preparation of information in accordance with Article 11 would result in a significantly different presentation.

Local Media adjusted combined segment profit

		Three Months Ended  June 30,											Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				Change			2021				2020				Change
Segment operating revenues:
Core advertising		$	160,956			$	108,981			47.7	%		$	313,094			$	257,693			21.5	%
Political		3,193				13,144				(75.7)	%		4,504				31,034				(85.5)	%
Retransmission and carriage fees		156,361				141,218				10.7	%		312,020				276,808				12.7	%
Other		4,327				3,150				37.4	%		7,800				6,735				15.8	%
Total operating revenues		324,837				266,493				21.9	%		637,418				572,270				11.4	%
Segment costs and expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits		107,461				95,080				13.0	%		214,289				198,193				8.1	%
Programming		109,598				98,380				11.4	%		219,928				197,783				11.2	%
Other expenses		43,135				36,457				18.3	%		82,621				83,140				(0.6)	%
Total costs and expenses		260,194				229,917				13.2	%		516,838				479,116				7.9	%
Segment profit		$	64,643			$	36,576			76.7	%		$	120,580			$	93,154			29.4	%

Non-GAAP reconciliation

Below is a reconciliation of Scripps historical reported revenue and segment profit for its Local Media segment to the adjusted combined revenue and adjusted combined segment profit for the Local Media segment following the sale of WPIX.

		Three Months Ended  June 30,								Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Local Media operating revenues, as reported		$	324,837			$	279,944			$	637,418			$	604,877
WPIX disposition		—				(13,451)				—				(32,607)
Local Media adjusted combined operating revenues		$	324,837			$	266,493			$	637,418			$	572,270
		Three Months Ended  June 30,								Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Local Media segment profit, as reported		$	64,643			$	35,457			$	120,580			$	94,563
WPIX disposition		—				1,119				—				(1,409)
Local Media adjusted combined segment profit		$	64,643			$	36,576			$	120,580			$	93,154

 

Scripps Networks adjusted combined segment profit

		Three Months Ended  June 30,											Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				Change			2021				2020				Change
Total operating revenues		$	238,735			$	193,376			23.5	%		$	459,117			$	415,344			10.5	%
Segment costs and expenses:
Employee compensation and benefits		23,162				24,317				(4.7)	%		47,947				49,996				(4.1)	%
Programming		64,651				64,039				1.0	%		128,313				132,620				(3.2)	%
Other expenses		43,605				34,047				28.1	%		80,354				69,302				15.9	%
Total costs and expenses		131,418				122,403				7.4	%		256,614				251,918				1.9	%
Segment profit		$	107,317			$	70,973			51.2	%		$	202,503			$	163,426			23.9	%

Non-GAAP reconciliation

Below is a reconciliation of Scripps historical reported revenue and segment profit for its Scripps Networks segment to the adjusted combined revenue and adjusted combined segment profit for the Scripps Networks segment following the acquisition of ION.

		Three Months Ended  June 30,								Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Scripps Networks operating revenues, as reported		$	238,735			$	66,652			$	452,395			$	143,407
ION acquisition		—				126,724				6,722				271,937
Scripps Networks adjusted combined operating revenues		$	238,735			$	193,376			$	459,117			$	415,344
		Three Months Ended  June 30,								Six Months Ended  June 30,
(in thousands)		2021				2020				2021				2020
Scripps Networks segment profit, as reported		$	107,317			$	2,153			$	199,520			$	12,122
ION acquisition		—				68,820				2,983				151,304
Scripps Networks adjusted combined segment profit		$	107,317			$	70,973			$	202,503			$	163,426

 

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SOURCE The E.W. Scripps Company

FAQ

What were the main financial highlights for SSP in Q2 2021?

SSP's Q2 2021 highlights included a 23% increase in consolidated revenue, local media core advertising up 48%, and total revenue of $565 million.

How did SSP perform in the advertising market during Q2 2021?

SSP's Local Media core advertising outperformed expectations, boosted by a rebound in the advertising market which included a 623% increase in travel and leisure spending.

What is SSP's updated free cash flow guidance for 2021?

SSP raised its free cash flow guidance for 2021 to a range of $240-$260 million due to strong advertising revenue.

What was SSP's loss from continuing operations in Q2 2021?

SSP reported a loss from continuing operations of $11.4 million or 14 cents per share in Q2 2021.

What are the future expectations for SSP's revenue?

SSP anticipates mid-teen percentage revenue growth for its Local Media and Scripps Networks segments in Q3 2021.