ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
Urban One, Inc. (a Delaware corporation originally formed in 1980 and hereinafter referred to as “Urban One”) and its subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”) is an urban-oriented, multi-media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers. Our core business is our radio broadcasting franchise which is the largest radio broadcasting operation that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. As of December 31, 2019, we owned and/or operated 60 broadcast stations (including all HD stations, translator stations and the low power television station we operate) located in 15 of the most populous African-American markets in the United States. While a core source of our revenue has historically been and remains the sale of local and national advertising for broadcast on our radio stations, our strategy is to operate the premier multi-media entertainment and information content provider targeting African-American and urban consumers. Thus, we have diversified our revenue streams by making acquisitions and investments in other complementary media properties. Our diverse media and entertainment interests include TV One, LLC (“TV One”), an African-American targeted cable television network; our 80.0% ownership interest in Reach Media, Inc. (“Reach Media”) which operates the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and our other syndicated programming assets, including the Russ Parr Morning Show and the DL Hughley Show; and Interactive One, LLC (“Interactive One”), our wholly owned digital platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment websites, including its Cassius and Bossip, HipHopWired and MadameNoire digital platforms and brands. We also hold a minority ownership interest in MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Through our national multi-media operations, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African-American and urban audiences.
On January 19, 2019, the Company launched CLEO TV, a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color. CLEO TV offers quality content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes of today’s modern women. The results of CLEO TV’s operations will be reflected in the Company’s cable television segment.
Our core radio broadcasting franchise operates under the brand “Radio One.” We also operate our other brands, such as TV One, Reach Media and Interactive One, while developing additional branding reflective of our diverse media operations and targeting our African-American and urban audiences.
Recent Developments
On December 19, 2019, we entered into both an asset purchase agreement ("APA") and a time brokerage agreement ("TBA") with Guardian Enterprise Group, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, "GEG") with respect to the acquisition and interim operation of low power television station WQMC-LD in Columbus, Ohio. Pursuant to the TBA, in January 2020, we began to operate WQMC-LD until such time as the purchase transaction can close under the APA. Under the terms of the TBA, we pay a monthly fee as well as certain operating costs of WQMC-LD, and, in exchange, we will retain all revenues from the sale of the advertising within the programming. After receipt of FCC approval, we closed the transactions under the APA and took ownership of WQMC-LD on February 24, 2020.
On October 20, 2011, we entered into TBA with WGPR, Inc. (“WGPR”). Pursuant to the TBA, on October 24, 2011, we began to broadcast programs produced, owned or acquired by the Company on WGPR’s Detroit radio station, WGPR-FM. We paid a monthly fee as well as certain operating costs of WGPR-FM, and, in exchange, we retained all revenues from the sale of the advertising within the programming we provided. The original term of the TBA was through December 31, 2014; however, in September 2014, we entered into an amendment to the TBA to extend the term of the TBA through December 31, 2019 on which date we ceased operation of the station on our behalf. While we ceased operations of the station on December 31, 2019, the Company continues to provide management services to the current owner and operator of WGPR.
On August 31, 2019, the Company closed on its previously announced sale of assets of its Detroit, Michigan radio station, WDMK-FM and three translators W228CJ, W252BX, and W260CB for approximately $13.5 million to Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. The Company recognized an immaterial loss on the sale of the station during the year ended December 31, 2019.
On January 19, 2019, the Company launched CLEO TV, a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color. CLEO TV offers quality content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes of today’s modern women. The results of CLEO TV’s operations will be reflected in the Company’s cable television segment.
On January 17, 2019, the Company announced that it had given the required notice (“2020 Redemption Notice”) under the indenture governing its 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) to redeem for cash all outstanding aggregate principal amount of its Notes to the extent outstanding on February 15, 2019 (the “Redemption Date”). The redemption price for the 2020 Notes was 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date.
On December 4, 2018, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement (“2018 Credit Facility”), among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent, and TCG Senior Funding L.L.C, as sole lead arranger and sole book-runner. The 2018 Credit Facility, provided $192.0 million in term loan borrowings. Concurrently, on December 4, 2018, Urban One Entertainment SPV, LLC and its immediate parent, Radio One Entertainment Holdings, LLC, each of which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a credit agreement, providing $50.0 million in term loan borrowings (the “MGM National Harbor Loan”). The net proceeds of term loan borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility and the MGM National Harbor Loan were used to refinance and redeem substantially all of the Company’s outstanding 2020 Notes. Simultaneously with entry into the 2018 Credit Facility and the MGM National Harbor Loan, the Company announced the launch of a cash tender offer for any and all of its 2020 Notes. Under the Tender Offer, the Company accepted for purchase $213,255,000 aggregate principal amount of the 2020 Notes, and paid for such 2020 Notes on December 20, 2018. Concurrently with that settlement, the Company also repurchased at par of approximately $29.7 million aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes from certain lenders under the new credit facilities. Immediately following these settlements, approximately $2.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes remained outstanding. Such 2020 Notes were the subject of the 2020 Redemption Notice described above. The 2018 Credit Facility and MGM National Harbor Loan are more fully described in Note 9 of our consolidated financial statements - Long-Term Debt.)
On August 9, 2018, the Company closed on the acquisition of the assets of the radio station The Team 980 (WTEM 980 AM) from Red Zebra Broadcasting. Upon closing, the Company also entered into an agreement with the Washington Redskins to ensure that all Redskins games, as well as pregame and postgame programming, will remain on The Team 980. The Company’s purchase accounting to reflect the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed consisted of approximately $2.0 million to radio broadcasting licenses, $1.1 million to land and land improvements, $512,000 to towers, $91,000 to goodwill, $206,000 to advertiser agreements, and $254,000 to other property and equipment assets.
On August 8, 2018, the Company closed on a sale of the assets of one of its Detroit, Michigan, radio stations, WPZR-FM (102.7 FM), to Educational Media Foundation, of California, for total consideration of approximately $12.7 million, of which approximately $12.2 million was received in cash. As part of the deal, the Company received 3 FM translators that service the Detroit metropolitan area. These signals were combined with the existing FM translator to multicast the Detroit Praise Network. The Company recognized an immaterial loss on the sale of the station during the year ended December 31, 2018.
Segments
As part of our consolidated financial statements, consistent with our financial reporting structure and how the Company currently manages its businesses, we have provided selected financial information on the Company’s four reportable segments: (i) radio broadcasting; (ii) cable television; (iii) Reach Media; and (iv) digital.
Our Radio Station Portfolio, Strategy and Markets
As noted above, our core business is our radio broadcasting franchise which is the largest radio broadcasting operation in the country primarily targeting African-American and urban listeners. Within the markets in which we operate, we strive to build clusters of radio stations with each radio station targeting different demographic segments of the African-American population. This clustering and programming segmentation strategy allows us to achieve greater penetration within the distinct segments of our overall target market. In addition, we have been able to achieve operating efficiencies by consolidating office and studio space where possible to minimize duplicative management positions and reduce overhead expenses. Depending on market conditions, changes in ratings methodologies and economic and demographic shifts, from time to time, we may reprogram some of our stations in underperforming segments of certain markets.
As of December 31, 2019, we owned and/or operated 60 broadcast stations (including all HD stations, translator stations and the low power television station we operate) located in 15 of the most populous African-American markets in the United States. The following tables set forth further selected information about our portfolio of radio stations as of December 31, 2019.
(1)WDNI-CD (formerly WDNI-LP), the low power television station that we operate in Indianapolis is not included in this table.
(2)Audience share data are for the 12+ demographic and derived from the Nielsen Survey ending with the Fall 2019 Nielsen Survey.
(3)Population estimates are from the Nielsen Radio Market Survey Population, Rankings and Information, Fall 2019.
(4)Richmond is the only market in which we operate using the diary methodology of audience measurement.
**Market also has one or more independently programmed station(s) broadcasting on an HD Channel.
***Company ceased operation of Detroit station as of December 31, 2019; however, we continue to provide management services to the current owner and operator.
AC-refers to Adult Contemporary
CHR-refers to Contemporary Hit Radio
Pop-refers to Popular Music
Old School - refers to Old School Hip/Hop
(1)Station was operated under a TBA that expired December 31, 2019. The Company continues to provide management services to the current owner and operator of the station.
(2)Richmond is the only market in which we operate using the diary methodology of audience measurement.
(3)WDNI-CD (formerly WDNI-LP), the low power television station that we acquired in Indianapolis in June 2000, is not included in this table.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, approximately 40.6% of our net revenue was generated from the sale of advertising in our core radio business, excluding Reach Media. Within our core radio business, four of the 15 markets in which we operated radio stations in 2019 (Houston, Washington, DC, Atlanta and Baltimore) accounted for approximately 56.3% of our radio station net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019. Revenue from the operations of Reach Media, along with revenue from both the Houston and Washington, DC markets accounted for approximately 22.8% of our total consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019. Revenue from the operations of Reach Media, along with revenue from the four significant contributing radio markets, accounted for approximately 32.8% of our total consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019. Adverse events or conditions (economic, including government cutbacks or otherwise) could lead to declines in the contribution of Reach Media or declines in one or more of the four significant contributing radio markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our overall financial performance and results of operations.
Radio Advertising Revenue
Substantially all net revenue generated from our radio franchise is generated from the sale of local, national and network advertising. Local sales are made by the sales staff located in our markets. National sales are made primarily by Katz Communications, Inc. (“Katz”), a firm specializing in radio advertising sales on the national level. Katz is paid agency commissions on the advertising sold. Approximately 57.2% of our net revenue from our core radio business for the year ended December 31, 2019, was generated from the sale of local advertising and 36.8% from sales to national advertisers, including network/syndication advertising. The balance of net revenue from our radio segment is primarily derived from tower rental income, ticket sales, and revenue related to sponsored events, management fees and other alternative revenue.
Advertising rates charged by radio stations are based primarily on:
·a radio station’s audience share within the demographic groups targeted by the advertisers;
·the number of radio stations in the market competing for the same demographic groups; and
·the supply and demand for radio advertising time.
A radio station’s listenership is measured by the Portable People MeterTM (the “PPMTM”) system or diary ratings surveys, both of which estimate the number of listeners tuned to a radio station and the time they spend listening to that radio station. Ratings are used by advertisers to evaluate whether to advertise on our radio stations, and are used by us to chart audience size, set advertising rates and adjust programming. Advertising rates are generally highest during the morning and afternoon commuting hours.
Cable Television, Reach Media and Digital Segments, Strategy and Sources of Revenue and Income
We have expanded our operations to include other media forms that are complementary to our core radio business. In a strategy similar to our radio market segmentation, we have multiple complementary media and online brands. Each of these brands focuses upon a different segment of African-American consumers. With our multiple brands, we are able to direct advertisers to specific audiences within the urban communities in which we are located or to bundle the brands for advertising sales purposes when advantageous.
TV One, our cable television franchise targeting the African-American and urban communities, derives its revenue from advertising and affiliate revenue. Advertising revenue is derived from the sale of television air time to advertisers and is recognized when the advertisements are run. TV One also derives revenue from affiliate fees under the terms of various affiliation agreements based upon a per subscriber fee multiplied by the most recent subscriber counts reported by the applicable affiliate. In January 2019, we launched CLEO TV, a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color. CLEO TV derives its revenue principally from advertising.
Reach Media, our syndicated radio unit, primarily derives its revenue from the sale of advertising in connection with its syndicated radio shows, including the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, Get Up! Mornings with Erica Campbell, the Russ Parr Morning Show, and the DL Hughley Show. In addition to being broadcast on 50 Urban One stations, our syndicated radio programming also was available on over 224 non-Urban One stations throughout the United States as of December 31, 2019. Reach Media’s syndicated line up also included the Tom Joyner Morning Show. Mr. Joyner was a leading nationally syndicated radio personality. Mr. Joyner announced his then forthcoming retirement in 2018 and in December 2019, the Tom Joyner Morning Show ceased being broadcast upon Mr. Joyner’s retirement. Up until his retirement in December 2019, the Tom Joyner Morning Show was broadcast on 71 affiliate stations across the United States.
We have launched websites that simultaneously stream radio station content for each of our radio stations, and we derive revenue from the sale of advertisements on those websites. We generally encourage our web advertisers to run simultaneous radio campaigns and use mentions in our radio airtime to promote our websites. By providing streaming, we have been able to broaden our listener reach, particularly to “office hour” listeners. We believe streaming has had a positive impact on our radio stations’ reach to listeners. In addition, our station websites link to our other online properties operated by our primary digital unit, Interactive One. Interactive One operates the largest social networking site primarily targeting African-Americans and other branded websites, including Bossip, HipHopWired and MadameNoire. Interactive One derives revenue from advertising services on non-radio station branded websites, and studio services where Interactive One provides services to other publishers. Advertising services include the sale of banner and sponsorship advertisements. Advertising revenue is recognized either as impressions (the number of times advertisements appear in viewed pages) are delivered, when “click through” purchases are made, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. In addition, Interactive One derives revenue from its studio operations which provide third-party clients with digital platforms and expertise. In the case of the studio operations, revenue is recognized primarily through fixed contractual monthly fees and/or as a share of the third party’s reported revenue.
Finally, our MGM National Harbor investment entitles us to an annual cash distribution based on net gaming revenue. Future opportunities could include investments in, or acquisitions of, companies in diverse media businesses, gaming and entertainment, music production and distribution, movie distribution, internet-based services, and distribution of our content through emerging distribution systems such as the Internet, smartphones, cellular phones, tablets, and the home entertainment market.
Competition
The media industry is highly competitive and we face intense competition across our core radio franchise and all of our complementary media properties. Our media properties compete for audiences and advertising revenue with other radio stations and with other media such as broadcast and cable television, the Internet, satellite radio, newspapers, magazines, direct mail and outdoor advertising, some of which may be controlled by horizontally-integrated companies. Audience ratings and advertising revenue are subject to change and any adverse change in a market could adversely affect our net revenue in that market. If a competing radio station converts to a format similar to that of one of our radio stations, or if one of our competitors strengthens its signal or operations, our stations could suffer a reduction in ratings and advertising revenue. Other media companies which are larger and have more resources may also enter or increase their presence in markets or segments in which we operate. Although we believe our media properties are well positioned to compete, we cannot assure that our properties will maintain or increase their current ratings, market share or advertising revenue.
Providing content across various distribution platforms is a highly competitive business. Our digital and cable television segments compete for the time and attention of internet users and viewers and, thus, advertisers and advertising revenues with a wide range of internet companies such as AmazonTM, NetflixTM, Yahoo!TM, GoogleTM, and MicrosoftTM, with social networking sites such as FacebookTM and with traditional media companies, which are increasingly offering their own digital products and services both organically and through acquisition. We experience competition for the development and acquisition of content, distribution of content, sale of commercial time on our digital and cable television networks and viewership. There is competition from other digital companies, production studios and other television networks for the acquisition of content and creative talent such as writers, producers and directors. Our ability to produce and acquire popular content is an important competitive factor for the distribution of our content, attracting viewers and the sale of advertising. Our success in securing popular content and creative talent depends on various factors such as the number of competitors providing content that targets the same genre and audience, the distribution of our content, viewership, and the production, marketing and advertising support we provide.
Our TV One and CLEO TV networks compete with other television networks for the distribution of our content and fees charged to cable television operators, DTH satellite service providers, and other distributors that carry our content. Our ability to secure distribution agreements is necessary to ensure the retention of our audiences. Our contractual agreements with distributors are renewed or renegotiated from time to time in the ordinary course of business. Growth in the number of networks distributed, consolidation and other market conditions in the cable and satellite distribution industry, and increased popularity of other platforms may adversely affect our ability to obtain and maintain contractual terms for the distribution of our content that are as favorable as those currently in place. The ability to secure distribution agreements is dependent upon the production, acquisition and packaging of original content, viewership, the marketing and advertising support and incentives provided to distributors, the product offering across a series of networks within a region, and the prices charged for carriage.
Our networks and digital products compete with other television networks, including broadcast, cable, local networks and other content distribution outlets for their target audiences and the sale of advertising. Our success in selling advertising is a function of the size and demographics of our audiences, quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the audience of each network, the perceived quality of the network and of the particular content, the brand appeal of the network and ratings as determined by third-party research companies, prices charged for advertising and overall advertiser demand in the marketplace.
Federal Antitrust Laws
The agencies responsible for enforcing the federal antitrust laws, the Federal Trade Commission or the Department of Justice, may investigate certain acquisitions. We cannot predict the outcome of any specific FTC or Department of Justice investigation. Any decision by the FTC or the Department of Justice to challenge a proposed acquisition could affect our ability to consummate the acquisition or to consummate it on the proposed terms. For an acquisition meeting certain size thresholds, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 requires the parties to file Notification and Report Forms concerning antitrust issues with the FTC and the Department of Justice and to observe specified waiting period requirements before consummating the acquisition.
Federal Regulation of Radio Broadcasting
The radio broadcasting industry is subject to extensive and changing regulation by the FCC and other federal agencies of ownership, programming, technical operations, employment and other business practices. The FCC regulates radio broadcast stations pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”). The Communications Act permits the operation of radio broadcast stations only in accordance with a license issued by the FCC upon a finding that the grant of a license would serve the public interest, convenience and necessity. Among other things, the FCC:
·assigns frequency bands for radio broadcasting;
·determines the particular frequencies, locations, operating power, interference standards, and other technical parameters for radio broadcast stations;
·issues, renews, revokes and modifies radio broadcast station licenses;
·imposes annual regulatory fees and application processing fees to recover its administrative costs;
·establishes technical requirements for certain transmitting equipment to restrict harmful emissions;
·adopts and implements regulations and policies that affect the ownership, operation, program content, employment, and business practices of radio broadcast stations; and
·has the power to impose penalties, including monetary forfeitures, for violations of its rules and the Communications Act.
The Communications Act prohibits the assignment of an FCC license, or the transfer of control of an FCC licensee, without the prior approval of the FCC. In determining whether to grant or renew a radio broadcast license or consent to assignment or transfer of a license, the FCC considers a number of factors, including restrictions on foreign ownership, compliance with FCC media ownership limits and other FCC rules, the character and other qualifications of the licensee (or proposed licensee) and compliance with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988. A licensee’s failure to comply with the requirements of the Communications Act or FCC rules and policies may result in the imposition of sanctions, including admonishment, fines, the grant of a license renewal for less than a full eight-year term or with conditions, denial of a license renewal application, the revocation of an FCC license, and/or the denial of FCC consent to acquire additional broadcast properties.
Congress, the FCC and, in some cases, other federal agencies and local jurisdictions, are considering or may in the future consider and adopt new laws, regulations and policies that could affect the operation, ownership and profitability of our radio stations, result in the loss of audience share and advertising revenue for our radio broadcast stations or affect our ability to acquire additional radio broadcast stations or finance such acquisitions. Such matters include or may include:
·changes to the license authorization and renewal process;
·proposals to increase record keeping, including enhanced disclosure of stations’ efforts to serve the public interest;
·proposals to impose spectrum use or other fees on FCC licensees;
·changes to rules relating to political broadcasting, including proposals to grant free air time to candidates, and other changes regarding political and non-political program content, political advertising rates and sponsorship disclosures;
·revised rules and policies regarding the regulation of the broadcast of indecent content;
·proposals to increase the actions stations must take to demonstrate service to their local communities;
·technical and frequency allocation matters;
·changes in broadcast multiple ownership, foreign ownership, cross-ownership and ownership attribution policies;
·changes to allow satellite radio operators to insert local content into their programming service;
·service and technical rules for digital radio, including possible additional public interest requirements for terrestrial digital audio broadcasters;
·legislation that would provide for the payment of sound recording royalties to artists, musicians or record companies whose music is played on terrestrial radio stations; and
·changes to tax laws affecting broadcast operations and acquisitions.
The FCC also has adopted procedures for the auction of broadcast spectrum in circumstances where two or more parties have filed mutually exclusive applications for authority to construct new stations or certain major changes in existing stations. Such procedures may limit our efforts to modify or expand the broadcast signals of our stations.
We cannot predict what changes, if any, might be adopted or considered in the future, or what impact, if any, the implementation of any particular proposals or changes might have on our business.
FCC License Grants and Renewals. In making licensing determinations, the FCC considers an applicant’s legal, technical, financial and other qualifications. The FCC grants radio broadcast station licenses for specific periods of time and, upon application, may renew them for additional terms. A station may continue to operate beyond the expiration date of its license if a timely filed license renewal application is pending. Under the Communications Act, radio broadcast station licenses may be granted for a maximum term of eight years.
Generally, the FCC renews radio broadcast licenses without a hearing upon a finding that:
·the radio station has served the public interest, convenience and necessity;
·there have been no serious violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or FCC rules and regulations; and
·there have been no other violations by the licensee of the Communications Act or FCC rules and regulations which, taken together, indicate a pattern of abuse.
After considering these factors and any petitions to deny a license renewal application (which may lead to a hearing), the FCC may grant the license renewal application with or without conditions, including renewal for a term less than the maximum otherwise permitted. Historically, our licenses have been renewed for full eight-year terms without any conditions or sanctions; however, there can be no assurance that the licenses of each of our stations will be renewed for a full term without conditions or sanctions.
Types of FCC Broadcast Licenses. The FCC classifies each AM and FM radio station. An AM radio station operates on either a clear channel, regional channel or local channel. A clear channel serves wide areas, particularly at night. A regional channel serves primarily a principal population center and the contiguous rural areas. A local channel serves primarily a community and the suburban and rural areas immediately contiguous to it. AM radio stations are designated as Class A, Class B, Class C or Class D. Class A, B and C stations each operate unlimited time. Class A radio stations render primary and secondary service over an extended area. Class B stations render service only over a primary service area. Class C stations render service only over a primary service area that may be reduced as a consequence of interference. Class D stations operate either during daytime hours only, during limited times only, or unlimited time with low nighttime power.
FM class designations depend upon the geographic zone in which the transmitter of the FM radio station is located. The minimum and maximum facilities requirements for an FM radio station are determined by its class. In general, commercial FM radio stations are classified as follows, in order of increasing power and antenna height: Class A, B1, C3, B, C2, C1, C0 and C. The FCC has adopted a rule subjecting Class C FM stations that do not satisfy a certain antenna height requirement to an involuntary downgrade in class to Class C0 under certain circumstances.
Urban One’s Licenses. The following table sets forth information with respect to each of our radio stations for which we hold the license as of December 31, 2019. Stations which we do not own as of December 31, 2019, but operate under an LMA, are not reflected on this table. A broadcast station’s market may be different from its community of license. The coverage of an AM radio station is chiefly a function of the power of the radio station’s transmitter, less dissipative power losses and any directional antenna adjustments. For FM radio stations, signal coverage area is chiefly a function of the ERP of the radio station’s antenna and the HAAT of the radio station’s antenna. “ERP” refers to the effective radiated power of an FM radio station. “HAAT” refers to the antenna height above average terrain of an FM radio station.
To obtain the FCC’s prior consent to assign or transfer control of a broadcast license, an appropriate application must be filed with the FCC. If the assignment or transfer involves a substantial change in ownership or control of the licensee, for example, the transfer of more than 50% of the voting stock, the applicant must give public notice and the application is subject to a 30-day period for public comment. During this time, interested parties may file petitions with the FCC to deny the application. Informal objections may be filed at any time until the FCC acts upon the application. If the FCC grants an assignment or transfer application, administrative procedures provide for petitions seeking reconsideration or full FCC review of the grant. The Communications Act also permits the appeal of a contested grant to a federal court.
Under the Communications Act, a broadcast license may not be granted to or held by any person who is not a U.S. citizen or by any entity that has more than 20% of its capital stock owned or voted by non-U.S. citizens or entities or their representatives, or by foreign governments or their representatives. The Communications Act prohibits more than 25% indirect foreign ownership or control of a licensee through a parent company if the FCC determines the public interest will be served by such prohibition. The FCC has interpreted this provision of the Communications Act to require an affirmative public interest finding before this 25% limit may be exceeded. Since we serve as a holding company for subsidiaries that serve as licensees for our stations, we are effectively restricted from having more than one-fourth of our stock owned or voted directly or indirectly by non-U.S. citizens or their representatives, foreign governments, representatives of foreign governments, or foreign business entities unless we seek and obtain FCC authority to exceed that level. The FCC will entertain and authorize, on a case-by-case basis and upon a sufficient public interest showing and favorable executive branch review, proposals to exceed the 25% indirect foreign ownership limit in broadcast licensees. In September 2016, the FCC adopted rules to simplify and streamline the process for requesting authority to exceed the 25% indirect foreign ownership limit and reformed the methodology that publicly traded broadcasters must use to assess their compliance with the foreign ownership restrictions.
The FCC applies its media ownership limits to “attributable” interests. The interests of officers, directors and those who directly or indirectly hold five percent or more of the total outstanding voting stock of a corporation that holds a broadcast license (or a corporate parent) are generally deemed attributable interests, as are any limited partnership or limited liability company interests that are not properly “insulated” from management activities. Certain passive investors that hold stock for investment purposes only are deemed attributable with the ownership of 20% or more of the voting stock of a licensee or parent corporation. An entity with one or more radio stations in a market that enters into a local marketing agreement or a time brokerage agreement with another radio station in the same market obtains an attributable interest in the brokered radio station if the brokering station supplies more than 15% of the brokered radio station’s weekly broadcast hours. Similarly, a radio station licensee’s right under a joint sales agreement (“JSA”) to sell more than 15% per week of the advertising time on another radio station in the same market constitutes an attributable ownership interest in such station for purposes of the FCC’s ownership rules. Debt instruments, non-voting stock, unexercised options and warrants, minority voting interests in corporations having a single majority shareholder, and limited partnership or limited liability company membership interests where the interest holder is not “materially involved” in the media-related activities of the partnership or limited liability company pursuant to FCC-prescribed “insulation” provisions, generally do not subject their holders to attribution unless such interests implicate the FCC’s equity-debt-plus (or “EDP”) rule. Under the EDP rule, a major programming supplier or the holder of an attributable interest in a same-market radio station, television station or daily newspaper will have an attributable interest in a station if the supplier or same-market media entity also holds debt or equity, or both, in the station that is greater than 33% of the value of the station’s total debt plus equity. For purposes of the EDP rule, equity includes all stock, whether voting or nonvoting, and interests held by limited partners or limited liability company members that are “insulated” from material involvement in the company’s media activities. A major programming supplier is any supplier that provides more than 15% of the station’s weekly programming hours.
The Communications Act and FCC rules generally restrict ownership, operation or control of, or the common holding of attributable interests in, radio broadcast stations serving the same local market in excess of specified numerical limits.
The numerical limits on radio stations that one entity may own in a local market are as follows:
·in a radio market with 45 or more commercial radio stations, a party may hold an attributable interest in up to eight commercial radio stations, not more than five of which are in the same service (AM or FM);
·in a radio market with 30 to 44 commercial radio stations, a party may hold an attributable interest in up to seven commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same service (AM or FM);
·in a radio market with 15 to 29 commercial radio stations, a party may hold an attributable interest in up to six commercial radio stations, not more than four of which are in the same service (AM or FM); and
·in a radio market with 14 or fewer commercial radio stations, a party may hold an attributable interest in up to five commercial radio stations, not more than three of which are in the same service (AM or FM), except that a party may not hold an attributable interest in more than 50% of the radio stations in such market.
To apply these tiers, the FCC currently relies on Nielsen Metro Survey Areas, where they exist. In other areas, the FCC relies on a contour-overlap methodology. The FCC has initiated a rulemaking to determine how to define local radio markets in areas located outside Nielsen Metro Survey Areas. The market definition used by the FCC in applying its ownership rules may not be the same as that used for purposes of the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act. In 2003, when the FCC changed its methodology for defining local radio markets, it grandfathered existing combinations of radio stations that would not comply with the modified rules. The FCC provided that these grandfathered combinations could not be sold intact except to certain “eligible entities,” which the FCC defined as entities qualifying as a small business consistent with Small Business Administration standards. In response to a federal appeals court decision, the FCC repealed the eligible entity standard in December 2019.
The media ownership rules are subject to review by the FCC every four years. In August 2016, the FCC issued an order concluding its 2010 and 2014 quadrennial reviews. The August 2016 decision retained the local radio ownership rule, the radio-television cross-ownership rule and the prohibition on newspaper-broadcast cross-ownership without significant changes. In November 2017, the FCC adopted an order reconsidering the August 2016 decision and modifying it in a number of respects. The November 2017 order on reconsideration did not significantly modify the August 2016 decision with respect to the local radio ownership limits. It did, however, eliminate the FCC’s previous limits on radio/television cross-ownership and newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership effective February 7, 2018. In September 2019, however, a federal appeals court vacated the FCC’s November 2017 order on reconsideration, as a result of which the radio/television and newspaper/broadcast cross-ownership rules have been reinstated. The FCC’s 2018 quadrennial review of its media ownership rules, which commenced in December 2018, is currently pending.
The attribution and media ownership rules limit the number of radio stations we may acquire or own in any particular market and may limit the prospective buyers of any stations we want to sell. The FCC’s rules could affect our business in a number of ways, including, but not limited to, the following:
·the FCC’s radio ownership limits could have an adverse effect on our ability to accumulate stations in a given area or to sell a group of stations in a local market to a single entity;
·restricting the assignment and transfer of control of “grandfathered” radio combinations that exceed the ownership limits as a result of the FCC’s 2003 change in local market definition could adversely affect our ability to buy or sell a group of stations in a local market from or to a single entity; and
·in general terms, future changes in the way the FCC defines radio markets or in the numerical station caps could limit our ability to acquire new stations in certain markets, our ability to operate stations pursuant to certain agreements, and our ability to improve the coverage contours of our existing stations.
Programming and Operations. The Communications Act requires broadcasters to serve the “public interest” by presenting programming that responds to community problems, needs and interests and by maintaining records demonstrating its responsiveness. The FCC considers complaints from viewers or listeners about a broadcast station’s programming. In January 2016, the FCC adopted rules requiring that radio stations post and maintain their public inspection files online. All radio stations are now required to maintain their public inspection files on a publicly accessible FCC-hosted online database. Moreover, the FCC has proposed rules designed to increase local programming content and diversity, including renewal application processing guidelines for locally-oriented programming and a requirement that broadcasters establish advisory boards in the communities where they own stations. Stations also must follow FCC rules and policies regulating political advertising, obscene or indecent programming, sponsorship identification, contests and lotteries and technical operation, including limits on human exposure to radio frequency radiation.
The FCC’s rules prohibit a broadcast licensee, in certain circumstances, from simulcasting more than 25% of its programming on another radio station in the same broadcast service (that is, AM/AM or FM/FM). The simulcasting restriction applies if the licensee owns both radio broadcast stations or owns one and programs the other through a local marketing agreement, and only if the contours of the radio stations overlap in a certain manner. The FCC has recently proposed to modify or eliminate this rule.
The FCC requires that licensees not discriminate in hiring practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or gender. It also requires stations with at least five full-time employees to broadly disseminate information about all full-time job openings and undertake outreach initiatives from an FCC list of activities such as participation in job fairs, internships, or scholarship programs. The FCC is considering whether to apply these recruitment requirements to part-time employment positions. Stations must retain records of their outreach efforts and keep an annual Equal Employment Opportunity (“EEO”) report in their public inspection files and post an electronic version on their websites.
From time to time, complaints may be filed against any of our radio stations alleging violations of these or other rules. In addition, the FCC may conduct audits or inspections to ensure and verify licensee compliance with FCC rules and regulations. Failure to observe these or other rules and regulations can result in the imposition of various sanctions, including fines or conditions, the grant of “short” (less than the maximum eight year) renewal terms or, for particularly egregious violations, the denial of a license renewal application or the revocation of a license.
Employees
As of December 31, 2019, we employed 999 full-time employees and 442 part-time employees. Our employees are not unionized.
Environmental
As the owner, lessee or operator of various real properties and facilities, we are subject to federal, state and local environmental laws and regulations. Historically, compliance with these laws and regulations has not had a material adverse effect on our business. There can be no assurance, however, that compliance with existing or new environmental laws and regulations will not require us to make significant expenditures in the future.
Corporate Governance
Code of Ethics. We have adopted a code of ethics that applies to all of our directors, officers (including our principal financial officer and principal accounting officer) and employees and meets the requirements of the SEC and the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. Our code of ethics can be found on our website, www.urban1.com. We will provide a paper copy of the code of ethics, free of charge, upon request.
Audit Committee Charter. Our audit committee has adopted a charter as required by the NASDAQ Stock Market Rules. This committee charter can be found on our website, www.urban1.com. We will provide a paper copy of the audit committee charter, free of charge, upon request.
Compensation Committee Charter. Our Board of Directors has adopted a compensation committee charter. We will provide a paper copy of the compensation committee charter, free of charge, upon request.
Internet Address and Internet Access to SEC Reports
Our internet address is www.urban1.com. You may obtain through our internet website, free of charge, copies of our proxies, annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and 10-Q/A, current reports on Form 8-K, and any amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These reports are available as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with or furnish them to the SEC. Our website and the information contained therein or connected thereto shall not be deemed to be incorporated into this Form 10-K.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to Our Business and Industry
In an enterprise as large and complex as ours, a wide range of factors could affect our business and financial results. The factors described below are considered to be the most significant, but are not listed in any particular order. There may be other currently unknown or unpredictable economic, business, competitive, regulatory or other factors that could have material adverse effects on our future results. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. The following discussion of risk factors should be read in conjunction with “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and the consolidated financial statements and related notes in “Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data” of this Form 10-K.
Risks Related to the Nature and Operations of Our Business
The state and condition of the global financial markets and fluctuations in the global and U.S. economies may have an unpredictable impact on our business and financial condition.
From time to time, the global equity and credit markets experience high levels of volatility and disruption. At various points in time, the markets have produced downward pressure on stock prices and limited credit capacity for certain companies without regard to those companies’ underlying financial strength. In addition, advertising is a discretionary and variable business expense. Spending on advertising tends to decline disproportionately during an economic recession or downturn as compared to other types of business spending. Consequently, a downturn in the United States economy generally has an adverse effect on our advertising revenue and, therefore, our results of operations. A recession or downturn in the economy of any individual geographic market, particularly a major market in which we operate, also may have a significant effect on us. Radio revenues in the markets in which we operate may also face greater challenges than the U.S. economy generally and may remain so. Radio revenues in certain markets in which we operate have lagged the growth of the general United States economy. Radio revenues in markets in which we operate, as measured by the accounting firm Miller Kaplan Arase LLP (“Miller Kaplan”) were down in 2018. During this same period, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that U.S. current-dollar gross domestic product grew. Our results of operations could be negatively impacted if radio revenue performance in the markets in which we operate continues to lag general United States economic growth. Even in the absence of a general recession or downturn in the economy, an individual business sector (such as the automotive industry) that tends to spend more on advertising than other sectors might be forced to reduce its advertising expenditures if that sector experiences a downturn. If that sector’s spending represents a significant portion of our advertising revenues, any reduction in its advertising expenditures may affect our revenue.
Any deterioration in the economy could negatively impact our ability to meet our cash needs and our ability to maintain compliance with our debt covenants.
If economic conditions change, or other adverse factors outside our control arise, our operations could be negatively impacted, which could prevent us from maintaining compliance with our debt covenants. If it appears that we could not meet our liquidity needs or that noncompliance with debt covenants is likely, we would implement remedial measures, which could include, but not be limited to, operating cost and capital expenditure reductions and deferrals. In addition, we could implement de-leveraging actions, which may include, but not be limited to, other debt repayments, subject to our available liquidity and contractual ability to make such repayments and/or debt refinancing and amendments.
Impact of Public Health Crisis
An epidemic or pandemic disease outbreak, such as the current COVID-19 outbreak, could cause, and is causing, significant disruption to our business operations. Measures taken by governmental authorities and private actors to limit the spread of this virus are interfering with the ability of the Company's employees, suppliers, and customers to conduct their functions and business in a normal manner. Further, the demand for advertising across our various segments/platforms is linked to the level of economic activity and employment in the U.S. Specifically, our business is heavily dependent on the demand for advertising from consumer-focused companies. The recent and significant dislocation of consumer demand due to social distancing and government interventions (such as lockdowns or shelter in place policies) has caused, and could further cause, advertisers to reduce, postpone or eliminate their marketing spending generally, and on our platforms in particular. Continued or future social distancing, government interventions and/or recessions could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Moreover, continued or future declines or disruptions due to the COVID-19 outbreak, could adversely affect our business and financial performance. The COVID-19 outbreak has had an impact on certain of the Company's revenue and alternative revenue sources. Most notably, a number of advertisers across significant advertising categories have reduced advertising spend due to the outbreak, particularly within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers who have been particularly hard hit due to social distancing and government interventions. Further, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused the postponement of our 2020 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage cruise and was impairing ticket sales of other tent pole special events. We do not carry business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result of any of these interruptions and continued impacts from the COVID-19 outbreak. Outbreaks in the markets in which we operate could have material impacts on our liquidity, operations including potential impairment of assets, and our financial results.
The terms of our indebtedness and the indebtedness of our direct and indirect subsidiaries may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to changes in market conditions or to take some actions.
Our debt instruments impose operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions limit or prohibit, among other things, our ability and the ability of our subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness, issue preferred stock, incur liens, pay dividends, enter into asset purchase or sale transactions, merge or consolidate with another company, dispose of all or substantially all of our assets or make certain other payments or investments. These restrictions could limit our ability to grow our business through acquisitions and could limit our ability to respond to market conditions or meet extraordinary capital needs.
To service our indebtedness and other obligations, we will require a significant amount of cash.
Our ability to generate cash depends on many factors beyond our control. Our latest credit agreement requires us to repay principal due thereunder to the extent then outstanding on each quarterly interest payment date. Commencing on the quarterly interest payment date ending March 2019, the required principal repayment equals one quarter of 7.5% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount due thereunder such amount payable until December 2019. Commencing on the quarterly interest payment date ending March 2020, the required principal repayment amount equals one quarter of 10.0% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount such amount payable until December 2021. And, commencing on the quarterly interest payment date ending March 2021, the required principal repayment equals one quarter of 12.5% of the aggregate outstanding principal amount due thereunder payable until to December 2022. The Company is also required to use 75% of excess cash flow to repay outstanding term loans due thereunder at par, paid semi-annually and to use 100% of all distributions to the Company or its restricted subsidiaries received in respect of its interest in the MGM National Harbor to repay outstanding terms loans due thereunder at par. Our ability to make payments on our indebtedness and to fund capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future. This ability to generate cash, to a certain extent, is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory and other factors that are beyond our control. Our businesses might not generate sufficient cash flow from operations. We might not be able to complete future offerings, and future borrowings might not be available to us in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs.
We have historically incurred net losses which could continue into the future.
We have historically reported net losses in our consolidated statements of operations, due mostly in part to recording non-cash impairment charges for write-downs to radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, interest expenses (both cash and non-cash), and revenue declines caused by weakened advertising demand resulting from the current economic environment. These results have had a negative impact on our financial condition and could be exacerbated in a poor economic climate. If these trends continue in the future, they could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition.
Our revenue is substantially dependent on spending and allocation decisions by advertisers, and seasonality and/or weakening economic conditions may have an impact upon our business.
Substantially all of our revenue is derived from sales of advertisements and program sponsorships to local and national advertisers. Any reduction in advertising expenditures or changes in advertisers’ spending priorities and/or allocations across different types of media/platforms or programming could have an adverse effect on the Company’s revenues and results of operations. We do not obtain long-term commitments from our advertisers and advertisers may cancel, reduce, or postpone advertisements without penalty, which could adversely affect our revenue. Seasonal net revenue fluctuations are common in the media industries and are due primarily to fluctuations in advertising expenditures by local and national advertisers. In addition, advertising revenues in even-numbered years tend to benefit from advertising placed by candidates for political offices. The effects of such seasonality (including the weather), combined with the severe structural changes that have occurred in the U.S. economy, make it difficult to estimate future operating results based on the previous results of any specific quarter and may adversely affect operating results.
Advertising expenditures also tend to be cyclical and reflect general economic conditions, both nationally and locally. Because we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from the sale of advertising, a decline or delay in advertising expenditures could reduce our revenues or hinder our ability to increase these revenues. Advertising expenditures by companies in certain sectors of the economy, including the automotive, financial, entertainment, and retail industries, represent a significant portion of our advertising revenues. Structural changes (such as reduced footprints in retail and the movement of retailers online) and business failures in these industries have affected our revenues and continued structural changes or business failures in any of these industries could have significant further impact on our revenues. Any political, economic, social, or technological change resulting in a significant reduction in the advertising spending of these sectors could adversely affect our advertising revenues or our ability to increase such revenues. In addition, because many of the products and services offered by our advertisers are largely discretionary items, weakening economic conditions or changes in consumer spending patterns could reduce the consumption of such products and services and, thus, reduce advertising for such products and services. Changes in advertisers’ spending priorities during economic cycles may also affect our results. Disasters (domestic or external to the United States), acts of terrorism, political uncertainty or hostilities could also lead to a reduction in advertising expenditures as a result of supply or demand issues, uninterrupted news coverage and economic uncertainty.
Our success is dependent upon audience acceptance of our content, particularly our television and radio programs, which is difficult to predict.
Radio, video, and digital content production and distribution are inherently risky businesses because the revenues derived from the production and distribution of media content or a radio program, and the licensing of rights to the intellectual property associated with the content or program, depend primarily upon their acceptance and perceptions by the public, which can change quickly and are difficult to predict. The commercial success of content or a program also depends upon the quality and acceptance of other competing programs released into the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions, and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which are difficult to predict. Our failure to obtain or retain rights to popular content on any part of our multi-media platform could adversely affect our revenues.
Ratings for broadcast stations and traffic on a particular website are also factors that are weighed when advertisers determine which outlets to use and in determining the advertising rates that the outlet receives. Poor ratings or traffic levels can lead to a reduction in pricing and advertising revenues. For example, if there is an event causing a change of programming at one of our stations, there could be no assurance that any replacement programming would generate the same level of ratings, revenues, or profitability as the previous programming. In addition, changes in ratings methodology and technology could adversely impact our ratings and negatively affect our advertising revenues.
Television content production is inherently a risky business because the revenues derived from the production and distribution of a television program and the licensing of rights to the associated intellectual property depends primarily upon the public’s level of acceptance, which is difficult to predict. The commercial success of a television program also depends upon the quality and acceptance of other competing programs in the marketplace at or near the same time, the availability of alternative forms of entertainment and leisure time activities, general economic conditions, and other tangible and intangible factors, all of which are difficult to predict. Rating points are also factors that are weighed when determining the advertising rates that TV One receives. Poor ratings can lead to a reduction in pricing and advertising revenues. Consequently, low public acceptance of TV One’s content may have an adverse effect on TV One’s results of operations. Further, networks or programming launched by NetflixTM, Oprah Winfrey (OWNTM), Sean Combs (REVOLT TVTM), and Magic Johnson (ASPIRETM), could take away from our audience share and ratings and thus have an adverse effect on TV One’s results of operations.
Legislation could require radio broadcasters to pay additional royalties, including to additional parties such as record labels or recording artists.
We currently pay royalties to song composers and publishers through BMI, ASCAP, SESAC and GMR but not to record labels or recording artists for exhibition or use of over the air broadcasts of music. From time to time, Congress considers legislation which could change the copyright fees and the procedures by which the fees are determined. The legislation historically has been the subject of considerable debate and activity by the broadcast industry and other parties affected by the proposed legislation. It cannot be predicted whether any proposed future legislation will become law or what impact it would have on our results from operations, cash flows or financial position.
A disproportionate share of our radio segment revenue comes from a small number of geographic markets and from Reach Media.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, approximately 40.6% of our net revenue was generated from the sale of advertising in our core radio business, excluding Reach Media. Within our core radio business, four of the 15 markets in which we operated radio stations in 2019 (Houston, Washington, DC, Atlanta and Baltimore) accounted for approximately 56.3% of our radio station net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019. Revenue from the operations of Reach Media, along with revenue from both the Houston and Washington, DC markets accounted for approximately 22.8% of our total consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019. Revenue from the operations of Reach Media, along with revenue from the four significant contributing radio markets, accounted for approximately 32.8% of our total consolidated net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2019. Adverse events or conditions (economic, including government cutbacks or otherwise) could lead to declines in the contribution of Reach Media or declines in one or more of the four significant contributing radio markets, which could have a material adverse effect on our overall financial performance and results of operations.
We may lose audience share and advertising revenue to our competitors.
Our media properties compete for audiences and advertising revenue with other radio stations and station groups and other media such as broadcast television, newspapers, magazines, cable television, satellite television, satellite radio, outdoor advertising, “over the top providers” on the internet and direct mail. Adverse changes in audience ratings, internet traffic, and market shares could have a material adverse effect on our revenue. Larger media companies, with more financial resources than we have may target our core audiences or enter the segments or markets in which we operate, causing competitive pressure. Further, other media and broadcast companies may change their programming format or engage in aggressive promotional campaigns to compete directly with our media properties for our core audiences and advertisers. Competition for our core audiences in any of our segments or markets could result in lower ratings or traffic and, hence, lower advertising revenue for us, or cause us to increase promotion and other expenses and, consequently, lower our earnings and cash flow. Changes in population, demographics, audience tastes and other factors beyond our control, could also cause changes in audience ratings or market share. Failure by us to respond successfully to these changes could have an adverse effect on our business and financial performance. We cannot assure that we will be able to maintain or increase our current audience ratings and advertising revenue.
We must respond to the rapid changes in technology, content offerings, services, and standards across our entire platform in order to remain competitive.
Technological standards across our media properties are evolving and new distribution technologies/platforms are emerging at a rapid pace. We cannot assure that we will have the resources to acquire new technologies or to introduce new features, content or services to compete with these new technologies. New media has resulted in fragmentation in the advertising market, and we cannot predict the effect, if any, that additional competition arising from new technologies or content offerings may have across any of our business segments or our financial condition and results of operations, which may be adversely affected if we are not able to adapt successfully to these new media technologies or distribution platforms. The continuing growth and evolution of channels and platforms has increased our challenges in differentiating ourselves from other media platforms. We continually seek to develop and enhance our content offerings and distribution platforms/methodologies. Failure to effectively execute in these efforts, actions by our competitors, or other failures to deliver content effectively could hurt our ability to differentiate ourselves from our competitors and, as a result, have adverse effects across our business.
The loss of key personnel, including certain on-air talent, could disrupt the management and operations of our business.
Our business depends upon the continued efforts, abilities and expertise of our executive officers and other key employees, including certain on-air personalities. We believe that the combination of skills and experience possessed by our executive officers and other key employees could be difficult to replace, and that the loss of one or more of them could have a material adverse effect on us, including the impairment of our ability to execute our business strategy. In addition, several of our on-air personalities and syndicated radio programs hosts have large loyal audiences in their respective broadcast areas and may be significantly responsible for the ratings of a station. The loss of such on-air personalities or any change in their popularity could impact the ability of the station to sell advertising and our ability to derive revenue from syndicating programs hosted by them. We cannot be assured that these individuals will remain with us or will retain their current audiences or ratings.
If our digital segment does not continue to develop and offer compelling and differentiated content, products and services, our advertising revenues could be adversely affected.
In order to attract consumers and generate increased activity on our digital properties, we believe that we must offer compelling and differentiated content, products and services. However, acquiring, developing, and offering such content, products and services may require significant costs and time to develop, while consumer tastes may be difficult to predict and are subject to rapid change. If we are unable to provide content, products and services that are sufficiently attractive to our digital users, we may not be able to generate the increases in activity necessary to generate increased advertising revenues. In addition, although we have access to certain content provided by our other businesses, we may be required to make substantial payments to license such content. Many of our content arrangements with third parties are non-exclusive, so competitors may be able to offer similar or identical content. If we are not able to acquire or develop compelling content and do so at reasonable prices, or if other companies offer content that is similar to that provided by our digital segment, we may not be able to attract and increase the engagement of digital consumers on our digital properties.
Continued growth in our digital business also depends on our ability to continue offering a competitive and distinctive range of advertising products and services for advertisers and publishers and our ability to maintain or increase prices for our advertising products and services. Continuing to develop and improve these products and services may require significant time and costs. If we cannot continue to develop and improve our advertising products and services or if prices for our advertising products and services decrease, our digital advertising revenues could be adversely affected.
More individuals are using devices other than personal and laptop computers to access and use the internet, and, if we cannot make our products and services available and attractive to consumers via these alternative devices, our internet advertising revenues could be adversely affected.
Digital users are increasingly accessing and using the internet through mobile tablets and smartphones. In order for consumers to access and use our products and services via these devices, we must ensure that our products and services are technologically compatible with such devices. If we cannot effectively make our products and services available on these devices, fewer internet consumers may access and use our products and services and our advertising revenue may be negatively affected.
Unrelated third parties may claim that we infringe on their rights based on the nature and content of information posted on websites we maintain.
We host internet services that enable individuals to exchange information, generate content, comment on our content, and engage in various online activities. The law relating to the liability of providers of these online services for activities of their users is currently unsettled both within the United States and internationally. While we monitor postings to such websites, claims may be brought against us for defamation, negligence, copyright or trademark infringement, unlawful activity, tort, including personal injury, fraud, or other theories based on the nature and content of information that may be posted online or generated by our users. Our defense of such actions could be costly and involve significant time and attention of our management and other resources.
If we are unable to protect our domain names and/or content, our reputation and brands could be adversely affected.
We currently hold various domain name registrations relating to our brands, including urban1.com, radio-one.com and interactiveone.com. The registration and maintenance of domain names are generally regulated by governmental agencies and their designees. Governing bodies may establish additional top-level domains, appoint additional domain name registrars, or modify the requirements for holding domain names. As a result, we may be unable to register or maintain relevant domain names. We may be unable, without significant cost or at all, to prevent third parties from registering domain names that are similar to, infringe upon, or otherwise decrease the value of our trademarks and other proprietary rights. Failure to protect our domain names could adversely affect our reputation and brands, and make it more difficult for users to find our websites and our services. In addition, piracy of the Company’s content, including digital piracy, may decrease revenue received from the exploitation of the Company’s programming and other content and adversely affect its businesses and profitability.
Future asset impairment to the carrying values of our FCC licenses and goodwill could adversely impact our results of operations and net worth.
As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $582.7 million in broadcast licenses and $239.8 million in goodwill, which totaled $822.5 million, and represented approximately 65.7% of our total assets. Therefore, we believe estimating the fair value of goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses is a critical accounting estimate because of the significance of their carrying values in relation to our total assets. We recorded impairment charges against radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill of approximately $10.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2019.
We are required to test our goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment at least annually, which we have traditionally done in the fourth quarter, or on an interim basis when events or changes in circumstances suggest impairment may have occurred. Impairment is measured as the excess of the carrying value of the goodwill or indefinite-lived intangible asset over its fair value. Impairment may result from deterioration in our performance, changes in anticipated future cash flows, changes in business plans, adverse economic or market conditions, adverse changes in applicable laws and regulations, or other factors beyond our control. The amount of any impairment must be expensed as a charge to operations. Fair values of FCC licenses and goodwill have been estimated using the income approach, which involves a 10-year model that incorporates several judgmental assumptions about projected revenue growth, future operating margins, discount rates and terminal values. We also utilize a market-based approach to evaluate our fair value estimates. There are inherent uncertainties related to these assumptions and our judgment in applying them to the impairment analysis.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $4.8 million associated with our Indianapolis and Detroit market radio broadcasting licenses. As part of our annual goodwill impairment analysis, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge related to Interactive One of approximately $5.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. For the second and third quarters of 2018, the total market revenue growth for certain markets in which we operate was below the estimated total market revenue growth used in our respective prior year annual impairment testing. In each quarter, we deemed that to be an impairment indicator that warranted interim impairment testing of certain markets’ radio broadcasting licenses, which we performed as of each quarter-end date. We recorded an impairment charge of approximately $21.3 million related to our Detroit radio broadcasting licenses and Atlanta and Charlotte goodwill balances during the year ended December 31, 2018.
Changes in certain events or circumstances could result in changes to our estimated fair values, and may result in further write-downs to the carrying values of these assets. Additional impairment charges could adversely affect our financial results, financial ratios and could limit our ability to obtain financing in the future.
Our business depends on maintaining our licenses with the FCC. We could be prevented from operating a radio station if we fail to maintain its license.
Within our primary business, we are required to maintain radio broadcasting licenses issued by the FCC. These licenses are ordinarily issued for a maximum term of eight years and are renewable. Currently, subject to renewal, our radio broadcasting licenses expire at various times beginning April 2020 through December 1, 2027. While we anticipate receiving renewals of all of our broadcasting licenses, interested third parties may challenge our renewal applications. In addition, we are subject to extensive and changing regulation by the FCC with respect to such matters as programming, indecency standards, technical operations, employment and business practices. If we or any of our significant stockholders, officers, or directors violate the FCC’s rules and regulations or the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the “Communications Act”), or is convicted of a felony or found to have engaged in certain other types of non-FCC related misconduct, the FCC may commence a proceeding to impose fines or other sanctions upon us. Examples of possible sanctions include the imposition of fines, the renewal of one or more of our broadcasting licenses for a term of fewer than eight years or the revocation of our broadcast licenses. If the FCC were to issue an order denying a license renewal application or revoking a license, we would be required to cease operating the radio station covered by the license only after we had exhausted administrative and judicial review without success.
Disruptions or security breaches of our information technology infrastructure could interfere with our operations, compromise client information and expose us to liability, possibly causing our business and reputation to suffer.
Our industry is prone to cyber-attacks by third parties seeking unauthorized access to our data or users’ data. Any failure to prevent or mitigate security breaches and improper access to or disclosure of our data or user data could result in the loss or misuse of such data, which could harm our business and reputation and diminish our competitive position. In addition, computer malware, viruses, social engineering (predominantly spear phishing attacks), and general hacking have become more prevalent in general. Our efforts to protect our company’s data or the information we receive may be unsuccessful due to software bugs or other technical malfunctions; employee, contractor, or vendor error or malfeasance; government surveillance; or other threats that evolve. In addition, third parties may attempt to fraudulently induce employees or users to disclose information in order to gain access to our data or our users’ data on a continual basis.
Any internal technology breach, error or failure impacting systems hosted internally or externally, or any large scale external interruption in technology infrastructure we depend on, such as power, telecommunications or the Internet, may disrupt our technology network. Any individual, sustained or repeated failure of technology could impact our customer service and result in increased costs or reduced revenues. Our technology systems and related data also may be vulnerable to a variety of sources of interruption due to events beyond our control, including natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, hackers and other security issues. Our technology security initiatives, disaster recovery plans and other measures may not be adequate or implemented properly to prevent a business disruption and its adverse financial consequences to our reputation.
In addition, as a part of our ordinary business operations, we may collect and store sensitive data, including personal information of our clients, listeners and employees. The secure operation of the networks and systems on which this type of information is stored, processed and maintained is critical to our business operations and strategy. Any compromise of our technology systems resulting from attacks by hackers or breaches due to employee error or malfeasance could result in the loss, disclosure, misappropriation of or access to clients’, listeners’, employees’ or business partners’ information. Any such loss, disclosure, misappropriation or access could result in legal claims or proceedings, liability or regulatory penalties under laws protecting the privacy of personal information, disruption of our operations and damage to our reputation, any or all of which could adversely affect our business. Although we have developed systems and processes that are designed to protect our data and user data, to prevent data loss, and to prevent or detect security breaches, we cannot assure you that such measures will provide absolute security.
In the event of a technical or cyber event, we could experience a significant, unplanned disruption, or substantial and extensive degradation of our services, or our network may fail in the future. Despite our significant infrastructure investments, we may have insufficient communications and server capacity to address these or other disruptions, which could result in interruptions in our services. Any widespread interruption or substantial and extensive degradation in the functioning of our IT or technical platform for any reason could negatively impact our revenue and could harm our business and results of operations. If such a widespread interruption occurred, or if we failed to deliver content to users as expected, our reputation could be damaged severely. Moreover, any disruptions, significant degradation, cybersecurity threats, security breaches, or attacks on our internal information technology systems could impact our ratings and cause us to lose listeners, users or viewers or make it more difficult to attract new ones, either of which could harm our business and results of operations.
Certain Regulatory Risks
The FCC’s media ownership rules could restrict our ability to acquire radio stations.
The Communications Act and FCC rules and policies limit the number of broadcasting properties that any person or entity may own (directly or by attribution) in any market and require FCC approval for transfers of control and assignments of licenses. The FCC’s media ownership rules remain subject to further agency and court proceedings. As a result of the FCC media ownership rules, the outside media interests of our officers and directors could limit our ability to acquire stations. The filing of petitions or complaints against Urban One or any FCC licensee from which we are acquiring a station could result in the FCC delaying the grant of, refusing to grant or imposing conditions on its consent to the assignment or transfer of control of licenses. The Communications Act and FCC rules and policies also impose limitations on non-U.S. ownership and voting of our capital stock.
Enforcement by the FCC of its indecency rules against the broadcast industry could adversely affect our business operations.
The FCC’s rules prohibit the broadcast of obscene material at any time and indecent or profane material on broadcast stations between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Broadcasters risk violating the prohibition against broadcasting indecent material because of the vagueness of the FCC’s indecency and profanity definitions, coupled with the spontaneity of live programming. The FCC has in the past vigorously enforced its indecency rules against the broadcasting industry and has threatened to initiate license revocation proceedings against broadcast licensees for “serious” indecency violations. In June 2012, the Supreme Court issued a decision which, while setting aside certain FCC indecency enforcement actions on narrow due process grounds, declined to rule on the constitutionality of the FCC’s indecency policies. Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the FCC requested public comment on the appropriate substance and scope of its indecency enforcement policy. It is not possible to predict whether and, if so, how the FCC will revise its indecency enforcement policies or the effect of any such changes on us. The fines for broadcasting indecent material are a maximum of $325,000 per utterance. The determination of whether content is indecent is inherently subjective and, as such, it can be difficult to predict whether particular content could violate indecency standards. The difficulty in predicting whether individual programs, words or phrases may violate the FCC’s indecency rules adds significant uncertainty to our ability to comply with the rules. Violation of the indecency rules could lead to sanctions which may adversely affect our business and results of operations. In addition, third parties could oppose our license renewal applications or applications for consent to acquire broadcast stations on the grounds that we broadcast allegedly indecent programming on our stations. Some policymakers support the extension of the indecency rules that are applicable to over-the-air broadcasters to cover cable programming and/or attempts to increase enforcement of or otherwise expand existing laws and rules. If such an extension, attempt to increase enforcement, or other expansion took place and was found to be constitutional, some of TV One’s content could be subject to additional regulation and might not be able to attract the same subscription and viewership levels.
Changes in current federal regulations could adversely affect our business operations.
Congress and the FCC have considered, and may in the future consider and adopt, new laws, regulations and policies that could, directly or indirectly, affect the profitability of our broadcast stations. In particular, Congress may consider and adopt a revocation of terrestrial radio’s exemption from paying royalties to performing artists and record companies for use of their recordings (radio already pays a royalty to songwriters, composers and publishers). In addition, commercial radio broadcasters and entities representing artists are negotiating agreements that could result in broadcast stations paying royalties to artists. A requirement to pay additional royalties could have an adverse effect on our business operations and financial performance. Moreover, it is possible that our license fees and negotiating costs associated with obtaining rights to use musical compositions and sound recordings in our programming could sharply increase as a result of private negotiations, one or more regulatory rate-setting processes, or administrative and court decisions. We cannot predict whether such increases will occur.
The television and distribution industries in the United States are highly regulated by U.S. federal laws and regulations issued and administered by various federal agencies, including the FCC. The television broadcasting industry is subject to extensive regulation by the FCC under the Communications Act. The U.S. Congress and the FCC currently have under consideration, and may in the future adopt, new laws, regulations, and policies regarding a wide variety of matters that could, directly or indirectly, affect the operation of TV One. For example, the FCC has initiated a proceeding to examine and potentially regulate more closely embedded advertising such as product placement and product integration. Enhanced restrictions affecting these means of delivering advertising messages may adversely affect TV One’s advertising revenues. Changes to the media ownership and other FCC rules may affect the competitive landscape in ways that could increase the competition faced by TV One. Proposals have also been advanced from time to time before the U.S. Congress and the FCC to extend the program access rules (currently applicable only to those cable program services which also own or are owned by cable distribution systems) to all cable program services. TV One’s ability to obtain the most favorable terms available for its content could be adversely affected should such an extension be enacted into law. TV One is unable to predict the effect that any such laws, regulations or policies may have on its operations.
Changes in U.S. tax laws could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flow, results of operations or financial condition.
On December 22, 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Act”) was signed into law and contains broad and complex changes to U.S. Federal tax laws. The Company’s interpretation of changes in the law requires significant judgments to be made, and significant estimates in the calculation of the provision for income taxes. However, additional guidance may be issued by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Treasury, or other governing body that may significantly differ from the Company’s interpretation of the Act’s changes, which may result in a material adverse effect on the Company’s cash flow, results of operations or financial condition.
New or changing federal, state or international privacy legislation or regulation could hinder the growth of our internet business.
A variety of federal and state laws govern the collection, use, retention, sharing and security of consumer data that our business uses to operate its services and to deliver certain advertisements to its customers, as well as the technologies used to collect such data. Not only are existing privacy-related laws in these jurisdictions evolving and subject to potentially disparate interpretation by governmental entities, new legislative proposals affecting privacy are now pending at both the federal and state level in the U.S. Changes to the interpretation of existing law or the adoption of new privacy-related requirements could hinder the growth of our business and cause us to incur new and additional costs and expenses. Also, a failure or perceived failure to comply with such laws or requirements or with our own policies and procedures could result in significant liabilities, including a possible loss of consumer or investor confidence or a loss of customers or advertisers.
Our controls and procedures may fail or be circumvented, which may result in a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Management regularly reviews and updates our internal controls, disclosure controls and procedures, and corporate governance policies and procedures. Any system of controls, however well designed and operated, is based in part on certain assumptions and can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurances that the objectives of the system are met. Any failure or circumvention of the controls and procedures or failure to comply with regulations related to controls and procedures could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
As disclosed in Part II, Item 9A “Controls and Procedures” of this Form 10-K, or Item 9A, material weaknesses were identified in our internal control over financial reporting resulting from an error in the Company’s recording of an out-of-period tax provision adjustment of approximately $3.4 million during the quarter ended March 31, 2019, not designing and maintaining effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of the balances of the income tax related accounts during the quarter ended September 30, 2019, and not designing and maintaining effective controls over the adoption of ASC 842 right of use assets and lease liability accounts and related lease accounting activity during the quarter ended December 31, 2019. The specific issues leading to these conclusions are described in Item 9A in “Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting.”
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We began efforts to remediate the material weakness as part of the third quarter close of 2019. However, our remedial measures to address the material weakness may be insufficient and we may in the future discover areas of our internal controls that need improvement. Failure to maintain effective controls or to timely implement any necessary improvement of our internal and disclosure controls could, among other things, result in losses from errors, harm our reputation, or cause investors to lose confidence in the reported financial information, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition.
Given recent market volatility and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on equity markets, we may not be able to satisfy listing requirements of the NASDAQ Capital Market to maintain a listing of our common stock.
Our Class A and Class D common stock is listed on the NASDAQ Capital Market and we must meet certain financial, liquidity and governance criteria to maintain such listing. The COVID-19 pandemic has added volatility to the equity markets and impacted the stock prices of companies across the board. If we fail to meet any of NASDAQ Capital Market’s listing standards, our Class A and/or Class D common stock may be delisted. In addition, our board of directors may determine that the cost of maintaining our listing on a national securities exchange outweighs the benefits of such listing. A delisting of our common stock from the NASDAQ Capital Market may materially impair our stockholders’ ability to buy and sell our common stock and could have an adverse effect on the market price of, and the efficiency of the trading market for, our common stock. In addition, the delisting of our common stock could significantly impair our ability to raise capital. While we have had stock repurchase authorizations in the past and currently have an open repurchase authorization, given the severity of the pandemic and its economic impact, we may determine that stock repurchases are not the best use of resources and may not act upon any stock repurchase authorization. Further, we cannot guarantee that we will approve any further stock repurchase authorizations while the pandemic continues and continues to impact upon equity markets. While, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, NASADQ has recently offered temporary relief from the continued listing bid price and market value of publicly held shares through June 30, 2020, we cannot assure you that once that relief is lifted we will be able to meet the NASDAQ Capital Market’s listing standards.
Unique Risks Related to Our Cable Television Segment
The loss of affiliation agreements could materially adversely affect our cable segment’s results of operations.
Our cable television segment is dependent upon the maintenance of affiliation agreements with cable and direct broadcast distributors for its revenues, and there can be no assurance that these agreements will be renewed in the future on terms acceptable to such distributors. The loss of one or more of these arrangements could reduce the distribution of TV One’s and/or CLEO TV’s programming services and reduce revenues from subscriber fees and advertising, as applicable. Further, the loss of favorable packaging, positioning, pricing or other marketing opportunities with any distributor could reduce revenues from subscribers and associated subscriber fees. In addition, consolidation among cable distributors and increased vertical integration of such distributors into the cable or broadcast network business have provided more leverage to these distributors and could adversely affect our cable television segment’s ability to maintain or obtain distribution for its network programming on favorable or commercially reasonable terms, or at all. The results of renewals could have a material adverse effect on our cable television segment’s revenues and results and operations. We cannot assure you that TV One and/or CLEO TV will be able to renew their affiliation agreements on commercially reasonable terms, or at all. The loss of a significant number of these arrangements or the loss of carriage on basic programming tiers could reduce the distribution of our content, which may adversely affect our revenues from subscriber fees and our ability to sell national and local advertising time.
Changes in consumer behavior resulting from new technologies and distribution platforms may impact the performance of our businesses.
Our cable television segment faces emerging competition from other providers of digital media, some of which have greater financial, marketing and other resources than we do. In particular, content offered over the internet has become more prevalent as the speed and quality of broadband networks have improved. Providers such as NetflixTM, HuluTM, AppleTM, AmazonTM and GoogleTM, as well as gaming and other consoles such as Microsoft’s XboxTM, Sony’s PS4TM, Nintendo’s WiiTM, and RokuTM, are aggressively establishing themselves as alternative providers of video services, including online TV services. Most recently, new online distribution services have emerged offering live sports and other content without paying for a traditional cable bundle of channels. These services and the growing availability of online content, coupled with an expanding market for mobile devices and tablets that allow users to view content on an on-demand basis and internet-connected televisions, may impact our cable television segment’s distribution for its services and content. Additionally, devices or services that allow users to view television programs away from traditional cable providers or on a time-shifted basis and technologies that enable users to fast-forward or skip programming, including commercials, such as DVRs and portable digital devices and systems that enable users to store or make portable copies of content, have caused changes in consumer behavior that may affect the attractiveness of our offerings to advertisers and could therefore adversely affect our revenues. If we cannot ensure that our distribution methods and content are responsive to our cable television segment’s target audiences, our business could be adversely affected.
Unique Risks Related to Our Capital Structure
Our President and Chief Executive Officer has an interest in TV One that may conflict with your interests.
Pursuant to the terms of employment with our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Alfred C. Liggins, III, in recognition of Mr. Liggins’ contributions in founding TV One on our behalf, he is eligible to receive an award amount equal to approximately 4% of any proceeds from distributions or other liquidity events in excess of the return of our aggregate investment in TV One (the “Employment Agreement Award”). Our obligation to pay the award was triggered after our recovery of the aggregate amount of our pre-Comcast Buyout capital contribution in TV One, and payment is required only upon actual receipt of distributions of cash or marketable securities or proceeds from a liquidity event in excess of such invested amount. Mr. Liggins’ rights to the Employment Agreement Award (i) cease if he is terminated for cause or he resigns without good reason and (ii) expire at the termination of his employment (but similar rights could be included in the terms of a new employment agreement or arrangement). As a result of this arrangement, the interest of Mr. Liggins’ with respect to TV One may conflict with your interests as holders of our debt or equity securities.
Two common stockholders have a majority voting interest in Urban One and have the power to control matters on which our common stockholders may vote, and their interests may conflict with yours.
As of December 31, 2019, our Chairperson and her son, our President and CEO, collectively held in excess of 95% of the outstanding voting power of our common stock. As a result, our Chairperson and our CEO control our management and policies and decisions involving or impacting upon Urban One, including transactions involving a change of control, such as a sale or merger. The interests of these stockholders may differ from the interests of our other stockholders and our debt holders. In addition, certain covenants in our debt instruments require that our Chairperson and the CEO maintain a specified ownership and voting interest in Urban One, and prohibit other parties’ voting interests from exceeding specified amounts. Our Chairperson and the CEO have agreed to vote their shares together in elections of members to the Board of Directors of Urban One.
Further, we are a “controlled company” under rules governing the listing of our securities on the NASDAQ Stock Market because more than 50% of our voting power is held by our Chairperson and the CEO. Therefore, we are not subject to NASDAQ Stock Market listing rules that would otherwise require us to have: (i) a majority of independent directors on the board; (ii) a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors; (iii) a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors; (iv) compensation of our executive officers determined by a majority of the independent directors or a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors; and (v) director nominees selected, or recommended for the board’s selection, either by a majority of the independent directors or a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors. While a majority of our board members are currently independent directors, we do not make any assurances that a majority of our board members will be independent directors at any given time.
We are a smaller reporting company and a non-accelerated filer and we cannot be certain if the reduced disclosure requirements applicable to our filing status, as well as the exemption from the requirement to provide an auditor’s attestation report regarding the effectiveness of our internal controls, will make our common stock less attractive to investors.
We are a “smaller reporting company” and, thus, have certain decreased disclosure obligations in our SEC filings, including, among other things, simplified executive compensation disclosures and only being required to provide two years of audited financial statements in annual reports. We are also a “non-accelerated filer,” meaning we have a public float of less than $75 million measured as of the last business day of our most recently completed second fiscal quarter. As a “non-accelerated filer,” we are exempt from the provisions of Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requiring that independent registered public accounting firms provide an attestation report on the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting. Decreased disclosures in our SEC filings due to our status as a “smaller reporting company” and as a “non-accelerated filer” may make it harder for investors to analyze our results of operations and financial prospects and may make our common stock a less attractive investment.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
The types of properties required to support each of our radio stations include offices, studios and transmitter/antenna sites. Our other media properties, such as Interactive One, generally only require office space. We typically lease our studio and office space with lease terms ranging from five to 10 years in length. A station’s studios are generally housed with its offices in business districts. We generally consider our facilities to be suitable and of adequate size for our current and intended purposes. We lease a majority of our main transmitter/antenna sites and associated broadcast towers and, when negotiating a lease for such sites, we try to obtain a lengthy lease term with options to renew. In general, we do not anticipate difficulties in renewing facility or transmitter/antenna site leases, or in leasing additional space or sites, if required.
We own substantially all of our equipment, consisting principally of transmitting antennae, transmitters, studio equipment and general office equipment. The towers, antennae and other transmission equipment used by our stations are generally in good condition, although opportunities to upgrade facilities are periodically reviewed. The tangible personal property owned by us and the real property owned or leased by us are subject to security interests under our senior credit facility.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Urban One is involved from time to time in various routine legal and administrative proceedings and threatened legal and administrative proceedings incidental to the ordinary course of our business. Urban One believes the resolution of such matters will not have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition or results of operations.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.
Part II.
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Price Range of Our Class A and Class D Common Stock
Our Class A voting common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market (“NASDAQ”) under the symbol “UONE.” The following table presents, for the quarters indicated, the high and low daily closing prices per share of our Class A Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ.
Our Class D non-voting common stock is traded on the NASDAQ under the symbol “UONEK.” The following table presents, for the quarters indicated, the high and low daily closing prices per share of our Class D Common Stock as reported on the NASDAQ.
Number of Stockholders
Based upon a survey of record holders and a review of our stock transfer records, as of February 19, 2020, there were approximately 1,476 holders of Urban One’s Class A Common Stock, two holders of Urban One’s Class B Common Stock, three holders of Urban One’s Class C Common Stock, and approximately 1,628 holders of Urban One’s Class D Common Stock.
Dividends
Since first selling our common stock publicly in May 1999, we have not declared any cash dividends on any class of our common stock. We intend to retain future earnings for use in our business and do not anticipate declaring or paying any cash or stock dividends on shares of our common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, any determination to declare and pay dividends will be made by our Board of Directors in light of our earnings, financial position, capital requirements, contractual restrictions contained in our credit facility and the indentures governing our senior subordinated notes, and other factors as the Board of Directors deems relevant. (See Note 9 of our consolidated financial statements - Long-Term Debt.)
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 7.
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following information should be read in conjunction with “Selected Financial Data” and the Consolidated Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this report.
Overview
For the year ended December 31, 2019, consolidated net revenue decreased approximately 0.5% compared to the year ended December 31, 2018. For 2020, our strategy will be to: (i) grow market share; (ii) improve audience share in certain markets and improve revenue conversion of strong and stable audience share in certain other markets; (iii) execute on political opportunities; and (iv) grow and diversify our revenue by successfully executing our multimedia strategy.
The state of the economy, competition from digital audio players, the internet, cable television and satellite radio, among other new media outlets, audio and video streaming on the internet, and consumers’ increased focus on mobile applications, are some of the reasons our core radio business has seen slow or negative growth over the past few years. In addition to making overall cutbacks, advertisers continue to shift their advertising budgets away from traditional media such as newspapers, broadcast television and radio to these new media outlets. Internet companies have evolved from being large sources of advertising revenue for radio companies to being significant competitors for radio advertising dollars. While these dynamics present significant challenges for companies that are focused solely in the radio industry, through our online properties, which includes our radio websites, Interactive One and other online verticals, as well as our cable television business, we are poised to provide advertisers and creators of content with a multifaceted way to reach African-American consumers.
Results of Operations
Revenue
Within our core radio business, we primarily derive revenue from the sale of advertising time and program sponsorships to local and national advertisers on our radio stations. Advertising revenue is affected primarily by the advertising rates our radio stations are able to charge, as well as the overall demand for radio advertising time in a market. These rates are largely based upon a radio station’s audience share in the demographic groups targeted by advertisers, the number of radio stations in the related market, and the supply of, and demand for, radio advertising time. Advertising rates are generally highest during morning and afternoon commuting hours.
Net revenue consists of gross revenue, net of local and national agency and outside sales representative commissions. Agency and outside sales representative commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing.
The following chart shows the percentage of consolidated net revenue generated by each reporting segment.
The following chart shows the percentages generated from local and national advertising as a subset of net revenue from our core radio business.
National and local advertising also includes advertising revenue generated from our digital segment. The balance of net revenue from our radio segment was generated from tower rental income, ticket sales and revenue related to our sponsored events, management fees and other revenue.
The following charts show our net revenue (and sources) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:
In the broadcasting industry, radio stations and television stations often utilize trade or barter agreements to reduce cash expenses by exchanging advertising time for goods or services. In order to maximize cash revenue for our spot inventory, we closely manage the use of trade and barter agreements.
Within our digital segment, including Interactive One which generates the majority of the Company’s digital revenue, revenue is principally derived from advertising services on non-radio station branded, but Company-owned websites. Advertising services include the sale of banner and sponsorship advertisements. Advertising revenue is recognized either as impressions (the number of times advertisements appear in viewed pages) are delivered, when “click through” purchases are made, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. In addition, Interactive One derives revenue from its studio operations, in which it provides third-party clients with publishing services including digital platforms and related expertise. In the case of the studio operations, revenue is recognized primarily through fixed contractual monthly fees and/or as a share of the third party’s reported revenue.
Our cable television segment generates the Company’s cable television revenue, and derives its revenue principally from advertising and affiliate revenue. Advertising revenue is derived from the sale of television air time to advertisers and is recognized when the advertisements are run. Our cable television segment also derives revenue from affiliate fees under the terms of various affiliation agreements based upon a per subscriber fee multiplied by most recent subscriber counts reported by the applicable affiliate.
Reach Media primarily derives its revenue from the sale of advertising in connection with its syndicated radio shows, including the Tom Joyner Morning Show and our other syndicated programming assets, including the Rickey Smiley Morning Show, the Russ Parr Morning Show and the DL Hughley Show. Mr. Joyner was a leading nationally syndicated radio personality. Mr. Joyner announced his then forthcoming retirement in 2018 and in December 2019, the Tom Joyner Morning Show ceased being broadcast upon Mr. Joyner’s retirement. Up until his retirement in December 2019, the Tom Joyner Morning Show was broadcast on 71 affiliate stations across the United States. Reach Media also operates www.BlackAmericaWeb.com, an African-American targeted news and entertainment website. Additionally, Reach Media operates various other event-related activities.
Expenses
Our significant expenses are: (i) employee salaries and commissions; (ii) programming expenses; (iii) marketing and promotional expenses; (iv) rental of premises for office facilities and studios; (v) rental of transmission tower space; (vi) music license royalty fees; and (vii) content amortization. We strive to control these expenses by centralizing certain functions such as finance, accounting, legal, human resources and management information systems and, in certain markets, the programming management function. We also use our multiple stations, market presence and purchasing power to negotiate favorable rates with certain vendors and national representative selling agencies. In addition to salaries and commissions, major expenses for our internet business include membership traffic acquisition costs, software product design, post-application software development and maintenance, database and server support costs, the help desk function, data center expenses connected with internet service provider (“ISP”) hosting services and other internet content delivery expenses. Major expenses for our cable television business include content acquisition and amortization, sales and marketing.
We generally incur marketing and promotional expenses to increase and maintain our audiences. However, because Nielsen reports ratings either monthly or quarterly, depending on the particular market, any changed ratings and the effect on advertising revenue tends to lag behind both the reporting of the ratings and the incurrence of advertising and promotional expenditures.
Measurement of Performance
We monitor and evaluate the growth and operational performance of our business using net income and the following key metrics:
(a) Net revenue: The performance of an individual radio station or group of radio stations in a particular market is customarily measured by its ability to generate net revenue. Net revenue consists of gross revenue, net of local and national agency and outside sales representative commissions consistent with industry practice. Net revenue is recognized in the period in which advertisements are broadcast. Net revenue also includes advertising aired in exchange for goods and services, which is recorded at fair value, revenue from sponsored events and other revenue. Net revenue is recognized for our online business as impressions are delivered, as “click throughs” are made or ratably over contract periods, where applicable. Net revenue is recognized for our cable television business as advertisements are run, and during the term of the affiliation agreements at levels appropriate for the most recent subscriber counts reported by the affiliate, net of launch support.
(b) Broadcast and digital operating income: Net income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, income taxes, interest expense, interest income, noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries, other (income) expense, corporate selling, general and administrative expenses, stock-based compensation, impairment of long-lived assets, (gain) loss on retirement of debt and gain on sale-leaseback, is commonly referred to in the radio broadcasting industry as “station operating income.” However, given the diverse nature of our business, station operating income is not truly reflective of our multi-media operation and, therefore, we now use the term broadcast and digital operating income. Broadcast and digital operating income is not a measure of financial performance under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”). Nevertheless, broadcast and digital operating income is a significant measure used by our management to evaluate the operating performance of our core operating segments. Broadcast and digital operating income provides helpful information about our results of operations, apart from expenses associated with our fixed and long-lived intangible assets, income taxes, investments, impairment charges, debt financings and retirements, corporate overhead and stock-based compensation. Our measure of broadcast and digital operating income is similar to industry use of station operating income; however, it reflects our more diverse business and therefore is not completely analogous to “station operating income” or other similarly titled measures as used by other companies. Broadcast and digital operating income does not represent operating loss or cash flow from operating activities, as those terms are defined under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to those measurements as an indicator of our performance.
(c) Broadcast and digital operating income margin: Broadcast and digital operating income margin represents broadcast and digital operating income as a percentage of net revenue. Broadcast and digital operating income margin is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP. Nevertheless, we believe that broadcast and digital operating income margin is a useful measure of our performance because it provides helpful information about our profitability as a percentage of our net revenue. Broadcast and digital operating margin includes results from all four segments (radio broadcasting, Reach Media, digital and cable television).
(d) Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA consists of net (loss) income plus (1) depreciation and amortization, income taxes, interest expense, noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries, impairment of long-lived assets, stock-based compensation, (gain) loss on retirement of debt, gain on sale-leaseback, employment agreement, incentive plan award expenses and other compensation, contingent consideration from acquisition, severance-related costs, cost method investment income, less (2) other income and interest income. Net income before interest income, interest expense, income taxes, depreciation and amortization is commonly referred to in our business as “EBITDA.” Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA are not measures of financial performance under GAAP. We believe Adjusted EBITDA is often a useful measure of a company’s operating performance and is a significant measure used by our management to evaluate the operating performance of our business because Adjusted EBITDA excludes charges for depreciation, amortization and interest expense that have resulted from our acquisitions and debt financing, our taxes, impairment charges, and gain on retirements of debt. Accordingly, we believe that Adjusted EBITDA provides useful information about the operating performance of our business, apart from the expenses associated with our fixed assets and long-lived intangible assets, capital structure or the results of our affiliated company. Adjusted EBITDA is frequently used as one of the measures for comparing businesses in the broadcasting industry, although our measure of Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, including, but not limited to the fact that our definition includes the results of all four of our operating segments (radio broadcasting, Reach Media, digital and cable television). Adjusted EBITDA and EBITDA do not purport to represent operating income or cash flow from operating activities, as those terms are defined under GAAP, and should not be considered as alternatives to those measurements as an indicator of our performance.
Summary of Performance
The table below provides a summary of our performance based on the metrics described above:
The reconciliation of net income to broadcast and digital operating income is as follows:
The reconciliation of net income to adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table summarizes our historical consolidated results of operations:
Year Ended December 31, 2019 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2018 (In thousands)
Net revenue
During the year ended December 31, 2019, we recognized approximately $436.9 million in net revenue compared to approximately $439.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2018. These amounts are net of agency and outside sales representative commissions. Net revenues from our radio broadcasting segment for the year ended December 31, 2019, decreased 2.9% from the same period in 2018. Based on reports prepared by the independent accounting firm Miller, Kaplan, Arase & Co., LLP (“Miller Kaplan”), the radio markets we operate in (excluding Richmond and Raleigh, both of which no longer participate in Miller Kaplan) increased 1.6% in total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2019, consisting of a decrease of 3.2% in local revenues, which was offset by an increase of 3.8% in national revenues, and an increase of 26.3% in digital revenues. We experienced net revenue growth most significantly in our Atlanta and Washington, DC markets; however, this growth was offset by declines most significantly in our Cincinnati, Columbus, Detroit, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Richmond and St. Louis markets. The declines in Detroit were driven by the previously announced sales of our Detroit WDMK-FM station as of August 31, 2019 and our Detroit WPZR-FM station as of August 8, 2018. Net revenue for our Reach Media segment increased 4.0% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, due primarily to increased performance at special events. We recognized approximately $185.0 million from our cable television segment for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $184.3 million of revenue for the same period in 2018, with the increase due primarily to higher advertising sales which was partially offset by lower affiliate sales. Net revenue from our digital segment increased $345,000 and 1.1% for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018.
Operating expenses
Programming and technical, excluding stock-based compensation
Programming and technical expenses include expenses associated with on-air talent and the management and maintenance of the systems, tower facilities, and studios used in the creation, distribution and broadcast of programming content on our radio stations. Programming and technical expenses for the radio segment also include expenses associated with our programming research activities and music royalties. For our digital segment, programming and technical expenses include software product design, post-application software development and maintenance, database and server support costs, the help desk function, data center expenses connected with ISP hosting services and other internet content delivery expenses. For our cable television segment, programming and technical expenses include expenses associated with technical, programming, production, and content management. The increase in programming and technical expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 is primarily due to higher program content expenses in our cable television segment, which was partially offset by a decrease in expenses at our Reach Media and digital segments.
Selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation
Selling, general and administrative expenses include expenses associated with our sales departments, offices and facilities and personnel (outside of our corporate headquarters), marketing and promotional expenses, special events and sponsorships and back office expenses. Expenses to secure ratings data for our radio stations and visitors’ data for our websites are also included in selling, general and administrative expenses. In addition, selling, general and administrative expenses for the radio broadcasting segment and digital segment include expenses related to the advertising traffic (scheduling and insertion) functions. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include membership traffic acquisition costs for our online business. The increase in expense for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, is primarily due to an increase in expenses at our radio broadcasting, Reach Media and cable television segments, partially offset by a decrease in expenses at our digital segment.
Corporate selling, general and administrative, excluding stock-based compensation
Corporate expenses consist of expenses associated with our corporate headquarters and facilities, including personnel as well as other corporate overhead functions. The increase in expense for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, is primarily driven by higher corporate expenses, which was partially offset by a decrease in corporate expenses at our Reach Media and cable television segments. During the year ended December 31, 2018, management changed the methodology used in calculating the fair value of the Company's Employment Agreement Award liability to simplify the calculation. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the simplified method which eliminated certain assumptions that were historically used in the determination of the fair value of this liability. The revised methodology resulted in a one-time reduction of approximately $6.6 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 to reflect this change in estimate. The liability was further reduced during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 using the simplified methodology, due primarily to an overall lower valuation. During 2019, there was an increase in the overall enterprise valuation and an increase in the overall working capital contributing to an increase in expense recognized throughout the year. Our cable television segment generated a decrease of approximately $2.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018 due primarily to lower incentive based-compensation costs.
Stock-based compensation
The increase in stock-based compensation for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to the same period in 2018, is primarily due to grants of stock awards for certain executive officers and other management personnel.
Depreciation and amortization
The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2019, was due to the mix of assets approaching or near the end of their useful lives, most notably the Company’s affiliate agreements.
Impairment of long-lived assets
The impairment of long-lived assets for the year ended December 31, 2019, was related to a non-cash impairment charge associated with our Detroit and Indianapolis markets’ radio broadcasting licenses as well as a non-cash impairment charge recorded to reduce the carrying value of our Interactive One goodwill balance. The impairment of long-lived assets for the year ended December 31, 2018, was related to a non-cash impairment charge recorded to reduce the carrying value of our Charlotte and Atlanta goodwill balances and a non-cash impairment charge recorded to reduce the carrying value of our Detroit radio broadcasting licenses.
Interest expense
Interest expense increased to approximately $87.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $76.7 million for the same period in 2018, due to higher interest rates on lower overall debt balances outstanding. On December 20, 2018, the Company closed on a new $192.0 million unsecured credit facility (the “2018 Credit Facility”) and a new $50.0 million loan secured by its interest in the MGM National Harbor Casino (the “MGM National Harbor Loan”). During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, in conjunction with entering into the 2018 Credit Facility and MGM National Harbor Loan, the Company repurchased approximately $243.0 million of its 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) at an average price of approximately 100.88% of par, with the remaining balance of the 2020 Notes being repurchased in February 2019.
Loss on retirement of debt
There was a net loss on retirement of debt of approximately $1.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, due to the redemption of 2020 Notes throughout the year. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, there was a loss on retirement of debt of approximately $2.8 million which includes a write-off of previously capitalized debt financing costs and original issue discount associated with the 2020 Notes in the amount of $649,000 and also includes approximately $2.1 million associated with the premium paid to the bondholders. Prior to the quarter ended December 31, 2018, there was a gain on retirement of debt due to the redemption of the 2020 Notes at a discount during the first, second and third quarters.
Other income, net
Other income, net, decreased to approximately $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $8.0 million for the same period in 2018. We recognized other income in the amount of approximately $6.9 million and $7.0 million, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to our MGM investment. In addition, we recognized $809,000 in other income for the year ended December 31, 2018, related to the deferred gain on sale lease-back transaction.
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
During the year ended December 31, 2019 the provision for income taxes increased to approximately $10.9 million compared to the benefit from income taxes of approximately $135.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in the provision for income taxes was primarily due to the application of statutory tax rates and permanent tax adjustments. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the provision consisted of deferred tax expense of approximately $10.3 million and current tax expense of $595,000. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the benefit consisted of deferred tax benefit of approximately $135.8 million and current tax expense of $604,000. The Company continues to maintain a valuation allowance of $249,000 against certain of its deferred tax assets (“DTAs”) in jurisdictions where we do not expect these assets to be realized. The provision resulted in an effective tax rate of 84.1% and (3,969.4)% for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The 2019 annual effective tax rate primarily reflects taxes at statutory tax rates and the impact of permanent tax adjustments. The 2018 annual effective tax rate primarily reflects the impact of the valuation allowance release related to the realizability of certain of the Company’s net operating losses.
Noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries
The decrease in noncontrolling interests in income of subsidiaries was primarily due to lower net income recognized by Reach Media for the year ended December 31, 2019, versus the same period in 2018.
Other Data
Broadcast and digital operating income
Broadcast and digital operating income decreased to approximately $156.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $164.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of approximately $8.4 million or 5.1%. This decrease was due to lower broadcast and digital operating income in our radio broadcasting, Reach Media and cable television segments, which was partially offset by an increase in broadcast and digital operating income at our digital segment. Our radio broadcasting segment generated approximately $58.3 million of broadcast and digital operating income during the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $66.0 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, a decrease of $7.6 million, primarily due to a decrease in revenues. Reach Media generated approximately $9.7 million of broadcast and digital operating income during the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $10.5 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, primarily due to higher selling, general and administrative expenses. Our digital segment generated $200,000 of broadcast and digital operating income during the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to an approximately $5.9 million broadcast and digital operating loss during the year ended December 31, 2018. The increase in our digital segment’s broadcast and digital operating income is primarily due to overall lower expenses. Finally, TV One generated approximately $88.3 million of broadcast and digital operating income during the year ended December 31, 2019, compared to approximately $94.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2018, with the decrease due primarily to higher programming and technical expenses.
Broadcast and digital operating income margin
Broadcast and digital operating income margin decreased to 35.8% for the year ended December 31, 2019, from 37.5% for 2018. The margin decrease was primarily attributable to lower broadcast and digital operating income as described above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary source of liquidity is cash provided by operations and, to the extent necessary, borrowings available under our asset-backed credit facility (the “ABL Facility”).
Beginning in March 2020, the Company noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government stay at home order were dramatically impacting certain of the Company's revenues. Most notably, a number of advertisers across significant advertising categories have reduced or ceased advertising spend due to the outbreak and stay at home orders which effectively shut many businesses down. This was particularly true within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers who have been particularly hard hit due to social distancing and government interventions. Further, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused the postponement of our 2020 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage cruise and was impairing ticket sales of other tent pole special events.
Given the expected decreases in revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed a variety of factors, including but not limited to, media industry financial forecasts for the remainder of 2020, expected operating results, forecasted net cash flows from operations, future obligations and liquidity, capital expenditure commitments and forecasted debt covenant compliance. If the Company were unable to meet its financial covenants, an event of default would occur and the Company’s debt would have to be classified as current, which the Company would be unable to repay if lenders were to call the debt. We concluded that the potential that the Company could incur considerable decreases in operating profits and the resulting impact on the Company’s ability to meet its debt service obligations and debt covenants were probable conditions which gave rise to a need for an assessment of whether substantial doubt existed of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
As a result, the Company performed a complete reforecast of its 2020 anticipated results extending through April 2021. In reforecasting its results, the Company included the impact of certain of cost-cutting measures including furloughs, layoffs, salary reductions, eliminating travel and entertainment expenses, eliminating discretionary bonus expenses and merit raises, reducing or deferring marketing spend, deferring programming/production costs, reducing special events costs, and implementing a hiring freeze on open positions.
Out of an abundance of caution and to provide for further liquidity given the uncertainty around the pandemic, the Company drew approximately $27.5 million on its ABL Facility on March 19, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, the amount remained on the Company’s balance sheet and improved our cash on hand balance to approximately $66.4 million. On April 15, 2020, the Company paid interest expense of approximately $12.9 million on its 7.375% Senior Secured Notes, and as of April 27, 2020 our cash on hand balance is approximately $54.7 million. As a result of the cost reduction and other measures that the Company has taken in response to COVID-19, the Company anticipates meeting its debt service requirements and is projecting compliance with all debt covenants through April 2021.
See Note 9 to our consolidated financial statements - Long-Term Debt for further information on liquidity and capital resources.
As of December 31, 2019, ratios calculated in accordance with the 2017 Credit Facility were as follows:
Covenant EBITDA - Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) adjusted for certain other adjustments, as defined in the 2017 Credit Facility
As of December 31, 2019, ratios calculated in accordance with the 2018 Credit Facility were as follows:
Covenant EBITDA - Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) adjusted for certain other adjustments, as defined in the 2018 Credit Facility
The following table summarizes the interest rates in effect with respect to our debt as of December 31, 2019:
(1) Subject to variable LIBOR or Prime plus a spread that is incorporated into the applicable interest rate set forth above.
The following table provides a comparison of our statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:
Net cash flows provided by operating activities were approximately $58.5 million and $50.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Cash flow from operating activities for the year ended December 31, 2019, increased from the prior year primarily due to timing of collections of accounts receivable, payments of accrued compensation and payments for accrued interest.
Net cash flows provided by investing activities were approximately $8.4 million and $3.2 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Capital expenditures, including digital tower and transmitter upgrades, and deposits for station equipment and purchases were approximately $5.1 million and $4.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company received proceeds of approximately $13.5 million for the sale of the remaining Detroit station and translators. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company paid approximately $4.8 million to complete the acquisition of our new WTEM Washington DC station and Detroit translators and we received proceeds of approximately $12.8 million for the sale of our Detroit WPZR-FM station assets.
Net cash flows used in financing activities were approximately $49.2 million and $75.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company repaid approximately $42.1 million and $23.4 million, respectively, in outstanding debt. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we borrowed approximately $192.0 million in new 2018 Credit Facility and we borrowed approximately $50.0 million in the MGM National Harbor Loan. During the year ended December 31, 2018, we capitalized approximately $7.4 million of costs associated with our indebtedness. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased approximately $271.9 million of our 2020 Notes and the Company paid a premium of approximately $2.1 million to retire the 2020 Notes. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we repurchased approximately $5.5 million and $8.2 million of our Class A and Class D Common Stock, respectively. Reach Media paid approximately $1.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively in dividends to noncontrolling interest shareholders for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, the Company distributed $658,000 and approximately $1.1 million of contingent consideration related to the Moguldom acquisition.
Credit Rating Agencies
Our corporate credit ratings by Standard & Poor's Rating Services and Moody's Investors Service are speculative-grade and have been downgraded and upgraded at various times during the last several years. Any reductions in our credit ratings could increase our borrowing costs, reduce the availability of financing to us or increase our cost of doing business or otherwise negatively impact our business operations.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
See Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for a summary of recent accounting pronouncements.
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES
Our accounting policies are described in Note 1 of our consolidated financial statements - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies. We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP, which require us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the year. Actual results could differ from those estimates. We consider the following policies and estimates to be most critical in understanding the judgments involved in preparing our financial statements and the uncertainties that could affect our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation for stock options and restricted stock grants in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” Under the provisions of ASC 718, stock-based compensation cost for stock options is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes valuation option-pricing model (“BSM”) and is recognized as expense, less estimated forfeitures, ratably over the requisite service period. The BSM incorporates various highly subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility, for which historical data is heavily relied upon, expected life of options granted, forfeiture rates and interest rates. If any of the assumptions used in the BSM model change significantly, stock-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from that previously recorded. Compensation expense for restricted stock grants is measured based on the fair value on the date of grant less estimated forfeitures. Compensation expense for restricted stock grants is recognized ratably during the vesting period.
Goodwill and Radio Broadcasting Licenses
Impairment Testing
We have made several acquisitions in the past for which a significant portion of the purchase price was allocated to radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill. Goodwill exists whenever the purchase price exceeds the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired in business combinations. As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $582.7 million in broadcast licenses and $239.8 million in goodwill, which totaled $822.5 million, and represented approximately 65.7% of our total assets. Therefore, we believe estimating the fair value of goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses is a critical accounting estimate because of the significance of their carrying values in relation to our total assets. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded impairment charges against radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, collectively, of approximately $10.6 million and $21.3 million, respectively. Significant impairment charges have been an on-going trend experienced by media companies in general, and are not unique to us.
We test for impairment annually across all reporting units, or when events or changes in circumstances or other conditions suggest impairment may have occurred in any given reporting unit. Our annual impairment testing is performed as of October 1 of each year. Impairment exists when the carrying value of these assets exceeds its respective fair value. When the carrying value exceeds fair value, an impairment amount is charged to operations for the excess.
Beginning in March 2020, the Company noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government stay at home order were dramatically impacting certain of the Company's revenues. Most notably, a number of advertisers across significant advertising categories have reduced or ceased advertising spend due to the outbreak and stay at home orders which effectively shut many businesses down. This was particularly true within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers who have been particularly hard hit due to social distancing and government interventions. The COVID-19 impact is considered a non-recognized subsequent event. The Company will perform certain interim impairment testing during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 which could result in the Company recording additional non-cash impairment charges related to its broadcasting licenses and goodwill balances during 2020.
Valuation of Broadcasting Licenses
We utilize the services of a third-party valuation firm to assist us in estimating the fair value of our radio broadcasting licenses and reporting units. Fair value is estimated to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use the income approach to test for impairment of radio broadcasting licenses. A projection period of 10 years is used, as that is the time horizon in which operators and investors generally expect to recover their investments. When evaluating our radio broadcasting licenses for impairment, the testing is done at the unit of accounting level as determined by ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.” In our case, each unit of accounting is a cluster of radio stations into one of our geographical markets. Broadcasting license fair values are based on the discounted future cash flows of the applicable unit of accounting assuming an initial hypothetical start-up operation which possesses FCC licenses as the only asset. Over time, it is assumed the operation acquires other tangible assets such as advertising and programming contracts, employment agreements and going concern value, and matures into an average performing operation in a specific radio market. The income approach model incorporates several variables, including, but not limited to: (i) radio market revenue estimates and growth projections; (ii) estimated market share and revenue for the hypothetical participant; (iii) likely media competition within the market; (iv) estimated start-up costs and losses incurred in the early years; (v) estimated profit margins and cash flows based on market size and station type; (vi) anticipated capital expenditures; (vii) estimated future terminal values; (viii) an effective tax rate assumption; and (ix) a discount rate based on the weighted-average cost of capital for the radio broadcast industry. In calculating the discount rate, we considered: (i) the cost of equity, which includes estimates of the risk-free return, the long-term market return, small stock risk premiums and industry beta; (ii) the cost of debt, which includes estimates for corporate borrowing rates and tax rates; and (iii) estimated average percentages of equity and debt in capital structures.
Valuation of Goodwill
The impairment testing of goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level. We had 17 reporting units as of our October 2019 annual impairment assessment, consisting of each of the 14 radio markets within the radio division (our license in Detroit was sold during the third quarter of 2019) and each of the other three business divisions. In testing for the impairment of goodwill, we primarily rely on the income approach. The approach involves a 10-year model with similar variables as described above for broadcasting licenses, except that the discounted cash flows are based on the Company’s estimated and projected market revenue, market share and operating performance for its reporting units, instead of those for a hypothetical participant. We use a 5-year model for our Reach Media reporting unit. We evaluate all events and circumstances on an interim basis to determine if an impairment indicator is present and also perform annual testing by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. We recognize an impairment charge to operations in the amount that the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The impairment charge recognized cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating the broadcasting license and goodwill fair values for the annual impairment testing performed and interim impairment testing performed where an impairment charge was recorded since January 1, 2018.
(a) Reflects changes only to the key assumptions used in the interim testing for certain units of accounting.
(*) License fair value based on estimated asset sale consideration.
(a) Reflects the key assumptions for testing only those radio markets with remaining goodwill.
(*) Goodwill fair value based on estimated asset sale consideration.
Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating the fair value for Reach Media for the annual and interim impairment assessments performed since October 2018. When compared to the discount rates used for assessing radio market reporting units, the higher discount rates used in these assessments reflect a premium for a riskier and broader media business, with a heavier concentration and significantly higher amount of programming content assets that are highly dependent on a single on-air personality. As a result of our impairment assessments, the Company concluded that the goodwill was not impaired.
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company performed its annual impairment testing on the valuation of goodwill associated with our digital segment. Our digital segment’s net revenues and cash flow internal projections were revised downward and as a result of our annual assessment, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of approximately $5.8 million. Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for determining the fair value of our digital reporting unit since October 2018. When compared to discount rates for the radio reporting units, the higher discount rate used to value the reporting unit is reflective of discount rates applicable to internet media businesses. The Company concluded no impairment to the carrying value of goodwill had occurred as a result of the annual testing performed in 2018.
Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for determining the fair value of our cable television segment since October 2018. As a result of the testing performed in 2019 and 2018, the Company concluded no impairment to the carrying value of goodwill had occurred.
The above goodwill tables reflect some of the key valuation assumptions used for 11 of our 17 reporting units. The other six remaining reporting units had no goodwill carrying value balances as of December 31, 2019.
In arriving at the estimated fair values for radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, we also performed an analysis by comparing our overall average implied multiple based on our cash flow projections and fair values to recently completed sales transactions, and by comparing our fair value estimates to the market capitalization of the Company. The results of these comparisons confirmed that the fair value estimates resulting from our annual assessment for 2019 were reasonable.
Sensitivity Analysis
We believe both the estimates and assumptions we utilized when assessing the potential for impairment are individually and in aggregate reasonable; however, our estimates and assumptions are highly judgmental in nature. Further, there are inherent uncertainties related to these estimates and assumptions and our judgment in applying them to the impairment analysis. While we believe we have made reasonable estimates and assumptions to calculate the fair values, changes in any one estimate, assumption or a combination of estimates and assumptions, or changes in certain events or circumstances (including uncontrollable events and circumstances resulting from continued deterioration in the economy or credit markets) could require us to assess recoverability of broadcasting licenses and goodwill at times other than our annual October 1 assessments, and could result in changes to our estimated fair values and further write-downs to the carrying values of these assets. Impairment charges are non-cash in nature, and as with current and past impairment charges, any future impairment charges will not impact our cash needs or liquidity or our bank ratio covenant compliance.
We had a total goodwill carrying value of approximately $239.8 million across 11 of our 17 reporting units as of December 31, 2019. The below table indicates the long-term cash flow growth rates assumed in our impairment testing and the long-term cash flow growth/decline rates that would result in additional goodwill impairment. For three of the reporting units, given the significant excess of their fair value over carrying value, any future goodwill impairment is not likely. However, should our estimates and assumptions for assessing the fair values of the remaining reporting units with goodwill worsen to reflect the below or lower cash flow growth/decline rates, additional goodwill impairments may be warranted in the future.
(a)The long-term cash flow growth/(decline) rate that would result in the carrying value of the reporting unit being less than the fair value of the reporting unit applies only to further goodwill impairment and not to any future license impairment that would result from lowering the long-term cash flow growth rates used.
Several of the licenses in our units of accounting have limited or no excess of fair values over their respective carrying values. As set forth in the table below, as of October 1, 2019, we appraised the radio broadcasting licenses at a fair value of approximately $695.1 million, which was in excess of the $582.7 million carrying value by $112.4 million, or 19.3%. After the impairment charges were recorded for the year ended December 31, 2019, the fair values of the licenses exceeded the carrying values of the licenses for all units of accounting. Should our estimates, assumptions, or events or circumstances for any upcoming valuations worsen in the units with no or limited fair value cushion, additional license impairments may be needed in the future.
(a) The units of accounting are not disclosed on a specific market basis so as to not make publicly available sensitive information that could be competitively harmful to the Company.
The following table presents a sensitivity analysis showing the impact on our impairment testing resulting from: (i) a 100 basis point decrease in industry or reporting unit growth rates; (ii) a 100 basis point decrease in cash flow margins; (iii) a 100 basis point increase in the discount rate; and (iv) both a 5% and 10% reduction in the fair values of broadcasting licenses and reporting units.
(a) Goodwill impairment charge applies only to further goodwill impairment and not to any potential license impairment that could result from changing other assumptions.
Impairment of Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill, Radio Broadcasting Licenses and Other Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Intangible assets, excluding goodwill, radio broadcasting licenses and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be fully recoverable. These events or changes in circumstances may include a significant deterioration of operating results, changes in business plans, or changes in anticipated future cash flows. If an impairment indicator is present, we will evaluate recoverability by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset or group of assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or group of assets. Assets are grouped at the lowest level for which there is identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows generated by other asset groups. If the assets are impaired, the impairment is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the assets determined by estimates of discounted cash flows. The discount rate used in any estimate of discounted cash flows would be the rate required for a similar investment of like risk. The Company reviewed certain intangibles for impairment during 2019 and 2018 and determined no impairment charges were necessary. Any changes in the valuation estimates and assumptions or changes in certain events or circumstances could result in changes to the estimated fair values of these intangible assets and may result in future write-downs to the carrying values.
Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company elected to use the modified retrospective method, but the adoption of the standard did not have a material impact to our financial statements. In general, our spot advertising (both radio and cable television) as well as our digital advertising continues to be recognized when aired and delivered. For our cable television affiliate revenue, the Company grants a license to the affiliate to access its television programming content through the license period, and the Company earns a usage-based royalty when the usage occurs, consistent with our previous revenue recognition policy. Finally, for event advertising, the performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time when the activity associated with the event is completed.
Within our radio broadcasting and Reach Media segments, the Company recognizes revenue for broadcast advertising at a point in time when a commercial spot runs. The revenue is reported net of agency and outside sales representative commissions. Agency and outside sales representative commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing. Generally, clients remit the gross billing amount to the agency or outside sales representative, and the agency or outside sales representative remits the gross billing, less their commission, to the Company.
Within our digital segment, including Interactive One, which generates the majority of the Company’s digital revenue, revenue is principally derived from advertising services on non-radio station branded but Company-owned websites. Advertising services include the sale of banner and sponsorship advertisements. Advertising revenue is recognized at a point in time either as impressions (the number of times advertisements appear in viewed pages) are delivered, when “click through” purchases are made, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. In addition, Interactive One derives revenue from its studio operations, in which it provides third-party clients with publishing services including digital platforms and related expertise. In the case of the studio operations, revenue is recognized primarily through fixed contractual monthly fees and/or as a share of the third party’s reported revenue.
Our cable television segment derives advertising revenue from the sale of television air time to advertisers and recognizes revenue when the advertisements are run. Advertising revenue is recognized at a point in time when the individual spots run. To the extent there is a shortfall in contracts where the ratings were guaranteed, a portion of the revenue is deferred until the shortfall is settled, typically by providing additional advertising units generally within one year of the original airing. TV One, within our cable television segment also derives revenue from affiliate fees under the terms of various multi-year affiliation agreements based on a per subscriber fee multiplied by the most recent subscriber counts reported by the applicable affiliate. The Company recognizes the affiliate fee revenue at a point in time as its performance obligation to provide the programming is met. The Company has a right of payment each month as the programming services and related obligations have been satisfied.
Contingencies and Litigation
We regularly evaluate our exposure relating to any contingencies or litigation and record a liability when available information indicates that a liability is probable and estimable. We also disclose significant matters that are reasonably possible to result in a loss, or are probable but for which an estimate of the liability is not currently available. To the extent actual contingencies and litigation outcomes differ from amounts previously recorded, additional amounts may need to be reflected.
Uncertain Tax Positions
To address the exposures of uncertain tax positions, we recognize the impact of a tax position in the financial statements if it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained on examination based on the technical merits of the position. As of December 31, 2019, we had approximately $4.7 million in unrecognized tax benefits. Future outcomes of our tax positions may be more or less than the currently recorded liability, which could result in recording additional taxes, or reversing some portion of the liability and recognizing a tax benefit once it is determined the liability is no longer necessary as potential issues get resolved, or as statutes of limitations in various tax jurisdictions close.
Realizability of Deferred Tax Assets
As of each reporting date, management considers new evidence, both positive and negative, that could affect its conclusions regarding the future realization of the Company’s deferred tax assets (“DTAs”). During the year ended December 31, 2019, management continues to weigh sufficient positive evidence to conclude that it is more likely than not the net DTAs are realizable. The assessment to determine the value of the DTAs to be realized under ASC 740 is highly judgmental and requires the consideration of all available positive and negative evidence in evaluating the likelihood of realizing the tax benefit of the DTAs in a future period. Circumstances may change over time such that previous negative evidence no longer exists, and new conditions should be evaluated as positive or negative evidence that could affect the realization of the DTAs. Since the evaluation requires consideration of events that may occur in some years in the future, significant judgment is required, and our conclusion could be materially different if certain expectations do not materialize.
In the assessment of all available evidence, an important piece of objective verifiable evidence is evaluating a cumulative pre-tax income or loss position over the most recent three-year period. Historically, the Company has maintained a full valuation against the net deferred tax assets, principally due to a cumulative pre-tax loss over the most recent three-year period. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the Company achieved three years of cumulative pre-tax income, which removed the most heavily weighed piece of objective verifiable negative evidence from our evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets. The Company continues to maintain three years of rolling cumulative pre-tax income as of December 31, 2019.
Additionally, the Company is projecting forecasts of taxable income to utilize our federal and state net operating losses (“NOLs”) as part of our evaluation of positive evidence. As part of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “2017 Tax Act”) that was signed into law on December 22, 2017, IRC Section 163(j) limited the deduction of interest expense. In conjunction with evaluating and weighing our cumulative three-year pre-tax income, we also evaluated the impact that interest expense has had on our cumulative three-year pre-tax income. A material component of the Company’s expenses is interest, and has been the primary driver of historical pre-tax losses. Adjusting for the IRC Section 163(j) interest expense limitation on projected taxable income, we estimate utilization of federal and state net operating losses that are not subject to annual limitations as a result of the 2009 ownership shift as defined under IRC Section 382.
Realization of the Company’s federal and state NOLs is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods, and although the Company believes it is more likely than not future taxable income will be sufficient to utilize the NOLs, realization is not assured and future events may cause a change to the judgment of the realizability of these deferred tax assets. If a future event causes the Company to re-evaluate and conclude that it is not more likely than not, that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets are realizable, the Company would be required to establish a valuation allowance against the assets at that time which would result in a charge to income tax expense and a decrease to net income in the period which the change of judgment is concluded.
The Company continues to assess potential tax strategies (which could include seeking a ruling from the IRS) which, if successful, may reduce the impact of the annual limitations and potentially recover NOLs that otherwise would expire before being applied to reduce future income tax liabilities. If successful, the Company may be able to recover additional federal and state NOLs in future periods, which could be material. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize additional federal and state NOLs, the tax benefit could materially impact future quarterly and annual periods. The federal and state NOLs expire in various years from 2020 to 2038.
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Redeemable noncontrolling interests are interests in subsidiaries that are redeemable outside of the Company’s control either for cash or other assets. These interests are classified as mezzanine equity and measured at the greater of estimated redemption value at the end of each reporting period or the historical cost basis of the noncontrolling interests adjusted for cumulative earnings allocations. The resulting increases or decreases in the estimated redemption amount are affected by corresponding charges against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in-capital.
With the assistance of a third-party valuation firm, the Company assesses the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interest in Reach Media as of the end of each reporting period. The fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, was approximately $10.6 million and $10.2 million, respectively. The determination of fair value incorporated a number of assumptions and estimates including, but not limited to, forecasted operating results, discount rates and a terminal value. Different estimates and assumptions may result in a change to the fair value of the redeemable noncontrolling interests amount previously recorded.
Fair Value Measurements
The Company accounts for an award called for in the CEO’s employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) as a derivative instrument. According to the Employment Agreement, executed in April 2008, the CEO is eligible to receive an award (the “Employment Agreement Award”) amount equal to approximately 4% of any proceeds from distributions or other liquidity events in excess of the return of the Company’s aggregate investment in TV One. The Company’s obligation to pay the Employment Agreement Award was triggered after the Company recovered the aggregate amount of its capital contribution in TV One and only upon actual receipt of distributions of cash or marketable securities or proceeds from a liquidity event with respect to the Company’s aggregate investment in TV One. The CEO was fully vested in the award upon execution of the employment agreement, and the award lapses if the CEO voluntarily leaves the Company, or is terminated for cause. In September 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved terms for a new employment agreement with the CEO, including a renewal of the Employment Agreement Award upon similar terms as in the prior employment agreement. Prior to the quarter ended September 30, 2018, there were probability factors included in the calculation of the award related to the likelihood that the award will be realized. During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, management changed the methodology used in calculating the fair value of the Company's Employment Agreement Award liability to simplify the calculation. As part of the simplified calculation, the Company eliminated certain adjustments made to its aggregate investment in TV One, including the treatment of historical dividends paid and potential distribution of assets upon liquidation. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the simplified method which eliminates certain assumptions that were historically used in the determination of the fair value of this liability. The revised methodology resulted in a credit adjustment of approximately $6.6 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 to reflect this change in estimate. The liability was further reduced during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 using the simplified methodology, due primarily to an overall lower valuation. During 2019, there was an increase in the overall enterprise valuation and an increase in the overall working capital contributing to an increase in expense recognized throughout the year.
The Company estimated the fair value of the Employment Agreement Award as of December 31, 2019, at approximately $27.0 million and, accordingly, adjusted the liability to that amount. The fair value estimate incorporated a number of assumptions and estimates, including but not limited to TV One’s future financial projections. As the Company will measure changes in the fair value of this award at each reporting period as warranted by certain circumstances, different estimates or assumptions may result in a change to the fair value of the award amount previously recorded.
Content Assets
Our cable television segment has entered into contracts to acquire entertainment programming rights and programs from distributors and producers. The license periods granted in these contracts generally run from one year to ten years. Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally shorter than the contract period. Each contract is recorded as an asset and a liability at an amount equal to its gross contractual commitment when the license period begins and the program is available for its first airing. Acquired content is generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the license which reflects the estimated usage. For certain content for which the pattern of usage is accelerated, amortization is based upon the actual usage. Amortization of content assets is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as programming and technical expenses.
The Company also has programming for which the Company has engaged third parties to develop and produce, and it owns most or all rights (commissioned programming). In accordance with ASC 926, content amortization expense for each period is recognized based on the revenue forecast model, which approximates the proportion that estimated advertising and affiliate revenues for the current period represent in relation to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues as of the beginning of the current period. Management regularly reviews, and revises when necessary, its total revenue estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization and/or a write-down of the asset to fair value.
Acquired program rights are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value. Estimated net realizable values are based on the estimated revenues associated with the program materials and related expenses. The Company recorded an impairment and recorded additional amortization expense of approximately $4.9 million and $1.6 million, as a result of evaluating its contracts for recoverability for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. All produced and licensed content is classified as a long-term asset, except for the portion of the unamortized content balance that is expected to be amortized within one year which is classified as a current asset.
Tax incentives that state and local governments offer that are directly measured based on production activities are recorded as reductions in production costs.
Capital and Commercial Commitments
Indebtedness
We have several debt instruments outstanding within our corporate structure. We incurred senior bank debt as part of our 2017 Credit Facility in the amount of $350.0 million that matures on the earlier of (i) April 18, 2023, or (ii) in the event such debt is not repaid or refinanced, 91 days prior to the maturity of the Company’s 2022 Notes. We also have approximately $350.0 million outstanding in our 2022 Notes. Finally, on December 20, 2018, the Company closed on a $192.0 million unsecured credit facility (the “2018 Credit Facility”) and the Company also closed on a $50.0 million loan secured by our interest in the MGM National Harbor Casino (the “MGM National Harbor Loan”). See “Liquidity and Capital Resources.” See the current balances outstanding in the “Type of Debt” section as part of the “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section above.
Lease obligations
We have non-cancelable operating leases for office space, studio space, broadcast towers and transmitter facilities that expire over the next 12 years.
Operating Contracts and Agreements
We have other operating contracts and agreements including employment contracts, on-air talent contracts, severance obligations, retention bonuses, consulting agreements, equipment rental agreements, programming related agreements, and other general operating agreements that expire over the next six years.
Royalty Agreements
Musical works rights holders, generally songwriters and music publishers, have been traditionally represented by performing rights organizations, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”), Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”) and SESAC, Inc. (“SESAC”). The market for rights relating to musical works is changing rapidly. Songwriters and music publishers have withdrawn from the traditional performing rights organizations, particularly ASCAP and BMI, and new entities, such as Global Music Rights, Inc. (“GMR”), have been formed to represent rights holders. These organizations negotiate fees with copyright users, collect royalties and distribute them to the rights holders. We have arrangements with ASCAP, SESAC and GMR, and are in negotiations with BMI for a new agreement. If we are unable to reach an agreement with BMI, a court will determine the royalty we will be required to pay BMI.
Reach Media Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Shareholders’ Put Rights
Beginning on January 1, 2018, the noncontrolling interest shareholders of Reach Media have had an annual right to require Reach Media to purchase all or a portion of their shares at the then current fair market value for such shares (the “Put Right”). This annual right is exercisable for a 30-day period beginning January 1 of each year. The purchase price for such shares may be paid in cash and/or registered Class D common stock of Urban One, at the discretion of Urban One. The noncontrolling interest shareholders of Reach Media did not exercise their Put Right for the 30-day period ending January 30, 2020. Management, at this time, cannot reasonably determine the period when and if the put right will be exercised by the noncontrolling interest shareholders.
Contractual Obligations Schedule
The following table represents our scheduled contractual obligations as of December 31, 2019:
(1) Includes interest obligations based on effective interest rates on senior secured notes outstanding as of December 31, 2019.
(2) Includes interest obligations based on effective interest rate, and projected interest expense on credit facilities outstanding as of December 31, 2019.
(3) Includes employment contracts (including the Employment Agreement Award), severance obligations, on-air talent contracts, consulting agreements, equipment rental agreements, programming related agreements, and other general operating agreements. Also includes contracts that our cable television segment has entered into to acquire entertainment programming rights and programs from distributors and producers. These contracts relate to their content assets as well as prepaid programming related agreements.
Of the total amount of other operating contracts and agreements included in the table above, approximately $110.1 million has not been recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, as it does not meet recognition criteria. Approximately $14.7 million relates to certain commitments for content agreements for our cable television segment, approximately $18.7 million relates to employment agreements, and the remainder relates to other agreements.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
On February 24, 2015, the Company entered into a letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement. On October 8, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to its letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement and extended the term to October 8, 2024. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had letters of credit totaling $848,000 under the agreement. Letters of credit issued under the agreement are required to be collateralized with cash.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
Not required for smaller reporting companies.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements of Urban One required by this item are filed with this report on Pages to.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures
We have carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and the Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are ineffective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic SEC reports. Disclosure controls and procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, are controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms.
In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, our management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can only provide reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to provide a reasonable level of assurance of reaching our desired disclosure controls objective. Based on this evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures are ineffective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic SEC reports due to deficiencies in the review controls over the preparation of the consolidated financial statements and the review of the tax provision.
Notwithstanding the identified material weaknesses, management believes that the consolidated financial statements and related financial information included in this Form 10-K fairly present in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows as of and for the periods presented. Management's belief is based on a number of factors, including the remediation actions described below.
(b) Management’s report on internal control over financial reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our CEO and CFO, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting cannot provide absolute assurance of achieving financial reporting objectives because of its inherent limitations. Internal control over financial reporting is a process that involves human diligence and compliance and is subject to lapses in judgment and breakdowns resulting from human failures. Internal control over financial reporting also can be circumvented by collusion or improper management override. Because of such limitations, there is a risk that material misstatements may not be prevented or detected on a timely basis by internal control over financial reporting. However, these inherent limitations are known features of the financial reporting process. Therefore, it is possible to design into the process safeguards to reduce, though not eliminate, this risk.
Identification of Material Weaknesses
During the three month period ended March 31, 2019, the Company previously recorded a non-cash tax provision adjustment of approximately $3.4 million relating to the fourth quarter of 2018. The Company determined that correcting the error in the three month period ended March 31, 2019 materially misstated the statement of operations for this period. As a result, management determined that the Company did not maintain effective internal controls over its evaluation and review of the correction of the out of period adjustments in its interim financial statements.
During the three month period ended September 30, 2019, management determined that we did not design and maintain effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of the balances of the income tax related accounts. Specifically, the Company’s monitoring and control activities related to i) accounting for deferred tax assets and liabilities and ii) uncertain tax positions were not operating effectively. As a result of this material weakness, adjustments to the deferred income taxes and income tax provision as of and for the three month period ended September 30, 2019 were identified.
During the three month period ended December 31, 2019, management determined that we did not design and maintain effective controls over the adoption of ASC 842 right of use assets and lease liability accounts and related lease accounting activity. This deficiency represents a material weakness in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting at December 31, 2019. As a result of this material weakness, adjustments were made to revise previously reported operating income and interest expense for each quarter during 2019 and to adjust the right of use assets and lease liabilities as of and for the three month period ended December 31, 2019.
These material weaknesses could result in misstatements of the aforementioned accounts and disclosures that would result in a material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected.
Remediation Actions
During the quarter ended December 31, 2019, we have taken the following actions to remediate these material weaknesses:
· Strengthened the Finance and Accounting functions and engaged additional resources with the appropriate depth of experience for our Finance and Accounting departments
· Implemented a required senior management, legal and accounting review to specifically address all disclosures and related financial information
· Strengthened the existing internal controls related to estimating and accounting for deferred income taxes and determining the effective tax rate
· Implemented specific review procedures designed to enhance our income tax monitoring control
· Strengthened our current income tax control activities with improved documentation standards, technical oversight and training
We have substantially completed the remediation activities as of the date of this report and believe that we have strengthened our controls to address the identified material weaknesses. However, control weaknesses are not considered remediated until new internal controls have been operational for a period of time, are tested, and management concludes that these controls are operating effectively. We expect to complete the remediation process in 2020.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, our management conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2019 based on the criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework, issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on this assessment, our management has concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was ineffective as of December 31, 2019.
This Form 10-K does not include an attestation report of our Company’s independent registered public accounting firm regarding internal control over financial reporting. As we are a non-accelerated filer, management’s report was not subject to attestation by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm.
(c) Changes in internal control over financial reporting
Except for the material weaknesses and remediation actions described above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the year ended December 31, 2019 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
The information with respect to directors and executive officers required by this Item 10 is incorporated into this report by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Nominees for Class A Directors,” “Nominees for Other Directors,” “Code of Conduct,” and “Executive Officers” in our proxy statement for the 2019 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed with the Commission within 120 days after the close of our fiscal year.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated into this report by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers” in our proxy statement.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated into this report by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Principal Stockholders” in our proxy statement.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated into this report by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” in our proxy statement.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated into this report by reference to the information set forth under the caption “Audit Fees” in our proxy statement.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a)(1) Financial Statements
The following financial statements required by this item are submitted in a separate section beginning on page of this report:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Consolidated Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted from this Form 10-K because they are not required, are not applicable, or the required information is included in the financial statements and notes thereto.
(a)(2) EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS: The following exhibits are filed as part of this Annual Report, except for Exhibits 32.1 and 32.2, which are furnished, but not filed, with this Annual Report.
Exhibit
Number
Description
3.1
Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Urban Inc., dated as of May 4, 2000, as filed with the State of Delaware on May 9, 2000 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Urban One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2000).
3.1.1
Certificate of Amendment, dated as of April 25, 2017, of the Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Urban One, Inc., dated as of April 25, 2017, as filed with the State of Delaware on April 25, 2017 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 8, 2017).
3.2
Amended and Restated By-laws of Urban One, Inc. amended as of August 7, 2009 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed May 8, 2017).
3.3
Certificate of Conversion of Bell Broadcasting Company into Bell Broadcasting Company LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.13 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 14, 2016).
3.4
Articles of Organization of Blue Chip Broadcasting Licenses, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.32 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.5
Operating Agreement of Blue Chip Broadcasting Licenses, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.60 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.6
Articles of Organization of Blue Chip Broadcasting, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.30 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.7
Amended and Restated Operating Agreement of Blue Chip Broadcasting, Ltd. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.59 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.8
Certificate of Formation of Charlotte Broadcasting, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.18 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.9
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Charlotte Broadcasting, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.53 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.10
Certificate of Formation of Distribution One, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 9, 2011).
3.11
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Distribution One, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.16 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 9, 2011).
3.12
Articles of Incorporation of Interactive One, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.19 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 9, 2011).
3.13
Bylaws of Interactive One, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.20 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 9, 2011).
3.14
Certificate of Formation of Interactive One, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.21 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 9, 2011).
3.15
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Interactive One, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.22 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 9, 2011).
3.16
Certificate of Incorporation of New Mableton Broadcasting Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.43 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.17
Bylaws of New Mableton Broadcasting Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.70 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.18
Certificate of Conversion of Radio One Cable Holdings, Inc.to Radio One Cable Holdings, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.19 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.19
Certificate of Conversion of formation of Radio One Cable Holdings, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.20 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.20
Certificate of Formation of Radio One Distribution Holdings, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.27 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 9, 2011).
3.21
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One Cable Holdings, LLC. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.20 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.22
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One Distribution Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.28 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 9, 2011).
3.23
Certificate of Formation of Radio One Licenses, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.24
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One Licenses, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.46 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.25
Certificate of Formation of Radio One Media Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.44 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.26
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One Media Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.71 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.27
Certificate of Formation of Radio One of Boston Licenses, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.23 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.28
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One of Boston Licenses, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.56 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.29
Certificate of Formation of Radio One of Charlotte, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.15 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.30
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One of Charlotte, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.51 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.31
Certificate of Formation of Radio One of Detroit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.9 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.32
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One of Detroit, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.48 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.33
Certificate of Limited Partnership of Radio One of Indiana, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.35 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.34
Limited Partnership Agreement of Radio One of Indiana, L.P. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.63 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.35
Certificate of Formation of Radio One of Indiana, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.38 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.36
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One of Indiana, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.66 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.37
Certificate of Formation of Radio One of North Carolina, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.20 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.38
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One of North Carolina, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.54 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.39
Certificate of Formation of Radio One of Texas II, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.37 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.40
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One of Texas II, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.65 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.41
Certificate of Formation of Satellite One, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.39 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.42
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Satellite One, L.L.C. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.67 to Urban One’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed August 5, 2005).
3.43
Certificate of Formation of IO Acquisition Sub, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.46 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.44
Certificate of Amendment to Certificate of Formation of BossipMadameNoire, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed May 8, 2017).
3.45
Limited Liability Company Agreement of BossipMadameNoire, LLC (formerly IO Acquisition Sub and incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.47 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.46
Certificate of Formation of Radio One Urban Network Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.48 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.47
Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One Urban Network Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.49 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.48
Certificate of Formation of Radio One Entertainment Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.50 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.49
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Radio One Entertainment Holdings, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.49 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 18, 2019).
3.50
Certificate of Conversion of Gaffney Broadcasting, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.52 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.51
Certificate of Incorporation of Reach Media, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.53 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.52
Bylaws of Reach Media, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.54 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
3.53
Certificate of Formation of RO One Solution, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.54 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 14, 2016).
3.54
Certificate of Formation of Urban One Entertainment SPV, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.54 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 18, 2019).
3.55
Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Urban One Entertainment SPV, LLC (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.55 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed March 18, 2019).
4.1
Indenture, dated as of April 17, 2015, among Radio One, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 7.375% Senior Secured Notes due 2022 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 23, 2015).
4.2
Indenture, dated as of February 10, 2014, among Radio One, Inc., the guarantors named therein and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed February 10, 2014).
4.3
Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 30, 2014, among Gaffney Broadcasting, Incorporated, a subsidiary of Radio One, Inc., Radio One, Inc., the other Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 to Urban One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed May 9, 2014).
4.4
Second Supplemental Indenture dated as of February 13, 2015, among Radio One Urban Network Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, IO Acquisition Sub, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, each a subsidiary of Radio One, Inc., the other Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.4 to Urban One’s Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed February 17, 2015).
4.5
Third Supplemental Indenture dated as of March 26, 2015 (this “Supplemental Indenture”), by and between Radio One, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), the Other Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.12 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 1, 2015).
4.6
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of April 17, 2015, among TV One, LLC, Radio One, Inc., the other Guarantors and Wilmington Trust, National Association, as trustee under the Indenture (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.23 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 23, 2015).
4.7
Description of Registrant's Securities*
10.1
Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement dated as of September 28, 2004 among Catherine L. Hughes and Alfred C. Liggins, III (incorporated by reference 4.1 Urban One’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2005).
10.2
Credit Agreement, dated April 18, 2017, by and among Radio One Inc., Various Lenders and Guggenheim Securities Credit Partners, LLC, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 21, 2017).
10.3
Amended and Restated Radio One, Inc. 2009 Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grant Plan (incorporated by reference to Urban One’s Definitive Proxy on Schedule 14A filed October 3, 2013).
10.4
Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Peter D. Thompson dated October 9, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.12 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 4, 2014).
10.5
Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Alfred C. Liggins, III dated April 16, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 18, 2008).
10.6
Terms of Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Alfred C. Liggins, III approved September 30, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Item 5.02 of Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 6, 2014).
10.7
Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Catherine L. Hughes dated April 16, 2008 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 18, 2008).
10.8
Terms of Employment Agreement between Radio One, Inc. and Catherine L. Hughes approved September 30, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Item 5.02 of Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed October 6, 2014).
10.9
Credit Agreement, dated as of April 21, 2016, among Radio One, Inc., the lenders party thereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank National Association, as administrative agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 27, 2016).
10.10
Extension Agreement attaching to and made a part of Employment Agreement by and between Radio One, Inc. and Peter D. Thompson (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 27, 2016).
10.11
Credit Agreement, dated December 4, 2018 by and among Urban One Inc., various lenders and, Wilmington Trust, National Association as administrative agent and TCG Senior Funding L.L.C, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Urban One’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed December 10, 2018).
21.1
Subsidiaries of Urban One, Inc.*
23.1
Consent of BDO USA, LLP *
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
32.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *
Financial information from the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, formatted in XBRL.*
* Indicates document filed herewith.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on April 29, 2020.
URBAN One, Inc.
By: /s/ Peter D. Thompson
Name: Peter D. Thompson
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant in the capacities indicated on April 29, 2020.
By: /s/ Catherine L. Hughes
Name: Catherine L. Hughes
Title: Chairperson, Director and Secretary
By: /s/ Alfred C. Liggins, III
Name: Alfred C. Liggins, III
Title: Chief Executive Officer, President and Director
By: /s/ Terry L. Jones
Name: Terry L. Jones
Title: Director
By: /s/ Brian W. McNeill
Name: Brian W. McNeill
Title: Director
By: /s/ D. Geoffrey Armstrong
Name: D. Geoffrey Armstrong
Title: Director
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Shareholders and Board of Directors
Urban One, Inc.
Silver Spring, Maryland
Opinion on the Consolidated Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Urban One, Inc. (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2019 and 2018, the related consolidated statements of operations and comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, and the related notes and schedule (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2019 and 2018, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the two years in the period ended December 31, 2019, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company has changed its method of accounting for leases as of January 1, 2019 due to adoption of Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 842, Leases.
Emphasis of Matter
As more fully described in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company may be materially impacted by the novel strain Coronavirus (COVID-19) which was declared a global pandemic by the World Health Organization in March 2020.
Basis for Opinion
These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Company is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.
Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ BDO USA, LLP
We have served as the Company's auditor since 2016.
McLean, Virginia
April 29, 2020
URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
For The Years Ended December 31, 2018 and 2019
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO THE CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2019 and 2018
1. ORGANIZATION AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:
(a) Organization
Urban One, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its subsidiaries, (collectively, “Urban One,” the “Company”, “we”, “our” and/or “us”) is an urban-oriented, multi-media company that primarily targets African-American and urban consumers. Our core business is our radio broadcasting franchise which is the largest radio broadcasting operation that primarily targets African-American and urban listeners. As of December 31, 2019, we owned and/or operated 60 broadcast stations (including all HD stations, translator stations and the low power television station we operate) located in 15 of the most populous African-American markets in the United States. While a core source of our revenue has historically been and remains the sale of local and national advertising for broadcast on our radio stations, our strategy is to operate the premier multi-media entertainment and information content provider targeting African-American and urban consumers. Thus, we have diversified our revenue streams by making acquisitions and investments in other complementary media properties. Our diverse media and entertainment interests include TV One, LLC (“TV One”), an African-American targeted cable television network; our 80.0% ownership interest in Reach Media, Inc. (“Reach Media”) which operates the Rickey Smiley Morning Show and our other syndicated programming assets, including the Russ Parr Morning Show and the DL Hughley Show; and Interactive One, LLC (“Interactive One”), our wholly owned digital platform serving the African-American community through social content, news, information, and entertainment websites, including its Cassius and Bossip, HipHopWired and MadameNoire digital platforms and brands. We also hold a minority ownership interest in MGM National Harbor, a gaming resort located in Prince George’s County, Maryland. Through our national multi-media operations, we provide advertisers with a unique and powerful delivery mechanism to the African-American and urban audiences.
On January 19, 2019, the Company launched CLEO TV, a lifestyle and entertainment network targeting Millennial and Gen X women of color. CLEO TV offers quality content that defies negative and cultural stereotypes of today’s modern women. The results of CLEO TV’s operations will be reflected in the Company’s cable television segment.
Our core radio broadcasting franchise operates under the brand “Radio One.” We also operate our other brands, such as TV One, Reach Media and Interactive One, while developing additional branding reflective of our diverse media operations and targeting our African-American and urban audiences.
As part of our consolidated financial statements, consistent with our financial reporting structure and how the Company currently manages its businesses, we have provided selected financial information on the Company’s four reportable segments: (i) radio broadcasting; (ii) Reach Media; (iii) digital; and (iv) cable television. (See Note 15 - Segment Information.)
(b) Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and require management to make certain estimates and assumptions. These estimates and assumptions may affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements. The Company bases these estimates on historical experience, current economic environment or various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. However, continuing economic uncertainty and any disruption in financial markets increase the possibility that actual results may differ from these estimates.
The Company previously recorded a tax provision adjustment related to deferred tax assets of approximately $3.4 million during the three month period ended March 31, 2019 relating to the fourth quarter of 2018. The Company determined that correcting the error in the three month period ended March 31, 2019 and six month period ended June 30, 2019 materially misstated the statement of operations for those periods and therefore restated its previously reported March 31, 2019 and June 30, 2019 consolidated financial statements to correct this error. We revised retained earnings and long-term deferred tax liabilities as of December 31, 2018 by approximately $3.6 million ($3.4 million adjustment discussed above in addition to a $200,000 adjustment identified during the third quarter of 2019 relating to the December 31, 2018 period) to correct the prior period financial statements. The financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2018 were not restated as management determined that the impact of this error is immaterial to the 2018 consolidated financial statements filed in our 2018 Form 10-K. However, the December 31, 2018 balance sheet, statement of operations, statement of comprehensive income and statement of cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2018 presented in these consolidated financial statements has been revised to give effect to the correction of the immaterial error.
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company revised the interest expense component of operating leases accounted for under ASC 842 from interest expense into operating expenses. Operating income for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019 have been reclassified in the amounts of approximately $1.3 million, $1.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, to reflect the interest expense component of operating leases from interest expense into operating expenses. The financial statements for the quarterly periods ended March 31, June 30 and September 30, 2019 were not restated as management determined that the impact of this error is immaterial to the interim consolidated financial statements filed for each quarterly period in 2019. These revisions had no effect on any other previously reported or consolidated net income or loss or any other statement of operations, balance sheet or cash flow amounts. (See Note 14 - Quarterly Financial Data).
(c) Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of Urban One and subsidiaries in which Urban One has a controlling financial interest, which is generally determined when the Company holds a majority voting interest. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Noncontrolling interests have been recognized where a controlling interest exists, but the Company owns less than 100% of the controlled entity.
(d) Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of cash and money market funds at various commercial banks that have original maturities of 90 days or less. Investments with contractual maturities of 90 days or less from the date of original purchase are classified as cash and cash equivalents. For cash and cash equivalents, cost approximates fair value.
(e) Trade Accounts Receivable
Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount. The allowance for doubtful accounts is the Company’s estimate of the amount of probable losses in the Company’s existing accounts receivable portfolio. The Company determines the allowance based on the aging of the receivables, the impact of economic conditions on the advertisers’ ability to pay and other factors. Inactive delinquent accounts that are past due beyond a certain amount of days are written off and often pursued by other collection efforts. Bankruptcy accounts are immediately written off upon receipt of the bankruptcy notice from the courts.
(f) Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets (Primarily Radio Broadcasting Licenses)
In connection with past acquisitions, a significant amount of the purchase price was allocated to radio broadcasting licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets. Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of tangible and identifiable intangible net assets acquired. In accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets are not amortized, but are tested annually for impairment at the reporting unit level and unit of accounting level, respectively. We test for impairment annually, on October 1 of each year, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances or other conditions suggest impairment may have occurred. Radio broadcasting license impairment exists when the asset carrying values exceed their respective fair values, and the excess is then recorded to operations as an impairment charge. With the assistance of a third-party valuation firm, we test for radio broadcasting license impairment at the unit of accounting level using the income approach, which involves, but is not limited to, judgmental estimates and assumptions about projected revenue growth, future operating margins, discount rates and terminal values. In testing for goodwill impairment, we also rely primarily on the income approach that estimates the fair value of the reporting unit. We then perform a market-based analysis by comparing the average implied multiple arrived at based on our cash flow projections and estimated fair values to multiples for actual recently completed sale transactions and by comparing the total of the estimated fair values of our reporting units to the market capitalization of the Company. We recognize an impairment charge to operations in the amount that the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The impairment charge recognized cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
(g) Impairment of Long-Lived Assets, Excluding Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
The Company accounts for the impairment of long-lived intangible assets, excluding goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, in accordance with ASC 360, “Property, Plant and Equipment.” Long-lived intangible assets, excluding goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, are reviewed for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset or group of assets may not be fully recoverable. These events or changes in circumstances may include a significant deterioration in operating results, changes in business plans, or changes in anticipated future cash flows. If an impairment indicator is present, the Company evaluates recoverability by a comparison of the carrying amount of the asset or group of assets to future undiscounted net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset or group of assets. Assets are grouped at the lowest levels for which there are identifiable cash flows that are largely independent of the cash flows generated by other asset groups. If the assets are impaired, the impairment recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the fair value of the asset or group of assets. Fair value is generally determined by estimates of discounted future cash flows. The discount rate used in any estimate of discounted cash flows would be the rate of return for a similar investment of like risk. The Company reviewed these long-lived assets during 2019 and 2018 and concluded that no impairment to the carrying value of these assets was required.
(h) Financial Instruments
Financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, consisted of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, trade accounts receivable, asset-backed credit facility, long-term debt and redeemable noncontrolling interests. The carrying amounts approximated fair value for each of these financial instruments as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, except for the Company’s long-term debt. The 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes, which were due in February 2020 (the “2020 Notes”) had a carrying value of approximately $2.0 million and fair value of approximately $2.0 million as of December 31, 2018. On January 17, 2019, the Company announced that it had given the required notice under the indenture governing its 2020 Notes to redeem for cash all outstanding aggregate principal amount of its Notes to the extent outstanding on February 15, 2019. On February 15, 2019, the remaining 2020 Notes were redeemed. The fair values of the 2020 Notes, classified as Level 2 instruments, were determined based on the trading values of these instruments in an inactive market as of the reporting date. The 7.375% Senior Secured Notes that are due in April 2022 (the “2022 Notes”) had a carrying value of approximately $350.0 million and fair value of approximately $344.8 million as of December 31, 2019. The 2022 Notes had a carrying value of approximately $350.0 million and fair value of approximately $332.5 million as of December 31, 2018. The fair values of the 2022 Notes, classified as Level 2 instruments, were determined based on the trading values of these instruments in an inactive market as of the reporting date. On April 18, 2017, the Company closed on a $350.0 million senior secured credit facility (the “2017 Credit Facility”) which had a carrying value of approximately $320.6 million and fair value of approximately $309.1 million as of December 31, 2019, and had a carrying value of approximately $323.9 million and fair value of approximately $305.8 million as of December 31, 2018. The fair value of the 2017 Credit Facility, classified as a Level 2 instrument, was determined based on the trading values of this instrument in an inactive market as of the reporting date. On December 20, 2018, the Company closed on a $192.0 million unsecured credit facility (the “2018 Credit Facility”) which had a carrying value of approximately $167.1 million and fair value of approximately $170.5 million as of December 31, 2019, and had a carrying value of approximately $192.0 million and fair value of approximately $195.9 million as of December 31, 2018. The fair value of the 2018 Credit Facility, classified as a Level 2 instrument, was determined based on the trading values of this instrument in an inactive market as of the reporting date. On December 20, 2018, the Company also closed on a $50.0 million secured credit loan (the “MGM National Harbor Loan”) which had a carrying value of approximately $52.1 million and fair value of approximately $58.4 million as of December 31, 2019, and had a carrying value of approximately $50.1 million and fair value of approximately $56.1 million as of December 31, 2018. The fair value of the 2018 MGM National Harbor Loan, classified as a Level 2 instrument, was determined based on the trading values of this instrument in an inactive market as of the reporting date. The senior unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $11.9 million (the “Comcast Note”) had a fair value and carrying value of approximately $11.9 million as of December 31, 2018. On February 15, 2019, the Comcast Note was paid in full and retired. The fair value of the Comcast Note, classified as a Level 3 instrument, was determined based on the fair value of a similar instrument as of the reporting date using updated interest rate information derived from changes in interest rates since inception to the reporting date. There was no balance outstanding on the Company’s asset-backed credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018.
(i) Derivative Financial Instruments
The Company recognizes all derivatives at fair value in the consolidated balance sheet as either an asset or liability. The accounting for changes in the fair value of a derivative, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, depends on the intended use of the derivative and the resulting designation. (See Note 8 - Derivative Instruments.)
(j) Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, the Company adopted ASC 606, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” which requires that an entity recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. The Company elected to use the modified retrospective method, but the adoption of the standard did not have a material impact to our financial statements. In general, our spot advertising (both radio and cable television) as well as our digital advertising continues to be recognized when aired and delivered. For our cable television affiliate revenue, the Company grants a license to the affiliate to access its television programming content through the license period, and the Company earns a usage based royalty when the usage occurs, consistent with our previous revenue recognition policy. Finally, for event advertising, the performance obligation is satisfied at a point in time when the activity associated with the event is completed.
Within our radio broadcasting and Reach Media segments, the Company recognizes revenue for broadcast advertising at a point in time when a commercial spot runs. The revenue is reported net of agency and outside sales representative commissions. Agency and outside sales representative commissions are calculated based on a stated percentage applied to gross billing. Generally, clients remit the gross billing amount to the agency or outside sales representative, and the agency or outside sales representative remits the gross billing, less their commission, to the Company. For our radio broadcasting and Reach Media segments, agency and outside sales representative commissions were approximately $21.4 million and $25.5 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Within our digital segment, including Interactive One, which generates the majority of the Company’s digital revenue, revenue is principally derived from advertising services on non-radio station branded but Company-owned websites. Advertising services include the sale of banner and sponsorship advertisements. Advertising revenue is recognized at a point in time either as impressions (the number of times advertisements appear in viewed pages) are delivered, when “click through” purchases are made, or ratably over the contract period, where applicable. In addition, Interactive One derives revenue from its studio operations, in which it provides third-party clients with publishing services including digital platforms and related expertise. In the case of the studio operations, revenue is recognized primarily through fixed contractual monthly fees and/or as a share of the third party’s reported revenue.
Our cable television segment derives advertising revenue from the sale of television air time to advertisers and recognizes revenue when the advertisements are run. Advertising revenue is recognized at a point in time when the individual spots run. To the extent there is a shortfall in contracts where the ratings were guaranteed, a portion of the revenue is deferred until the shortfall is settled, typically by providing additional advertising units generally within one year of the original airing. Our cable television segment also derives revenue from affiliate fees under the terms of various multi-year affiliation agreements based on a per subscriber fee multiplied by the most recent subscriber counts reported by the applicable affiliate. The Company recognizes the affiliate fee revenue at a point in time as its performance obligation to provide the programming is met. The Company has a right of payment each month as the programming services and related obligations have been satisfied. For our cable television segment, agency and outside sales representative commissions were approximately $14.1 million and $13.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Revenue by Contract Type
The following chart shows our net revenue (and sources) for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018:
Contract assets and liabilities
Contract assets (unbilled receivables) and contract liabilities (customer advances and unearned income and unearned event income) that are not separately stated in our consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
Unbilled receivables consists of earned revenue on behalf of customers that have not yet been billed. Customer advances and unearned income represents advance payments by customers for future services under contract that are generally incurred in the near term. Unearned event income represents payments by customers for upcoming events.
For customer advances and unearned income as of January 1, 2019, approximately $2.7 million was recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2019. For unearned event income as of January 1, 2019, approximately $3.9 million was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2019, as the event took place during the second quarter of 2019. For customer advances and unearned income as of January 1, 2018, approximately $2.1 million was recognized as revenue during the year ended December 31, 2018. For unearned event income as of January 1, 2018, approximately $4.1 million was recognized during the year ended December 31, 2018, as the event took place during the second quarter of 2018.
Practical expedients and exemptions
We generally expense sales commissions when incurred because the amortization period would have been one year or less. These costs are recorded within selling, general and administrative expenses.
We do not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for (i) contracts with an original expected length of one year or less or (ii) contracts for which we recognize revenue at the amount to which we have the right to invoice for services performed.
(k) Launch Support
The cable television segment has entered into certain affiliate agreements requiring various payments for launch support. Launch support assets are used to initiate carriage under affiliation agreements and are amortized over the term of the respective contracts. The Company did not pay any launch support for carriage initiation during the year ended December 31, 2019 and for the year ended December 31, 2018, there was a non-cash launch support addition of approximately $3.7 million for carriage initiation. The weighted-average amortization period for launch support was approximately 7.8 years as of December 31, 2019, and approximately 7.8 years as of December 31, 2018. The remaining weighted-average amortization period for launch support was 5.1 years and 6.1 years as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively. Amortization is recorded as a reduction to revenue to the extent that revenue is recognized from the vendor, and any excess amortization is recorded as launch support amortization expense. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, launch support asset amortization of $422,000 and $422,000, respectively, was recorded as a reduction of revenue, and $605,000 and $3,000, respectively, was recorded as an operating expense in selling, general and administrative expenses. Launch assets are included in other intangible assets on the consolidated balance sheets, except for the portion of the unamortized balance that is expected to be amortized within one year which is included in other current assets.
The gross value and accumulated amortization of the launch assets is as follows:
Future estimated launch support amortization expense or revenue reduction related to launch assets for years 2020 through 2024 is as follows:
(l) Barter Transactions
For barter transactions, the Company provides broadcast advertising time in exchange for programming content and certain services. The Company includes the value of such exchanges in both broadcasting net revenue and station operating expenses. The valuation of barter time is based upon the fair value of the network advertising time provided for the programming content and services received. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, barter transaction revenues were approximately $2.1 million and $1.5 million, respectively. Additionally, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, barter transaction costs were reflected in programming and technical expenses of approximately $1.5 million and $1.3 million, respectively, and selling, general and administrative expenses of approximately $596,000 and $161,000, respectively. The Company reached an agreement with a cable television provider related to an adjustment of previously estimated affiliate fees in the amount of approximately $2.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2018, as final reporting became available. Upon settlement of this agreement, the Company will receive approximately $2.0 million in marketing services that will be utilized in future periods.
(m) Network Affiliation Agreements
The Company has network affiliation agreements classified as Other Intangible Assets. These agreements are amortized over their useful lives. (See Note 4 - Goodwill, Radio Broadcasting Licenses and Other Intangible Assets.)
(n) Advertising and Promotions
The Company expenses advertising and promotional costs as incurred. Total advertising and promotional expenses for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, were approximately $24.8 million and $19.4 million, respectively.
(o) Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, “Income Taxes” (“ASC 740”). Under ASC 740, deferred tax assets or liabilities are computed based upon the difference between financial statement and income tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized into income in the period of enactment. Deferred income tax expense or benefits are based upon the changes in the net deferred tax asset or liability from period to period.
The Company recognizes deferred tax assets to the extent that it believes that these assets are more likely than not to be realized. In making such a determination, management considers all available positive and negative evidence, including future reversals of existing taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income, tax-planning strategies, and results of recent operations. If management determines that the Company would be able to realize its deferred tax assets in the future in excess of their net recorded amount, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would reduce the provision for income taxes. Conversely, if management determines that the Company would not be able to realize the recorded amount of deferred tax assets in the future, the Company would make an adjustment to the deferred tax asset valuation allowance, which would increase the provision for income taxes.
The Company records uncertain tax positions in accordance with ASC 740 on the basis of a two-step process in which (1) it determines whether it is more likely than not that the tax positions will be sustained on the basis of the technical merits of the position and (2) for those tax positions that meet the more likely than not recognition threshold, the Company recognizes the largest amount of tax benefit that is more than 50 percent likely to be realized upon ultimate settlement with the related tax authority. The Company recognizes interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits on the income tax expense line in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. Accrued interest and penalties are included in other current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
(p) Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for stock-based compensation for stock options and restricted stock grants in accordance with ASC 718, “Compensation - Stock Compensation.” Under the provisions of ASC 718, stock-based compensation cost for stock options is estimated at the grant date based on the award’s fair value as calculated by the Black-Scholes valuation option-pricing model (“BSM”) and is recognized as expense ratably over the requisite service period. The BSM incorporates various highly subjective assumptions including expected stock price volatility, for which historical data is heavily relied upon, expected life of options granted, forfeiture rates and interest rates. Compensation expense for restricted stock grants is measured based on the fair value on the date of grant less estimated forfeitures. Compensation expense for restricted stock grants is recognized ratably during the vesting period. (See Note 11 - Stockholders’ Equity.)
(q) Segment Reporting and Major Customers
In accordance with ASC 280, “Segment Reporting,” and given its diversification strategy, the Company has determined it has four reportable segments: (i) radio broadcasting; (ii) Reach Media; (iii) digital; and (iv) cable television. These four segments operate in the United States and are consistently aligned with the Company’s management of its businesses and its financial reporting structure.
The radio broadcasting segment consists of all broadcast results of operations. The Reach Media segment consists of the results of operations for the related activities and operations of our syndicated shows. The digital segment includes the results of our online business, including the operations of Interactive One, as well as the digital components of our other reportable segments. The cable television segment consists of the Company’s cable TV operation, including TV One’s and CLEO TV’s results of operations. Corporate/Eliminations represents financial activity associated with our corporate staff and offices and intercompany activity among the four segments.
No single customer accounted for over 10% of our consolidated net revenues during any of the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
(r) Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed on the basis of the weighted average number of shares of common stock plus the effect of potential dilutive common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.
The Company’s potentially dilutive securities include stock options and unvested restricted stock. Diluted earnings per share considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a net loss, as the inclusion of the potentially dilutive common shares would have an anti-dilutive effect.
(s) Fair Value Measurements
We report our financial and non-financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring and non-recurring basis under the provisions of ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.
The fair value framework requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions (inputs) used to price the assets or liabilities. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined as follows:
Level 1: Inputs are unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities that can be accessed at the measurement date.
Level 2: Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1 (i.e., quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets).
Level 3: Unobservable inputs reflecting management’s own assumptions about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability.
A financial instrument’s level within the fair value hierarchy is based on the lowest level of any input that is significant to the fair value instrument.
As of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, respectively, the fair values of our financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis are categorized as follows:
(a) This balance is measured based on the income approach to valuation in the form of a Monte Carlo simulation. The Monte Carlo simulation method is suited to instances such as this where there is non-diversifiable risk. It is also well-suited to multi-year, path dependent scenarios. Significant inputs to the Monte Carlo method include forecasted net revenues, discount rate and expected volatility. A third-party valuation firm assisted the Company in estimating the contingent consideration.
(b) Each quarter, pursuant to an employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement”) executed in April 2008, the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) is eligible to receive an award (the “Employment Agreement Award”) amount equal to approximately 4% of any proceeds from distributions or other liquidity events in excess of the return of the Company’s aggregate investment in TV One. The Company reviews the factors underlying this award at the end of each quarter including the valuation of TV One (based on the estimated enterprise fair value of TV One as determined by a discounted cash flow analysis), and an assessment of the probability that the Employment Agreement will be renewed and contain this provision. The Company’s obligation to pay the award was triggered after the Company recovered the aggregate amount of certain pre-April 2015 capital contributions in TV One, and payment is required only upon actual receipt of distributions of cash or marketable securities or proceeds from a liquidity event with respect to such invested amount. The CEO was fully vested in the award upon execution of the Employment Agreement, and the award lapses if the CEO voluntarily leaves the Company or is terminated for cause. A third-party valuation firm assisted the Company in estimating TV One’s fair value using a discounted cash flow analysis. Significant inputs to the discounted cash flow analysis include forecasted operating results, discount rate and a terminal value. In September 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved terms for a new employment agreement with the CEO, including a renewal of the Employment Agreement Award upon similar terms as in the prior Employment Agreement. Prior to the quarter ended September 30, 2018, there were probability factors included in the calculation of the award related to the likelihood that the award will be realized. During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, management changed the methodology used in calculating the fair value of the Company's Employment Agreement Award liability to simplify the calculation. As part of the simplified calculation, the Company eliminated certain adjustments made to its aggregate investment in TV One, including the treatment of historical dividends paid and potential distribution of assets upon liquidation. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the simplified method which eliminates certain assumptions that were historically used in the determination of the fair value of this liability. The revised methodology resulted in a credit adjustment of approximately $6.6 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 to reflect this change in estimate. The liability was further reduced during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 using the simplified methodology, due primarily to an overall lower valuation. During 2019, there was an increase in the overall enterprise valuation and an increase in the overall working capital contributing to an increase in expense recognized throughout the year.
(c) The redeemable noncontrolling interest in Reach Media is measured at fair value using a discounted cash flow methodology. A third-party valuation firm assisted the Company in estimating the fair value. Significant inputs to the discounted cash flow analysis include forecasted operating results, discount rate and a terminal value.
There were no transfers in or out of Level 1, 2, or 3 during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018. The following table presents the changes in Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2019:
Losses and gains included in earnings were recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as corporate selling, general and administrative expenses for the employment agreement award and included as selling, general and administrative expenses for contingent consideration for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
For Level 3 assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, the significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurements were as follows:
Any significant increases or decreases in discount rate or long-term growth rate inputs could result in significantly higher or lower fair value measurements.
Certain assets and liabilities are measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis using Level 3 inputs as defined in ASC 820. These assets are not measured at fair value on an ongoing basis but are subject to fair value adjustments only in certain circumstances. Included in this category are goodwill, radio broadcasting licenses and other intangible assets, net, that are written down to fair value when they are determined to be impaired, as well as content assets that are periodically written down to net realizable value. The Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $10.6 million and $21.3 million for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, related to goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses.
As of December 31, 2019, the total recorded carrying values of goodwill and radio broadcasting licenses were approximately $239.8 million and $582.7 million, respectively. Pursuant to ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” for the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $4.8 million related to our Indianapolis and Detroit radio broadcasting licenses and totaling approximately $5.8 million goodwill balances in our digital segment. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded impairment charges totaling approximately $21.3 million related to our Detroit radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill balances in our Atlanta and Charlotte markets. A description of the Level 3 inputs and the information used to develop the inputs is discussed in Note 4 - Goodwill, Radio Broadcasting Licenses and Other Intangible Assets.
(t) Software and Web Development Costs
The Company capitalizes direct internal and external costs incurred to develop internal-use computer software during the application development stage pursuant to ASC 350-40, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.” Internal-use software is amortized under the straight-line method using an estimated life of three years. All web development costs incurred in connection with operating our websites are accounted for under the provisions of ASC 350-40 and ASC 350-50, “Website Development Costs”, unless a plan exists or is being developed to market the software externally. The Company has no plans to market software externally.
(u) Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Redeemable noncontrolling interests are interests in subsidiaries that are redeemable outside of the Company’s control either for cash or other assets. These interests are classified as mezzanine equity and measured at the greater of estimated redemption value at the end of each reporting period or the historical cost basis of the noncontrolling interests adjusted for cumulative earnings allocations. The resulting increases or decreases in the estimated redemption amount are affected by corresponding charges against retained earnings, or in the absence of retained earnings, additional paid-in-capital.
(v) Investments
Cost Method
On April 10, 2015, the Company made a $5 million investment in MGM’s world-class casino property, MGM National Harbor, located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, which has a predominately African-American demographic profile. On November 30, 2016, the Company contributed an additional $35 million to complete its investment. This investment further diversified our platform in the entertainment industry while still focusing on our core demographic. We account for this investment on a cost basis. Our MGM National Harbor investment entitles us to an annual cash distribution based on net gaming revenue. Our MGM investment is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and its income in the amount of approximately $6.9 million and $7.0 million, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is recorded in other income on the consolidated statements of operations. The cost method investment is subject to a periodic impairment review in the normal course. The Company reviewed the investment during 2019 and 2018 and concluded that no impairment to the carrying value was required. As of December 4, 2018, the Company’s interest in the MGM National Harbor Casino secures the $50 million MGM National Harbor Loan (as defined in Note 9 - Long-Term Debt.)
(w) Content Assets
Our cable television segment has entered into contracts to acquire entertainment programming rights and programs from distributors and producers. The license periods granted in these contracts generally run from one year to ten years. Contract payments are made in installments over terms that are generally shorter than the contract period. Each contract is recorded as an asset and a liability at an amount equal to its gross contractual commitment when the license period begins and the program is available for its first airing. Acquired content is generally amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the license which reflects the estimated usage. For certain content for which the pattern of usage is accelerated, amortization is based upon the actual usage. Amortization of content assets is recorded in the consolidated statement of operations as programming and technical expenses.
The Company also has programming for which the Company has engaged third parties to develop and produce, and it owns most or all rights (commissioned programming). In accordance with ASC 926, content amortization expense for each period is recognized based on the revenue forecast model, which approximates the proportion that estimated advertising and affiliate revenues for the current period represent in relation to the estimated remaining total lifetime revenues as of the beginning of the current period. Management regularly reviews, and revises when necessary, its total revenue estimates, which may result in a change in the rate of amortization and/or a write-down of the asset to fair value.
Acquired program rights are recorded at the lower of unamortized cost or estimated net realizable value. Estimated net realizable values are based on the estimated revenues associated with the program materials and related expenses. The Company recorded an impairment and recorded additional amortization expense of approximately $4.9 million and $1.6 million, as a result of evaluating its contracts for recoverability for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. All produced and licensed content is classified as a long-term asset, except for the portion of the unamortized content balance that is expected to be amortized within one year which is classified as a current asset.
Tax incentives that state and local governments offer that are directly measured based on production activities are recorded as reductions in production costs.
(x) Impact of Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2016-13”). ASU 2016-13 is intended to provide financial statement users with more decision-useful information about the expected credit losses on financial instruments and other commitments and requires consideration of a broader range of reasonable and supportable information to inform credit loss estimates. In November 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-10, “Financial Instruments-Credit Losses (Topic 326), Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815), and Leases (Topic 842): Effective Dates.” ASU 2019-10 defers the effective date of credit loss standard ASU 2016-13 by two years for smaller reporting companies and permits early adoption. ASU 2016-13 is effective for the Company beginning January 1, 2023. The Company is evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU 2016-13 on its financial statements, but does not expect such implementation to have a material impact.
In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments (A Consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force)” (“ASU 2016-15”). ASU 2016-15 is intended to reduce differences in practice in how certain transactions are classified in the statement of cash flows. This standard will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Company adopted the new standard during the first quarter of 2018 and its adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other (Topic 350) - Simplifying the Test for Goodwill Impairment” (“ASU 2017-04”). ASU 2017-04 is intended to simplify the accounting for goodwill impairment. The guidance removes Step 2 of the goodwill impairment test, which requires a hypothetical purchase price allocation. This standard will be effective for interim and annual goodwill impairment tests beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted on testing dates after January 1, 2017. The Company adopted the new standard during the first quarter of 2018 and its adoption did not have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
(y) Related Party Transactions
Reach Media operates the Tom Joyner Foundation’s Fantastic Voyage® (the “Fantastic Voyage®”), a fund-raising event, on behalf of the Tom Joyner Foundation, Inc. (the “Foundation”), a 501(c)(3) entity. The agreements under which the Fantastic Voyage® operates provide that Reach Media provide all necessary operations of the cruise and that Reach Media will be reimbursed its expenditures and receive a fee plus a performance bonus for the cruise. Distributions from operating income or operating revenues, depending upon the year, are in the following order until the funds are depleted: up to $250,000 to the Foundation, reimbursement of Reach’s expenditures, up to $1.0 million fee to Reach, a performance bonus of up to 50% of remaining operating income to Reach, with the balance remaining with the Foundation. For years 2020 through 2022, $250,000 to the Foundation is guaranteed. Reach Media’s earnings for the Fantastic Voyage® may not exceed $1.7 million in 2018 and 2019, nor $1.75 million in 2020 and thereafter. The Foundation’s remittances to Reach Media under the agreements are limited to its Fantastic Voyage®-related cash collections. Reach Media bears the risk should the Fantastic Voyage® sustain a loss and bears all credit risk associated with the related customer cabin sales. The agreement between Reach and the Foundation automatically renews annually unless termination is mutually agreed or unless a party’s financial requirements are not met, in which case that party not in breach of their obligations has the right, but not the obligation, to terminate unilaterally. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Foundation owed Reach Media $24,000 and $208,000, respectively, under the agreements for the operation of the cruises.
For the year ended December 31, 2019, Reach Media’s revenues, expenses, and operating income for the Fantastic Voyage® were approximately $10.2 million, $8.5 million, and $1.7 million, respectively, and for the year ended December 31, 2018, approximately $9.3 million, $7.6 million, and $1.7 million, respectively. The Fantastic Voyage® took place during the second quarters of both 2019 and 2018.
Additionally, Reach Media provides office facilities (including office space, telecommunications facilities, and office equipment) to the Foundation. Such services are provided to the Foundation on a pass-through basis at cost. Additionally, from time to time, the Foundation reimburses Reach Media for expenditures paid on its behalf at Reach Media-related events. Under these arrangements, as of December 31, 2019, and December 31, 2018, the Foundation owed $32,000 and $34,000, respectively, to Reach Media.
Karen Wishart is employed as an Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer of the Company and as a Vice President of each of the Company's subsidiaries. Ms. Wishart owns a controlling interest in a temporary staffing and recruiting services firm. Subsequent to Ms. Wishart’s hiring on October 2, 2017, on a limited basis, the staffing firm can continue to provide new staffing and/or recruiting services to the Company. However, the staffing firm will only be reimbursed for direct expenses actually incurred. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company did not pay any amount to the staffing and recruiting services firm. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company paid the staffing and recruiting services firm $31,000.
(z) Leases
As of January 1, 2019, the Company adopted ASC 842, Leases, using the modification retrospective transition method. Prior comparative periods will be not be restated under this new standard and therefore those amounts are not presented below. The Company adopted a package of practical expedients as allowed by the transition guidance which permits the Company to carry forward the historical assessment of whether contracts contain or are leases, classification of leases and the remaining lease terms. The Company has also made an accounting policy election to exclude leases with an initial term of twelve months or less from recognition on the consolidated balance sheet. Short-term leases will be expensed over the lease term. The Company also elected to separate the consideration in the lease contracts between the lease and non-lease components. All variable non-lease components are expensed as incurred.
ASC 842 results in significant changes to the balance sheets of lessees, most significantly by requiring the recognition of right of use (“ROU”) assets and lease liabilities by lessees for those leases classified as operating leases. Upon adoption of ASC 842, deferred rent balances, which were historically presented separately, were combined and presented net within the ROU asset. The adoption of this standard resulted in the Company recording an increase in ROU assets of approximately $49.8 million and an increase in lease liabilities of approximately $54.1 million. Approximately $4.3 million in deferred rent was also reclassified from liabilities to offset the applicable ROU asset. The tax impact of ASC 842, which primarily consisted of deferred gains related to previous transactions that were historically accounted for as sale and operating leasebacks in accordance with ASC Topic 840 were recognized as part of the cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings, resulting in an increase to retained earnings, net of tax, of approximately $5.8 million.
Many of the Company's leases provide for renewal terms and escalation clauses, which are factored into calculating the lease liabilities when appropriate. The implicit rate within the Company's lease agreements is generally not determinable and as such the Company’s collateralized borrowing rate is used.
The following table sets forth the components of lease expense and the weighted average remaining lease term and the weighted average discount rate for the Company’s leases as of December 31, 2019, dollars in thousands:
As of December 31, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities were as follows:
(aa) Going Concern Assessment
As part of its internal control framework, the Company routinely performs a going concern assessment. As further described in Note 16 - Subsequent Events, we have concluded that the Company has sufficient capacity to meet its financing obligations, has additional capacity to access ABL Facility funds to finance working capital needs should the need arise, that cash flows from operations are sufficient to meet the liquidity needs, and is projecting compliance with all debt covenants through the one year period following the financial statement issuance date.
2. ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS:
On October 20, 2011, we entered into a time brokerage agreement (“TBA”) with WGPR, Inc. (“WGPR”). Pursuant to the TBA, on October 24, 2011, we began to broadcast programs produced, owned or acquired by the Company on WGPR’s Detroit radio station, WGPR-FM. We paid a monthly fee as well as certain operating costs of WGPR-FM, and in exchange we retained all revenues from the sale of the advertising within the programming we provided. The original term of the TBA was through December 31, 2014; however, in September 2014, we entered into an amendment to the TBA to extend the term of the TBA through December 31, 2019 on which date we ceased operation of the station on our behalf. While we ceased operations of the station on December 31, 2019, the Company continues to provide management services to the current owner and operator of WGPR.
On August 31, 2019, the Company closed on its previously announced sale of assets of its Detroit, Michigan radio station, WDMK-FM and three translators W228CJ, W252BX, and W260CB for approximately $13.5 million to Beasley Broadcast Group, Inc. The Company recognized an immaterial loss on the sale of the station during the year ended December 31, 2019.
On January 30, 2017, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement to sell certain land, towers and equipment to a third party for $25 million. On May 2, 2017, the Company closed on its previously announced sale, and is leasing certain of the assets back from the buyer as a part of its normal operations. The Company received proceeds of approximately $25.0 million, resulting in an overall net gain on sale of approximately $22.5 million, of which approximately $14.4 million was recognized immediately during the second quarter of 2017, and approximately $8.1 million which was deferred and was recognized into income ratably over the lease term of ten years. Upon adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, the unamortized portion of this deferred gain, net of tax, was recognized as a cumulative adjustment to equity.
On August 8, 2018, the Company closed on its previously announced sale of the assets of one of its Detroit, Michigan, radio stations, WPZR-FM (102.7 FM), to Educational Media Foundation, of California, for total consideration of approximately $12.7 million, of which approximately $12.2 million was received in cash. As part of the deal, the Company received 3 FM translators that service the Detroit metropolitan area. These signals were combined with the existing FM translator to multicast the Detroit Praise Network. The Company recognized an immaterial loss on the sale of the station during the year ended December 31, 2018.
On August 9, 2018, the Company closed on its previously announced acquisition of the assets of the radio station The Team 980 (WTEM 980 AM) from Red Zebra Broadcasting. Upon closing, the Company also entered into an agreement with the Washington Redskins to ensure that all Redskins games, as well as pregame and postgame programming, will remain on The Team 980. The Company’s purchase accounting to reflect the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed consisted of approximately $2.0 million to radio broadcasting licenses, $1.1 million to land and land improvements, $512,000 to towers, $91,000 to goodwill, $206,000 to advertiser agreements, and $254,000 to other property and equipment assets.
On December 19, 2019, we entered into both an asset purchase agreement (“APA”) and a TBA with Guardian Enterprise Group, Inc. and certain of its affiliates (collectively, “GEG”) with respect to the acquisition and interim operation of low power television station WQMC-LD in Columbus, Ohio. Pursuant to the TBA, in January 2020, we began to operate WQMC-LD until such time as the purchase transaction can close under the APA. Under the terms of the TBA, we pay a monthly fee as well as certain operating costs of WQMC-LD, and, in exchange, we will retain all revenues from the sale of the advertising within the programming. After receipt of FCC approval, we closed the transactions under the APA and took ownership of WQMC-LD on February 24, 2020.
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:
Property and equipment are carried at cost less accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the related estimated useful lives. Property and equipment consists of the following:
Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred.
4. GOODWILL, RADIO BROADCASTING LICENSES AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS:
Impairment Testing
We have historically made acquisitions whereby a significant amount of the purchase price was allocated to radio broadcasting licenses, goodwill and other intangible assets. In accordance with ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other,” we do not amortize our radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill. Instead, we perform a test for impairment annually across all reporting units, or on an interim basis when events or changes in circumstances or other conditions suggest impairment may have occurred in any given reporting unit. Other intangible assets continue to be amortized on a straight-line basis over their useful lives. We perform our annual impairment test as of October 1 of each year. For the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, we recorded impairment charges against radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill collectively, of approximately $10.6 million and $21.3 million, respectively.
Beginning in March 2020, the Company noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government stay at home order were dramatically impacting certain of the Company's revenues. Most notably, a number of advertisers across significant advertising categories have reduced or ceased advertising spend due to the outbreak and stay at home orders which effectively shut many businesses down. This was particularly true within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers who have been particularly hard hit due to social distancing and government interventions. The COVID-19 impact is considered a non-recognized subsequent event. The Company will perform certain interim impairment testing during the quarter ended March 31, 2020 which could result in the Company recording additional non-cash impairment charges related to its broadcasting licenses and goodwill balances during 2020.
2019 Interim Impairment Testing
During the second quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $3.8 million associated with our Detroit market radio broadcasting licenses.
2019 Annual Impairment Testing
We completed our 2019 annual impairment assessment as of October 1, 2019. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $1.0 million associated with our Indianapolis market radio broadcasting licenses and approximately $5.8 million to reduce the carrying value of our Interactive One goodwill balance. Our 2019 annual impairment testing indicated the carrying values for our goodwill attributable to Reach Media, TV One, and our other radio broadcasting reporting units were not impaired.
2018 Interim Impairment Testing
During the second and third quarters of 2018, the total market revenue growth for certain markets in which we operate was below that used in our annual impairment testing. In each quarter, we deemed that to be an impairment indicator that warranted interim impairment testing of certain markets’ radio broadcasting licenses, which we performed as of June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $3.9 million associated with our Detroit market radio broadcasting licenses. During the second and third quarters of 2018, we identified an impairment indicator at certain of our radio markets, and, as such, we performed an interim analysis for certain radio market goodwill as of June 30, 2018 and September 30, 2018. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $2.7 million to reduce the carrying value of our Charlotte goodwill balance.
2018 Annual Impairment Testing
We completed our 2018 annual impairment assessment as of October 1, 2018. During the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $14.7 million to reduce the carrying value of our Atlanta goodwill balance. Our 2018 annual impairment testing indicated the carrying values for our goodwill attributable to Reach Media, TV One, digital and our other radio broadcasting reporting units were not impaired.
Valuation of Broadcasting Licenses
We utilize the services of a third-party valuation firm to assist us in estimating the fair value of our radio broadcasting licenses and reporting units. Fair value is estimated to be the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. We use the income approach to test for impairment of radio broadcasting licenses. A projection period of 10 years is used, as that is the time horizon in which operators and investors generally expect to recover their investments. When evaluating our radio broadcasting licenses for impairment, the testing is done at the unit of accounting level as determined by ASC 350, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other.” In our case, each unit of accounting is a cluster of radio stations into one of our geographical markets. Broadcasting license fair values are based on the discounted future cash flows of the applicable unit of accounting assuming an initial hypothetical start-up operation which possesses FCC licenses as the only asset. Over time, it is assumed the operation acquires other tangible assets such as advertising and programming contracts, employment agreements and going concern value, and matures into an average performing operation in a specific radio market. The income approach model incorporates several variables, including, but not limited to: (i) radio market revenue estimates and growth projections; (ii) estimated market share and revenue for the hypothetical participant; (iii) likely media competition within the market; (iv) estimated start-up costs and losses incurred in the early years; (v) estimated profit margins and cash flows based on market size and station type; (vi) anticipated capital expenditures; (vii) estimated future terminal values; (viii) an effective tax rate assumption; and (ix) a discount rate based on the weighted-average cost of capital for the radio broadcast industry. In calculating the discount rate, we considered: (i) the cost of equity, which includes estimates of the risk-free return, the long-term market return, small stock risk premiums and industry beta; (ii) the cost of debt, which includes estimates for corporate borrowing rates and tax rates; and (iii) estimated average percentages of equity and debt in capital structures.
Our methodology for valuing broadcasting licenses has been consistent for all periods presented. Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating the broadcasting license and goodwill fair values for the annual impairment testing performed and interim impairment testing where an impairment charge was recorded since January 1, 2018. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $4.8 million associated with our Indianapolis and Detroit market radio broadcasting licenses. The Company recorded an impairment charge of approximately $3.9 million associated with our Detroit market radio broadcasting licenses during the year ended December 31, 2018.
(a) Reflects changes only to the key assumptions used in the interim testing for certain units of accounting.
(*) License fair value based on estimated asset sale consideration.
Broadcasting Licenses Valuation Results
The Company’s total broadcasting licenses carrying value is approximately $582.7 million as of December 31, 2019. The units of accounting reflected in the table below are not disclosed on a specific market basis so as to not make sensitive information publicly available that could be competitively harmful to the Company.
* The amount listed is net of additions, dispositions and impairment charges.
Our licenses expire at various dates through December 1, 2027.
Valuation of Goodwill
The impairment testing of goodwill is performed at the reporting unit level. We had 17 reporting units as of our October 2019 annual impairment assessment, consisting of each of the 14 radio markets within the radio division (our license in Detroit was sold during the third quarter of 2019) and each of the other three business divisions. In testing for the impairment of goodwill, we primarily rely on the income approach. The approach involves a 10-year model with similar variables as described above for broadcasting licenses, except that the discounted cash flows are based on the Company’s estimated and projected market revenue, market share and operating performance for its reporting units, instead of those for a hypothetical participant. We use a 5-year model for our Reach Media reporting unit. We evaluate all events and circumstances on an interim basis to determine if an impairment indicator is present and also perform annual testing by comparing the fair value of the reporting unit with its carrying amount. We recognize an impairment charge to operations in the amount that the reporting unit’s carrying value exceeds its fair value. The impairment charge recognized cannot exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit.
We have not made any changes to the methodology for valuing or allocating goodwill when determining the fair values of the reporting units. During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company performed its annual impairment testing on the valuation of goodwill associated with our digital segment. Our digital segment’s net revenues and cash flow internal projections were revised downward and as a result of our annual assessment, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of approximately $5.8 million. During the first quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $2.7 million to reduce the carrying value of our Charlotte goodwill balance and during the fourth quarter of 2018, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of approximately $14.7 million to reduce the carrying value of our Atlanta goodwill balance.
Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating reporting unit fair values for the annual impairment assessments performed and interim impairment testing where an impairment charge was recorded since January 1, 2018.
(a) Reflects the key assumptions for testing only those radio markets with remaining goodwill.
(*) Goodwill fair value based on estimated asset sale consideration.
Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for estimating the fair value for Reach Media for the annual and interim impairment assessments performed since October 2018. When compared to the discount rates used for assessing radio market reporting units, the higher discount rates used in these assessments reflect a premium for a riskier and broader media business, with a heavier concentration and significantly higher amount of programming content assets that are highly dependent on a single on-air personality. As a result of our impairment assessments, the Company concluded that the goodwill was not impaired.
During the fourth quarter of 2019, the Company performed its annual impairment testing on the valuation of goodwill associated with our digital segment. Our digital segment’s net revenues and cash flow internal projections were revised downward and as a result of our annual assessment, the Company recorded a goodwill impairment charge of approximately $5.8 million. Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for determining the fair value of our digital reporting unit since October 2018. When compared to discount rates for the radio reporting units, the higher discount rate used to value the reporting unit is reflective of discount rates applicable to internet media businesses. The Company concluded no impairment to the carrying value of goodwill had occurred as a result of the annual testing performed in 2018.
Below are some of the key assumptions used in the income approach model for determining the fair value of our cable television segment since October 2018. As a result of the testing performed in 2019 and 2018, the Company concluded no impairment to the carrying value of goodwill had occurred.
The above goodwill tables reflect some of the key valuation assumptions used for 11 of our 17 reporting units. The other six remaining reporting units had no goodwill carrying value balances as of December 31, 2019.
Goodwill Valuation Results
The table below presents the changes in Company’s goodwill carrying values for its four reportable segments during 2019 and 2018:
In arriving at the estimated fair values for radio broadcasting licenses and goodwill, we also performed an analysis by comparing our overall average implied multiple based on our cash flow projections and fair values to recently completed sales transactions, and by comparing our estimated fair values to the market capitalization of the Company. The results of these comparisons confirmed that the fair value estimates resulting from our annual assessments in 2019 were reasonable.
Intangible Assets Excluding Goodwill and Radio Broadcasting Licenses
Other intangible assets, excluding goodwill, radio broadcasting licenses and the unamortized brand name, are being amortized on a straight-line basis over various periods. Other intangible assets consist of the following:
Amortization expense of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 was approximately $10.9 million and $26.7 million, respectively.
The Company’s affiliation agreements have expiration dates ranging from September 2020 to June 2026.
The following table presents the Company’s estimate of amortization expense for the years 2020 through 2024 for intangible assets:
The table above excludes launch asset amortization as it is recorded as a reduction to revenue. Actual amortization expense may vary as a result of future acquisitions and dispositions.
5. CONTENT ASSETS:
The gross cost and accumulated amortization of content assets is as follows:
Produced content assets include certain unamortized costs that will not be 80% amortized within three years from December 31, 2019, totaling approximately $13.0 million. Approximately 41.5% of these unamortized costs are expected to be amortized within three years from December 31, 2019. The remaining balance of these costs will be amortized through the year ending December 31, 2029.
Future estimated content amortization expense related to agreements entered into as of December 31, 2019, for years 2020 through 2024 is as follows:
Future estimated content amortization expense is not included for in-production content assets in the table above.
Future minimum content payments required under agreements entered into as of December 31, 2019, are as follows:
6. INVESTMENTS:
Cost Method
On April 10, 2015, the Company made a $5 million investment in MGM’s world-class casino property, MGM National Harbor, located in Prince George’s County, Maryland, which has a predominately African-American demographic profile. On November 30, 2016, the Company contributed an additional $35 million to complete its investment. This investment further diversified our platform in the entertainment industry while still focusing on our core demographic. We account for this investment on a cost basis. Our MGM National Harbor investment entitles us to an annual cash distribution based on net gaming revenue. Our MGM investment is included in other assets on the consolidated balance sheets and its income in the amount of approximately $6.9 million and $7.0 million, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, is recorded in other income on the consolidated statements of operations. The cost method investment is subject to a periodic impairment review in the normal course. The Company reviewed the investment during 2019 and 2018 and concluded that no impairment to the carrying value was required. As of December 4, 2018, the Company’s interest in the MGM National Harbor Casino secures the $50 million MGM National Harbor Loan (as defined in Note 9 - Long-Term Debt.)
7. OTHER CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Other current liabilities consist of the following:
8. DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS:
The Company accounts for an award called for in the CEO’s employment agreement (the “Employment Agreement Award”) as a derivative instrument in accordance with ASC 815, “Derivatives and Hedging.” The Company estimated the fair value of the award at December 31, 2019 and 2018, to be approximately $27.0 million and $25.7 million, respectively, and accordingly adjusted its liability to this amount. The long-term portion is recorded in other long-term liabilities and the current portion is recorded in other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. The expense/(benefit) associated with the Employment Agreement Award was recorded in the consolidated statements of operations as corporate selling, general and administrative expenses and was approximately $4.9 million and $(5.1) million for the years ended December 31, 2019, and 2018, respectively.
The Company’s obligation to pay the Employment Agreement Award was triggered after the Company recovered the aggregate amount of its capital contribution in TV One and only upon actual receipt of distributions of cash or marketable securities or proceeds from a liquidity event with respect to the Company’s aggregate investment in TV One. The CEO was fully vested in the award upon execution of the employment agreement, and the award lapses if the CEO voluntarily leaves the Company, or is terminated for cause. In September 2014, the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company approved terms for a new employment agreement with the CEO, including a renewal of the Employment Agreement Award upon similar terms as in the prior employment agreement. Prior to the quarter ended September 30, 2018, there were probability factors included in the calculation of the award related to the likelihood that the award will be realized. During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, management changed the methodology used in calculating the fair value of the Company's Employment Agreement Award liability to simplify the calculation. As part of the simplified calculation, the Company eliminated certain adjustments made to its aggregate investment in TV One, including the treatment of historical dividends paid and potential distribution of assets upon liquidation. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors approved the simplified method which eliminates certain assumptions that were historically used in the determination of the fair value of this liability. The revised methodology resulted in a credit adjustment of approximately $6.6 million during the quarter ended September 30, 2018 to reflect this change in estimate. The liability was further reduced during the quarter ended December 31, 2018 using the simplified methodology, due primarily to an overall lower valuation. During 2019, there was an increase in the overall enterprise valuation and an increase in the overall working capital contributing to an increase in expense recognized throughout the year.
9. LONG-TERM DEBT:
Long-term debt consists of the following:
2018 Credit Facility
On December 4, 2018, the Company and certain of its subsidiaries entered into a credit agreement (“2018 Credit Facility”), among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time, Wilmington Trust, National Association, as administrative agent, and TCG Senior Funding L.L.C, as sole lead arranger and sole bookrunner. The 2018 Credit Facility provided $192.0 million in term loan borrowings, which was funded on December 20, 2018. The net proceeds of term loan borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility were used to refinance, repurchase, redeem or otherwise repay the Company's outstanding 9.25% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2020.
Borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility are subject to customary conditions precedent, as well as a requirement under the 2018 Credit Facility that (i) the Company's total gross leverage ratio on a pro forma basis be not greater than 8:00 to 1:00 (this total gross leverage ratio test steps down as described below), (ii) neither of the administrative agents under the Company's existing credit facilities nor the trustee under the Company's existing senior secured notes due 2022 have objected to the terms of the new credit documents and (iii) certification by the Company that the terms and conditions of the 2018 Credit Facility satisfy the requirements of the definition of “Permitted Refinancing” (as defined in the agreements governing the Company's existing credit facilities) and neither of the administrative agents under the Company's existing credit facilities notifies the Company within five (5) business days prior to funding the borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility that it disagrees with such determination (including a reasonable description of the basis upon which it disagrees).
The 2018 Credit Facility matures on December 31, 2022 (the “Maturity Date”). Interest rates on borrowings under the 2018 Credit Facility will be either (i) from the Funding Date to the Maturity Date, 12.875% per annum, (ii) 11.875% per annum, once 50% of the term loan borrowings have been repaid or (iii) 10.875% per annum, once 75% of the term loan borrowings have been repaid. Interest payments begin on the last day of the 3-month period commencing on the Funding Date.
The Company's obligations under the 2018 Credit Facility are not secured. The 2018 Credit Facility is guaranteed on an unsecured basis by each entity that guarantees the Company's outstanding $350.0 million 2017 Credit Facility (as defined below).
The term loans could have been voluntarily prepaid prior to February 15, 2020 subject to payment of a prepayment premium. The Company is required to repay principal to the extent then outstanding on each quarterly interest payment date, commencing on the last business day in March 2019, equal to one quarter of 7.5% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all term loans incurred on the Funding Date to December 2019, commencing on the last business day in March 2020, one quarter of 10.0% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all term loans incurred on the Funding Date to December 2021, and, commencing on the last business day in March 2021, one quarter of 12.5% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all term loans incurred on the Funding Date to December 2022. The Company is also required to use 75% of excess cash flow (“ECF payment”) as defined in the 2018 Credit Facility, which exclude any distributions to the Company or its restricted subsidiaries in respect of its interests in the MGM National Harbor to repay outstanding term loans at par, paid semiannually and to use 100% of all distributions to the Company or its restricted subsidiaries received in respect of its interest in the MGM National Harbor to repay outstanding terms loans at par. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repaid approximately $24.9 million, under the 2018 Credit Facility. Included in the repayments made during the year ended December 31, 2019 was approximately $3.5 million in ECF payments in accordance with the agreement.
The 2018 Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties and events of default, affirmative and negative covenants (in each case, subject to materiality exceptions and qualifications). The 2018 Credit Facility also contains certain financial covenants, including a maintenance covenant requiring the Company's total gross leverage ratio to be not greater than 8.0 to 1.00 in 2019, 7.5 to 1.00 in 2020, 7.25 to 1.00 in 2021 and 6.75 to 1.00 in 2022. As of December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the 2018 Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding approximately $167.1 million on its 2018 Credit Facility. The original issue discount in the amount of approximately $3.8 million and associated debt issuance costs in the amount of $875,000 is being reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt obligation and amortized to interest expense over the term of the credit facility using the effective interest rate method. The amortization of deferred financing costs was charged to interest expense for all periods presented. The amount of deferred financing costs included in interest expense for all instruments, for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was approximately $3.9 million and $2.9 million, respectively.
MGM National Harbor Loan
Concurrently, on December 4, 2018, Urban One Entertainment SPV, LLC (“UONESPV”) and its immediate parent, Radio One Entertainment Holdings, LLC (“ROEH”), each of which is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a credit agreement, providing $50.0 million in term loan borrowings (the “MGM National Harbor Loan”) which was funded on December 20, 2018.
The MGM National Harbor Loan matures on December 31, 2022 and bears interest at 7.0% per annum in cash plus 4.0% per annum paid-in kind. The loan has limited ability to be prepaid in the first two years. The loan is secured on a first priority basis by the assets of UONESPV and ROEH, including all of UONESPV's shares held by ROEH, all of UONESPV's interests in MGM National Harbor, its rights under the joint venture operating agreement governing the MGM National Harbor and UONESPV's obligation to exercise its put right under the joint venture operating agreement in the event of a UONESPV payment default or bankruptcy event, in each case, subject to applicable Maryland gaming laws and approvals. Exercise by UONESPV of its put right under the joint venture operating agreement is subject to required lender consent unless the proceeds are used to retire the MGM National Harbor Loan and any remaining excess is used to repay borrowings, if any, under the 2018 Credit Facility. The MGM National Harbor Loan also contains customary representations and warranties and events of default, affirmative and negative covenants (in each case, subject to materiality exceptions and qualifications).
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding approximately $52.1 million on its MGM National Harbor Loan. The original issue discount in the amount of approximately $1.0 million and associated debt issuance costs in the amount of approximately $1.7 million is being reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt obligation and amortized to interest expense over the term of the obligation using the effective interest rate method. The amortization of deferred financing costs was charged to interest expense for all periods presented.
2017 Credit Facilities
On April 18, 2017, the Company closed on a senior secured credit facility (the “2017 Credit Facility”). The 2017 Credit Facility is governed by a credit agreement by and among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Guggenheim Securities Credit Partners, LLC, as administrative agent, The Bank of New York Mellon, as collateral agent, and Guggenheim Securities, LLC as sole lead arranger and sole book running manager. The 2017 Credit Facility provides for $350 million in term loan borrowings, all of which was advanced and outstanding on the date of the closing of the transaction.
The 2017 Credit Facility matures on the earlier of (i) April 18, 2023, or (ii) in the event such debt is not repaid or refinanced, 91 days prior to the maturity of the Company’s 2022 Notes (as defined below). At the Company’s election, the interest rate on borrowings under the 2017 Credit Facility are based on either (i) the then applicable base rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Facility) as, for any day, a rate per annum (rounded upward, if necessary, to the next 1/100th of 1%) equal to the greater of (a) the prime rate published in the Wall Street Journal, (b) 1/2 of 1% in excess rate of the overnight Federal Funds Rate at any given time, (c) the one-month LIBOR rate commencing on such day plus 1.00%) and (d) 2%, or (ii) the then applicable LIBOR rate (as defined in the 2017 Credit Facility). The average interest rate was approximately 6.27% for 2019 and was 6.07% for 2018.
The 2017 Credit Facility is (i) guaranteed by each entity that guarantees the Company’s 2022 Notes on a pari passu basis with the guarantees of the 2022 Notes and (ii) secured on a pari passu basis with the Company’s 2022 Notes. The Company’s obligations under the 2017 Credit Facility are secured, subject to permitted liens and except for certain excluded assets (i) on a first priority basis by certain notes priority collateral, and (ii) on a second priority basis by collateral for the Company’s asset-backed line of credit.
In addition to any mandatory or optional prepayments, the Company is required to pay interest on the term loans (i) quarterly in arrears for the base rate loans, and (ii) on the last day of each interest period for LIBOR loans. Certain voluntary prepayments of the term loans during the first six months will require an additional prepayment premium. Beginning with the interest payment date occurring in June 2017 and ending in March 2023, the Company will be required to repay principal, to the extent then outstanding, equal to 1∕4 of 1% of the aggregate initial principal amount of all term loans incurred on the effective date of the 2017 Credit Facility. On December 19, 2018, upon drawing under the 2018 Credit Facility and MGM National Harbor Loan, the Company voluntarily prepaid approximately $20.0 million in principal on the 2017 Credit Facility. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the Company repaid approximately $3.3 million and $23.4 million, respectively under the 2017 Credit Facility.
The 2017 Credit Facility contains customary representations and warranties and events of default, affirmative and negative covenants (in each case, subject to materiality exceptions and qualifications) which may be more restrictive than those governing the 2022 Notes. The 2017 Credit Facility also contains certain financial covenants, including a maintenance covenant requiring the Company’s interest expense coverage ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated EBITDA to consolidated interest expense) to be greater than or equal to 1.25 to 1.00 and its total senior secured leverage ratio (defined as the ratio of consolidated net senior secured indebtedness to consolidated EBITDA) to be less than or equal to 5.85 to 1.00.
The net proceeds from the 2017 Credit Facility were used to prepay in full the Company’s previous senior secured credit facility and the agreement governing such credit facility.
The 2017 Credit Facility contains affirmative and negative covenants that the Company is required to comply with, including:
(a) maintaining an interest coverage ratio of no less than:
§ 1.25 to 1.00 on June 30, 2017 and the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter.
(b) maintaining a senior leverage ratio of no greater than:
§ 5.85 to 1.00 on June 30, 2017 and the last day of each fiscal quarter thereafter.
(c) limitations on:
§ liens;
§ sale of assets;
§ payment of dividends; and
§ mergers.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company was in compliance with all of its financial covenants under the 2017 Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had outstanding approximately $320.6 million on its 2017 Credit Facility. The original issue discount is being reflected as an adjustment to the carrying amount of the debt obligations and amortized to interest expense over the term of the credit facility using the effective interest rate method. The amortization of deferred financing costs was charged to interest expense for all periods presented.
2022 Notes
On April 17, 2015, the Company closed a private offering of $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of 7.375% senior secured notes due 2022 (the “2022 Notes”). The 2022 Notes were offered at an original issue price of 100.0% plus accrued interest from April 17, 2015, and will mature on April 15, 2022. Interest on the 2022 Notes accrues at the rate of 7.375% per annum and is payable semiannually in arrears on April 15 and October 15, which commenced on October 15, 2015. The 2022 Notes are guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior secured basis by the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries, including TV One.
In connection with the closing of the 2022 Notes, the Company and the guarantor parties thereto entered into a Fourth Supplemental Indenture to the indenture governing the 2020 Notes (as defined below). Pursuant to this Fourth Supplemental Indenture, TV One, which previously did not guarantee the 2020 Notes, became a guarantor under the 2020 Notes indentures. In addition, the transactions caused a “Triggering Event” (as defined in the 2020 Notes Indenture) and, as a result, the 2020 Notes became an unsecured obligation of the Company and the subsidiary guarantors and rank equal in right of payment with the Company’s other senior indebtedness.
The Company used the net proceeds from the 2022 Notes, to refinance a previous credit agreement, refinance certain TV One indebtedness, and finance the buyout of membership interests of Comcast in TV One and pay the related accrued interest, premiums, fees and expenses associated therewith.
The 2022 Notes are the Company’s senior secured obligations and rank equal in right of payment with all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ existing and future senior indebtedness, including obligations under the 2017 Credit Facility and the Company’s 2020 Notes (defined below). The 2022 Notes and related guarantees are equally and ratably secured by the same collateral securing the 2017 Credit Facility and any other parity lien debt issued after the issue date of the 2022 Notes, including any additional notes issued under the Indenture, but are effectively subordinated to the Company’s and the guarantors’ secured indebtedness to the extent of the value of the collateral securing such indebtedness that does not also secure the 2022 Notes. Collateral includes substantially all of the Company’s and the guarantors’ current and future property and assets for accounts receivable, cash, deposit accounts, other bank accounts, securities accounts, inventory and related assets including the capital stock of each subsidiary guarantor. Finally, the Company also had the Comcast Note (defined below) which was a general but senior unsecured obligation of the Company.
Senior Subordinated Notes
On February 10, 2014, the Company closed a private placement offering of $335.0 million aggregate principal amount of 9.25% senior subordinated notes due 2020 (the “2020 Notes”). The 2020 Notes were offered at an original issue price of 100.0% plus accrued interest from February 10, 2014. The 2020 Notes were scheduled to mature on February 15, 2020. Interest accrued at the rate of 9.25% per annum and was payable semiannually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 in the initial amount of approximately $15.5 million, which commenced on August 15, 2014. The 2020 Notes were guaranteed by certain of the Company’s existing and future domestic subsidiaries and any other subsidiaries that guarantee the existing senior credit facility or any of the Company’s other syndicated bank indebtedness or capital markets securities. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering to repurchase or otherwise redeem all of the amounts then outstanding under its previous notes and to pay the related accrued interest, premiums, fees and expenses associated therewith. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, in conjunction with entering into the 2018 Credit Facility and MGM National Harbor Loan, the Company repurchased approximately $243.0 million of its 2020 Notes at an average price of approximately 100.88% of par. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the Company recorded a loss on retirement of debt of approximately $2.8 million. This amount includes a write-off of previously capitalized debt financing costs and original issue discount associated with the 2020 Notes in the amount of $649,000 and also includes approximately $2.1 million associated with the premium paid to the bondholders. During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, the Company repurchased approximately $5.0 million of its 2020 Notes at an average price of approximately 97.25% of par. The Company recorded a net gain on retirement of debt of $120,000 for the quarter ended September 30, 2018. During the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the Company repurchased approximately $14.0 million of its 2020 Notes at an average price of approximately 95.125% of par. The Company recorded a net gain on retirement of debt of $626,000 for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. During the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the Company repurchased approximately $11 million of its 2020 Notes at an average price of approximately 97.375% of par. The Company recorded a net gain on retirement of debt of $239,000 for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. As of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Company had approximately $0 and $2.0 million, respectively, of our 2020 Notes outstanding.
On January 17, 2019, the Company announced that it had given the required notice under the indenture governing its 2020 Notes to redeem for cash all outstanding aggregate principal amount of its Notes to the extent outstanding on February 15, 2019 (the "Redemption Date"). The redemption price for the Notes will be 100.0% of the principal amount of the Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest to the Redemption Date. On February 15, 2019, the remaining 2020 Notes were redeemed in full.
Comcast Note
The Company also had outstanding a senior unsecured promissory note in the aggregate principal amount of approximately $11.9 million due to Comcast (“Comcast Note”). The Comcast Note bears interest at 10.47%, is payable quarterly in arrears, and the entire principal amount is due on April 17, 2019. The Company was contractually required to retire the Comcast Note in February 2019 upon redemption of the remaining 2020 Notes. On February 15, 2019, upon redemption of the remaining 2020 Notes, the Comcast Note was paid in full and retired.
Asset-Backed Credit Facility
On April 21, 2016, the Company entered into a senior credit agreement governing an asset-backed credit facility (the “ABL Facility”) among the Company, the lenders party thereto from time to time and Wells Fargo Bank National Association, as administrative agent (the “Administrative Agent”). The ABL Facility provides for $25 million in revolving loan borrowings in order to provide for the working capital needs and general corporate requirements of the Company. As of December 31, 2019 and as of December 31, 2018, the Company did not have any borrowings outstanding on its ABL Facility.
At the Company’s election, the interest rate on borrowings under the ABL Facility are based on either (i) the then applicable margin relative to Base Rate Loans (as defined in the ABL Facility) or (ii) the then applicable margin relative to LIBOR Loans (as defined in the ABL Facility) corresponding to the average availability of the Company for the most recently completed fiscal quarter.
Advances under the ABL Facility are limited to (a) eighty-five percent (85%) of the amount of Eligible Accounts (as defined in the ABL Facility), less the amount, if any, of the Dilution Reserve (as defined in the ABL Facility), minus (b) the sum of (i) the Bank Product Reserve (as defined in the ABL Facility), plus (ii) the aggregate amount of all other reserves, if any, established by Administrative Agent.
All obligations under the ABL Facility are secured by first priority lien on all (i) deposit accounts (related to accounts receivable), (ii) accounts receivable, (iii) all other property which constitutes ABL Priority Collateral (as defined in the ABL Facility). The obligations are also secured by all material subsidiaries of the Company.
Finally, the ABL Facility is subject to the terms of the Intercreditor Agreement (as defined in the ABL Facility) by and among the Administrative Agent, the administrative agent for the secured parties under the Company’s term loan and the trustee and collateral trustee under the senior secured notes indenture.
On November 13, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to the ABL Facility, (the “ABL Amendment”), which increases the borrowing capacity from $25 million in revolving loan borrowings to $37.5 million in order to provide for the working capital needs and general corporate requirements of the Company and provides for a letter of credit facility up to $7.5 million as a part of the overall $37.5 million in capacity. The ABL Amendment also redefines the “Maturity Date” to read as follows: “Maturity Date" shall mean the earlier to occur of (a) April 21, 2021 and (b) the date that is thirty (30) days prior to the earlier to occur of (i) the Term Loan Maturity Date (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be extended in accordance with the terms of the Term Loan Credit Agreement), and (ii) the Stated Maturity (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture (as defined in the Term Loan Credit Agreement)) of the Notes (as defined in the Senior Secured Notes Indenture as in effect on the Effective Date or as the same may be extended in accordance with the terms of the Senior Secured Notes Indenture).”
On February 24, 2015, the Company entered into a letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement. On October 8, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to its letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement and extended the term to October 8, 2024. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had letters of credit totaling $848,000 under the agreement. Letters of credit issued under the agreement are required to be collateralized with cash.
The Company conducts a portion of its business through its subsidiaries. Certain of the Company’s subsidiaries have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Company’s 2022 Notes, the Company’s obligations under the 2017 Credit Facility, and the obligations under the 2018 Credit Facility. The Company’s interest in the MGM National Harbor Casino fully guarantees the MGM National Harbor Loan.
Future Minimum Principal Payments
Future scheduled minimum principal payments of debt as of December 31, 2019, are as follows:
10. INCOME TAXES:
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income taxes to the recorded benefit from income taxes from continuing operations is as follows:
The statutory federal tax rate used for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is 21%. Major components of the effective tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2019 are related to the limitation of officer's compensation under IRC Section 162(m), and state income taxes. A major component of the effective tax rate during the year ended December 31, 2018 was due to the release of valuation allowance of approximately $125.6 million related to federal and state net operating losses (“NOLs”), and a reduction of IRC Section 382 limitations by approximately $13.5 million on these NOLs.
The components of the provision for (benefit from) income taxes from continuing operations are as follows:
Deferred Income Taxes
Deferred income taxes reflect the impact of temporary differences between the assets and liabilities recognized for financial reporting purposes and amounts recognized for tax purposes. Deferred taxes are based on tax laws as currently enacted. Deferred tax assets are reduced by a valuation allowance if, based upon the weight of available evidence, it is not more likely than not that we will realize some portion or all of the deferred tax assets. The significant components of the Company’s deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows:
As of December 31, 2019, the Company had federal and state NOL carryforward amounts of approximately $733.3 million and $472.5 million, respectively. The state NOLs are applied separately from the federal NOL as the Company generally files separate state returns for each subsidiary. Additionally, the amount of the state NOLs may change if future apportionment factors differ from current factors. During 2016, the Company performed an Internal Revenue Code (“IRC”) Section 382 study (“the study”) and concluded that there was an ownership shift during calendar year 2009 that resulted in an estimated limitation on our federal and state NOLs for approximately $361.1 million and $262.7 million, respectively. During 2018, the Company updated the study for additional information based on additional technical insight into the application of the tax law, which resulted in a decrease to the initial estimated limitation. In 2018, the Company identified certain assets with net unrealized built-in gain that reduced the estimated federal and state limitation by approximately $65.6 million and $52.9 million, respectively. The Company continues to assess potential tax strategies (which could include seeking a ruling from the IRS) which, if successful, may reduce the impact of the annual limitations and potentially recover NOLs that otherwise would expire before being applied to reduce future income tax liabilities. If successful, the Company may be able to recover additional federal and state NOLs in future periods, which could be material. If we conclude that it is more likely than not that we will be able to realize additional federal and state NOLs, the tax benefit could materially impact future quarterly and annual periods. The federal and state NOLs expire in various years from 2020 to 2038.
As of December 31, 2019, the gross deferred tax assets of approximately $135.4 million were primarily the result of federal and state net operating losses, and the IRC Section 163(j) interest expense carryforward. A valuation allowance of $249,000 and $235,000 was recorded against our gross deferred tax asset balance as of December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively and is related to state jurisdictions where it is not more likely than not the deferred tax assets will be realized.
The assessment to determine the value of the deferred tax assets to be realized under ASC 740 is highly judgmental and requires the consideration of all available positive and negative evidence in evaluating the likelihood of realizing the tax benefit of the deferred tax assets in a future period. Circumstances may change over time such that previous negative evidence no longer exists, and new conditions should be evaluated as positive or negative evidence that could affect the realization of the deferred tax assets. Since the evaluation requires consideration of events that may occur in some years in the future, significant judgment is required, and our conclusion could be materially different if certain expectations do not materialize.
In the assessment of all available evidence, an important piece of objective verifiable evidence is evaluating a cumulative pre-tax income or loss position over the most recent three-year period. Historically, the Company has maintained a full valuation against the net deferred tax assets, principally due to a cumulative pre-tax loss over the most recent three-year period. During the quarter ended December 31, 2018, the Company achieved three years of cumulative pre-tax income, which removed the most heavily weighed piece of objective verifiable negative evidence from our evaluation of the realizability of deferred tax assets. The Company continues to maintain three years of rolling cumulative pre-tax income as of December 31, 2019.
Additionally, the Company is projecting forecasts of taxable income to utilize our federal and state NOLs as part of our evaluation of positive evidence. As part of the 2017 Tax Act, IRC Section 163(j) limited the deduction of interest expense. In conjunction with evaluating and weighing our cumulative three-year pre-tax income, we also evaluated the impact that interest expense has had on our cumulative three-year pre-tax income. A material component of the Company’s expenses is interest, and has been the primary driver of historical pre-tax losses. Adjusting for the IRC Section 163(j) interest expense limitation on projected taxable income, we estimate utilization of federal and state net operating losses that are not subject to annual limitations as a result of the 2009 ownership shift as defined under IRC Section 382.
Realization of the Company’s federal and state net operating losses is dependent on generating sufficient taxable income in future periods, and although the Company believes it is more likely than not future taxable income will be sufficient to utilize the net operating losses, realization is not assured and future events may cause a change to the judgment of the realizability of these deferred tax assets. If a future event causes the Company to re-evaluate and conclude that it is not more likely than not, that all or a portion of the deferred tax assets are realizable, the Company would be required to establish a valuation allowance against the assets at that time which would result in a charge to income tax expense and a decrease to net income in the period which the change of judgment is concluded.
Unrecognized Tax Benefits
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits is as follows:
The nature of the uncertainties pertaining to the Company’s income taxes is primarily due to various state income tax positions that affect the amount of state NOLs available to be applied to reduce future state income tax liabilities. The unrecognized tax benefits liability accrued on our balance sheet increased by $96,000 and decreased by approximately $1.1 million during the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively, primarily as a result of applicable tax rate changes. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company increased the unrecognized tax benefits liability by $157,000 related to the potential state income tax effects due to South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had unrecognized tax benefits of approximately $4.7 million, which if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate.
The Company recognizes accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of tax expense. There is no material amount of interest and penalties recognized in the statement of operations and the balance sheet for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Company does not anticipate any significant increases or decreases to the total unrecognized tax benefits within the next twelve months subsequent to December 31, 2019.
The Company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state and local jurisdictions and is subject to examination by the various taxing authorities. The Company’s open tax years for federal income tax examinations include the tax years ended December 31, 2016 through 2019. For state and local purposes, the open years for tax examinations include the tax years ended December 31, 2015 through 2019. To the extent that net operating losses are utilized, the year of the loss is open to examination.
11. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:
Common Stock
The Company has four classes of common stock, Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D. Generally, the shares of each class are identical in all respects and entitle the holders thereof to the same rights and privileges. However, with respect to voting rights, each share of Class A common stock entitles its holder to one vote and each share of Class B common stock entitles its holder to ten votes. The holders of Class C and Class D common stock are not entitled to vote on any matters. The holders of Class A common stock can convert such shares into shares of Class C or Class D common stock. Subject to certain limitations, the holders of Class B common stock can convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock. The holders of Class C common stock can convert such shares into shares of Class A common stock. The holders of Class D common stock have no such conversion rights.
Stock Repurchase Program
From time to time, the Company’s Board of Directors has authorized repurchases of shares of the Company’s Class A and Class D common stock. As of December 31, 2019, except that the Company has limited but ongoing authority to purchase shares under the Company’s stock plans as described below, there was no open authorizations with respect to its Class A and Class D common stock. Under open authorizations, repurchases may be made from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations. Shares are retired when repurchased. The timing and extent of any repurchases will depend upon prevailing market conditions, the trading price of the Company’s Class A and/or Class D common stock and other factors, and subject to restrictions under applicable law. When in effect, the Company executes upon the stock repurchase program in a manner consistent with market conditions and the interests of the stockholders, including maximizing stockholder value. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company repurchased 54,896 shares of Class A Common Stock in the amount of $120,000 at an average of $2.19 per share and repurchased 1,709,315 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of approximately $3.5 million at an average of $2.06 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 4,160 shares of Class A Common Stock in the amount of $9,000 at an average of $2.26 per share and repurchased 3,377,436 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of approximately $7.0 million at an average of $2.10 per share.
In addition, the Company has limited but ongoing authority to purchase shares of Class D common stock (in one or more transactions at any time there remain outstanding grants) under the Company’s 2009 Stock Plan and 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan (both as defined below). As of May 21, 2019, the 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan will be used to satisfy any employee or other recipient tax obligations in connection with the exercise of an option or a share grant under the 2009 Stock Plan, to the extent that the Company has capacity under its financing agreements (i.e., its current credit facilities and indentures) (each a “Stock Vest Tax Repurchase”). During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 957,895 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of approximately $1.9 million at an average price of $1.96 per share. During the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company executed a Stock Vest Tax Repurchase of 612,386 shares of Class D Common Stock in the amount of approximately $1.1 million at an average price of $1.78 per share.
Stock Option and Restricted Stock Grant Plan
Our 2009 stock option and restricted stock plan (the “2009 Stock Plan”) was originally approved by the stockholders at the Company’s annual meeting on December 16, 2009. The Company had the authority to issue up to 8,250,000 shares of Class D Common Stock under the 2009 Stock Plan. Since its original approval, from time to time, the Board of Directors adopted and, as required, our stockholders approved certain amendments to and restatement of the 2009 Stock Plan (the “Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Plan”). The amendments under the Amended and Restated 2009 Stock Plan primarily affected (i) the number of shares with respect to which options and restricted stock grants may be granted under the 2009 Stock Plan and (ii) the maximum number of shares that can be awarded to any individual in any one calendar year. On April 13, 2015, the Board of Directors adopted, and our stockholders approved on June 2, 2015, an amendment that replenished the authorized plan shares, increasing the number of shares of Class D common stock available for grant back up to 8,250,000 shares. Our new stock option and restricted stock plan (“2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan”), currently in effect was approved by the stockholders at the Company’s annual meeting on May 21, 2019. The Board of Directors adopted, and on May 21, 2019, our stockholders approved, the 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan which is funded with 5,500,000 shares of Class D Common Stock. The Company uses an average life for all option awards. The Company settles stock options upon exercise by issuing stock. As of December 31, 2019, 3,023,462 shares of Class D common stock were available for grant under the 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan.
On October 26, 2015, the Compensation Committee (“Compensation Committee”) of the Board of Directors of the Company awarded David Kantor, Chief Executive Officer, Radio Division, 100,000 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 300,000 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective November 5, 2015, and vested in approximately equal 1/3 tranches on each of November 5, 2016, November 5, 2017, and November 5, 2018.
On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Catherine Hughes, Chairperson, 449,630 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 199,836 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective August 7, 2017, and vested on January 5, 2018.
On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Catherine Hughes, Chairperson, 474,609 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 210,937 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective January 5, 2018, and vested on January 5, 2019.
On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded Catherine Hughes, Chairperson, 393,685 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 174,971 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective July 5, 2019 and vested on January 6, 2020.
On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Alfred Liggins, Chief Executive Officer and President, 749,383 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 333,059 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective August 7, 2017, and vested on January 5, 2018.
On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Alfred Liggins, Chief Executive Officer and President, 791,015 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 351,562 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective January 5, 2018, and vested on January 5, 2019.
On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded Alfred Liggins, Chief Executive Officer and President, 656,142 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 291,619 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective July 5, 2019 and vested on January 6, 2020.
On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Peter Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, 256,579 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 114,035 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective August 7, 2017, and vested on January 5, 2018.
On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded Peter Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, 270,833 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 120,370 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective January 5, 2018, and vested on January 5, 2019.
On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded Peter Thompson, Chief Financial Officer, 224,654 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 99,846 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective July 5, 2019 and vested on January 6, 2020.
On August 7, 2017, the Compensation Committee awarded 575,262 shares of restricted stock and 470,000 stock options to certain employees pursuant to the Company’s long-term incentive plan. The grants were effective August 7, 2017. 470,000 shares of restricted stock and 470,000 stock options will vest in three installments, with the first installment of 33% vesting on January 5, 2018, and the second installment vesting on January 5, 2019, and the remaining installment vesting on January 5, 2020. 105,262 shares of restricted stock immediately vested on August 7, 2017.
On October 2, 2017, Karen Wishart, our current Chief Administrative Officer, as part of her employment agreement, received an equity grant of 37,500 shares of the Company's Class D common stock as well as a grant of options to purchase 37,500 shares of the Company's Class D common stock. The grants vest in equal increments on each of October 2, 2018, October 2, 2019 and October 2, 2020.
On June 12, 2019, the Compensation Committee awarded David Kantor, Chief Executive Officer - Radio Division, 195,242 restricted shares of the Company’s Class D common stock, and stock options to purchase 86,774 shares of the Company’s Class D common stock. The grants were effective July 5, 2019 and vested on January 6, 2020.
Pursuant to the terms of each of our stock plans and subject to the Company’s insider trading policy, a portion of each recipient’s vested shares may be sold in the open market for tax purposes on or about the vesting dates.
The Company measures compensation cost for all stock-based awards at fair value on date of grant and recognizes the related expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. The restricted stock-based awards do not participate in dividends until fully vested. The fair value of stock options is determined using the BSM. Such fair value is recognized as an expense over the service period, net of estimated forfeitures, using the straight-line method. Estimating the number of stock awards that will ultimately vest requires judgment, and to the extent actual forfeitures differ substantially from our current estimates, amounts will be recorded as a cumulative adjustment in the period the estimated number of stock awards are revised. We consider many factors when estimating expected forfeitures, including the types of awards, employee classification and historical experience. Actual forfeitures may differ substantially from our current estimate.
The Company’s use of the BSM to calculate the fair value of stock-based awards incorporates various assumptions including volatility, expected life, and interest rates. For options granted, the BSM determines: (i) the term by using the simplified “plain-vanilla” method as allowed under SAB No. 110; (ii) a historical volatility over a period commensurate with the expected term, with the observation of the volatility on a daily basis; and (iii) a risk-free interest rate that was consistent with the expected term of the stock options and based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of the grant.
Stock-based compensation expense for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was approximately $4.8 million and $4.7 million, respectively.
The Company granted 653,210 stock options during the year ended December 31, 2019 and granted 732,869 stock options during the year ended December 31, 2018. The per share weighted-average fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, was $2.17 and $1.81, respectively.
These fair values were derived using the BSM with the following weighted-average assumptions:
Transactions and other information relating to stock options for the years December 31, 2019 and 2018 are summarized below:
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the difference between the Company’s stock closing price on the last day of trading during the year ended December 31, 2019, and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of shares that would have been received by the holders of in-the-money options had all the option holders exercised their in-the-money options on December 31, 2019. This amount changes based on the fair market value of the Company’s stock.
There were 15,000 options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2019 and there were 63,190 options exercised during the year ended December 31, 2018. The number of options that vested during the year ended December 31, 2019 was 847,030 and the number of options that vested during the year ended December 31, 2018 was 269,173.
As of December 31, 2019, $95,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.4 months. The weighted-average fair value per share of shares underlying stock options was $1.54 at December 31, 2019.
The Company granted 2,603,567 and 1,758,428 shares, respectively, of restricted stock during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, 25,000 shares and 23,256 shares, respectively, of restricted stock were issued to the Company’s non-executive directors as a part of their compensation packages. Each of the four non-executive directors received 25,000 shares of restricted stock, or $50,000 worth, of restricted stock based upon the closing price of $2.00 of the Company’s Class D common stock on June 17, 2019. Each of the four non-executive directors received 23,256 shares of restricted stock, or $50,000 worth, of restricted stock based upon the closing price of $2.15 of the Company’s Class D common stock on June 15, 2018. The restricted stock grants for the non-executive directors vest over a two-year period in equal 50% installments.
Transactions and other information relating to restricted stock grants for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 are summarized below:
Restricted stock grants were and are included in the Company’s outstanding share numbers on the effective date of grant. As of December 31, 2019, $528,000 of total unrecognized compensation cost related to restricted stock grants was expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.32 months.
12. PROFIT SHARING AND EMPLOYEE SAVINGS PLAN:
The Company maintains a profit sharing and employee savings plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code. This plan allows eligible employees to defer allowable portions of their compensation on a pre-tax basis through contributions to the savings plan. The Company may contribute to the plan at the discretion of its Board of Directors. The Company does not match employee contributions. The Company did not make any contributions to the plan during the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018.
13. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:
Radio Broadcasting Licenses
Each of the Company’s radio stations operates pursuant to one or more licenses issued by the Federal Communications Commission that have a maximum term of eight years prior to renewal. The Company’s radio broadcasting licenses expire at various times beginning in April 2020 through December 1, 2027. Although the Company may apply to renew its radio broadcasting licenses, third parties may challenge the Company’s renewal applications. The Company is not aware of any facts or circumstances that would prevent the Company from having its current licenses renewed.
Royalty Agreements
Musical works rights holders, generally songwriters and music publishers, have been traditionally represented by performing rights organizations, such as the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (“ASCAP”), Broadcast Music, Inc. (“BMI”) and SESAC, Inc. (“SESAC”). The market for rights relating to musical works is changing rapidly. Songwriters and music publishers have withdrawn from the traditional performing rights organizations, particularly ASCAP and BMI, and new entities, such as Global Music Rights, Inc. (“GMR”), have been formed to represent rights holders. These organizations negotiate fees with copyright users, collect royalties and distribute them to the rights holders. We have arrangements with ASCAP, SESAC and GMR, and are in negotiations with BMI for a new agreement. If we are unable to reach an agreement with BMI, a court will determine the royalty we will be required to pay BMI.
Leases and Other Operating Contracts and Agreements
The Company has noncancelable operating leases for office space, studio space, broadcast towers and transmitter facilities that expire over the next 12 years. The Company’s leases for broadcast facilities generally provide for a base rent plus real estate taxes and certain operating expenses related to the leases. Certain of the Company’s leases contain renewal options, escalating payments over the life of the lease and rent concessions. The future rentals under non-cancelable leases as of December 31, 2019, are shown below.
The Company has other operating contracts and agreements including employment contracts, on-air talent contracts, severance obligations, retention bonuses, consulting agreements, equipment rental agreements, programming related agreements, and other general operating agreements that expire over the next six years. The amounts the Company is obligated to pay for these agreements are shown below.
Of the total amount of other operating contracts and agreements included in the table above, approximately $110.1 million has not been recorded on the balance sheet as of December 31, 2019, as it does not meet recognition criteria. Approximately $14.7 million relates to certain commitments for content agreements for our cable television segment, approximately $18.7 million relates to employment agreements, and the remainder relates to other programming, network and operating agreements.
Reach Media Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest Shareholders’ Put Rights
Beginning on January 1, 2018, the noncontrolling interest shareholders of Reach Media have had an annual right to require Reach Media to purchase all or a portion of their shares at the then current fair market value for such shares (the “Put Right”). This annual right is exercisable for a 30-day period beginning January 1 of each year. The purchase price for such shares may be paid in cash and/or registered Class D common stock of Urban One, at the discretion of Urban One. The noncontrolling interest shareholders of Reach Media did not exercise their Put Right for the 30-day period ending January 30, 2020. Management, at this time, cannot reasonably determine the period when and if the put right will be exercised by the noncontrolling interest shareholders.
Letters of Credit
On February 24, 2015, the Company entered into a letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement. On October 8, 2019, the Company entered into an amendment to its letter of credit reimbursement and security agreement and extended the term to October 8, 2024. As of December 31, 2019, the Company had letters of credit totaling $848,000 under the agreement. Letters of credit issued under the agreement are required to be collateralized with cash.
Other Contingencies
The Company has been named as a defendant in several legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. It is management’s opinion, after consultation with its legal counsel, that the outcome of these claims will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.
14. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):
(a) The net income (loss) from continuing operations for the quarters ended June 30, 2019 and December 31, 2019, includes approximately $3.8 million and $6.8 million, respectively of impairment charges.
(b) Operating income for the quarters ended March 31, 2019, June 30, 2019 and September 30, 2019 have been revised in the amounts of approximately $1.3 million, $1.4 million and $1.4 million, respectively, to reflect the interest expense component of operating leases from interest expense into operating expenses.
(a) The net (loss) income from continuing operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2018, includes approximately $6.6 million and $14.7 million, respectively of impairment charges. The net income for the quarter ended December 31, 2018 includes a benefit from income taxes of approximately $124.3 million.
15. SEGMENT INFORMATION:
The Company has four reportable segments: (i) radio broadcasting; (ii) Reach Media; (iii) digital; and (iv) cable television. These segments operate in the United States and are consistently aligned with the Company’s management of its businesses and its financial reporting structure.
The radio broadcasting segment consists of all broadcast results of operations. The Reach Media segment consists of the results of operations for the related activities and operations of our syndicated shows. The digital segment includes the results of our online business, including the operations of Interactive One, as well as the digital components of our other reportable segments. The cable television segment consists of the Company’s cable TV operation, including TV One’s and CLEO TV’s results of operations. Corporate/Eliminations represents financial activity associated with our corporate staff and offices and intercompany activity among the four segments.
Operating loss or income represents total revenues less operating expenses, depreciation and amortization, and impairment of long-lived assets. Intercompany revenue earned and expenses charged between segments are recorded at estimated fair value and eliminated in consolidation.
The accounting policies described in the summary of significant accounting policies in Note 1 - Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies are applied consistently across the segments.
Detailed segment data for the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018 is presented in the following table:
* Intercompany revenue included in net revenue above is as follows:
16. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS:
As noted above, the Company has limited but ongoing authority to purchase shares of Class D common stock (in one or more transactions at any time there remain outstanding grants) under the Company’s 2009 Stock Plan and the Company’s 2019 Equity and Performance Incentive Plan. On March 13, 2020, the Company's Board authorized a new repurchase plan of up to $2.6 million of the Company's Class A and D shares through December 31, 2020. Since January 1, 2020 and through the date of filing of this report, the Company has repurchased 697,801 shares of Class D common stock in the amount of approximately $1.1 million at an average price of $1.65 per share.
While the Company ceased operations of WGPR on December 31, 2019, the Company continues to provide management services to the current owner and operator of WGPR.
Pursuant to the TBA with GEG, in January 2020, we began to operate WQMC-LD until such time as the purchase transaction can close under the APA. Under the terms of the TBA, we pay a monthly fee as well as certain operating costs of WQMC-LD, and, in exchange, we will retain all revenues from the sale of the advertising within the programming. After receipt of FCC approval, we closed the transactions under the APA and took ownership of WQMC-LD on February 24, 2020.
Beginning in March 2020, the Company noted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting government stay at home order were dramatically impacting certain of the Company's revenues. Most notably, a number of advertisers across significant advertising categories have reduced or ceased advertising spend due to the outbreak and stay at home orders which effectively shut many businesses down. This was particularly true within our radio segment which derives substantial revenue from local advertisers who have been particularly hard hit due to social distancing and government interventions. Further, the COVID-19 outbreak has caused the postponement of our 2020 Tom Joyner Foundation Fantastic Voyage cruise and was impairing ticket sales of other tent pole special events. We do not carry business interruption insurance to compensate us for losses that may occur as a result of any of these interruptions and continued impacts from the COVID-19 outbreak. Outbreaks in the markets in which we operate could have material impacts on our liquidity, operations including potential impairment of assets, and our financial results.
Given the expected decreases in revenues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we assessed a variety of factors, including but not limited to, media industry financial forecasts for the remainder of 2020, expected operating results, forecasted net cash flows from operations, future obligations and liquidity, capital expenditure commitments and forecasted debt covenant compliance. If the Company were unable to meet its financial covenants, an event of default would occur and the Company’s debt would have to be classified as current, which the Company would be unable to repay if lenders were to call the debt. We concluded that the potential that the Company could incur considerable decreases in operating profits and the resulting impact on the Company’s ability to meet its debt service obligations and debt covenants were probable conditions which gave rise to a need for an assessment of whether substantial doubt existed of the Company’s ability to continue as a going concern.
As a result, the Company performed a complete reforecast of its 2020 anticipated results extending through April 2021. In reforecasting its results, the Company included the impact of certain of cost-cutting measures including furloughs, layoffs, salary reductions, eliminating travel and entertainment expenses, eliminating discretionary bonus expenses and merit raises, reducing or deferring marketing spend, deferring programming/production costs, reducing special events costs, and implementing a hiring freeze on open positions.
Out of an abundance of caution and to provide for further liquidity given the uncertainty around the pandemic, the Company drew approximately $27.5 million on its ABL Facility on March 19, 2020. As of March 31, 2020, the amount remained on the Company’s balance sheet and improved our cash on hand balance to approximately $66.4 million. On April 15, 2020, the Company paid interest expense of approximately $12.9 million on its 7.375% Senior Secured Notes, and as of April 27, 2020 our cash on hand balance is approximately $54.7 million. As a result of the cost reduction and other measures that the Company has taken in response to COVID-19, the Company anticipates meeting its debt service requirements and is projecting compliance with all debt covenants through April 2021.
On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the “CARES Act”) was enacted and signed into law to provide emergency assistance to qualifying businesses and individuals. The CARES Act provides a number of key provisions that include unemployment benefits, deferral of employer payroll taxes, tax benefits designed to aid businesses impacted by COVID-19, low interest business loans, and a Paycheck Protection Program. The Company may qualify for certain provisions of the CARES Act, however we continue to evaluate the impact for any potential benefit that the provisions may provide.
URBAN ONE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 2019 and 2018
S-1